Just a thought

Most of the time they don't believe you. They feel you are telling them it's only worth this much because you're low balling them. They then go and try to sell it elsewhere.

I’ve been on the opposite side of the spectrum where I was at York and wanted to purchase a Standard Gauge Lionel green state set.  The guy has the locomotive and all 4 cars.  I was so excited.  He also wanted $17,500 for the set.  I looked at the set closely – he wouldn’t let me test the loco to make sure the motor worked (the wheels didn’t move freely) and there was a great deal of rust, corroded parts, frayed wiring, missing parts, etc. 

I was still interested in the set, but wasn’t going to offer anywhere near what he wanted.  When I counter offered, I thought I was about to be attacked.  The seller got really belligerent and was probably on the verge of using some $2 words on me.  I told him the noticeable problems of the set and that he didn’t have any of the original boxes, etc.  He came back saying “but’s it’s a green state set, they’re all worth a lot”.  I said, “yours isn’t” and walked away. 

A week after York, I saw the same seller selling one of the passenger cars on ebay – the final price was $280. 

I guess some people can’t see past the obvious flaws of their items to set a realistic price.  I can sympathize though – I know that things that I have aren’t worth what I paid, but if I needed to sell something, I really wouldn’t want to give it away either.

Phoebe Snow Route posted:

I’ve been on the opposite side of the spectrum where I was at York and wanted to purchase a Standard Gauge Lionel green state set.  The guy has the locomotive and all 4 cars.  I was so excited.  He also wanted $17,500 for the set.  I looked at the set closely – he wouldn’t let me test the loco to make sure the motor worked (the wheels didn’t move freely) and there was a great deal of rust, corroded parts, frayed wiring, missing parts, etc. 

I was still interested in the set, but wasn’t going to offer anywhere near what he wanted.  When I counter offered, I thought I was about to be attacked.  The seller got really belligerent and was probably on the verge of using some $2 words on me.  I told him the noticeable problems of the set and that he didn’t have any of the original boxes, etc.  He came back saying “but’s it’s a green state set, they’re all worth a lot”.  I said, “yours isn’t” and walked away. 

A week after York, I saw the same seller selling one of the passenger cars on ebay – the final price was $280. 

I guess some people can’t see past the obvious flaws of their items to set a realistic price.  I can sympathize though – I know that things that I have aren’t worth what I paid, but if I needed to sell something, I really wouldn’t want to give it away either.

 Seems he was looking at the train as a investment.I have never looked at the trains as such.They are just for enjoyment and to relive stress.Some one pointed out that the days of getting a lot of money for old trains is over.

this is another copycat topic...cant you guys get a little more original ?  -Jim

Google Lionel 318.  There are several nice looking engines for around $250- 280.  Then one guy wants $3500! for what he calls a rare coal train engine.  For a 318 engine alone.  Uhh...  Maybe not.

Jim Berger posted:

this is another copycat topic...cant you guys get a little more original ?  -Jim

If you didn't like it, you could have simply ignored the thread.  It's that easy!

seaboardm2 posted:

 Seems he was looking at the train as a investment.I have never looked at the trains as such.They are just for enjoyment and to relive stress.Some one pointed out that the days of getting a lot of money for old trains is over.

To an educated train enthusiast, trains never make good investment.  I've always used mine for under the Christmas tree, or running after a long day at work, a trip down memory lane, stress reliever, etc.   

Trains are very special to me this time of year since they bring back lots of memories of my me and my brother setting up some Lionel under the tree and watching them with just the lights from the trains and tree glowing in a dark living room.

Brian, 

That is a funny story, thanks for sharing.  Went to a meet last weekend and found the same people with the same crap, with their prices doubled because of the holiday. I was happy to find a couple of my club friends with some reasonably priced rolling stock.

The next show is only another week away is my philosophy. 

Jim Berger posted:

this is another copycat topic...cant you guys get a little more original ?  -Jim

I mean, to be fair, this one does come up fairly often, but folks still have fun shooting the breeze about the odd prices they see from folks that should be in the know on what they have.  The other thread that is ongoing is more about folks that honestly have no idea what they have, but just think any single item is of great value.  So, while it is not entirely original here, it is a funny story, and the other topic, I haven't seen before, even if it did get sidetracked into a different discussion.