Ever been to a trainshow were a vender asking price for a train caused a big fight?

I have seen a guy down here at a train show in south Florida(Broward county) have a cardboard sign up saying "I am not married to this stuff" and he has the highest prices I have ever seen, and he won't come down. I just walk away after a minute of asking for a lower price, because if "you don't quote a lower price you keep it!" I don't argue with people, I just look for a better price somewhere else.

Lee F.

What do you call a fight?

Gunny

Gunny I was wondering the same thing.  It's not a fight until you see red on the floor.

It's been a few years since I have been to local shows where this sorta happens once in a while but you don't see it as much at big, busy popular shows such as Greenburg, Amherst, etc. I say Sorta - meaning no outblown fistfights- but raised voices and yelling that draws attention to the 2 parties. As a seller it sucks if you are in the room and/or vicinity of the argument because it distracts potential buyers from looking at your stuff to sell and also is a security issue as distractions are used by theives to swipe your stuff. Sometimes you wonder if the incident wasn't a set-up for some unsuspecting seller in the room!

No.  Until violence erupts it's just an argument.

Pete

"Distractions are used by theives to swipe your stuff."

There is an old saying: "Where there's chaos, there's profit." 

I remember seeing one at the Holiday Inn (or whatever it is this week...the one off Carlisle Road) at York, where I thought I better step behind a bullet proof truck.  With changing tastes, changing economy, sellers can get too much in something, and be stuck at that price.  I have been and am.  If it is take it or leave, leave it....I WATCH a lot on internet auctions, I BUY very little.  I have my limits there, too... Speaking of the internet, I often see common sets offered, probably by heirs who

found it in the attic, but not always,  and think every Marx windup is a State Set, offered at hilarious reserves....you page on.  Arguing over it is a waste of your time.

This October at York I saw the most ridiculous prices for post war trains I have ever seen. Local shows are up and down.

Rob

I can't understand why some people get upset over another persons asking price for any item. If the item is not marked and I am interested in it, I will ask the price and if the person replys a million dollars for something worth a hundred, I will say Thank You and move on.

When someone is selling something, it is his/her business, I will never tell another how to run their business. OMHO.

Yep

I've never seen a physical fight or even a loud verbal fight over trains, but I am no stranger to offending people with offers on items priced too high 

"Arguing over it is a waste of your time"

Very true! If the price isn't in the ballpark to what I am willing to pay,I move on.

A fight is 2 person screaming at each other.And geting in each other faces.Now sometime if goes futher such as shoving then punchs are traded.By that time cops show up.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, an opinion of how much an item is worth when they sell something and when they buy something and since it's an opinion there really is no right or wrong. Only facts can be correct or incorrect so if you feel something is priced too high or an offer to you is insultingly low just move on. There is no reason to frustrate and demean yourself by arguing with anyone making irrational demands. Provoking an altercation with that person is apt to be an exercise in futility and life is too short to engage in such trivial, futile pursuits.

Yea some people have their prices that nuts.I think they want someone pay for a new car.Or at least a down payment.

Train show? No.

Automobile Dealership? Yes!

Bruce

Many people at train shows (and other "intense interest" venues) are short on the social

graces; too much time spent alone. But these issues mentioned above are not about

model trains or prices; they are about congenial behavior. A seller has every "right" (duh)

to ask a silly price; a buyer has every "right" (duh, again) to reject or pay said silly

price. No kidding.

Where "rights" end in a public setting of any kind, I do think, is when such "rights"

lead to rudeness. 

Honesty is easy; should be a natural thing and not bragged about.

It's manners that are hard. Work at it.

I don't have a problem with the person asking $1,000 for a pile of rust. I just figure he doesn't really want to give it up.

What does burn me up is the guy asking $1,000 for the "Mint Condition" loco with the obvious repaint job, chrome plated running gear, and a repro shell on the tender.

A seller has the right to ask anything he cares to for the items he is selling.

A prospective buyer has the right to politely inquire as to the selling price; to politely ask whether the seller might do any better; and then to politely walk away if the answer is "no."

Neither the seller nor a prospective buyer should pay any heed whatsoever to an outside third party not involved in the transaction.

Pretty simple, huh?

Well, here is a reverse of what is being said. At York last October I told a person selling the HellGate bridge he made from scratch that he should have asked twice the price for it. He said that he was glad it was going to someone (me) who appreciated it.

I learned from many years of going to flea markets that some dealers don't really care if they sell much. They look at it as a social event, and a place to display their stuff. The wife is thrilled to get them out of the house for 6 hours.

