Buy, or Pass!!!

Popi:

It is absolutely amazing what people buy, and how they go about buying it.  I have sold at flea markets, antique markets and garage sales.  I always have good stuff, priced cheap.  I once sold a BUNCH of train stuff to an older gentleman, for good money.  He didn't even bother opening many of the boxes.  He picked out what he wanted, bundled it together and offered me darn near what I had priced it at.  I was absolutely shocked!

Awhile later, someone who had looked at my stuff earlier came back, hoping to get a last minute bargain.  He asked me where all the train stuff had gone.  I was feeling pretty silly at that moment, and told him that I got tired of looking at it, and just gave it all away.  He walked away, miffed at the prospect of losing all the good things.   

It was a good day for me.  And, no one even stole anything that day, making it doubly good.  Sometimes you just can't read people.

I usually will walk thru a show to see what  is there, and try to wait for what I really need/want, because as sure as I jump on something , I won't have enough cash for the "can't live without it". But $10 for a 999...I'd bought at least one even if I didn't "need" another one!

Popi,

I know what you are saying.  Though I've never sold trains, I did sell a lot of car parts when I was clearing out my shop.  Nice stuff, hard to find items.  Priced it cheap also-about 50% of market value-just wanted it gone because I knew someone would enjoy it.

I couldn't believe the idiots I dealt/wasted my time with.  

The 2 types I really dislike:

A.) the guy who wants to guilt you into selling it to him.  After a low ball offer, "Well, I drove 4 hours to get this"  My reply-"I guess you came for nothing then"  Which he did 

B.)  Guys who make you offers on text messages, sight unseen. No way. If you can't make an effort to come see what I have for sale, I don't have time to reply to your text 'offer'.

I feel for people trying to make a living selling stuff.  I know I couldn't do it.

I agree.  I will raise a price to where I get "Are you kidding?" comment.  Then I say, make me an offer, and I usually end up selling it for my original asking price or even more.  Strange, how some folks deal at sales.

This reminds me of an interesting and amusing flea market story.  A woman was selling items that included some unmatched dishes, one of which apparently interested this guy from its design and was probably collectable.  The woman wanted four bucks for it.  He said it was too much and walked away.  Just a few minutes later, he returned and offered her $3.00 for it, telling her that was all it was worth.  Now this woman was just so frustrated with this guy, she said:  "Are you telling me this special plate is only worth three bucks?" He nodded.  To his horror, she took the plate and smashed it on the ground, saying "If that's all it's worth, then I'm not going to pack it up to take back home.  After the guy left, she laughed and said her response was truly the highlight of her day when she saw the look on the fellow's face.

a buddy of mine picked up a Plymouth Barracuda that was rusted to death, but had some good driveline parts he wanted. A guy started stopping by and asked to buy the car. My buddy said the car wasn't for sale. The guy kept stopping by, and got told the car wasn't for sale, and not to come back. He called a few weeks later, and said he was on his way over with a trailer and was going to buy the car. He was told the car wasn't for sale, and not to come over. Well the guy showed up, and was told to leave. Again he said he wanted to buy the car. My buddy got in his old truck, and proceeded to smash into the car until it looked like a derby car. Still not taking a hint, the guy asked about buying the rear end from the car. This resulted in the car being flipped over, and torches taken to the rear end and it getting cut into pieces. I've never seen my buddy POed like this, and I wouldn't want to. I've known him for years and we've never exchanged a dollar between us. Great guy, but don't cross him.

I haven't been a seller for quite awhile, but enjoy the buying aspect a lot.  Buyers and sellers are a mixed group.  Usually I feel that everyone expects to negotiate at the monthly DuPage show.  Most of the asking prices are at least semi reasonable, but have a little wiggle room.  Occasionally an item is priced so low that you snatch it up with out negotiations as you would feel guilty offering anything lower.  I have even told a seller that he was too low on his price and he got so frustrated that he decided not to sell it and keep it.  It was a K-Line 21" California Zephyr set that he was selling because he was buying the Atlas cars.  He has since thanked me repeatedly for our discussion and has sold his Atlas cars instead.  I love getting a good deal but don't like to take advantage of people either. 

My friends are worth far more than a price I could get out of a train. 

