Public auction sale

Here's the auction flyer.  the auction is on the 17th outside of Baltimore.

Jan

Who was the gentleman or LHS?  Will be interesting since they have grouped lots.  So if you wanted to buy the UP passenger set, you have to buy 2-3 other passenger sets too.   G

Marty Bowersock, of Ma&Pa Junction...a major and very popular dealer in Williams Electric Trains (primarily).  Very well known in the hobby and a regular fixture at the York Meets, with lots of merchandise to choose from.

Looked at the listing. You are right they have combined numerous items into the lots so you may need to purchase items you don't really want. Seems it may be directed more towards dealers.

Also the buyers premium is pretty steep at 18% in addition to sales tax of 6% adding a total of 24% to the final cost.

I'm sure that it is.  That's the sensible way to dispose of store stock.  Saves time, and time is money.

Trainman, did you catch the No Reserve?  It was in the ad.  Sale will most likely be geared toward dealers.  I'm about a mile away,however I'm passing on this.

If any one does go, please let the rest of us know how it went.

I have to admit, I was a little wary posting this.     

Why would you be leary in posting the auction information?

Even a casual hobbiest could still bid on a lot.  One could always keep the entire lot, or part out the items they don't want to keep.  My guess is that as a lot, the individual cost per item would be less.

Jim

Most dealers will be purchasing on a Sales Tax Certificate of Exemption so that additional  

percentage will not apply to their purchases.

Brad

Very sad actually. Marty is a good guy. He will be missed by us Williams guys.

Rob

So very, very true!  I know many don't believe it to be true, but I've often said, over a long period of time, that we in this hobby are our own worst enemies.  We tend to have little regard for the impact we are having on the manufacturing and retail side of the hobby over the long term.  And you can pretty well bet there will be many more situations just like this in the years to come.

For a number of reasons, it appears that a significant number of O gauge customers purchase with their emotions involved. A unique kind of brand/manufacturer/retailer loyalty is often the case...

I think many O gauge businesses have been very fortunate, to have these kinds of loyal/concerned/well-meaning customers; customers that go out of their way, to provide business to their chosen suppliers. I doubt many other types of businesses are as fortunate.

Rick

jd-train, I didn't want to be perceived as a "vulture." I thought it was sad to read about this auction since I dealt with Marty in the past and thought him to be a decent man

Unfortunately, it is what it is, and the auction will go on regardless of if anyone of the forum goes to it or not.

Bankruptcy is a very sad time indeed.  The one tiny bright spot is that at least it leaves a point on which an individual can start over and not be saddled with the past. 

Jim

I bought off of Marty many times and I also see no reason not to get the best price possible when it comes to my trains. I always shop for the best price just like the rest of us on this board. I shop the best price on everything I buy, including clothes, cars, etc. I don't owe any store, dealer or grocery store anything. Give me the best deal, I'm there. 

I was thinking the very same thing... and based on past comments, we know exactly who'll be saying those pompous comments. Fortunately, the list is a short one.

Very sad indeed.

David

Most of my small collection of Williams locos and rolling stock were purchased from Marty / Ma & Pa. Thoroughly enjoyed dealing with him through the years and I chatted with him briefly at Fall 2011 York.

This is sad, but not unexpected, news.

And there ya go... One of them chimed in while I was typing!  Right on queue.  One of those times I wish I were wrong.  

David

Honestly I don't know how any of these guys survive.   Price certainly makes a difference, but when I really shop around, I find that various dealers are USUALLY within 5-10% of each other.  There are exceptions/blowout deals, but by and large I see a lot of parity.  That 5-10% typically doesn't make or break a deal for me;  it usually comes down more to availability and attitude.   When it comes to things like model trains, I put more of a premium on service because I know I can't do much myself in terms of repairs.  

That being said, low cost is a strategy, and that strategy can (and in this case, did...) fail. Volume is the other component in a low cost/margin strategy and you can't push volume without the right infrastructure.   It works for companies like Best Buy because there is tremendous demand for the products and they have the infrastructure to buy and distribute in massive quantities.  No LHS is going to be able to leverage those economies of scale.  

I know its a cop-out, but those that survive will have to find a middle ground.  If you can't price competitively and still make enough money to keep the lights on, it's obviously time to find another line of work.   IMO, those that manage to maintain a decent store front, provide some quality service, AND leverage the internet are the ones that are most likely to survive.  

What is wrong in finding the best price? My retirement income is very tight and to get items I want you have to shop around to stretch my dollars. I would love to shop at my LHS but that is not possible. The dollars I save goes to my family.

BTW I still shop at a hobby store but he is about 700 miles away and somebody else's LHS.

So please keep your snarky comments to yourself and you know who you are. 

I think you'll eventually find that there is more to the story than is being told.  We may never know the entire story and I'm not going to start any speculation here.

Unfortunately, for the LHS, we have some folks in this hobby that only want the lowest possible price but yet they demand top drawer service.

You can't have it both ways.

Do Not Have an LHS nearest legitimate one is Boston So I look at total cost and quickness of delivery!

Gunny

quote:

I didn't want to be perceived as a "vulture."

The more people participating in an auction, the higher prices are likely to be.

So I don't see how letting people know about an auction would make one a vulture.

IMHO, letting people know is quite the opposite.

I am a bit confused. What does "bankruptcy estate" mean? Did the owner pass on, go bankrupt, or both?

Am I correct in assuming that this is about a gentleman who has passed into that other world and the liquidation of his estate? And if so shouldn't there be a R.I.P. somewhere here, and an expression of gratitude by those of us who are still able (including financially) to be posting today?

