Crazy bidders on eBay

[Darth Santa Fe]

I found an auction on eBay for a used Bachmann DD40X (not Spectrum) with 7 days left going for $35. Starting price was around $12. Here's a link to it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989330887&category=19132&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1
It looks like it's missing a lot of parts.[%-)]

[TrainFreak409]

That's nuts, I got mine for $20 at a show, same exact model.

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409

That's nuts, I got mine for $20 at a show, same exact model.

I got mine at a train show for $5. It was priced at $15, but the guy felt because he thought it didn't work, so he let me have it for $5. It worked with a little cleaning. It came with most of it's railings and dummy couplers, unlike the one on eBay.[:D]

[Darth Santa Fe]

Here's another auction for a Bachmann DD40X, but it has it's box and handrails.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5988666155&category=19132&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1
It's cheaper too and only has 1 day left.

[orsonroy]

You want crazy? Watch pre-Micro Trains Kadee N scale boxcars on Ebay. They regularly go for $1000 and up!

[Train 284]

Thats insane!

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

You want crazy? Watch pre-Micro Trains Kadee N scale boxcars on Ebay. They regularly go for $1000 and up!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAweird. That's like a Tyco GM&O GP20 going for $100 to $300. And then when people get the boxcars, they think, "WHAT HAVE I DONE!? I JUST WASTED $1,000 ON A WORTHLESS BOXCAR!!".

[onetrack64]

The only thing I can think of to explain this...the bidder may have had one as a child, and would like to have one again. I know I have paid dearly for a few items. When it comes to things of sentimental value, the replacement cost is not even an issue most of the time. But I agree, even I could find a Bachmann DD40 for alot less.

Don

[jfugate]

With over 100 million bidders on ebay, you can expect a few of them to be irrational.

It's the irrational bidders that blow the proxy bidding model out of the water on ebay. That's why its best NOT to bid on an item until the last possible moment. Otherwise you run the risk of irrational bidders seeing your interest, and then repeatedly incremental bidding on the item, driving the price up to unreasonable levels.

If you snipe bid (as last minute bidding is affectionately called by seasoned ebayers) then you run the best chance of getting the item at a more reasonable price, in the price range you were willing to pay. http://auctionsniper.com enables you to snipe bid automatically so you don't have to physically babysit the item to place your last minute bid.

[alstom]

I recently purchased an Athearn "DD40" for only $15.00 at an Antique Mall. They're nuts!

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: You want crazy? Watch pre-Micro Trains Kadee N scale boxcars on Ebay. They regularly go for $1000 and up!

Are you serious Ray? I'll have to check through my car box. I know I have several old Kadee N scale cars from about 25 years ago. That could finance a whole new wardrobe of Atlas cars.


Regards

Ed

[AntonioFP45]

One thing to remember though.

If it's a very "hard to find" model with potential, then prices tend to wind up considerably higher. A friend of mine taught me that if I am looking for a model that's out of production, to not jump the gun. I did with an Athearn Santa Fe Warbonnet FP45 and paid much for it. Afterwards I saw countless units show up on ebay in the $20 to $30 range.

In the case of the HO DDA40x, the Bachmann unit has a great deal of potential as no one else made it ( Yeah, the paint is too orange!). To those of you not aware about Athearn's version of the DD40: It never existed! Only on blueprints. So for HO plastic, the Bachmann unit is it! (I'm in the same situation regarding Metroliners. I look for used HO Bachmann Amtrak Metroliners, strip them and "sweeten them up" into the Penn Central scheme. Hope to finish soon!)

With a complete repainting, re-motoring, lighting effects, DCC, and detailing a modeler could wind up with an award winning DDA40x Centennial, though likely spending $100 to $200 depending how far he or she wants to go. For a dedicated Union Pacific modeler with a long mainline, gentle curves or access to a club, this may be a worth while project which is why some are willing to pay $30 and up for one.

While the $35 is higher than average, it's not ridiculous. Especially after having seen Tyco locomotives going for this price (yipes!). If I were modeling UP, I honestly feel that if I couldn't find one of these units for $5 or $20 at a flea market or trains show, $35 to $40 would not be too unreasonable.

