On buying "used" or "pre-owned"

I have had the same experience with Train Z as well as members on this forum. I just got an MTH diesel from Train Z on Sat for a very good price and replaced the traction tires, lubed and cleaned and it runs great!

I loved used and even broken stuff.  I'm ripping out the electronics anyway in favor of Blunami.  And I'm probably painting and decaling it too.  So, I don't need anything new, shinny or expensive.

I buy a vast majority of my stuff used, and like Ron says, much of it is already "broken".  Buying used saves me the issue of breaking it myself, I can immediately get right to fixing it.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I buy a vast majority of my stuff used, and like Ron says, much of it is already "broken".  Buying used saves me the issue of breaking it myself, I can immediately get right to fixing it.

Right On Brother

Most of my engines were purchased used.  Of the last two new ones I bought, one had a problem.  However, the dealer replaced it right away.

I have purchased numerous American Flyer engines and rolling stock both used and new old stock.  I've only had one that had problems the dealer took immediately took care of the problem. Trainz was great to work with.  I have been lucky with the old new stock never a problem.  Up until recently I purchased only old new stock but recently, I purchased 2 sets Alton Limited and New Jersy Central Blue Commit.  Both are like new and run great. 

I have had much better luck with buying second-hand vs. brand-new trains. Most of the second-hand locos I have bought are MTH equipped with PS2, and I have had zero issues. Some of them were previously run, while others were still NIB, but in both cases, there have been no issues other than old traction tires and noisy smoke unit fan motors, but I consider those items routine maintenance, not a mechanical failure, especially on a 20 year-old loco that has been sitting idle.

For reference, the last "new" locomotive I bought was the Triplex, and it has a class light out and the whistle smoke doesn't work.  I'm waiting until after the New Year to ship it off to Lionel.  I'd probably consider fixing it myself except I probably can't get them to ship me the parts.

Well, for the age of items I am interested in buying "brand new" is usually not an option.  I recently purchased 2 cast iron, clockwork AF loco's each a century old so I could hardly have gotten them "new" at least not in this century !  I love the old things, with evidence of play or use it makes me feel like I am sharing the fun experience with some long ago user.  Its a good feeling.  Since i don't require any extended operating features (hey if it moves under its own power I am happy)this works out for me.

Don

Most of my stuff was purchased used and the vast majority (other than shipping damage) has been fine.

I always check Jeff the Train Tender and Trainz websites for all the possible parts I might need on a loco or car that is advertised as having issues.  I will look at eBay and see if larger specific things are available, and  also check here on OGR to see if specific issues are real bugaboos that are hard to solve.  If parts and answers are available I will take the plunge an buy a not perfect item.  I wanted a powered FEC GP9 and could only find dummies, but I found a power truck on ebay, an E unit from Jeff, light fixtures from Trainz, cut the holes in the frame for the truck and had a powered GP9 for less than 100 bucks.  So far I have fixed everything I have purchased that was broken, but still working on my B&O Doodlebug that arrived with a smashed cab.

I usually buy used from Trainz or other reputable dealers. I’ve never had an issue and I find that everything from rail sounds 5.5 back seems to be much more reliable than the new stuff. Since I can fix most electronic boards myself if there is an issue, I fix it, but since I also like to customize most i’d rather buy used; and a lot of times when I have bought used where it was listed as not working or this wasn’t working it was usually a pretty easy fix.

I am, I confess, cheap.  I have mostly TMCC three rail (two used Legacy) because the new prices kind of scare me.  I have a mental block of paying much more than $500 for an engine of any sort.

I get most all my engines and passenger cars at auction.  The state of most of the auction items are extremely good but need maintenance to repairs of major parts.  It is not unheard of that in shipping some of the trains get damaged.  The auction houses are usually very good about getting the damage dis positioned.

Not that I have a lot of spare time but I like working on my models (I have a long history of working on 1970's sailboats) and I do the same with trains.  Everyone is different but I like older, cheaper stuff and upgrading it.