C W Burfle posted:I hope he is there this time, I am gonna have a little fun with him.
Why?
Why not?!
Why not?!
Where is the fun in intentionally annoying and aggravating people? Is that part of "the hobby"?
On Thursday and Friday if you see any kids, pull out your wallet, quickly flash it in front of the kids and parent(s) and in your sternest voice say "truancy officer, why aren't you in school?" 
- Greg
C W Burfle posted:Why not?!
Where is the fun in intentionally annoying and aggravating people? Is that part of "the hobby"?
Unfortunately, for some, annoying and aggravating is THE hobby...but, thankfully, most keep the whole thing in the proper perspective.
C W Burfle posted:Why not?!
Where is the fun in intentionally annoying and aggravating people? Is that part of "the hobby"?
Yes, that is part of everyday world... I love to mess with them. 
Look at this... I just found this CC2 vision line engine for 200.00.... it was at the table right behind you!
Hollsc posted:FOLLOW THE ARROWS!! Nothing worse than everyone going down the right way and some clown walking the wrong way down the aisle usually carrying some huge box knocking into everyone. Its not that hard to realize you're the only one walking the opposite direction but some people seem blind to that fact obviously.
It's like the urban legend of the guy talking to his wife on the phone as he drives home.
She tells him to be careful as on the news there is some idiot driving the wrong way on the road he takes home all the time.
He says, it's not just one, it's ALL of them! 
C W Burfle posted:I hope he is there this time, I am gonna have a little fun with him.
Why?
Because I can.
I don't understand why anyone would go to any train show, no matter where or how big, in a confrontational attitude and a big chip on your shoulder. If you feel like that, stay home, or better yet, go to a political rally.
Michael Hokkanen posted:One thing I know for sure, if you see something you really want - buy it. If you decide to "think about it" and go back you will either not find the spot again and/or it will have been SOLD!
If you remember only one thing from this thread, this would be it.
On buying tca member are required to place a reproduction orange tag on a non original train or item, if in doubt get someone from the standards committee to verify it is original, this protects the buyer and seller and future disputes.this is a professional organization and has strict by laws that all members must adhere to.
On buying tca member are required to place a reproduction orange tag on a non original train or item, if in doubt get someone from the standards committee to verify it is original, this protects the buyer and seller and future disputes.this is a professional organization and has strict by laws that all members must adhere to.
True, but I wouldn't rely on those stickers. I have seen plenty of refinished trains and reproduction parts at York that do not have them. Sure one can get someone from the standards committee, but who wants to spend the time?
Why aren't these items marked? ..... I don't know. I prefer to think that the seller doesn't know their item isn't original.
If you are interested in purchasing costly items, it is best to know what you are purchasing.
Some folks here like to take stuff way out of context, I said fun, I am not going to give anyone a hard time unless they give it to me. I was going to offer him 600.00 for the engine just to see if he would take it. where did I say I was going to confront anyone? Chip on my shoulder, no not me.
Lighten up. I am going to York in five minutes to have a lot of fun. so 
.
Big Bad John.
Some folks here like to take stuff way out of context, I said fun, I am not going to give anyone a hard time. I was going to offer him 600.00 for the engine just to see if he would take it. where did I say I was going to confront anyone? Chip on my shoulder, no not me.
Lighten up. I am going to York in five minutes to have a lot of fun. so .
Big Bad John.
Michael Hokkanen posted:One thing I know for sure, if you see something you really want - buy it.If you decide to "think about it" and go back you will either not find the spot again and/or it will have been SOLD!
Sage advice, IMO, judging from my experience as a seller. I had a one-of-a-kind (all of my work is) item for sale @$700. A very pleasant gentleman (who later became a client) wanted that particular Insta-Rama very much, but struggled over whether to get it or not. Well, my personal philosophy as a vendor with his own "cottage industriousness" has consistently been that I will not aggressively urge/plead/suggest/entreat/push/encourage anybody to make a purchase. What you see is what you, and indeed do, get. The judgement is the customer's, of course, and each item for sale is accompanied only by pleasant and friendly conversation, and not one word of "pushing".
I did, however, suggest that leaving a deposit would hold it for him, reminding him of what was stated on my signs, that I do not repeat any scene I have made. He walked away saying "No, thanks'" to the deposit suggestion but assured me he "would think about it." ("Holding" something for a prospective customer is not my custom - one never knows what wonders await every buyer down the aisles, causing them not to return.) The moment he stepped out of my booth (Orange Hall) and had gotten only several steps down the aisle on his way to the restroom, another prospective customer, who had been witnessing the whole scenario, stepped up and said, gesturing toward the item in question, "Sold, I'll take it." It was packaged-up and gone before the original customer, several hours later, had returned and found himself disappointed and dismayed (From that first encounter, he bought his first and the next twenty+ such items on-the-spot and often had me hand-deliver them to his home on Long Island.)
Even though I am not at York this time, I suggest that your advice, Michael, is sound. There seems very often (or almost always) somebody else interested in the same stuff you are, and they are not going to wait for you to make up your mind to return.
FrankM
Layout Refinements
if you see it ---- buy it
Bob C.
Because.
