It is just the time of year. It is dead winter and people are into trains. Prices will most likely drop in the spring and summer. I get some good deals and I find most postwar things less than 10 years ago. Stay off ebay until about april for better pricing.
dogdoc
When dealing with “ebay” you have to use common sense and know what you are willing to pay!! Also need to know what you are buying! I got half way stung on ebay purchases because they were not the correct scale, like H.O. instead of O gauge, so I turned around and sold it at a train show.
The term rare means nothing to me other than somebody trying to super-elevate his price!! Look in the price guides to see what something is worth before you buy it, especially on “ebay!!” There are deals lots of times on new sets on ebay compared to what your local hobby shop will sell it for.
I have gotten some really great deals at local train shows, even at train shows some people want way too much for Lionel. One guy wanted $100.00 for two Lionel passenger cars(16 inch long) for the Pennsy RR, I went a few tables over and bought an Atlas Amtrac set of three passenger cars(21 inch long) for $75.00. I got great bargains on Williams engines and Atlas passenger cars at train shows. Just my opion ‘if I can’t see it in person I don’t buy it.’
Lee F.
I just got a seller to reduce shipping from $11.00 down to $5.50 all I had to do was ask … it works alot !
It all boils down to you have to do extensive search and wait … but I have gotten some fabulous bargains on Ebay . And still am as of now … in fact 5 super low items in the last 3 days . Set your high limit and DON’T go over it … 1,000’s of more of the same item will come up for auction … believe me … no matter what it is listed as being ! I can still remember the days of being at the mercy of local train stores and online retail dealers only … I NEVER want to return to those days EVER !
For all it’s shortcomings … Ebay was a godsend to train collectors . Where else are you going to get the selection of MILLIONS of items without having a Lear jet and all the time in the world to shop ? And it’s at your fingertips … sipping coffee in your pajamas … LOL . [2c]
Once in a while I like to go into ebay, type just the brand in the search box, select “ALL CATEGORIES,” sort “HIGHEST TO LOWEST PRICE,” and then check the “COMPLETED LISTINGS” box in the left collumn.
You never can tell when you are going to hit the lottery or inherit a zillion dollars from Aunt Matilda. Must be prepared.
Jack
I have done very well on EBAY over the years, for Postwar, MPC and Modern.I picked up most of the Lionel Postwar Celebration Series Sets on the bay, mint in the box, for almost half of what they originally sold for. My latest was the N&W J Space set for $430.00 Mint in the box!
There is some price gouging, but if you look around and have patience…you usually find bargains…I have done alot better on EBAY then I have at shows…
Mark
Now I know why my stuff doesn’t fet top dollar! I don’t post everything in ALL CAPS!
Never dealt with him, but he has 100% positive feedback from a lot of, to quote doofus, idiots.
Set your high bid via proxy bidder & don’t worry about someone outbidding you at the last second. If they do, they paid more for it than it was worth to you anyway.
This idiot has made some great purchases on ebay.
wyomingscout
I’ve seen the same thing as well; sale prices that are way over what the item is worth. One example, that I lost, was a Lionel HO 0591 New Haven Rectifier, repowered with an Athearn mechanism, that went for $ 127.50. Way over what the shell is worth (an Athearn mechanism is worth $ 25.00).
On the other hand, I’ve gotten some great deals, like a PWC Berkshire for $ 350.00.
Can anyone explain this loco’s selling price? I’ve looked at it a few times and I don’t get it.
Rob