Not all stings are bad, though!!!
A year ago, April 2014, I rounded the corner, following the arrows, in Red Hall, looked down at the first table and saw a Lionel B&O red wagontop caboose in a crispy box....with a "30-" sticker on it!!!!! Seeing what these things had been going for on da bay, I was incredulous!
So I picked up the package, asked the gorgeous lady assisting her husband (or squeeze) staffing the booth if this was the price...for real. She said, "Sure!" My wife (our exchequer) quickly handed over the $30...while I stood there shaking, staring at the item in my clutches.
Now, I already had a red B&O Lionel wagontop caboose. It didn't matter. I know a deal when I see it!
Later on, when we had a chance to catch a break, I checked my inventory on our tablet. Yep, there was my caboose. Whoa!....My new purchase was a different 'boose number! WHAT LUCK!?!?!
But, hey there....what's this??? The crispy box that my gnu caboose came in carried the same 6- number as the one I already had!!
After checking Lionel's website, I found that I had a great new caboose....in the wrong crispy box.
They say that mixed emotions are like watching your mother-in-law drive your newly restored '57 Chevy BelAir convertible, larkspur blue, off a cliff.
Well, that's what this 'boose 'sting' was....mixed bag. But, hey....not complaining, mind you. I did casually return to the vendor's table later, though, to see if the mixed-mate was lurking among the other boxes. Yeah, right.
Nope, all in all, that was a good sting.
It happens...
KD
BTW...No, I don't have a '57 Chevy BelAir convertible, larkspur blue. But I wish I did!....my Mecum, Barrett-Jackson fantasy buy!