Deuce posted:Overall a success. Didn't get everything on my list but got a fair portion. Figured the FasTrack would be a tough buy and it's what I had to walk away from.
We lasted about as long as I expected. One hour, and the last thirty minutes he was all over the place, but he did good and he liked the show. We are at Chic fil A now. I'll detail things later after lunch.
Fastrack not easy to get now? What were you looking for that you didn't find?
Jim
So we got there around 10ish and it was a nice layout. One large O-scale train in the center of the hall running a Mickey Mouse GG1 with a Disney consist. My son loved watching it. A fair amount of dealers selling mostly HO and O, though I saw N there as well.
Someone actually recognized us from the forum. They said they didn't post often but had read about my upcoming experience. Unfortunately I am horrible with names and can't remember what he said his name was. Sorry sir! I did appreciate the welcome however.
Mostly did a walk through and nothing jumped out at me. Two dealers heavy into Lionel but at pretty high prices. I grabbed the minor parts I needed (wheel sets to convert my plastic wheeled O27 cars, and a handful of lockon's as well).
Finally grabbed my son a Lionel 16 wheeler and a set of intermodal containers for a flatbed car. Then grabbed a couple of dwarf signals and a passenger station. Went to the guy who sold me the lockon pieces and grabbed a couple of the attachments for the dwarf signals and wanted to buy a couple of pieces of O27 track. He sold me three boxes of the stuff for $10. So I won't run out of O27 for awhile! Grabbed a few more odds and ends and that was that.
I mostly asked for about 10% off, especially on that pieces I knew I was getting for much cheaper than I could get for it off eBay.
Only had one instance where I had to walk away. The FasTrack was used and the prices were crazy. I mean $10 for a used piece of O36 half curve. Offered $55 for six pieces of 1.75", two 5", and two O36 half curve along with a manual O36 switch. He wanted $92 so I walked. I may have paid if it was new, but it was all old.
By that time it was about 11:30 and my son went from not touching anything and holding my hand, to wanting to touch everything and running down the aisles. Figuring that I grabbed about 60% of the stuff I wanted, and only spending $45 for it, I called it a day.
Thanks for all the advice folks. It helped, and we had a great time. Didn't get everything to complete the layout but I got most of it and the rest I can hopefully grab either here or on eBay.
I know my son will love to see our layout up and running so I'm hoping to get it done by Monday.
Thanks again!
Glad you had a great time. Looking forward to seeing your layout.
Tom
DEUCE, I have been watching this post from the beginning and you were given some excellent advice. Also, it’s nice you could take your son with you and expose him to the Model Train environment, the many different personalities with the common denominator, Trains. Regional LCCA, TCA train meets are fun. Buying, trading, seeing others ideas makes for a fun trip. Personally, I have been to York 4 times, never made many purchases, but made many friends, learned many ways to enjoy my Model trains. Although your many years younger than I, this truly is a Father and Son (family) hobby. I suggest you attend York, one time in your life. It’s nice to see new folks coming into the best hobby in the world, Model Railroading. Thank you for your ideas, questions, and enthusiasm.
Deuce ugg that is crazy high pricing! You can get it new from Mario's trains with free shipping !!!
Jim
carsntrains posted:Deuce posted:Overall a success. Didn't get everything on my list but got a fair portion. Figured the FasTrack would be a tough buy and it's what I had to walk away from.
We lasted about as long as I expected. One hour, and the last thirty minutes he was all over the place, but he did good and he liked the show. We are at Chic fil A now. I'll detail things later after lunch.
Fastrack not easy to get now? What were you looking for that you didn't find?
Jim
Not many were selling and what was being sold was used with prices equal or greater than what you would pay for new.
I was looking for 1 3/4" and 4.5" or 5" straights and O36 half curve. Looked for a manual switch too.
carsntrains posted:Deuce ugg that is crazy high pricing! You can get it new from Mario's trains with free shipping !!!
Jim
I didn't know that. The free shipping makes a huge difference. I'll check them out!
ETA: checked them out and I think I'll never buy FasTrack any where but from them ever again! They're way cheaper than eBay and my LHS. Thanks for the tip.
Glad you picked up on your son's signals that he had enough. Next time he will last longer and you two will have a great time.
Deuce, that high price on FasTrack might have been because it was the first issue version with blackened center rails. That track was only available for about a year. Just a guess. Otherwise, there is no reason used FasTrack would cost more than current new stock.
I'm happy to hear you got to go. I missed mine today due to some kind of web site issue (no info & directions could be found this a.m....? A few days ago, no issue)
Maybe it's a regional thing, but if the seller asks for the tax and has an issue with being asked to see the required papers to collect the tax, the problem would be the seller, not the buyer 
And you do have to show them to the public or cease collecting it from the individuals, and do it out of pocket from the totals.
To avoid the hassles associated with false accusations by other dealers selling collectibles looking to oust some competition, I ALWAYS displayed my papers when I collected sales tax individually vs out of totals. I also produced tax exemption papers if buying for resale too, asked for or not 
Call me crazy, but I also turned two "under the table" buisinesses I got involved with into taxpaying assets to the state 
My state is "my club" and I willingly help to support it's financing 
...despite the lousy decisions they make 
Displaying your papers doesn't mean that you are submitting all the money. And showing your resale certificate doesn't mean you are actually buying for resale. It still all comes down to integrity.
Deuce posted:carsntrains posted:Deuce ugg that is crazy high pricing! You can get it new from Mario's trains with free shipping !!!
Jim
I didn't know that. The free shipping makes a huge difference. I'll check them out!
ETA: checked them out and I think I'll never buy FasTrack any where but from them ever again! They're way cheaper than eBay and my LHS. Thanks for the tip.
Deuce you are very welcome. AND if you order over 200.00 you can get 15.00 off and free shipping!
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