X2

As someone on the other side, I can tell you there are just as many buyers that are knuckle heads as dealers. I hate when someone offers you 200.00 for a 400.00 engine then stands there and argues with you about it. I was at a show and had a non-powered MTH Premire engine it was on closeout marked  BELOW cost at 125.00 and this guy starts up on me can't you do any better on the price, I explained it's already below my cost he stood there and argued with me for 10 minutes then I just walked away before I slapped him. It does no harm to ask for a better price but if the dealer says no just move on.

I've been to enough train shows to recognize what is good value for me, and what is not. I still enjoy looking at everything. There isn't anything that I "have to" have. Sometimes I pick up some great bargains (especially on Sunday afternoon) from the folks who are serious about unloading items. Sometimes a guy will make me a great deal just because I took the time to have a friendly talk with him and show interest in his display.

isn't that part of the fun, seeing what is out there and getting the best deal you can.  I have found that if you see the same item over and over sooner or later the price will come down.

First of all no-one is making us buy anything.  Most of the train shows I have been to have duplications of items and this creates competition between sellers so we usually have choices.  One thing I have noticed is that train shows that are open to the general public as opposed to closed TCA and TTOS shows tend to have higher prices.  My take on this is that vendors assume the general public is less knowledgeable about the true value of items and they price accordingly.  The TCA shows I have been to over the years have fairly priced items for the most part and most vendors are wiling to negotiate. bertiejoa

Train shows are face-to-face encounters.  Thus, people are usually on their good behavior.  However, I notice more and more people(including a couple above) constantly making like GREENBERG, either criticizing OGR SALE BOARD prices, or confirming what great deals their "buddy's" engines are...guess it's like alcohol in that people get brave posting from behind their keyboards!!!  One of you goes to extremes posting examples of Ebay Auctions to validate your expertise!!!  Some of the FOR SALE postings are becoming 20-reply DISCUSSION threads perpetuated by people having no interest in purchasing.  I mean it's YOUR Board, so you are welcome to destroy it I guess???  Or maybe you could hold your discussions on the 3-rail Forum???

FWIW, prices on the FS board have been stellar lately 

You are wise beyond your EARS!!!

If you all want to see this done by the pros, watch "Market Warriors" on PBS.

I've rarely seen anything at a trains show that couldn't be found somewhere else for less. Some folks think somethings more valuble just because its sitting on a table.

The thing that gets me is why go through all of the trouble getting a booth at a show, hauling all your stuff in, setting it up, only to haul it all  back out when the shows over

I am amazed at people's behavior.  If you think it is insanely overpriced why tell the seller?  Just don't pay it.  Make a lower offer OK.  If the seller gets angry understand it isn't with you, it may be economic desperation on their part.  Walk away no need to become engaged in their frustration. 

  If I walk onto a Bentley dealership and offer them 40K for that new Bentley the dealer won't even laugh or yell at me he will just suggest I look at this wonderful car line called Ford.   

I once got into a argument with a vendor at a train show...well I was screaming he was cringing ...he made the mistake of picking on my then 10 year old kid for wearing the jersey of a local team (that sucks BTW) and the kid was getting visibly upset by his taunts....I was close to going over the table after him but did not feel like dealing with the"handcuffs"that would have soon followed...Dickering over prices is one thing and if we can't come to a agreement I politely thank the person for there time and walk away...but when you torment my kid...that's different .

Wow!!You think with him selling trains he would know better.To pick on a customer kid not very smart.I bet he will never do that again ever.Just shake my head I can not belive anyone would be stupid.No matter how bad a team is.He should have kept that to himself.Oh the upside you taught him a leason that he will never forget.

hello guys and gals,Allan..........

A seller does NOT have any rights if they are DISHONEST.  Used car dealers are the worse of the bunch.

the woman who loves the S.F. 5011

Tiffany

Sure, I have.  Stopped at a table once and walked away muttering to my friend that "those prices are worse than York!"

Apparently, the seller heard it because I heard him say, "Next one who makes some smart remark will get a punch in the nose!"

I did not go by his table the rest of the day.

cc

Does/did FORD have stock in Bentley?  Or was it Jag?

I should add that, by and large (no pun), I'm pretty easy going.  As a fellow train friend once said, "I really don't need anything, but......."

I, too, will admire a piece and, if the price is a little high, ask if he/she can do better.  If I really want the piece, I'll buy it even if he/she doesn't budge.  Otherwise, I will thank him/her for their time and patience with me and leave. 

On certain occasions, I was called back and told if I really wanted it, then the price was.....and I will buy it.

Allen, I like your style.

cc