I just picked up a P2K GP30 on ebay for less than $40 including shipping! The same locomotive from Walthers is $100, +/- $5 depending on roadname. And that’s without shipping!
I know what you mean. I constantly get steals on engines from there. SOmetimes you have to wait a while in between, but when you find something that’s right you can get it fairly cheaply.
Noah
You bet. I’d be lost without it. Not just for the deals, but those long out-of-production items, too. Thanks Ebay vendors, et al.
smyers
I jsut picked up a set of 7 streamliner coaches on EBay for less than 50 including shipping.
I have also snagged many nice engines on there for less than 1/3rd the retail price
EBay is great for finding those hard to find or out of production things you need.
I buy alot off Ebay. Car parts, trains, diecast cars, Nascar shirts and hats…the list goes on.
I asked why e-bay recently, and decided to try it myself. The only way I can see that I made out is I bought 7 items from the same seller, so shipping was low. I got the items for a reasonable price each, but if they had been from different vendors, the shipping would have ruined the deal. I see people bidding $5.50 and up for Athearn Blue Box kits that can be bought from most web retailers for the same price or less. I just don’t understand the bidding wars for the common everyday items.
Tim
Part of the problem is out of production. I once witnessed a Athearn Blue Box Kit sell (Mint unbuilt) for $65.00 (Open sided Heinz pickle tank car) due to a “Gotta have it Bidding war”
I myself wait until 3 minutes before auction closing with the retail price in hand and ready to “Snipe-bid” the others out of the item. Somestimes there is a fight and literally the highest bidder wins.
But for finding out of production or that wonderful estate item from a passed on hobbyist etc is excellent.
I just bid as high as I’ll pay for it when I find it, and then forget about it. If I win it, i win it, If I get out bid, I’m outbid, I don’t worry about it.
Noah
I don’t understand the “snipe bid” myself either. Ebay bids for you up to your maximum amount, so why bother sniping? Just put in the highest amount you’re willing to pay, and then forget about it. You still have the same chance of being outbid, and it causes a lot less stress than hovering over your computer for last couple minutes of an auction trying to outbid somebody.