How hoops to jump through to sell a loco

Folks like that are called 'tire kickers' in the car collector world......I ignore them in all hobbies I work in!!!

Exactly the type person you do not want to deal with - will never be happy and probably next ask you how he can return it.

Be patient - reasonable buyers are out there.

Jim

Why would you even bother to ask that question?

The answer is obvious.

The boys gave you the best advice on the planet.  If you have a good engine, stay with your price.  These people who always buy used and then try to beat you up are bottom feeders.  They complain and will drive you crazy.  A few years ago, the forum had a few of these guys.  They would buy crap cheap on fleabay and haunt forum members for advice on how to fix them. 

I always offer items to forum members first.  If I later on  go to other sites, I always do a quick video clip of the engine running narrated with the date and time.   I had a guy try to shake me down a few years back.  I sent him and fleabay the clip and that was the end of that story.

I have purchased trains from OGR forum members and find this forum the best place in the world to buy.  I cruise other forums and this forum is run by the best people in the business and most of the members are the same.

When a buyer asks a seller to end an auction early, and sell outright, there is a good chance that the buyer is trying to get the item inexpensively.
Experienced sellers know that the real bidding on a desireable item often takes place in the last minute or two of the auction.

*Don't take this personally*

 I'll play devils advocate here and aside for the selling price( thats up to you) How does a potential buyer know whether or not your selling a piece of crap?

There have certainly been plenty of folks that have posted complaints about  purchases being "less than described" even from well known large dealers.

A video request may be a bit excessive but IMO a pic of the wheels and pickup rollers is the best way to indicate "relative use" especially when something is stated as being "test run." I always include them in my sales ads.

Good photos usually speak for themselves  as long as they contain what the buyer wants to see.

Given the numerous complaints regarding Lionel smoke units over recent months, I can't say I'd blame folks for inquiring about them.

... ...outside of that, tell the buyer no thanks and "let it ride" and see what happens.

Put his name on your blocked bidders list.

Rick, MTH engines are the best to buy as you can get the odometer/chronometer.  Any MTH I sell has what I call the TRAINFAX.  I  declare the information.  Looking at feedback score helps on fleabay.  I do not take video to send just as a CY_.  This is done when doing a final check.  I always fully charge an MTH battery before sale.  We have all heard stories of buyers trying to shake someone down by holding bad feedback over your head. 

I agree with you on the smoke.  I always go through a checklist and have had to fix one recently.

This method seems to work from what I have observed: List it at whatever price you want. If it doesn't sell, relist it 3 times. Be sure to raise the price for the second listing, and on the last day of the third listing have a friend "buy" it.  Start a fresh listing 15 days later and feel free to use the same photos.

TMack, you said it all.  I am sure people who sell are all with you on your comments.

Try posting on the OGR for sale forum.

Brent

I second the 98% above who say do not deal with this guy.  If he really wants it, let him bid for it.

A tire kicker, indeed.  Yuk.

This thread and the various replies outline both why I don't sell locos and why I don't buy them used anymore (except for parts).

I agree with everything that was said above.

I also stay away from people who ask WAY TOO questions!

I had a Lionel crane car on fleabay with a starting price of $40.00 and a buy it now for $75.00.

Someone asked me if I would end the auction right away and sell it to them for $40.00.

They claimed they were buying it for "the grandkids" and couldn't afford the $75.00.

I told them NO because the auction still had 5 days to go and if they wanted it, to place a bid on it. They didn't.

Guess what,,,,,,,2 hours later some else came along and bought it for $75.00!

Be patient as the right buyer will eventually come along!

I usually start my auctions at $0.01. I wouldn't mess with the low baller. Good luck.

Just curious - what locomotive is it?

Have you tried this forum yet? You may find a buyer here after all...

Well....I've bought three locos here from fellow forum members.....All 3 were smooth transactions,  arrived as offered and better deals than elsewhere. So used locos from the right folks is still a good thing.

I understand, and my attitude is not really against anyone here.  I won't sell anything anymore period - I did for a while but my father gave me good advice years ago which I learned to follow:sell something used and too often the buyer unreasonably hounds you if there are any problems.  Just not worth the hassle.  

I used to buy used locos and such but only from a commercial enterprise I have previously dealt with and know stands behind their sales and are set up to handle issues sensibly and quickly: Trainz and Klein (through their websites, never via e-bay) and my LHS.  This is no reflection on forum member's honesty, but because I know these larger enterprises are able to deal quickly and completely and professionally with any issues that come up in a fair manner.  Many - probably almost all - forum members selling here might do also, but just I don't want to take the chance given that so far I find everything I want from commercial companies.    

I hate to be a bit negative, but, quality here on the forum has been no kinder to me than other sources.  As they say, rarely do folks sell a good horse. 

I bought an expensive Atlas #5 turnout on the forum, "NEW IN BOX". When it arrived, the styrofoam insert was missing and the seller had improvised a replacement by gluing layers of cardboard together that he had cut himself.

HOW CAN YOU NOT MENTION THAT TO A POTENTIAL BUYER?

Another time I bought a 5-car articulated set from a buyer and it reeked of tobacco smoke.  Was it my responsibility to ask if it smelled like smoke before I bought it?

I think odds are no better here on the forum as far as a "good purchase" is concerned. 
What makes "us" any better than the folks selling on ebay when many of the folks are"us" anyway?

The thing about buying on a " safe place" like the forum, is there is no accountability if something is broken or doesn't work. In addition to the "got it from a forum member and it doesn't work posts", there have been posts about folks either not receiving money or items with the seller or buyer getting screwed,  not impossible, but much more difficult for that to occur on ebay as well.

