Question for those who sell post war trains

Nice dilemma to have.  It makes sense to me.  A nice original box does make a difference when selling old trains.  They are irreplaceable.  More so than the trains when you think about it.  And people have been conditioned to believe they are an important element of the item's value.  Keeping them in good condition is a good idea.

Don,

Sounds like your "common sense" approach to protect those fragile boxes is what a potential buyer would appreciate. Personally, I do not sell at shows but I do sell postwar items on Ebay. I always keep the boxes separate during shipment. Good selling...

I am thinking I should leave the boxes assembled and pack the trains for the show in separate box and display the train item on the table with a tag that states original box is included while keeping the boxes under the table for save keeping.

Makes sense to me.
If you keep boxing and unboxing the trains, not only will the boxes end up damaged, but the trains will wind up with rub marks from the boxes.
Generally I don't sell boxed Postwar.

I guess 'brand spanking new in the box' means something to some collectors but I run my trains so boxes mean nothing to me personally. When the trains are not running they are 'wall paper' so boxes don't enter into the picture. I won't pay a premium or expect one just for a used box. It is always a pleasant surprize when a purchaser opens a package and and finds a boxed item that he was not expecting. Part of keeping customers happy!

wtjohn posted:

Don,

Sounds like your "common sense" approach to protect those fragile boxes is what a potential buyer would appreciate. Personally, I do not sell at shows but I do sell postwar items on Ebay. I always keep the boxes separate during shipment. Good selling...

 

How has that worked out for you? Whenever I buy postwar from Stout Auctions, they pack the fragile, empty boxes separately. When the package arrives, the boxes are usually crushed beyond recognition by the shifting contents. Oh, how I wish they had just packed the darned trains in the boxes! They wouldn't have been caved in...

"How has that worked out for you?"

GREGR,

I do my best packing with lots of big bubble wrap material plus I create cardboard dividers when shipping multiple items. I always try to ship a very secure package, no complaints yet from my buyers. Unfortunately, transit accidents can happen to boxes from time to time. Enjoy your trains with your children...

wtjohn posted:

"How has that worked out for you?"

GREGR,

I do my best packing with lots of big bubble wrap material plus I create cardboard dividers when shipping multiple items. I always try to ship a very secure package, no complaints yet from my buyers. Unfortunately, transit accidents can happen to boxes from time to time. Enjoy your trains with your children...

 

 

 

 

And when you get old like me, your grandchildren.. lol