Right. The problem with people selling stuff on Ebay or anywhere really, is that some seem to have more time than sense, and they price items a rip taking prices. I suppose they are counting on someone coming along who has more money than sense, but for the most part the stuff just sits and sits. I know such people exist because my wife is a caretaker for a disabled child and the mother spends money like water, buys all that frozen food from those Swan Frozen food trucks, thinks nothing of spending 2 or 3 times what we would normally spend on most things, but her husband makes the big bucks.
But yes, on Ebay, I think people just have all the time in the world and list things at prices I wouldn’t ever consider paying, just trolling. An example as a D&RGW fan I’ve seen the old Life Like Proto 2000 PA diesel (HO) yellow/silver with 4 stripes (I own one of those) listed for $169.95!!! buy it now price. I paid around $65 for mine at a GATS show which was the modest discount at the time when it was first available. I think the seller is counting on the fact that P2K D&RGW yellow/silver 4-stripe are rare and compared to what MTH is selling theirs, they may seem a “bargain” but I’m not fooled, and yes, they have been sitting on ebay for quite some time now, many weeks - no surprise, but I suppose they are counting on some “dafty” will come along - so far no dafty! But I digress…
The problem with buying the cheap kits on Ebay is the shipping kills the price unless you can group the purchases and get several or more i
Visiting eBay in July and proclaiming that BB kits are about to disappear forever has about the same value as visiting a hardware store in July and declaring that snow blowers have gone extinct.
It seems a moot point as the Original Poster himself has noted that he doesn’t even want BB kits and can buy available kits from other manufacturers.
True, there is a seasonal rise and fall to items for sale in stores and in Ebay, and summer has always been a “slow time” for model railroading. I imagine there is less stuff put up for sale in summer - I’ve noticed fewer items or no items of certain types available right now that I saw during the fall, winter and spring.
To that extent, and more, I feel that the original poster set up a “straw man” to knock down, to make his point. I personally feel the argument was weak to begin with. The only real valid point the original poster had, was that he lives out in “Tim Buck Tu” , and because of that, his access to the cheap model train kits is lousey. Well, duh. But don’t complain to us that the stuff isn’t available. Heck, if I chose to live in Eely Nevada then I’d have a lousey access also. This in no way, invalidates what those of us who live closer to high population area’s have observed, there is lots of kits available, and many for cheap prices. End of story. Whats the old saying? You make your bed, and then you have to sleep in it.
Well, thats just another limitation the original poster has placed on himself. But what is the most confusing thing to me is the original poster has titled this topic “Athearn Blue Box Kits on Ebay”. Why title it like that if he doesn’t give a hoot about bb kits?
Repectfully, if you interest in kits is primarily about cost - I suggest you simply get over it.
My interest in kits has a little to do with costs ; but, mostly it has to do with one of my enjoyments in this hobby being the building of freight and passenger car models!
I truly do not understand why this is such a contentious subject! I also do not understand why many of you seem to think that your ideas are the only rational point of view on a subject. It’s like model railroaders must all be cut from the same cloth!
I like good discussions and I hope that the topics I post about, are interesting! However, there seems to be an undercurrent here that makes me feel very unwelcome! It’s like the purpose for many of you is simply to show your far greater mental prowess For me, anyway, this forum isn’t a very fun place because of this!
I can easily find better things to do with my time, than spend it here!
NP, hang in there. The topics you raise are not controversial or contentious. But, you do seem to be wearing a target on your forehead. LOL
I think the problem with threads that become contentious are the ones that talk about older model railroading topics: DC, brass, kits, etc. That brings out the worst in the “old timers” who seem to have a hard time accepting the advances in the hobby like DCC, RTR, built ups, etc. And, I am thinking of no one in particular when I say that. So, no one should take offense. It just seems to be the case.
There were tons - literally - of Athearn kits produced over a good half century or more. And as they are no longer produced, at some point in time they will be gone. But I seriously doubt that will be in my lifetime.
Many of us “old timers” built up a collection of BB kits, and built a lot of them. And, I am sure a number of old guys still have a bunch in kit form - as I do.
At some point in time, a good percentage of these will end up on Ebay or other market place. And I know from many personal experiences that whatever you are looking for will sooner or later make its appearance - especially on Ebay.
Yes, the winter months are the prime time for train hunting on Ebay (and selling), but “on any given day”, the car/loco you want could appear. In my experience, its often feast or famine, but persistance pays out over the long run.
That’s fine, I and others have provided a long list of sources for kits of all types.
I too like to build models, so I build a lot of kits…of all types.
That’s why I listed those other sources - but, craftsman kits can be pricey - actually they always have been pricey. I remember in the 60’s and 70’s craftsman kits were two to three times the price of a Blue Box kit - sometimes more - same is true today.
While I enjoy building kits, I also am building a large layout with a large roster requirement for operating sessions, so “easy” kits and RTR - both the more afordable like Athearn Ready to Roll, and the higher end, higher detail stuff, are also on my radar to build a suitable roster.
I have about 800 freight cars, but still have dozens of unbuilt kits - and I buy more all the time whe
Sheldon, you really love to hear yourself speak, don’t you!
Your criticism of me and my points of view are not appreciated and I’d like to ask you what the above post has to do with the topic of this thread?
Here in the America I live in (and the one I spent my time in the military, protecting), people are entitled to their simple to understand opinions and shouldn’t need to suffer the bombastic ravings of people like you!
If you find Sheldon’s last remarks anything but conciliatory, I’d suggest that your skin requires a little thickening. Kits for that are apparently in short supply, too.[swg]
Bombastic seems rather an overstatement to me, but if you consider it so, what exactly were you expecting?
You started this thread, then not too far into it we got this:
When one starts a thread, it’s generally in hopes of getting responses. If several respondents refute your original findings or express their own feelings and opinions on the subject, it hardly makes the subject contentious.
Obviously the topic was interesting enough to generate four pages of responses.
NP2626, you certainly are as welcome here as any of the rest of us. Some topics are just more contentious than others. In this case, it is the topic, not you. Hang in there.
I am currently repairing a BB PS covered hopper and I’m within a angry mule’s kick from taking a hammer to it even though I built dozens of these hopper kits over the years.
Comparing this old BB car to its RTR counterpart I find there is no real comparison and I suspect the only reason I’m repairing this car instead of scraping it is because its one of my favorites.
Working on this car has once again proven my point why I won’t be missing BB kits.