I could not believe this posting
Someone actually wants this kit?
That one is on EBAY Canada. Seller is apparently in US (Massachusetts) Seller makes point that box is sealed. Starting bid of $79.00 US + $60.00US international shipping seems a bit steep compared to “Buy It Now” Model Power buildings listed. Generally about $10-$30 Canadian.
US and Canadian $ are very close. Just checked XE Currency Converter $79.00 US = $80.42 Canada.
Found one listed on EBAY United States (also sealed) Seller in North Carolina . Starting bid US $14.95US + $9.00US shipping (within US) No bids so far, with over 6 days to go. Most prices for Model Power buildings on Ebay US appear to be $15-$20 US.
Someone actually wants this kit?
I am convinced Model Power kits, and the early Bachmann kits and the other “toy like” kits were exactly that…designed to be durable kits {? hopefully} children could play with and reasonably expect to hold up to the vims and vigors of children, or if brokem no big loss to the parent’s wallet.
So, while maybe no “respectable modeler” {by whose definition?} would seemingly want such toy-like structures, YES, there may indeed be a “collector” who wants such things.
A collector might want one : because they had one as a kid and wants one for nostalgia; or because they are smply collectors of Model Power stuff for whatever reason.
Whether they will pay the High $79 price this seller is asking, is a 'hole 'nuther matter. Also note: there are NO BIDS as of 5:21 EDT USA, JULY 7th,2012 when I looked at the item’s auction.
AS DSchmitt points out, you can find cheaper ones. And maybe as they disappear, then they become “valuable” as they DO indeed, become “rare” if not able to be found.
Something is only valuable if someone else wants it. Something’s value is only based on what someone is willing to pay for it. What someone pays for something may not reflect its true value.
[8-|]
You can place any amount in the starting price of an eBay auction. No indication if anyone will bid on it, so such high starting prices are in no way a reflection of the actual value of an item. I’ve seen local online sites where the seller states “these are selling on eBay for over $100.00” (non model railroad items).
A quick check on eBay does show people asking that price, but also checking completed auctions shows something totally different - the items that actually sold were considerably less than the high asking prices.
Some of the kits Model Power sold over the years were the same kits sold many years before by AHM, Pola, Atlas and others. I could see why some of those kits would have the nostalgia factor that others have mentioned. I still love some of those older models. But I’m pretty sure this kit was first introduced in the 1990s, which doesn’t make it all that rare or old. Plus, they still sell it today.
Go figure…
Jim
Someone actually wants this kit?
Don,I seen a lot of the so called “toy” structures by Bachmann,Life Like and Model Power kitbashed into some fairly nice looking structures including that Shell station that was turned into a very convincing county VFD.
Look at the other stuff this seller is offering. Some of the starting bids are reasonable, some are clearly cases where the seller doesn’t have a good idea of an appropriate price.
The seller does not appear to be a train dealer, but more of a “stuff dealer”, maybe a general resale shop, or an estate dealer. There appear to be a number of areas where the seller has a good idea of what something’s worth, but this one’s out in the woods.
The price on that kit reminds me of some of the nonsense prices that the participants on “Storage Wars” throw out when they’re totalling up the day’s purchases and trying to justify what they paid (anyone else remember the “at least $200” old Life-Like or Bachmann train set?).
That service station is about as ‘rare’ as fingernails! I just sold one to a member on this forum not too long ago.
These type of kits I often run across at train shows and they’re usually sold at bargain prices (<$10.00) and are a good buy if you’re wanting to highly detail or kitbash them, as I more often than not, do. I’ve got some kits like that and they’re good for everything from kitbashing into something else or using for parts or both. The $79.00 starting bid? Ah, well, I think he’s (she’s) dreaming. And, as someone on this thread has already mentioned, they still sell that kit today.
Some people like to buy old kits and train sets just for the fun of buying and having them. I havent gotten into this but I can see the attraction. See tycoforums.com I think its interesting.
Some of those toy like kits end up looking like this.
I’m still working on the kit but this is the simplest kit you can find. Bachmann Plasticville.
here is the Bachmann ad picture.
Still I do not think the kit in question is rare That is why I laugh and take ebay sellers with a grain of salt. Most have no clue an many misrepresent.
RMax
Some of those toy like kits end up looking like this.
I’m still working on the kit but this is the simplest kit you can find. Bachmann Plasticville.
here is the Bachmann ad picture.
Still I do not think the kit in question is rare That is why I laugh and take ebay sellers with a grain of salt. Most have no clue an many misrepresent.
RMax