The trick would be to keep an eye for these units on Ebay and see how much the average is on one. Ebayers simply have to do their research and homework. [:D][8D][C):-)][tup]

[West Coast S]

I just aquired a Ambroid Russell wedge plow kit on Ebay. The bidding activity was dead at forty five dollars, since I was due on TDY and thus unavilable to baby sit this item, I proxied it and won for just under a hundred bucks. In my case this a much sought after, long out of production S scale kit that I have been on the hunt for.

What was crazy was a Kinsman passenger car set which went for $230.00, I fell sorry for the purchaser, as all Kinsman kits require a massive effort to assemble for meger end results. AF has semi-scale models that can be converted easily and cheaply. As usual don't get caught up in the heat of the moment.

Dave

[csmith9474]

I always enjoy coming across bidding wars on items. A lot of times the current bid is well above what it is available for from a retailer. It seems folks will let their pride and desire to win get the better of them.

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

QUOTE: You want crazy? Watch pre-Micro Trains Kadee N scale boxcars on Ebay. They regularly go for $1000 and up!

Are you serious Ray? I'll have to check through my car box. I know I have several old Kadee N scale cars from about 25 years ago. That could finance a whole new wardrobe of Atlas cars.


Regards

Ed

Sad but true, but Kadee N scale cars, especially if they've been babied over the years, fetch top dollar. My dad's an old N scaler, and once upon a time inherited the entire N scale inventory of a 20th Century Hobbies that went under in about 1981. I told him that he was sitting on about $20K worth of Kadee cars, and he nearly choked!

Here's a few nutty Ebay M-T/Kadee prices:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=598872360 ($200 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989021467 ($100, 2 cars)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989310862 ($102 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989474862 ($118 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989475292 ($113 reefer)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989475574 ($82 reefer)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989492280 ($210 for 5 flats)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989509143 ($115 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989540978 ($150 boxcar)

Actually, there doesn't seem to be anything on Ebay now that would fetch the really stupid collector's money. But the saddest thing is that all the above cars are at the "blue book" prices. Go to a swap or collector's site, and the prices car get REALLY fun!

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Ray: Actually, there doesn't seem to be anything on Ebay now that would fetch the really stupid collector's money. But the saddest thing is that all the above cars are at the "blue book" prices.

I don't know, $150 starting bid for a boxcar seems pretty stupid to me. But hey, I'm not a collector. You mention 'blue book' prices. Is there actually a site somewhere that talks about these things and puts some value on them? Now that you've piqued my curiosity.

Thanks

Ed

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

QUOTE: Ray: Actually, there doesn't seem to be anything on Ebay now that would fetch the really stupid collector's money. But the saddest thing is that all the above cars are at the "blue book" prices.

I don't know, $150 starting bid for a boxcar seems pretty stupid to me. But hey, I'm not a collector. You mention 'blue book' prices. Is there actually a site somewhere that talks about these things and puts some value on them? Now that you've piqued my curiosity.

Thanks

Ed

No real "site", but a real book:
http://www.nscalecollector.com/

[SilverSpike]

QUOTE: Here's a few nutty Ebay M-T/Kadee prices:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=598872360 ($200 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989021467 ($100, 2 cars)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989310862 ($102 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989474862 ($118 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989475292 ($113 reefer)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989475574 ($82 reefer)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989492280 ($210 for 5 flats)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989509143 ($115 boxcar)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989540978 ($150 boxcar)

Actually, there doesn't seem to be anything on Ebay now that would fetch the really stupid collector's money. But the saddest thing is that all the above cars are at the "blue book" prices. Go to a swap or collector's site, and the prices car get REALLY fun!

I checked out most of these eBay items and only one has had bids put on them and it has not even met the reserve price yet. All the others have no bids, I am not surprised.

Wow, amazing that someone has these prices so high! I wonder if any will actually sell at these prices?

Thanks,

Ryan

[rrinker]

Oh, I think they will get their price. As a seller I LOVE the nutcases that frequent eBay. I got $80 for one of those AHM/Pocher Lincoln Funeral Cars, Two Guys sticker on the original box says we paid $2.99 for it. I got $40 for a NON-WORKING (advertised as such) 2.1GB hard drive! And my father-in-law got $15 for an Athearn shell that you can buy today new from Athearn for $5.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EMT49

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

With over 100 million bidders on ebay, you can expect a few of them to be irrational.

It's the irrational bidders that blow the proxy bidding model out of the water on ebay. That's why its best NOT to bid on an item until the last possible moment. Otherwise you run the risk of irrational bidders seeing your interest, and then repeatedly incremental bidding on the item, driving the price up to unreasonable levels.

