Greenberg's 1901-2021 Price Guide

I thought you were joking, then I looked for on one-line.

They really changed the form factor by that much, after all these years? 

I guess there is too much product coming out each year and the book either needed to get thicker, wider or taller.  I guess there is not enough demand for any particular era for them to split them across different books anymore (as much as I don't like the new size, I guess losing this as a resource would be worse if they couldn't justify printing them anymore for any particular era).  I could see pre-war / post-war in one and everything since 1970 in the other, but it's probably is not enough demand to print more than one.

I would have voted for taller, still would have fit in the inner pocket of the jacket I normally wear to train shows.

-Dave

I know a lot of guys on this site laugh at those guides. I have a fairly recent copy somewhere. I use it to "vaguely" get an idea of what prices things are going for. Although I don't take them all that seriously and usually use the sold section on eBay to get an idea. . My question is- aside from the New Year being added to the new price guide, in general do you find that the old prices change much from year to year?

Now days eBay "completed items" gives the best up to date estimate of a competitive auction price and it is available any time on your smart phone.  Of  course some items may not be listed as they have not recently been sold.

I like the lower price I can barter for at a train meet, hoping to find a desperate or "got to get rid of it" seller.

Charlie

For me, my focus is definitely not the prices (at least not on a detail level, more on the order of "is it a bread box or is it a school bus" type of evaluation).  In terms of realistic pricing, I used to prefer the McComas guides, but they haven't been doing one for many years now.  Even back then, I always thought the Greenberg guide was always showing items as higher than McComas.  I'd consider that when viewing any price today as well.

I believe it's the last remaining pocket size (well, until this one, it was pocket sized ) guide with a relatively complete list of items made each year.  I know it has some level of flaws/omissions also, but it's a quick way to look something up. 

And I'm not a smart phone person, so that is not part of my tool set at a meet.  Even if it was, can be hit or miss as mentioned above.  I can't imagine myself poking at a small screen trying to look stuff up on eBay during a meet.  I personally need a real computer to do any sort of decent data collection and trending, and an "at this instant in time on eBay " snapshot from a smart phone isn't sufficient, if we want to go to that depth.

For instance, running around a meet and I see something I like, but wasn't familiar with it.  If I hadn't been interested before, it's hard to know details without some sort of reference.  At least I can look up the item number and see what year it was made and a rough value to know at least ball park what I may expect to reasonably pay for it.

-Dave

its a good reference for identification but the prices are very off the wall compared to the big meets and evil bay. 

The wider format is easier to read. The TM guides went to that format for a period roughly a decade ago. What is a bit absurd is to publish what is purported to be an accurate price guide with a straight face given the current difficulties at this time.

Bob

I have an old Greenberg’s in the basement - 2011, I think.  I haven’t bothered taking it to a meet in years. I am of the opinion that with the time it takes to compile and publish the info in these guides, it’s already dated by the time it hits the street.

My price “guide”, if you will, is the one between my ears that’s connected to my wallet.  After you’ve been in the hobby for a long time, you generally have a pretty good sense for what a reasonable asking price is for an item versus “walk on by”.

Curt

Agree  with others. Completed auctions on Ebay tell the tale on prices.

The real issue is not what an item sold for on eBay, or what some price guide says the price was last month or 10 years ago.  The issue is what is the item worth to you and how much you really want it or have to have it. 

Purchasing is about desperation of how desperate you are to buy it and how desperate the seller is to get it sold.  Some sellers have a price in mind and will hold on to the item until the price is met.  Other sellers just want to get rid of the item and will take any offer or want the item to go to good home.

I have in my mind what I will pay for most things.  That is one reason I do not have a Lionel 2343 Santa Fe ABA but have a repainted Marx 1095 set and Williams F7 set.  I will buy bargains to have a spare or if low enough buy to resell, even on high seller cost eBay and all the trouble of shipping.

Charlie

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

The issue is what is the item worth to you and how much you really want it.

Charlie

that’s how I look at things.