I've had a "less than described" purchase on the forum, and frankly my odds have been better on all other auction sites. Having said, that I make few purchases a year, and big ticket items are always bought new from dealers, even if they were on the shelves for 5 years, never an issue.

When buying on ebay, if feedback isn't 100% and 5 stars across the board theres always reason to be cautious.

As far as the forum is concerned, reputable folks like Marty Fitzhenry are your best bet, anyone new/or you don't recognize "pops up" on the for sale board is suspect.

Its really very simple, caveat emptor:

There is art to selling, you have to troll that product out there for a bit. (you know tease the fish a bit) Research a fair price and stick to your guns. Keep the emotions out of it and the attitude of a fire sale..... people sense this.

My favorite Ebay phrase is "as is" which could mean anything and I always ask the seller to be more specific. For example. Does it run? It is amazing that basic information like this is always left to the imagination and then it's followed by "as is". When I used to write up contracts the term "reasonable efforts" was always a quagmire and as old heads used to say, you only need a contract when things go sour. There are unreasonable sellers and buyers and a return policy is at least better than none as a safety measure between the two.

When you sell USED AS IS; a Buyer should understand the risk; so a careful Buyer should ask questions because the answers become part of the sale contract that refutes the "As is" condition.

like: Does it run? if the answer is "YES" the "as is" is now conditioned on "As is; but running.".

BEST advice if you ARE selling "As IS" . . . is shut up say nothing!

go with your gut, take a sec

and answer his emails and leave your auction up.

if he truly wants it, he will bid.

Saying that you're not selling anything ever is kind of a "head in the sand" attitude... It's like saying you're never going outside again because it was raining once and you got wet.

By and large the vast majority of transactions go smoothly and are conducted by decent upright people. So you have to deal with a schmuck once in a while. The trick is learning to identify them and limit your dealings with them.

There's no law that says you *HAVE* to jump through every hoop some tire kicker puts in front of you. He's not going to go out and tell the world what a jerk you are for not giving him everything he asked for! You were going to give up on the world anyway, so what would it matter if he did?

My rule on ebay when selling is I never end an auction early or offer special deals.  I typically only do "buy it now" or "best offer" when selling anyway.

I use lots of pictures, and take pictures prior to boxing for shipment.  I include a good description with the caveat "as is and no warranty expressed or implied" for whatever it's worth.

I had two different buyers try to get money back out of me a few years ago on some HO items.  I pushed them for pictures of the claimed issues or even video at which point they went silent.

For locos on ebay I only buy new from dealers or used and awesome prices.  I am not ever going to pay anything near retail for a used item period.

As for the forum being safer, I doubt it.  Too many people want paypal as gift (offers you no buyer protection this way) and without any means to offer feedback, is a gamble.

I stick with those I see on her a lot that people seem to know and whom have reputations to uphold.  All my dealings on the forum thus far have been excellent.

Interesting thread.  Here is what we missed - the seller has named his price, and the potential purchaser is making a lower offer, contingent on more info.

For me, this changes the complexion of the deal.

I believe most of us have assumed that the potential buyer wanted to stop a live auction.   Making an offer on a high priced "Buy it Now" deal is vastly different.  That is decidedly not an auction.

Buy it now deals, one must remember E-Bay requires them to be 30% higher then a reserve or 30% higher then opening. As to how Buy it Now are put in. May not be a deal, except to E_bay and the seller. Both making more then expected.

I have made offers to sellers, especially when their Buy it Now are above and beyond the value. Believe it or not, 75% have been accepted.

Research, asking the right questions which are not a part of the sellers description, maybe forgot to add, can be a satisfying buy/sell deal for both. Also remember, many have been burned by some sellers, and are cautious buyers. I have no problem giving more information on any items I offer.

The best advice I can give you is to stick to the this Forum's Sell Board. I have had 100% success and there is no fee, no hassles.

You have to be fair with your pricing or it will not sell. But if you are realistic, it will go.

I, too, have had 100% success in the past, and I hope I have had 100% satisfied buyers.

I have bought several things here on the forum  I bought a GP9 this year and was very happy.  I have bought mostly scenery buildings.  As for the gift on PAYPAL.  If you don't use the gift option then Paypal dings the recipient for fees. Many times here on OGR the prices are better and the shipping is either included or very reasonable.  If an OGR seller wants a Paypal gift I have no problem with that.  It isn't always about a scam.  I sell enough on eBay and pay eBay and Paypal enough fees that I get it.  I consider the OGR community friends and mentors and like to help a friend when they ask.

If you want to hide behind no picture on your profile and a fake name, well then you probably don't want to be a friend and don't value what a community like OGR provides. It's toy trains not national security.

 I recently bought a loco that had decent pictures, from a "reputable" dealer in Georgia. It showed a broken snow plow and the front and rear railings were loose. He stated it runs good.

 The minute I put it on the track, I knew I was in trouble. The front wheels didn't turn. The loco lurched two times and then tripped the breaker. He said " it worked when it left here".

 Sometimes, pictures don't help. If there's damage, you can bet it's worse and that's why it's up for sale.

Hi, first of all, if you are talking about eBay it is a violation of the rules to contact a buyer or seller (while an item is active on eBay) to arrange the sale of that item outside of eBay.  Secondly, I'm not positive of this, but I think there is a fee to end an auction early and if there are already other bidders for that item you may not be able to end the auction early.

Also, it is VERY VERY bad for the person that uses the threat of negative feedback to threaten you with.  That happened to me where a buyer threatened me with negative feedback because I would not sell an item to him.  I reported him to eBay and they told me they do not condone that kind of action and he would be dealt with.

However, you have been given good advice from those above.  Don't do business with that guy.  You nay have to relist it several times to sell it at your price.  I usually reduce the price by $10.00 and relist if I need to sell it fast.

Rick