I am obviously new to this forum, and am interested in finding out if the set I have is worth anything to anyone. I won it at a local restaurant about 12 years ago, and just dug it out of my parents basement. The box has never been opened. I just want to know if something like this would be worth selling in the future?
If anyone has time to talk to me, I can email pictures of the set, and get some guidance from any experts that may be out there!
Just please let me know!
Your best bet is Ebay. Selling any item on these forums is against the forum rules.
David B
If it is twelve years old, the set is probably not very good. Most of the time not-so-good sets don’t sell well. On eBay, you will get fair market value, though.
Who knows, though. In ten years if you put it on eBay you might get a good price. But it might also be a case of diminishing returns. It is old technology, but not classic.
Why not just keep it and build yourself a layout for it?.. Besides, like Spacemouse said, it’s old technology and will probably be more trouble than it’s worth trying to sell it.
Just my opinion…
Tracklayer
I appreciate you all answering so far, and for the first response…I am NOT trying to sell this to anyone on here. I read and understand the rules of the forum, but am looking for some EXPERT advice. Thanks again
Man, relax. I was just simply pointing out to someone who has just joined the forums a rule that obviously applies directly to your post. I doubt you actually read the rules of the forums before you made your first post (most people don’t).
Look at this snippit from your origional post…
“and am interested in finding out if the set I have is worth anything to anyone”
…to me, that says that you are possibly finding a buyer here on the forums.
I was trying to help, and I am an expert in this model railroading field. I actually work in it and make a living doing so. The advice I gave was clear and spot on.
David B
[#welcome]
First of all you might want to explain whether you’re interested in getting into the hobby, or just trying to get rid of junk. I’d reccomend getting into the hobby (duh[;)]) but it’s your choice of course.
David: I personally didn’t think he said anything that suggested openly that he was looking for a buyer. Maybe it could be interpreted that way. but it wasn’t really that bad. Just my [2c]
I got the same. I only believed that the old set was found and has no clue if it has any value. Just asking us if it is any good.
I have a Bachmann set about the same age as yours. It’s from when Bachmann train sets were the 2nd cheapest on the market (Life-Like gets 1st on that one. Bachmann’s improved since then), so the value is pretty low. If it’s still in mint condition like you say, you may be able to get a few more dollars for it. My set came in a shoe-box at a garage sale and only cost $4, and it was in pretty good condition. A few years later, the motor started on fire.
Those pancake motors were famous for that! I had one melt part of the shell.
Wow, I thought it was just me![:O] Luckily, I saw the light through the porthole and cut the power immediately, so I managed to save the shell. I’ve since stuck an Athearn truck and Rivarossi motor in there just to get it running.
Actually the set could turn out to be worth something. Many sets sold in special places like a grocery store or farm dealership are quite valuable, not to model railroaders, but to people who collect things about a particular brand. If this set is for a particular “brand” there is no way here to find out the value. There are a couple early Athearn sets that are valued in the hundreds of dollars because of the brand they were made for.
Take a look on e-bay,
Here is an example
if it is a 12 year old diesel set it will not be worth much at all and if it is a steam engine set it will be worth just a bit more. The sets are not very collectable at all.
Ha, I had one of those! It wasn’t very well made. The loco died after about a week.
Um…I thought they were called ‘flapjack’ motors…
David B
Maybe North of the border where you have real maple syrup! The way they melt down, they should be called hot cakes motors![:D]
Mmmm…I getting hungry…
David B
The winning bidder paid 50 cents more than the shipping. LOL!