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Not sure buyers/sellers forum is the right terminology, or if there is something like this that exists already, but I had an idea for matching buyers and sellers at York. Produce an app for the iPhone/Android that would allow you to post a WTB request that sellers at York could read and respond during the show.

So I'd enter a description and mfg item number item I am hunting for and if a seller had one at their table they could post a response - available in Red Hall, Table 12. With so many people in attendance and so many tables to visit, plus a lot of sellers having inventory buried under the table or in a box, this could streamline the sale to the benefit of both the buyer and seller. Why go home with something that someone really wanted to buy, but never found you, or it?

You could even create a premium version of the app with a search feature that would give sellers a chance to list their inventory (standardized format) and/or post a description with keywords to say what they focus on (tinplate, pre-war, modern, high-end collectibles, accessories, diecast cars, whatever). So if I am looking for American Flyer I could do a search and it would bring back a listing of sellers and table locations who have what I want. If the seller also decided to list his inventory or some key things he brought, I'd be able to see that as well. Charge the sellers a fee for the listing and a modest fee to the buyers to download the app. Most paid Apple apps are under $5.  

Maybe there is something already in the marketplace for this type of onsite buy/sell arrangement already that could be adapted for York. I'd be a fan of it for a couple of reasons including I typically have a list of items I'm looking for and would rather go home with those items in hand than not. Anything that would improve my chance of finding what I want would be worth a couple of bucks. Also, and I'm sure I'm not alone, I just can't see like I used to so scouring over hundreds of tables is both tiring and ineffective as I just can't see half the darn stuff. I never bother reading the sides of boxes anymore, just can't do it. But if I could type in "Lionel Polar Railroad SD80MAC" and get a hit from a seller, good for me and good for the seller.

Anyhow, it's a thought.

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Mooner,  I think you have a good idea.  Have you thought about why the Want to Buy OGR Forum is not loaded with items? or why LCCA's The Interchange Track has relatively few Wants versus Haves?  Perhaps a few in our hobby know exactly the items for which they are looking but many may not know nor need to know until they see it.  Please do not make the assumption that everyone who buys and sells O gauge items reads this forum. John in Lansing, ILL

Last edited by rattler21

mooner

Not a bad idea however, you can accomplish that right here on the forum. Possibly Rich Melvin can set up a new area called YORK Wanted, or York Wish list exclusively for matching YORK buyers to sellers.  It would have to be a pre-event thing, once the meet starts sellers are too busy attending to questions and watching over their tables, (some are even napping). 

OGR can activate this a month before the Meets and then erase them the Monday after

 

 

They have tried this at a major antique show (Atlantique City), and it was a joke. Probably fine if you are looking for something only 1-3 dealers have. How would you like to be a dealer that was required to give a detailed description of everything you have to the Eastern Division to "join" this?

There is, however, a fine "search system" already in place...called eBay.

As far as Eastern Division its no different than folks posting items for York delivery here. A seller could list as many or few of the hard to find items he/she had, not necessarily all of the items he was bringing. 

Its not a bad idea but would be better if it was made known to the whole model RR community somehow. Might even bring a few folks who have never been to York there. I know there are a few rare items I would go out of my way for.

Pete

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