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Post by trainman9 on May 24, 2022 17:26:20 GMT
I was browsing on the E-bay site and I can’t believe some of the asking prices. These are all “Buy It Now” listings. Many of them recent production. Some of the prices for non-premium sets are going for three to four times MSRP.
Not sure if they get those prices or not. How does one predict what items are going to be hot. I know that the Lionel Legacy H10’s from a few years ago are going for premium prices due to the swinging bell and whistle smoke.
Do you just make a guess. Even buying only a few items could be expensive. I just don’t understand someone like BMartz having some items for sale that are not available anywhere. One item in particular are the Lionel and MTH Reading and Northern cabooses. How did he know they were going to be difficult to find.
Another example are the former MTH Woodside Passenger cars. They seem to be selling for double or more since Lionel introduced theirs are ridiculous prices and there seem to be a lot of them available not to mention the Lionel 990 systems.
There must be a lot of people with deep pockets. But in my opinion the high prices are a barrier to entry into O Gauge modeling.
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Post by david1 on May 24, 2022 18:33:23 GMT
There are always people that will take advantage to make a buck. Bmartz is just one of them. your best thing to do is just ignore those types of sellers, they are nothing but shysters.
Do your homework, know what you are buying and what the price should be.
The best thing is to be a informed buyer, if price is too high, pass it by.
Dave
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Post by ptc on May 24, 2022 21:17:07 GMT
Best advice for eBay, know the product well, know what is a fair price (this differs from buyer t buyer), and only bid what meets your criteria. Pass on everything else.
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Post by redjimmy1955 on May 25, 2022 12:41:32 GMT
I'll let you guys in on my lil' secret. Whoever is selling at ridiculous prices,
DOES want to sell!
I've sent these sellers a message stating, politely, " here's my counter offer, I can't do more". Several times I've acquired my item at my price...or just a tad more
(but NOT PAYING) the ridiculous price. My back up plan is to wait for York or attend a local train show.
This has worked MANY times!
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Post by trainman9 on May 25, 2022 15:58:16 GMT
I’m not criticizing Bmartz just trying to understand his ability to offer items not found anywhere.
BTW: I did purchase something from him a couple of years ago.
I posted on another forum that I was looking for a Lionel ZW-L. He responded to me and said the price was $650 including shipping. I replied that I just missed one at York for for $525, which I had, and he matched that price. Until recently I did not remember who I got the transformer from and after so much conversations about him I looked up my Money order receipt and sure enough it was him.
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Post by papa3rail on May 25, 2022 22:21:51 GMT
The best thing is to be a informed buyer, if price is too high, pass it by. Dave Amen!
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Post by rockymountaineer on May 25, 2022 23:33:14 GMT
I’m not criticizing Bmartz just trying to understand his ability to offer items not found anywhere. ....
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PRR
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by PRR on May 26, 2022 2:12:44 GMT
I’m not criticizing Bmartz just trying to understand his ability to offer items not found anywhere. .... I don’t know bmartz and I’ve never bought anything from him. However, knowing how some of these collector types are, it could just be “my collection is always for sale at the right price.” The other possibility is that the price includes a finder’s fee, i.e. he knows someone willing to sell at xyz price, and he charges a markup to the person that’s really gotta have it.
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Post by dlagrua on May 26, 2022 9:09:49 GMT
I don't believe we need to be bothered by exorbitant prices on eBay or anywhere else. No one can force you to pay big bucks. For instance when I go to the shows if the item is good and the price is reasonable I buy, if not, I make a counter offer or walk. The scalpers will always be out there but the buyer really holds all the cards.
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Post by curtis on May 26, 2022 22:46:07 GMT
I don't believe we need to be bothered by exorbitant prices on eBay or anywhere else. No one can force you to pay big bucks. For instance when I go to the shows if the item is good and the price is reasonable I buy, if not, I make a counter offer or walk. The scalpers will always be out there but the buyer really holds all the cards. Funny thing is most people will not make a counter offer. They fail to realize that we the buyer as you say hold the cards!
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