Art

I have done quite a lot of selling at shows in the northeast in the past.  The folks were quite enjoyable to deal with, all in all.  At least half of the customers would pay my price without negotiating.  One crank I do remember though, spent several minutes picking out a bunch of my N scale cars from my display.  These were Atlas, like new, in their boxes, priced at $2 each - a steal.  When he had what he wanted, he then asked what I could do for him.  Upon hearing the price was firm he dumped them and walked away without a word. 

I don't sell stuff, but I see a lot of people dawdling at meets and some seem intent of driving down any price, even those that say "buy it you dummy, before someone like the guy standing behind you realizes is a bargain already."

quote:

To his horror, she took the plate and smashed it on the ground, saying "If that's all it's worth, then I'm not going to pack it up to take back home.

I've heard multiple tales of folks doing that with trains over the years.

I've jokingly told my family to do something similar when they liquidate my estate.

Once at a train show I was selling Hess trucks at a great closeout  price --a fellow came by saw my price and complained that  he just bought one that I had for a higher price---I suggested to him that he  buy mine and average his cost down---he did!!!!

I've always liked the guy who picks up a $5 gondola, one-by-one rolls each of the eight wheels with his finger, opens and closes each coupler, and then puts it down and walks away. I've always wanted to ask "Is it supposed to do something else too?"

Jim

"It was a K-Line 21" California Zephyr set that he was selling because he was buying the Atlas cars.  He has since thanked me repeatedly for our discussion and has sold his Atlas cars instead"

Art, I often wonder of another friend of ours who did sell his K-Line 21" CZ set in favor of purchasing the Atlas set ever regretted his decision. I sure an happy about his decision.

I did exactly that with a saucer from a RR china set (I can't recall what RR it was) at a show in Atlanta, at a table manned by the NRHS chapter I belonged to, as we all had loose stuff of ours to sell there. This was 1992 or 93. We had a buck on it and this chowderhead passed by it dozens of times asking if we'd accept fifty cents for it. The show was ending and he came strolling up with the most most smug expression I'd seen up to that time. "I know you'll accept fifty cents now." Crash. We all then told him to get lost. You'd have thought we'd just capped his Mother, from the look on his face.

Popi

Cash is King. I'd be willing to bet that guy that returned would have played some more and still not purchased anything.

I've had that happen in the past as well. They've never said what they were doing, either. In one case, someone was checking out said pile and the first guy came back and yelled at the other person for looking at 'his' stuff yet he wasn't going to pay just yet. I told the second guy, "Pay no attention to him, nothing here is reserved," and sold a couple of the items. The first guy threw a tantrum, and really lost it when I told him that I wasn't going to sell anything to him. I've done that a few times for really insane people and it's funt o watch their reaction. Had one threaten me with police for doing that, I pointed to a nearby pay phone and said, "Be my guest, I'll be right here."

There's also a local collector who has more toys than God. Brags about his collection being the best on Earth (and in fairness, could very well be) and sells amazing stuff at really high prices. Guy came to a sales table of mine and starts whinning about prices. I said, "Look, you should go around bragging about the awesome collection and how much it's worth, then come around pleading charity, you can afford this." He went insane at that, start demanding discounts. I started going up, beyond the sticker price. "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. I just doubled the price with a smile. He later sent a buddy to buy the item for him, wasn't even sneaky about it. I told the friend that he'd have to pay triple the price (which now had the guy's name and a much higher price on the sticker, which caused laughs from others looking who knew him). He came by screaming when he heard that, threatened to have me thrown out of the show (he wasn't running it. Again, be my gues, I said). I then told him nothing I have is for sale to him at any price. I still see him at shows and he won't acknowledge I'm even there.

The difference between men and boys

is the price of their toys!

"I won't tell you what is wrong with them until after you buy them"? what color is the sky in his world?

Green for money, or brown for the BS he was spewing. Take you pick.

As Bugs Bunny used to say, "What a maroon..."

Don't forget, you have to pass the bill in order to find out what's in it!

Yea, I've dealt with some really screwed up people over the years, but that's a new one on me. Then again, how many RR books do you see at shows that they won't take the plastic off so you can see them until you've bought them? I see it at every show and hobby shop I've ever gone to.

