I've done my fair share of shopping on E-Bay...enough to know the frustrations of being "sniped" on that lovely little loco I had watched for days...but I've become curious...how many of the listings are truthful.."mint in box" "factory new" "never run"...do these people really have hard-to-get, expensive locomotives just sitting around in boxes on their shelves? I dunno, but how many people can there be like that? How can you not run an engine you presumably spent over a hundred bucks on? "well, I just think I'll put this one away for a few years..."
I guess me, with my silly ten loco collection (but a nice ten they are!), it's hard for me to grasp that. And it's hard for me to really tell if an engine has been run a bit (not a lot, but a bit)..and maybe it doesn't matter if the price is right, but wondering...any of the experienced MR's here have an opinion/advice on the listing and verification process on E-Bay? Are all these listings pure hype, as i presume?
I've had my share of items snatched away from me at the last second on eBay, and I've done a little last second snatching myself...
As for "New In Box" items. I've bought a few that weren't so new, and showed signs of wheel wear. But, because I got them for half of what I would have paid for them new, and because they were in otherwise perfect condition, I didn't make a big deal out of it.
If you want actual NIB stuff, you need to buy from an actual eBay store with a really good reputation, not some guy named Bob that sales a couple of items a week. I found this out the hard way.
To answer your question. If it appears too good to be true it probably is...
Tracklayer
Some folks do have stuff sitting around that they have never opened. I swear some people hoard models like those crazy ladies do with cats. There are also a lot of hobby shops and retailers that sell on eBay.
With that being said, there are also a lot of less than honest folks on eBay as we all know. Buyer beware!! That is why I like to spend the extra money and get my high dollar stuff at the LTS.
I know alot of people that buy trains just to have them. Maybe put them on the mantle or in a display case. No intention of ever running them.
Also, I know that there are some hobby shops that sell on ebay but don't necessarily let the customers know they are a hobby shop.
The fact is you never know on ebay or your LHS. Depending on the LHS return policy you might have purchased a loco that was run for 6 months and returned. The difference is it's allot easier to hold your LHS accountable.
As risky as ebay seems, people on there are really protective of their "feedback ratings." A simple thing like this really keeps sellers honest. Imagine how good your LHS would be if their feedback for the last 4 months was posted in the window.
Check out the Deming Sub by clicking on the pics:
I can attest to what El-Capitan says about eBay feedback. I once bid on an item from an eBayer and when I won I sent him a postal money order the next day. It took several months and several nice-to-threatening emails before I finally received the merchandise. I gave him feedback that the item was nice but he was a tad tardy in delivery. The next day I looked to see what he had given me for feedback and was I surprised to find he had lit me up like a torch. So since the seller usually has the last word on feedback I'm pretty careful how I respond.
the goat
I have been real lucky on E-stupid. Of the NIB engines I have bought around 50% where worn out or broken. Reason I say I am lucky? I either got all my money back and got to keep the engine that I fixed. Or I was refunded the cost for the parts that where needed for the repair.
Save way is a internet hobby shop. But I still will use my LHS as much as I can.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Sometimes people do tell the truth....I have trains that I have owned for over three years that are still in the shrink wrap...I have at least nine steamers that have never been on the rails, along with two dozen passenger cars and who knows how many freight cars and cabooses..this is 3 rail stuff...I also have over 200 feet of HO track,11 turnouts, two locos and thirty some freight cars that were never used...Then a large complete G Bachman set still in the shrink wrap...I am what you call a train nut...Sometimes I will buy a complete set to get one item in the set..I have over ninety 3 rail steamers, but mine are not for sale....I am getting ready to build a roundhouse scene, and I want it to look busy....I overshot my goal by about 15 locos, but now plan on a logging operation and a second railroad to make better use of the equipment...What happens if I kick the bucket tomorrow??? Aside from that possiblity, there are some people who just burn out and want to get out of the hobby....Some folks want to change scales...There are also some guys that belong to collector clubs, and end up with unwanted items ... Some people like to houseclean once a while, and make rooom for some different pieces...I bought one loco that came from a hobby shop closeout. It was about 13 years old, and still sealed in the box..There are also some people who receive a train as a gift and have absolutely no interest it trains...
One word of warning though,,,On some, (if not all of this stuff??), if the item is not purchased from an authorized dealer, there is no warranty.....MTH for sure on this issue...
