We need to downsize due to cancer and I need to sell my HO trains. I know we don’t sell on this forum, but I am open to advice as to the best way to unload my trains, track, buildings, etc. Thanks in advance.
I have been thinning my collection recently and found several options. The first and perhaps best is e-bay. Another option that may be available is consignment with local hobby shops. Due to your circumstance I would have to reccomend e-bay. If you take this route you will be more successful if you accept paypal. This allows for near instant payments instead of waiting for the USPS. Good Luck and God Bless.
I have to agree with the note above and say Ebay sure makes it easy and pretty convenient. But I don’t know that you’ll get the best price possible that way.
There is also a for sale forum at www.the-gauge.com, which you might check out. I wish I had more options to offer you, but definitely take a good look at what else is suggested here before you dump the whole lot into Ebay.
My dear friend and next door neighbor was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently… So I have some idea what a rough road you’re walking down. My best wishes as you face this challenge.
E-bay is a good way to sell. to get the maximum $ and exposure, do not put a reserve and start all bids at .99 cents and run them for 10 days, Friday, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun. Start it at about 5 PM Friday and end it about 4 PM sunday. if you run an auction through the weekend you get most people looking. Run it through 2 weekends, double the amount or close. If the items are good you should get max $ for them because model railroaders know what they are worth and they’ll keep bidding until it is no longer a deal, meaning you will get the best price possible. Hope this helps!
The selling process on e-Bay is simple and effective, but it can be time-consuming. If you are not interested in selling the items yourself on e-Bay, I know of an e-Bay approved Seller’s Assistant. Send me your e-mail address and I will send you his name and e-mail address so you can deal with him directly. He is a professional seller and most of the items he sells get good bids, many are over-bid. To the best of my knowledge, he prefers to have items on-hand for photographs and listing. You would have to work out the details with him yourself.
Other than through friendship, I am not associated with him in any way and have no vested interest in making this suggestion to you.
Darrell, quiet…for now
Thanks for the tips. This process promises to be bittersweet.
PT Man Best of luck on your coming battle.
If you really want to move them, in a word. EBAY !!!
I agree with all here, EBAY is the way to go! Just do about 10 to 15 auctions a week, cuts down on the packing and running to post office! And do yourself a favor, do engines one week, freight cars the next, buildings next and so one. Good luck to you and your battle with illness! Our prayers are with you!
If your hobby store sells used stuff try them. Hope your cancer goes away, I’ll be praying for you.
I am helping a friend do this and we are going to try the flea markets. I have been told by some people that some times it works and by others it does not. If you would like I could give you a report Monday. If you have the time and inclination. Ebay will sell more, but will take a lot of time and consentration. Buyers want you to be on top of the auctions almost minute by minute. Good luck.