But I don’t think the Santa Fe’s are “RARE” are they? Pretty sure they were made more than one year, maybe different numbers but Santa Fe F3’s are about as common as 3 rail track aren’t they?
Not to talk down to anybody, but I’m sure the prices are quite “real”. Price, especially on an auction site, is a function of supply and demand. Obviously, the seller believes that his asking price represents what people are willing to pay, based on their perception of the supply of the model in question and its value to them.
Did you happen to notice what was happening with Nintendo’s Wii before Christmas? Some people were trying to sell them for $1500 for a box that retails for $279. I think most of those people probably got stuck with an extra Wii, because most people weren’t willing to pay that much, even to put one under the Christmas tree.
So, if you – or someone else – is willing to pay that price, then yes, it’s real. If not, the market will correct the overpriced condition.
This guy has been talked about on other train forums and the general concensus is that there is something funny going on. He sells many items for 4-5 time thier value and he sells several of each item a month the General has been sold several times for $600 or more. These aren’t buyers who bail but either shills that backfired or worse, I.E some sort of money laundering scheme which is what most who follow this guy feel is going on. These aren’t $30 items going for $45 to $50 but $200 dollar common items being sold as rare or one of a kind for the price you’d pay for a top of the line locomotive.
The question here I think, after looking at this, is whether these auctions are legitimate or not. The prices on the auctions are ‘real’, but was the transaction really legit? Seems to me like something funny is going on. It would be interesting to get a post from someone who may have actually purchased from this guy. But with the prices I see on his auctions, it won’t be me [8D]
Granted. I don’t buy stuff on auction sites for just that reason: I don’t trust other people enough.
The key is not to be so desperate to own something that you fall for scams. Confucious wrote: “You can cheat an honest man, but you cannot make a fool of him.” 'Nuff said.