Some of the sellers on eBay are authorized dealers, so these purchases would be no problem with warranty...
Most people are honest, but you should always use your better judgement. I have run into a few con-artists on eBay.
BDT
Most of my rolling stock hasn't been operated. I have two pairs of modules that I set up with our local club once or twice a year. Since most of my locos are custom detailed and painted by myself, I rarely operate them because many of the details can be damaged if they are handled by others who don't know how to pick them up properly. So I usually let the other club members bring their stuff to run. I'm a model builder and not an operator. So while I may not have the original boxes for most of my stuff, it probably hasn't been run much if at all.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
If you buy from a guy that says he knows "nothin bout trains" , it's probably junk. Occationaly you get a winner, but YOU have to pay attention. It is these guys that know eBay.
On the other hand, if the person describes the engine the way you want it described, he's probably a train guy. You usually get a fair price, but not a great one. Sometimes, though you find something that is posted poorly, by a train guy, and you get a deal. Sometimes, if what you are looking for is hard to find, eBay is the only place you can get it.
You can do well on eBay if you use your head a pay attention.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
The best thing to do is watch for signs. The first is pictures. The best pictures are the pics that are clearly taken in someone home instead of a factory picture, which sometimes still is reliable, but only with a few seller. Check feedback. I go for about 98% and above, and I read the feedback that is negitive or neutral. Reading feedback is the good way to see how truthful this seller is. It will give you comments such as "very great seller, item as described, A++" if the item was as described, was an easy transaction, and was recieved in a due time. Read the descriptions carefully, and make sure everything checks out. Sometimes the descriptions can be as shady as the sellers themself. Finally, look for a refund option. Some types of refunds include "if item isn't as described, money back returns within 30 days" or "if item is not in condition listed, money back return within 30 days" Always purchase insurance if your going to be really upset if the item is broken. Just some of my tips and guidelines!
-beegle55
Like some of you out there, I try to stay clear from the "I don't know much about trains" sellers. However, there have been times where I have gotten lucky off a couple of those sellers, one example is when a lady listed a RPP SD-60M decorated for the UP. It came fully assembled, super-detailed, powered with an A-line power kit, weathered and the whole bit, clearly from a train guy. She said the engine didn't run and actually had it listed as a different engine type. I got it for less than $30, which in my eyes was a hell of a deal seeing that I had spent over $80 on one of my other RPP projects. I'd say about 2/3 of the "I don't know much about trains" sellers are really knowledgeable about our hobby and are just looking to dump crap on an unsuspecting buyer.
If I'm really interested in a sellers item, I won't hesitate to read over their feedback and I have gone as far as to e-mail some of their recent buyers and inquire how they felt about the seller. I ask if they shipped promptly, packaged well, if the item they bought was as they advertised and more. I'm glad to say that most of the people I've contacted reply and they usually set my doubts at ease.
gn goat wrote: I can attest to what El-Capitan says about eBay feedback. I once bid on an item from an eBayer and when I won I sent him a postal money order the next day. It took several months and several nice-to-threatening emails before I finally received the merchandise. I gave him feedback that the item was nice but he was a tad tardy in delivery. The next day I looked to see what he had given me for feedback and was I surprised to find he had lit me up like a torch. So since the seller usually has the last word on feedback I'm pretty careful how I respond.the goat
This is why when I buy from someone, I won't give feedback until they give it to me first. A lot of sellers have the "I'll post after you post" deal going on, but I'm the customer, they need to talk about me first, then I'll talk about them. That's what I do when I sell, I post for my buyer first, then they reciprocate. Sometimes they won't but oh well, at least I still have my 100% feedback score. (knock on wood)
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
It's true about the feedback piece, El Capitan, because I don't know if some LHS would have a good "score" on that...I know some internet hobby sites surely wouldn't!
I have tried to steer towards the big sellers with a track record they care about.
I've scored a couple of nice Kato engines at good discount, and they look ok, even if they're not "factory new". I guess all that means is they're nice enough that you can't tell.
I've learned recently it makes no sense to bid early or bid high early, you just get sniped for a dollar more on any nice item at the last minute. Happens invariably with any quality item that is Norfolk Southern, or CSX engines. I've been keeping my ammo dry, putting on the stove timer and battling the snipers on their last minute bids...it's kinda fun. Like I said, won a couple.
