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
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)
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
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.
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/
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
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
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:
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'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
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?