I was surfing around eBay today, seeing what was for sale. I did a search for Kato HO engines, because I don’t have one yet, but have heard great things. Saw a new BNSF SD70MAC with zero bids and about 5 hours left. The starting price was about $37 with no reserve. The bad news is that shipping was about $30, which is outrageous IMHO, but I figured if I could get the engine for $67, it would be a pretty good deal.
I didn’t bid right away, and actually couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted to take a chance and get it, or just let it go (I’ll have to explain it to the wife eventually! [:D]). Finally, with about 20 seconds left and still zero bids, I decided what the heck. I put in the exact starting bid amount, and what do you know… 20 seconds later, I just purchased a brand new Kato SD70MAC for $67!
I have gotten a few good deals on eBay like that before, but not very often as I’m not a “power user.” Today must have been my lucky day! [:)]
…Now if I could just find that Genesis Challenger at a reasonable price! [:-^]
I’m a little concerned that the seller charged $30 for shipping. He must have been try to make up for listing the engine at such a low starting point. Be careful of sellers who do this! It is not too common on model railroading auctions. Other auctions OFTEN have exorbitant shipping charges.
Still in all, $67 for a KATO engine is a great price!! I’ll bet the seller was surprised that he only got ONE bid! With shipping charges like that, other bidders must have been afraid to bid for fear that the bidding would get out of hand, a not unfounded fear!
As for the Challenger, good luck! If you are patient, you may get your wish. Just keep looking. It took me TWO YEARS of watching auctions to finally get a UP Big Boy for UNDER $200!!! It could happen to you. Just have patience.
Yes ebay can be wonderful, but it can take a time or two of surprises to know what is a good deal. Do, ask any questions of the seller. $30 is way too much for delivery. I have sold some Ho trains on eBay and even with maybe $3.00 for gas and time it still comes out to be less than $10 delivery charge. I too have one, only one Kato, It’s older but is my quietest loco and it pulls well. I am now poised to slowly replace all my diesel loco motors with new Kato motors as money allows.
Anyway you look at it you got your engine for $97. It’s a good thing you actually looked at the shipping price. Not a lot of people do and turn a fair deal into a rip-off. $97 isn’t too bad though.
Actually, I got it for $67, which included the $30 shipping. I took the shipping into account before I even bid, and would not have bid if I thought I would end up paying $97 total for it. The starting bid was $37 with no reserve, and that’s exactly what I bid.
I think paying a total of $67 is a pretty good deal, regardless of the fact that almost half of that price is S&H.