I've told several of those types of book vendors that they've ensured I won't be buying from them, because I either need to see what the content is, or even if I already know, I need to know that the book wasn't screwed up in printing of binding.

God is a TARHEEL fan, that's why the sky is TARHEEL blue!!

GO HEELS!!!

Tire kickers! They are as bad as the Watchers on Ebay. 86 Looks, 12 Watchers, no bids week after week. Why waste your time to watch if your not going to bid??

Gandy

He wasn't serious about selling them.

I bet he still has them also.  No one in their right mind is going to do that....

I picked up 5 Weaver Canadian Grain Hoppers about a year ago at a small train show in Rochester New York. Dealer Had $20 apiece on them. Doing the simple math that's $100. I was looking at one of the hoppers and the dealer came over. He had a bunch of other cars, all priced at $20. The Grain hoppers were not displayed together. There were 3 Canada, 1 Saskatchewan and 1 Alberta. I asked him if I bought all five Grain hoppers if he would take $80. he said yes!! so we started packing them up. put them in bags and he says. That will be $100. I looked at him dumb founded and said, but you agreed to $80. he said Oh, I cant let them go for that price. I didn't say anything stood there for about 5 sec. and he finally said OK $80. Don't know what that was all about. some kinda bait and switch deal I suppose.

 

No, my experience for these lookey-loos is that they don't even bid when you lower the price.  the ones that get to me, are the ones who put the item on their "watch" list in the last few hours.  I've sold a lot of train things on eBay, but it's never an easy time.  And the fees, well that's another story altogether.

I currently own every flat with Corvette from every manufacturer ever made...except one.

The first Industrial rail flat with corvette was a 53 eggshell. At one York it was in the purple hall for $80. I offered $50 for the $19 MSRP car. Next York I did the same, and the next, and the next and next. Until the next York it was no longer there. I still don't have that flat.

rat

Your right Aaron, the guy was just playing games. 

quote:

I have people watching my eBay auctions all the time that end with no bids.   I always assume they have the same item and want to see what it is worth.

I use the Ebay watch feature fairly often.
Some reasons are:

Thinking about bidding
Thinking about getting one, trying to get a handle on market prices

Have it already, wondering where the current market price is

Just wondering how much interest there might be on an item

The watch feature is part of EBay, its there for people to use.

At least people watching on EBay cannot handle your merchandise with greasy fingers.

Two off subject..on subject:

The gas staion at the end of my street is selling Regular for $3.999 a gal. because it is right near the exit of an interstate [they only sell gas and convenience store items and close early]. go to the next intersection up the road less than a mile $3.169 a gal. Reg.

Back in 1983 we got burned out and rebuilt our house and were ready to move back in but still had to have the Bathroom sink installed. The night before the move I went looking for a Vanity and sink. I saw one I liked but wanted my wife to see it as she was at work; Proudly above the vanity was a sign xx% off all instock vanities. We were waiting at the front door the next morning when they opened, my wife and I were set to buy the vanity and called over the sales person and was told that that vanity wasn't in stock. I offered to buy the floor model and was told it was policy they would not sell floor model. I asked to talk to the manager, manager said same thing. I then asked what was in stock and was told NOTING everything is in a warehouse in Ohio and would take at least a week to get and at that time sale would be over. I stormed out of the store stating at the top of my lungs "YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING ON SALE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE". This was a small Hardware chain, now GONE! 

I have to plead guilty to being an Ebay watcher.  I do it for several reasons, I am interested but the price goes beyond what I am willing to spend before I bid, I have one and want to see what it sells for, I may be purchasing but do not have a handle on what the correct (current market) price is.  I did that recently with a digital camera.  Followed several listings of an item I was interested in, saw what they sold for and under what condition.  When the one I wanted showed up again with a buy it now price right where I thought it should be I nailed it within 10 minutes of the listing.  Also, I never bid before the last 10 minutes.  Watching it earns me an alert to pay attention.  That is all part of the auction process isn't it?

A pal of mine had the exact same thing happen at a gun show recently. Scary to hear of it happening to someone else, too.

Makes me wonder if there's some forum somewhere suggesting this crazy tactics to sellers...