When dealing with parts, NOS is NOS. Doesn’t matter who is comes from as long as it’s not used. If you ever go to old car meets, you’ll see NOS labeled all over the place with parts in boxes. You don’t have to be a dealer to possess NOS. It just means old and never used. The fact it came from a dealers hands or not, in no way, effects it’s unused condition. It’s also the same with NIB, but the later implies a warranty that is still effective and the unit is current production.
The difference between a dealer and the eBay guy is, the dealer agrees to buy so much from a mfg. That’s it. That in no way affects it’s condition as an item.
Don, it is not clear to me at this point what you plan to do, if anything, regarding the status of the locos. Do you plan to sell them as DC? Or, are you going to sell them as DCC with sound decoders?
Consensus seems to be DC. So I’ll sell them DC. I just want to make sure they are in excellent working condition for DC. I do care about my reputation as a seller and make sure the buyer gets a good unit.
I think its wise to open the never opened box and inspect the loco for flaws and test it to ensure that everything works.
As a buyer, I don’t want a seller to just pass along what might be a factory flaw that was never discovered.
An opened and inspected item is better than a sealed box item, IMO.
But once you open and inspect the item, unsealing the box limits how you can use some of the Ebay listing templates. Its a trade off that I think can be made better by a written description explaining that its New, but tested and inspected for factory flaws.
I would suggest making a short video rercording of the engine(s) running on your test track and saving the file until the customer has received the loco and has no complaints. Maybe have a file card with some description in the frame to help identify the particular engine being tested.
Each case is different. I have two Bachmann undecorated doodlebugs that are not only NOS but still shrink wrapped. I think that would give a buyer more confidence than if I told him I took them out of the box and ran them.
Most products in this industry do not come shrink wrapped, and can be opened, inspected and repackaged with no damage to the packaging. How would you know if someone had a Proto 2000 loco out of the box and put it back carefully?
When you tell them you openend it for inspection. [:D]
Also, some producers have those plastic insert covers that are taped shut, so it is tough to get that back together…if you didn’t disclose that you opened it, or ran it for a while, and tried
Don, I strongly believe that you are making the right decision to sell the locos as is, that is in DC mode.
I agree with you that want to make sure they are in excellent working condition. A seller’s reputation and 100% positive feedback means everything on eBay.
Whenever I put up an MR item up for sale on eBay, I spend time working on the Item Description. I let potential buyers know that I bought the item new, that it is in good working order, no damage, no broken or missing parts, and that it includes the original box, inserts, extra parts and paperwork.
Lastly, pack the box for shipping as if the MR item is the crown jewels. The last thing a seller needs is damage during shipping.