The truth of the matter is as soon as you buy a locomotive or freight cars and walk out of the shop its used.Of course this does not apply to returns.
So,IMHO there is no such thing as NIB from a private seller.It should read use or at the most test ran only..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I don't buy from anyone who has feedback less than 99.5%.
Recently I picked up an old Lobaugh SP brass caboose kit for $25 from some guy who listed it as a "Lobaugh toy train caboose", in a category other than O scale trains. These kits routinely go for over $100. The kit was mint, all parts included. The best finds are the ones that are not listed in their correct category. The only way I found it is by doing a search through all of ebay for "lobaugh".
My worst experience on ebay was when I bought a Pecos River Brass ATSF oil column for around $100. When I recieved it I noticed a small dent on one side and a handrail needed to be resoldered. Niether of these things were mentioned in the item description nor could you see them in his pics. My first instinct was to send it back and demand a refund. After realizing I would probably never get another one of these (that one was the only one I have ever seen on EBAY in the past 5 years) I decided to keep it. The handrail could be soldered and the dent would not be noticeable after paint. So I decided to just let the seller know that I wanted to keep it but he should really do a better job of looking at and describing the items before sale on ebay. Without asking, he refunded 25% of the sale price. I have made over 50 purchases on ebay and this was the only one not described properly.
I forgot my favorite tag line...Tyco locomotive....BEAUTIFUL detail!!!
loathar wrote: I forgot my favorite tag line...Tyco locomotive....BEAUTIFUL detail!!!
Or: Athearn F7, Santa Fe, smooth running VERY RARE! Start Bid:$20
Or: Atlas GP7 mint condition. (and it's actually an RS11)
Or: Santa Fe FP45 by Athearn. Nicely detailed, looks like the real thing. (and it's an AHM unit!)
I just now use the old adage of Caveat Emptor.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
el-capitan wrote:The lionel taglines are the worst. Every guy and his brother who find a rusted out boxcar in the attic think that they have a ticket to the easy life. It really makes me laugh when I read this stuff. While there is some Lionel stuff that is worth ALOT of money, most of it is mint in box. People don't realize that collectors shy away from most anything that is abused or neglected.
A number of my "New In Box" out of production kits were opened and missing quite a few number of pieces. This is a real bummer when you pay a super premium on something like a blast furnace.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
FIRST, my six cats and I are offended by the "crazy lady" label. That being said I do enjoy the occasional trip to E-Bay for amusement. " I don't know anything about trains, but I accquired this as part of an Estate Sale.....an extreemely rare....". One has to wonder why we have less that full trust of someone who has all but admitted taking advantage of some poor widow, plus telling us that not knowing anything about our hobby an item is "rare". I am with AntonioFP45 in letting the buyer beware. On the other hand how badly do you feel when you win an auction at 25% of the retail value? Ah well it is an auction and both sides stand an equal chance of "winning". What did P.T. Barnum say....?
Will ... it is a real zoo at feeding time!
Well Folks,,,,a good share of the ads invite you to ask questions before you bid,,,,so for me,,,this is how things go sometimes::::
VINTAGE LIONEL STEAM ENGINE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WILL MAKE A NICE ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION
Question:: Do you have the cowcatcher that is broken off the front of that nice engine??
Answer:: What is a cowcatcher??
Question:: Is there some special reason you hooked the tender up backwards to the lococotive??
Answer:: ? this one appeared to be in some sort of foreign language???
Question:: Do you have the rest of the wheels for that locomotive??
Answer:: This is the way I got it.
Question:: Do you have the tender for that set??
Answer:: What is a tender??
ebAY entertainment at it's best....I have been left rolling in laughter many times..BDT
My favorite is the guys who represents CN boxcars as a 'rare misprint' because they have Canadien National on one side.
They get really nasty when you inform them that it's not a misprint because it's in French, as required by law and thus, not particularly rare.
When they do that I take great glee out of informing the bidders that it's still available at retail.
AntonioFP45 wrote:Or: Athearn F7, Santa Fe, smooth running VERY RARE! Start Bid:$20Or: Atlas GP7 mint condition. (and it's actually an RS11)Or: Santa Fe FP45 by Athearn. Nicely detailed, looks like the real thing. (and it's an AHM unit!)I just now use the old adage of Caveat Emptor.
