Over the last several months there have been a number of posts about Atlas track and Athearn BB railcars - lamenting (or bashing) those manufacturers for not having a ready supply of track or in Athearn’s case, of discontinuing their BB kits.
While I feel the same way, I have found that there is Atlas track (even code 83) offered on Ebay at what I consider reasonable prices. More notably, there is a “truck load” of Athearn kits and built-ups on Ebay at really good prices.
So if you are in need of the above, I suggest you might check out Ebay - along with your hobby shops.
One caution on EBay, check out the shipping cost before you jump at a “deal”, some vendors show a low price, but counter this with high shipping costs.
A couple of months ago I was talking witn the owner of my LHS, and he commented that some people had found a good deal on some old BB kits. They came in to the shop to get Kadees, metal wheels and maybe a couple of other improvments. When he totaled the sale price, shipping, Kadees, and metal wheels the total cost was about the same as a new Athearn RTR or similar model.
I am not trying to bash EBay or other on-line sale sites, just to giving another perspective on what a deal may or may not be…
But of course! Before one does a “buy it now” or even bid, one should look at the feedback (anything less than 99.x is not desireable), the shipping costs, and the point of origin. If you are looking to buy / bid on more than one auction from the same seller, check with them first to see if they “combine shipping”. Lastly, read the entire write-up, and assume nothing. Ask questions if needed.
By paying attention to the above, chances are extremely good that you will have an outstanding transaction!
Over the last 5 months I have bought several MDC and Bev-Bel Athearn cars off e-Bay for less then $10.00 each.
Here’s a handy tip…Once you located the car you want don’t rush and pay for it…Click on the dealers store and see what’s hidden there.I bought 3 Bev-Bel cars from one dealer and the combined shipping was $6.95 for all three instead of the regular $6.95 shipping for one car-ask for a invoice to get the combined shipping.Total for three cars including shipping was around $30.00.
As far as metal wheels its best and cheaper to buy a bulk pack…Intermountain wheels can be had for around $59.00 at most on line shops and e-Bay…There is 100 wheel sets in a pack-that’s enough to do 25 cars…That’s $2.36 per car.
Final total per car including metal wheel & KD 148 coupler was $11.78…
I was at my LHS last week and just for the heck of it I looked for Atlas code 83 flex track and they had a whole pile of it? It was $6.75 per pc though! I don’t know how this price compares to what others are charging, but it seemed high to me. I was paying around $4.00 a section when I last needed some (about a year ago). I realize that Hobbytown USA is ususally charging full list price, but is $6.75 retail? I like to support my LHS when I can (when I don’t need locos or RTR rolling stock).
Every hobby shop I’ve been in over the past few years has had several boxes of it too, always had. Priced somewhere around 6 bucks a stick. I’ve never had a problem finding a code 83 turnout either, although the prices have gone from about $14 to $20.
Now, If I wanted 67 pieces of flex and 38 turnouts at one time, I may have had a problem.