I am going to a train show in Detroit soon, and I would like to expand my freight roster. I am looking to buy some Accurail kits. I am wondering, how much do these usually sell for?
Alex,Some free advance…
Take your time and check each dealer’s tables one may sell those kits at full MSRP while others have then at a decent discount.Some may have them used for $3.00 with KDs.
Be sure to look under the front of the dealers table-remember he will display his higher price models on the table while the cheaper kits will be under his table.Its a old flea market tactic that works quite well.
Some club’s member sell their excess or unwanted models including kits…Don’t overlook the use cars either.
Again take your time looking over the dealer’s tables.
Also, don’t be afraid to offer a lower price, especially if you’re buying more than one kit. Train shows are partly flea markets.
Good luck
Paul
Alex,
MSRP for Accurail kits is normally $13-$15 but don’t be surprised to see train show vendors selling it in that range, as well. If you can get them for under $10, you’re doing well. Already assembled models you can find more often in the $5-$10 range. In general, unless a RTR or pre-assembled model is hard-to-find, I prefer kits so I can assemble it myself.
FWIW, Alex, the Accurail 6- and 8-panel wood boxcars are exceptional for the price and will add a really unique look to your roster. The 41’ AAR steel gondolas are very nice, too.
Tom
What show are you attending?
The Worlds Greatest Hobby in Novi
My biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to leave empty handed. I’ve gone into train shows with high hopes and found great deals. Other times, the best deal I got was leaving with the money in my pocket.
Let us know how the show goes.
Thank you everyone for the advice, and I will tell you guys how the show goes.
Knowing that you’re talking about the World’s Greatest Hobby (WGH) show, now, I’d hesitate to say that much of the advice that others have given about wheeling and dealing holds true at this one. In fact, the literature explicitly states that it is not a flea market or swap meet. It is a well-packaged and well-marketed celebration of the hobby designed to appeal to whole families. Its focus is more on displays and exhibits.
The advice not to be afraid to leave without buying something is certainly valid, though.
From a purely purchasing point of view, if you’re looking to wheel and deal, you’d be well-served to attend one of the local clubs’ shows. That’s where the advice that others have given really applies.
The Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club’s 400+ table show in Saline on February 15-16 is the next big one coming up.
This is not at all to say that you shouldn’t attend the WGH show- it’s a worthwhile experience as a celebration of the hobby, but it’s not very likely to be the loose-n-freewheeling flea market others have described. At least not at those table prices.
Edited on Jan. 29 to remove a comment to the effect that the Redford Model Railroad Club is not holding its Spring show this year. It is holding its Spring show this year.
I agree to checking the dealers out before startingf to buy.Also,the later it gets at the show,the more dealers are willing to drop prices so they do not have to pack stuff up and take it back home.
Alex,
I went to the WGH show here in Cleveland 3 weeks ago. Most vendors were charging at or near MSRP for older stuff. While I was in search for an elusive Exactrail Milwaukee Hiawatha ribbed car, I was able to find an Olympian-version that fit my era for 10% off. While I didn’t find any great deals at the show, I was happy with my one acquisition.
As previously stated by GP-9, don’t be afraid to walk away from the show empty-handed.
Tom
I would say, go to ebay, search for accurail cars. Check out the selection and the prices. If you can get a similar or lower price for a car you like, then you did well.
As mentioned, know the prices things are going for on ebay (don’t forget shipping), at your LHS and a couple of online dealers (ie. Modeltrainstuff, Walthers and Trainworld) (also have shipping charges). Look around, I just came back from the Amherst show and many dealers were offering brands with 30% to 50% off, just check the price they are discounting. Some are good deals, some are just getting rid of slow movers, but yours just might be there.
Only if I see exactly what I have been looking for and not seen anywhere else, do I grab something at MSRP from the first booth I see it at. Haven’t suffered nearly as many failurs as kicks in the pants, because it was gone when I went back.
Good luck,
Richard
After buying gas,then driving there,then paying to park,then paying my way in I would think twice and then think twice again about leaving with zip to show for it…I would find something a video,paint other odds and ends to make my trip worth while.
That’s why I always say take your time and look…There’s always something needed.
And don’t neglect the value of actually being able to inspect the merchandise before purchase, something a lower priced internet dealer cannot offer. At Milwaukee’s TrainFest Accurail offers show specials – not prices, but paint and lettering schemes not part of the general catalog. Whether they do that for WGH shows I do not know.
Dave Nelson
I’m also looking forward to going to the World’s greatest hobby in Novi (Novi is NOT detroit)…from what I understand it’s not like a regular train show it’s more of an expo with manufacturers with new products, etc. I have a hard time traveling to train shows that are over a half hour drive away if they are in a school, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, I like school train shows, but I’ll drive further for better venues. I drove a hour to get to the one in East Lansing a few weeks ago, and that was a good show. Lots of diversity. That being said, I went to a local one at a high school today and it was full of train “junk” and lot of Lionel stuff. Being a HO guy, it’s disappointing to see tables and tables of Lionel. While I can appreciate and respect Lionel, it’s not for me. This show only had from what I remember 1 table of N scale items. Not a lot of diversity at this show. Some shows are like that.
Thank you for all the help. (I understand that Novi isn’t Detroit, I was just simplifing it so the rest of the community know where I was talking about.)
Yea, if a train show is being held at a “local” high school, more chances than not you’re going to find more “local” stuff there. Being an HO guy myself, I tend to avoid them for the same reason you mentioned.
There’s an annual train show here every March that is held at one of our local community colleges. It’s normally a pretty good show and kicks off the train show season. The WGH show we had 3 weeks ago was at the convention center near the airport. While there are a number of vendors there, the big plus for me was the nice layouts and being able to talk to the reps in person about their product.
Tom
I would second what was said about the WGH. You might find an item you haven’t been able to find anywhere else, but generally things are selling at list price or close to it. Local flea markets run by a local club or other organization would probably offer better deals.
If you haven’t, it might not hurt to sign up for the Walthers monthly flyer. It has new products, and products on sale. Generally it has several HO Accurail kits on sale.