They do have some strange birds on the bay. I saw an auction for a couple of Atlas driveshafts, still available on the Atlas site for .50 cents each. The same parts went on Idiotbay for $8.50 a pair!
The first thing I do is go to the OEM site and check price / availability so I have a base price to compare with.
What is wrong with these people? Is the Hale Boop comet returning? Maybe having internet access in the loony wards is not such a good idea.
Deals can still be had but you have to look harder and have more patience than in the past.
Jim
Hi guys
EBay is
Buyer beware if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't true
Also Know your product and its value I nearly got caught but did not win an Item that it was claimed was made buy a well known manufacturer I was suspicious enough to contact the manufacturer and found out they did not and never had make the item.
What I was looking at was a very nice piece I did want it, but it was not as claimed so not worth what it went for someone will not be happy
Remember what you are getting will be mostly second hand so be careful of wild claims.
regards John
Since I'm performing my side of the deal first by paying, I want to get my feedback first as well. That's going to be my new standard - and it ought to be the standard.
Sellers should not be allowed to receive feedback until they have left it.
jeffshultz wrote: Since I'm performing my side of the deal first by paying, I want to get my feedback first as well. That's going to be my new standard - and it ought to be the standard. Sellers should not be allowed to receive feedback until they have left it.
Exactly Jeff,,,,,If you pay for your purchase in a timely manner,, your obligation is complete...and you Deserve a good feedback.....immediately, period..
When I purchase an item, I would rather be pleased with my purchase and leave the seller a good feedback...Sometimes this just isn't the case...Before I leave any type of feedback, I will review the ad and the photos....If there is something that I missed in the pictures, that would be partially my fault...If the pictures are limited, and the ad text claims there are no defects, that is misrepresentation....I may e-mail the guy and let him know that I am not pleased.....In a case like this, I have gotten partial refunds before....Some sellers are not necessarily crooks, but just don't know that much about what they are selling....Now, lets say I don't get a reply to my e-mail...If they have not left a good feedback for my prompt payment,,I will not leave them any feedback; good or bad, ...period.....the reason being.....I don't want or need them shooting back at me with a bad feedback that I do not deserve...A crook WILL do that...That would make my rating look bad....In the event that you have received a good feedback for prompt payment, and you do leave a negative feedback,,, to protect your rating, make sure that you never do business with them again........
By the way,,, at one time , I started a "lie ing sack of crap list" of the sellers on eBay....the list got so big, it was unreal..
One tip,, If you spot a lie ing sack of crap,,, check his other items that are for sale,,,,If he has fifty items for sale,, those should become fifty items on your blacklist,,,, unless you are willing to take a gamble.
I had one major retailer try and rip me off once also... I won bid on a new train,at a good price, and never received it,,,, I called them and was told that they had never received my payment, although my money order had been cashed...I waited till the next day and called at a different time.....I got a complete different answer....The manager was in the background, he said that they were out of that train, and authorized a refund....plus ten bucks for my trouble.....So what kind of crap was this??? they sold me a trainset that they didn't even have, and then one of the workers tried to steal my money.....Needless to say, they will never deal with me again.
I like to do repeat business with sellers that I know.....Personally, I am willing to spend more when I am dealing with someone who has earned my trust...
windy as usual, BDT
el-capitan wrote: I don't buy from anyone who has feedback less than 99.5%.[SNIP]
[SNIP]
Even THAT approach isn't a guarantee. I recently purchased an item from an eBay seller who has this level of rating and has sold MANY items. That said, the quality of the item I purchased was pure crud and was not apparent from the item photo. I emailed the seller and expressed my displeasure. He told me that I should have ASKED about the quality (gee, I'm sorry, I thought that posting a picture and describing the item was supposed to be truthful!). He went on to say that it's always eBay buyers with low feedback scores that complain. I have 100% positive feedback but only 32 transactions so explain to me why that means I'm the PROBLEM?!
Finally, the seller basically told me that if I left HIM negative feedback he would to the same to ME! Awfully nice of him to pad his feedback scores with THREATS to anyone who dares give him a bad rating. Because I'm proud of my score and KNOW that I didn't do anything wrong I reluctantly did not provide any feedback rating.
Chuck