One thing I dislike is disrespect from either the seller or buyer. At last Saturday's show I had a brand new $135 Woodland Scenics custom building literally just cut out of its box with an $85 price tag. Some bottom feeder insisted I needed to sell it to him for $80. I just ignored him, repriced it at $95 and someone purchased it in front of him. Sweet.
I seldom sell-mostly buy but my philosophy is: $$ talk, BS walks. I have pondered and considered some purchases, losing the item to someone else. I don't get upset because I know that is the way things go. Like what has already been said, "If you like it, someone else will, too."
Tom Tee posted:Because.
One thing I dislike is disrespect from either the seller or buyer. At last Saturday's show I had a brand new $135 Woodland Scenics custom building literally just cut out of its box with an $85 price tag. Some bottom feeder insisted I needed to sell it to him for $80. I just ignored him, repriced it at $95 and someone purchased it in front of him. Sweet.
$5 off is hardly a bottom feeder but if it makes your blood boil, spare yourself and others and write FIRM if you aren't willing to negotiate.
when selling it is probably a good idea to leave some bargaining room on your price.
Bob C.
Even if your hands are full of stuff you just bought, if you see something else, find a way to throw it on the pile, or buy it and ask the seller to hold it for 10 minutes so you can come back and get it. I've burned myself by not snagging something because my hands were already full.
it is a good idea to bring some sort of shopping bags to hold purchases.
Bob C.
One should be exceptionally wary of individuals giving you advice on things to watch out for when buying at York...........
If the vendor is wearing a bandana over their face or a mask, it is NOT a good sign!
Simon
buyer beware at all times
Bob C.
Tom Tee posted:Because.
One thing I dislike is disrespect from either theseller or buyer...Some bottom feeder insisted I needed to sell it to him for $80. I just ignored him, repriced it at $95 and someone purchased it in front of him. Sweet.
What's wrong with this picture?
Jerry
A few years ago, I found a beautiful hand built model of the HellGate bridge for sale in the Orange Hall. I told the builder that I thought he deserved more than the $325. he was asking for it, but assured him I would treasure it. He seemed pleased that it was going to someone who appreciated it. It's on display in my bedroom, since my layout is too small for it. It has a personal appeal to me since I travel over the real one about 8 times a year.
ibrewtoo posted:Tom Tee posted:Because.
One thing I dislike is disrespect from either the seller or buyer. At last Saturday's show I had a brand new $135 Woodland Scenics custom building literally just cut out of its box with an $85 price tag. Some bottom feeder insisted I needed to sell it to him for $80. I just ignored him, repriced it at $95 and someone purchased it in front of him. Sweet.
$5 off is hardly a bottom feeder but if it makes your blood boil, spare yourself and others and write FIRM if you aren't willing to negotiate.
...or don't haul your stuff to a train meet.
Rather than responding with ill will, "Thanks, but that's my rock-bottom price" would work a lot better.
On a completely unrelated note, I recently respectfully offered a guy what I thought was a fair price for an item on his table. He was a total jerk - completely ignored me and put a higher price on his item. People like that make my blood boil. If I was that thin-skinned, I'd quit going to train meets.
Here's a real train-show story from Wheaton many years ago. Guy had a fairly common item that was grossly overpriced. I looked at it and made a reasonable opening offer. He replied "I didn't bring my stuff here to have people try to jew me down (yeah, that was his exact phrase); this isn't a garage sale". I was so stunned that I just put it down and walked away. I still kick myself for not ripping into him about the ethnic slur and remind him that it was indeed a swap meet. I also should have thrown the item at him.
Mallard4468 posted:remind him that it was indeed a swap meet. I also should have thrown the item at him.
Where did the term "Swap meet" ever come from? I've never seen any swapping going on.
Joe Hohmann posted:Mallard4468 posted:remind him that it was indeed a swap meet. I also should have thrown the item at him.Where did the term "Swap meet" ever come from? I've never seen any swapping going on.
Lots of people swap their cash for trains at these things...
Bob posted:Joe Hohmann posted:Mallard4468 posted:remind him that it was indeed a swap meet. I also should have thrown the item at him.Where did the term "Swap meet" ever come from? I've never seen any swapping going on.
Lots of people swap their cash for trains at these things...
And their sensibility, rational thought, good judgment, etc..................
yes. emotions can be high at times but it is all part of the toy train experience. hopefully the emotions stay under good control.
most of the time.
Bob C.
Having been a booth-holder (Orange Hall) at York, since 2005, has afforded me the following perspective. Fellow hobbyists bought everything I ever made. I considered that a privilege. Mr. R. Kughn was a customer. Lionel was a client, all due to my displaying my work @ York. And having a booth there gave me an opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow hobbyists and of others on this forum who became repeat-customers. It was enjoyable being pleasant because it was the truth for me. I like being nice. It feels a whole lot better than being a snot.
FrankM.
Layout Refinements
Going for the first time. What time do things get started there. Can't find a schedule
Jeff, did you lose the Meet Notice? Here's the online version:
http://www.easterntca.com/member-notice.htm
laz1957 posted:Have a pocket full of change for the bathroom attendants
That bathroom attendant stuff is a shake-down. I have been to various other events in those York Fairgrounds buildings throughout the years. There are NO bathroom attendants... but yet the restrooms are clean & well maintained. Go figure!
