What I liked best were the 'dealers' that showed at generic swap meets. The biggest at Wisconsin State Fair Park (not the big one) and there were some at older outlet centers with enclosed walkways. A mini-mall with empty stores for rent. That's were I got all my early N and O stuff. These were like early versions of E-bay play stations.
Dig Swap-meets! There you get to meet the seller and dicker if you need to. I think this has been said already. Train shows, club swap-meets can be sources of good deals. You still need to be cautious and always test track that locomotive before purchasing it. There's nothing like a brick and mortar hobby shop. If you have one near you. Oh and despite the positive's said about B-mann, it still isn't welcome here. If you are new to the hobby, in time you'll learn and understand why. Let the buyer beware.
Sellers on and off the internet have stars in their eyes from hearing about someone who knows someone who heard from someone that somebody knew someone that had a friend who had a cousin whose son in law worked at a diner where a customer knew a guy who had some old trains that were worth big bucks. I am asked "how much are my trains worth" frequently. I point to the example of coin collecting: how many 1909S-VDB Lincoln Cents are out there? Same thing with trains. This does not stop people from slapping "I can get that on eBay" prices on merchandise. The Postal Service isn't helping. Priority Mail rates went back up almost to the "Christmas Rush" rates as of today. Let's just say I would hate to be a large scale modeler about now... and by that I mean anything bigger than HO.
So at what point does 'rare' just become, snare a sucker? https://www.ebay.com/itm/284602236622?hash=item42439d7ece:g:7IAAAOSwAlBhmvs6 One 'rare' bicentennial atsf / santa fe autorack listed for $500. (Remember this is a single car). https://www.ebay.com/itm/284602241992?hash=item42439d93c8:g:qIUAAOSwlI9hmvyT One auto-rack, not even cited as 'rare' listed for $200. (Hardly any description at all to explain the price).
Life was so much easier when all Backmann was junk, but now that they have come out with a bunch of engines that run well it just makes life harder. How do you explain to someone that MOST of their diesels are junk...except the GP-7s, SD-9, S-4, 44 and 70 tonners, and a select few others. Most of their steam is junk...except the 2-8-0, 4-8-2, 2-10-2, 2-8-8-2 and a select few others. It doesn't even matter when they were 'made' since the 4-8-4 has had at least three different chassis under the engine (designed 1988, 2006, and 2020 according to Spookshow) and while earlier engines have pickup and broken gear issues, the latest engine gets an 'A' rating from Spookshow.
That's a good point Jeff. I was just thinking too that Atlas is somewhat the same, except that its dividing line is much more clear. Their first gen locomotives were often lacking, the Roco FA's split the difference and the Kato-made RS-3 was excellent, as was most everything beyond. Most mega-thousand-transactions eBay estate sale Sellers would ever know of these and other manufacturer nuances.
I’ve had good service from my two 44 Tonners, my four 70 Tonners, my 2-8-0, my B23-7, and my three NW2’s. I even have an ABBA of Spectrum F7’s that are good runners.
Hey marketeers, vintageless is the new new! https://www.ebay.com/b/KATO-N-Vintageless-Model-Railroad-Freight-Cars/262302/bn_67327090
All- Minitrix N Scale Minitrix Locomotive #908 | eBay I would place my bottom $ here.. on the original owner using This Article --Fitting other body shells on the MINITRIX U28C CHASSIS-- by the Late Jim Fitzgerald which Appeared in the JANUARY 1981 issue of mr =model railroader. Have to love the current bid of $13.27 or was when I saw it. Tom
VINTAGE N Scale Minitrix Conrail #8416 Fairbanks Morse H-12-44 Diesel Loco | eBay Condition New - I see Broken Handrails in the sellers photos.. New I doubt it. Have to Love the $125.50 ! And there's this one N Scale Minitrix Christmas Themed 3D Decals Fairbanks Morse H-12-44 Diesel Loco | eBay . Tom
I see what appears to be paint on the handrails. Describing condition as "new" is just dishonest. It is clearly used.
Minitrix longitudinal hopper B&M N-scale | eBay < This one appears to be a C-C CON COR Import due to the Blue Jewel Case Insert . Whereas this one Minitrix Longitudinal hopper car - Santa Fe N-scale | eBay < has the Clear Jewel Case Insert Both cars are Identical the exception here is the Road Name. Looks Like both are from the same seller. In case you missed it.. Have to like the $ difference . Tom
This "fair use" passage from an article on...wait for it... Beanie Babies (!) has more than a passing resemblance to what we discuss here. Here's a link to the whole article... meanwhile, I need to find a Princess (Diana) Bear. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22870250/nft-beanie-baby-price-guide-bubble-princess-value