If you snipe bid (as last minute bidding is affectionately called by seasoned ebayers) then you run the best chance of getting the item at a more reasonable price, in the price range you were willing to pay. http://auctionsniper.com enables you to snipe bid automatically so you don't have to physically babysit the item to place your last minute bid.

snipe bidding is for a@$holes thay should all be banned from ebay

[Anonymous]

I know. Ebay has really pissed me off. I tried to sell my Powerstroke truck because my wife is sick, and will be out of work for a while...possibly for good. It's an '04 F250 4x4 with 23,000 miles on it and the auction ended at under 11,000 bucks.......without meeting my reserve, of course. This truck still holds a NADA trade in value of more then 31000 bucks. Go figure.

[egmurphy]

Rob,

Ebay probably isn't the best place to sell everything. I know I wouldn't want to buy a truck without being able to test drive it or send it to a mechanic. You might want to see if there's a CarMax near you. They offer on the spot appraisals and purchase. I know what they offered me was pretty close to what I eventually sold my car on the side for. And their website has an unofficial appraisal feature. When I entered the data on my car (before stopping by to see them) the results it gave me were amazingly close to what they offered when they checked the car out. Here's their website:
http://www.carmax.com/
And their price offer is good for 1 week or I think about 300 miles, so you can get their estimate and then shop around with a price already in hand.

Regards

Ed

[mustanggt]

Speaking of MTL boxcars, has anyone seen the prices of their enclosed auto racks? Rarity is one thing, but some people are nuts! I've seen them go for around $50!got mine for $29 at my LHS.

And another item people go crazy over are IHC Boeing LRV Trolley cars. I won mine for around 50 dollars, but some have gone well over $100. At least the pantograph is functional.

[1shado1]

EMT49 wrote:

"snipe bidding is for a@$holes thay should all be banned from ebay"

Along with folks that can't operate a shift key, or use punctuation.[:p]

Proxy bidding is for idiots.

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BigRedneckRob

I know. Ebay has really pissed me off. I tried to sell my Powerstroke truck because my wife is sick, and will be out of work for a while...possibly for good. It's an '04 F250 4x4 with 23,000 miles on it and the auction ended at under 11,000 bucks.......without meeting my reserve, of course. This truck still holds a NADA trade in value of more then 31000 bucks. Go figure.

Rob,

I can understand your frustration, but I hardly think it's ebay's fault.

[davekelly]

Ban snipers from ebay? How would that work? Would it be that anyone that bid in the last 30 seconds of an auction would be banned? But then wouldn't it make everyone try to get their bids in at the 31 second to go mark? Still sniping, except then it would occur 30 seconds later. I guess they could just keep pushing the time back a little every couple of months. Don't think it's workable.

BTW: I really do think that one should watch one's language here. Even with the characters it's obvious what the word is. Even if you disagree with someone here, there is no need to call them names like that.

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EMT49

snipe bidding is for ******** thay should all be banned from ebay

Ahem. Does that mean I should be banned also? Sniping has helped me win a few auctions.[:D] I'm not trying to start an argument, but there are people on this website who use Auction Sniper, like me.[:)] Some may be
offended by your response.

[Anonymous]

You need two think to find bargans on eBay. Patience (lots of it). Product knowledge. I have been looking on eBay for 5 years to put together a collecton of Sinclair Lewis books. A little over a year ago I paid $7.00 (including shipping) for a signed, special edition of one of his books still in the original slipcase. The book is easily worth $200.00.

Just have patience. Know exactly what it is you are looking for and don't be afraid to jump on a but-it-now that is a good price just on the hope to save a few dollars.

[ProtoWeathering]

I NEVER bid for anything I want until lthe last 15-20 seconds. That way I'm not tempted into a bidding war and I can beat out someone who has a slower connection than I. If I don't win what I want at the price I'm willing to pay, there's always another day. Sniping is one of the only ways to get what you want. Why be gentlemanly when it's you against me?

[TomDiehl]

Other auction sites deal with sniper bidding by extending the close of bidding if a bid comes in during the last few minutes. Sniper bidding is a fact of life on Ebay and any other auction site that doesn't do anything to combat it. If you're going to play the auction game, you need to play by THEIR rules.