Well, I’m no lawyer, but you don’t have to be with the World Wide Web!

No, it’s not an ‘estate’ in the context we usually think of where someone has passed away.

Just part of the bankruptcy law nomenclature.

Here you go:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-i...ankruptcy-estate.htm

Not to sound like a wise a** But I now know where i'll be on the 17th........... Thats gonna be a good auction.

... probably not. Too many Nuvis have probably been programed already. See Alan's post above and stay patient & liquid my friend!

I did see the no reserve but the listing had starting bids listed. Then when you went to the individual information on a particular item it just noted the starting bid as a suggested starting bid.

I have a resale tax license but it is for Pennsylvania. Not sure how fast I could get one for Maryland.

A&B not sure what your meaning by "Too many Nuvis have probably been programed already". If your refering to absentee bids, they dont bother me. I dont go to any auction, weather its antiques, wholesale, or trains, just to buy one lot.  I come armed, and leave with a truck load. As far as dealers being there, they arnt going to pay over what they would pay at wholesale from there distributor.

Yes, in the past I have got "caught in the moment" and way over paid on lots. You see it on storage wars. Bidding is an adrenalin rush, a high if you win. Some people gamble, some people play the lotto, some go to the horse track, I goto auctions. At least, even if i do over pay, I still have something to show for it.  

I am sorry that this time its at the expense of a fellow train enthusiest. As far as I am concerned, I'll be helping him pay his creditors off.

my 2 cents

Sad Times.

Marty, If you read this, I'm sorry to see you go.

I have bought a couple cars from Marty, He had them and was the first one I found that did.

I've checked his website from time to time but nothing else grabbed me.

I Will go to my LHS if they can get the item for me. The prices are reasonable and always below MSRP. I just picked up an engine there last week. Richard is also a nice guy & I enjoy talking with him about our layouts. There is far more to the Hobby than getting the best price.

For those with no LHS, I can understand going with the lowest price, they are paying shipping and won't have the relationship you get talking to your local dealer.

I believe they will accept your PA license. It would be best to call the auctioneer.

Brad

No, you are not correct in that assumption.  Marty is still with us. 

That is SO true.  And anyone who things otherwise is only fooling themselves.  Sure, we all like deals.  But quite honestly, I deplore the practice of saving as little as $5 or $10 dollars just to buy an item from a cheaper source.  For gosh sakes people, your own time should be worth SOMETHING... and you probably waste more time finding cheaper prices than if you just buy the item from someone you actually LIKE, and have more time doing the things in life that count.

You'd be surprised how many folks here told me they were interested in an item I had for sale during my "collection thinning sales" earlier this year.  And then after I held it for them for a couple of days, they told me they'd pass 'cause they found it $5 cheaper from someone else... so then they'd want me to pay their shipping costs even after we had agreed on prior terms.    Uh... no thank you.  If you only new half the stories!!!  

I'm not suggesting people spend money foolishly.  But I love to see folks spending money FREELY.   And by that I mean, make transactions a win-win scenario whenever possible.  If it means spending a few extra bucks at your LHS, so that YOU get what you want and the LHS stays around for the long haul, then THAT's win-win.  Tooting one's own horn is typically win-lose for one of the parties... and it's not something worth bragging about IMHO.

David

It really is a sad end to a great guy. I bought from Marty a number of times and always found him to be a personable guy. He had good prices and pretty good service and would try and track down an item for you if he didn't have it. I am planning on going to the auction myself, not sure if I'm actually going to be bidding on anything but there are a few items that I would like to take a shot at if the bidding doesn't get out of hand on them.

Jerry

In that case: best of health; best wishes & may the auction be overrun by Garmin Nuvis 

Originally Posted by RockyMountaineer:

You'd be surprised how many folks here told me they were interested in an item I had for sale during my "collection thinning sales" earlier this year.  And then after I held it for them for a couple of days, they told me they'd pass 'cause they found it $5 cheaper from someone else... so then they'd want me to pay their shipping costs even after we had agreed on prior terms.    Uh... no thank you.  If you only new half the stories!!!  

 

David

 

 

 

I think we all have those stories. If I am selling something for $100 and someone comes to me and says "I'll pay $85.00 and here's why" and provides a reasonable explanation of some flaw or whatever, I will certainly listen to that side of the story.

 

But how often do you post something for sale and have someone come back and just say "How about $80.00?"

 

Based on what?

 

Well, I want something off. I never pay the asking price.

 

I had recently listed about forty bucks worth of stuff for $20.00. Guy contacts me, wants to buy it and after a couple of emails - "How about you picking up the shipping?" - which was going to be ten bucks. 

 

Life is way too short for that nonsense.

Couldn't agree more.   I usually list stuff here for the ease of selling and price items to move yet some folks always send e-mails "will you take xxxx" for the item.

Funniest one had to be about 2 months ago I listed a Cherryland reefer on the Buy/Sell board for $150 shipped....should've seen the emails on that one.   Not only asking if I'd sell for lower but the nerve of asking $150 for it.    A week later I pulled the posting and listed on E-Bay and got $239 plus $11.95 for shipping.   

-Greg

People need to price their stuff according to what is the least you will take. If I know I want $25 for a item I will price it at $32 and go down no further then the $25. Shipping has to be paid, I don't ship for free. It's getting too expensive to do so. Of course there are guys out there that want the items for free or constantly emails you with offers. These guys get blocked. 

I price my items fairly so I expect fair offers.