York prices?

A little of both.  If you go into some of the member halls, where private individuals like you and me sell stuff, you might find some greater deals on gently used product.  Some guys, for whatever reason -- they need the money, they're getting out of the hobby, etc. -- might have stuff greatly marked down from what you'd expect to pay at retail.  

And with the sheer number of sellers -- both individuals and retail businesses -- the overall selection throughout the entire Meet is tremendous.  

- Mike

there has been plenty of comments about whats at york and how much it is you dont to start another topic on it.-jim

If you see something you want and you don't like the price, make an offer. It is either accepted, or it is not. I do try and be respectful and not just low-ball.

Gilly

Wow mixerman lighten up complaining and commenting on a post that u feel unnecessary seems counterproductive!

I would suggest that York prices are generally a good deal.  Orange hall vendors sell at a discount, and member hall prices are (usually) reasonable.

Best part is... no tax, no shipping, immediate delivery!

I'd love to read a followup when you get back home...

Enjoy...

Ed

Ps.  first time?  you're gonna love it!

Solid contribution to the thread  thanks for answering the question and being such a helpful and inviting member of this community.

Here's a for instance.....Silver Hall....a year ago.....a nice gentleman had upgraded his fleet to Legacy and was selling his TMCC engines......I got the NYC Hudson from 2001 for $360......a great deal. I believe its list in 2001 was $1050. Only downside, smoke unit failed quickly........still a good deal.

I'll be interested in hearing about your experiences.....post York.

Peter

IMHO, prices in the member halls are all over the map. I find that some sellers are asking considerably more than I think their trains are worth, some sellers price reasonably, and once in a while, some sellers have bargain prices. No different than any other train show, only larger.
In another thread, I believe someone wrote: know what you are willing to pay for the items you seek.
I also suggest carefully examining any item you intend to purchase.

Often I have seen the same item at 3 different sellers for 3 very different prices. Funny thing is, sometimes I have not recalled ever seeing that particular item before!

Aside from price, you can see it up close, put it on a test track, and not worry about shipping damage and cost. Plus, it's a lot more fun than staring at a computer screen.

As others have said if you see something you like, and its a little bit out of your price range, make an offer.  Sometimes members and dealers will do the dance with you and other times not.  At least it is worth a try.  Haggling is good for both parties.  Also GUYZ might be selling older stuff and getting newer stuff so you might pick up something at a great price.  Last year I got a NYC FT ABA TMCC for an amazing price of $135 dollars in the Silver Hall.  I was floored by the deal, but the gentleman was getting out of the hobby, he wanted to sell his trains and get into something else.  Good Luck, enjoy and have fun.

Rule number ONE. Most everything is negotiable.

I will add that if you see an item you really want you may want to buy it then and there as frequently you will find it sold when you come back around at a later time.

--Greg

Don't forget to add the price of admission and fee to join the club.  Sometimes you can save money by just going to a LHS.

Hopefully you have some knowledge of current prices. If you do then good deals can be found. Careful though there is a lot of overpriced stuff there as well. I guess they go just to be there as it's same stuff, same prices show after show.

Jim

How do the prices compare to (actually sold) ebay prices?

All you need for the trip to York is this funding package.

gunnerjohn you got it almost correct except the pile marked g.f. which i'm assuming is for girl friend how can this be the smallest pile? does she not know what you are going to york for?

Prices often fall on Saturday morning, but of course if you wait too long someone may

grab what you are looking for.

Also I find that somehow I manage to walk by an item several times on Friday and not even see it, but low and behold it's there on Saturday and at a good price.  This is how I found a Williams Missouri Pacific F-7 A-A that I had been going crazy searching for.

Lew Schneider

I hear stories all the time from friend who see something they like, at a good price but hesitate, continue through the rest of the hall, come back and it's gone.  See something, grab it.

Peter, they fail on new engines.

You have to have your priorities in order.

I fully agree, Greg. Speaking from just my own perspective, this little narrative might offer, at least, one vendor's perspective but add to the larger picture, too.

Attached are some of the vignettes I have offered for sale at my booth in the Orange Hall, through the years. I made up my mind, from the start, that under no circumstances would I ever let myself huckster. Instead, I sit and relax; at times, I stand and converse with the many pleasant fellow hobbyists who come into the booth to say Hello. I figure, you either like my work, or you have no use for it. It is not my place to try to convince you of the value of my work.

Every piece I make is one-of-a-kind and is never repeated, not even if requested. Once a piece is Sold, it is gone. I do not over-price my work so I have room to negotiate; instead, I put a price on my work as if I were going to be the one to buy it. I ask myself what value I feel it has to me, as well as the appropriateness of its price to the market to which my little corner of the "cottage-industry" speaks.

A couple years ago, a gentleman came into my booth and was conflicted over buying a particular piece. The price was $799. He exited the booth saying he "would think about it." He did not ask me to reserve it for him (which I do not do.) He did not offer to leave a deposit on it. He did not say he would be returning to tell me if he still wanted it or not.

The moment he stepped out of the booth and walked a good ways down the aisle, a man standing just outside the booth stepped in and said, "I'll take it."Sold.

The first gentleman did return to my booth an hour or two later. He wanted the Insta-Rama and was very disappointed it had been sold. He said, "I knew I should have bought it!"

P.S. Subsequently, he became a BIG customer and client, hiring me to travel to Long Island to do custom work directly on his layout. He remains a very good customer.

I love it all. What a great and unique hobby! And what a treasury of people to have met! When I think of the work of my hands being on somebody's layout, I feel it is an honor for me.

FrankM.

dtfvmd

I see you just joined the OGR Forum on February 15, 2015 and obviously this is your first trip to York.  I have been a Forum member for about 3 years and have never been to York either, but am not going again this time.  I just got in O gauge 3 years ago after 45 years in smaller scales, and while model trains are model trains no matter the scale, there are lots of differences.  Shopping is different too.  And such a big venue as York, I am sure things are different than other shows no matter how long you have been involved with O gauge.  I'm glad you asked the question.  Maybe I will meet you in York some year.

We look forward to seeing both of you at the Thursday night bash at Ruby Tuesday's.