What would you have done??

I would have just moved along.

I passed on a 614 Alaska switcher at a thrift store marked $65.  The shell was so beat up it would never be collectible, so really what you are left with is a 600 series runner chassis(that needed work).  Good if you need it, I didn't.

Left it there?

Yep...left it.  Greenberg's and EBay both said I should.

Well they are yours now. If you like to tinker a bit you can have some fun with them. 

I would have past it by also.  Nothing special there and too much for the price.

Passed. $150.00 would have been my max hoping that the 290 and 283 were able to be repaired and in at least EX- condition when done. The 355 is a finicky loco and ran poorly when new. A big chance to take on an iffY loco. The rear cab panel replaced also affects value.

Gandy

THANKS to all who replied.  I did not purchase them and as a matter of fact came home, searched some websites (EBAY..) and bought a 290 in operating condition for $40.  Glad to know the 355 had problems...

Thanks again...

You did the right thing. The #283 and the #290 steam engines are very common. As another poster stated that Chic. NW switcher was not a great runner. It have a very cheap motor and the reverse unit was junk.

Congratulations!  Sometimes a little restraint is in order.

Personally it bugs me when someone buys from another vendor then puts it on their table for an increased price at the same show. I always feel cheated somehow. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but that's the way I feel.

Years ago, I was all set to buy a Lionel item from a vendor who's price was high, but still fair.  The trick was he wouldn't take a check so he "could spend the money today on something else..."

I moved on.

I found the same item at another vendor, in better condition and 20 bucks cheaper.  He was more than willing to take my check.

I made sure I walked by the frist vendor several times with the item tucked under my arm and a BIG smile on my face.

He never did sell his item.

Rusty