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EBay madness

Marcyg

By Marcyg,
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The Stationmaster

The Stationmaster

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 You will note, if read, that I didn't object to, or question the motives of the seller. Heck if I had a loft full of empty boxes (or even full boxes) I would be there with the rest selling what to me has always simply been packaging to dispose of asap.

 

To me, the fact that someone is prepared to pay good money to inflate the appearance/quality/price of a used item just seems dubious at the least. They also often seem to be sold without the moulded inserts, anyway bubble wrap is pretty cheap along with a recycled box from Azda, etc. If I buy something in the manufacturer's box I expect it to be complete AND new (Mint and only exposed for the camera). In fact with a kit I'd rather they didn't open it even to take a photo as all too often parts get disturbed, etches bent and fingered and delicate castings broken. Stunning how many complete DJH kits arrive without wheels when they were originally sold with them!

It doesn't usually work like that Kenton (says I having once sold a  Dinky Toy box for £21).  Many serious collectors want their items to be complete with box and all packing etc - thus replicating/reproducing/maintaining the original ex-shop appearance and condition of the 'whatever it is'.  But equally there is a market among collectors - the truly serious ones - to acquire items which are that complete thus 'mint in box' commands a premium price at auction compared with that for an unboxed item in equally good condition.  And the better the condition and completeness of the box and packing the higher the price - it is, I suppose, just like any other sort of serious collecting.  I saw a pre-war Hornby Dublo box estimated at a 3 figure price in an auction catalogue a while back and the sale price handsomely beat the estimate.

 

However noting your comment about 'missing' wheels the situation is very simple - if an item is described as 'complete' and something is missing then it has clearly been missold, possibly in error or maybe even deliberately.

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Kenton

Kenton

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Many serious collectors want their items to be complete with box and all packing etc

I've been mistaken all this time I thought real collectors wanted the whole thing to be original literally "mint in original box" unopened and untouched beyond the factory. The thought of them buying a "clean" s/h item and putting it back into a box disposed of by someone else just didn't meet up with my idea of a true collector. Do they admit to this when they sell on the collection or do they continue the deception.

 

Of course in my mind I still see this as the unscrpulous simply making out that something is not what it claims to be. Perhaps I'm too suspicious of folk.

 

However noting your comment about 'missing' wheels the situation is very simple - if an item is described as 'complete' and something is missing then it has clearly been missold, possibly in error or maybe even deliberately.

I think that great catch-all caveat is used "appears to be complete" It is one of the first things I look for in photos if the wheels are missing on a DJH kit sale then that's £30-40 of the value. Even though I will probably change the Romfords for AG as a matter of preference, I don't see it so much as misleading as the seller not fully aware of what they have. I quite often contact the seller to point out that a kit came with wheels and often a (useless) motor. The answer often shows up the ignorant from the deceptive.

 

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PrestburyJack

PrestburyJack

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Posted (edited)

Don't think this has been mentioned before:

 

Bachmann Collectors Club SECR wagons - still available from BCC at £26.50, okay, you have to join the BCC but even then it's only total £52.50 if you join BCC specially to get these, and then you get the BCC magazines and a free BCC wagon thrown in....

 

or

 

£67 + £5 P&P from this seller on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-SE-CR-Railway-set-of-three-limited-edition-open-wagons-/251341842477?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item3a8524282d#ht_311wt_959

 

 a total of £19.50 more!!

Edited by garyeagger
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kevinlms

kevinlms

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Of course in my mind I still see this as the unscrpulous simply making out that something is not what it claims to be. Perhaps I'm too suspicious of folk.

 I think that great catch-all caveat is used "appears to be complete" It is one of the first things I look for in photos if the wheels are missing on a DJH kit sale then that's £30-40 of the value. Even though I will probably change the Romfords for AG as a matter of preference, I don't see it so much as misleading as the seller not fully aware of what they have. I quite often contact the seller to point out that a kit came with wheels and often a (useless) motor. The answer often shows up the ignorant from the deceptive.

 

As always, its about separating the uninformed person selling something that they know little about (i.e. selling for a deceased family member or friend) and those professional ebay'ers who know exactly what they're selling, but acting ignorant.

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Lady_Ava_Hay

Lady_Ava_Hay

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  I've been mistaken all this time I thought real collectors wanted the whole thing to be original literally "mint in original box" unopened and untouched beyond the factory. The thought of them buying a "clean" s/h item and putting it back into a box disposed of by someone else just didn't meet up with my idea of a true collector. Do they admit to this when they sell on the collection or do they continue the deception.

 

Of course in my mind I still see this as the unscrpulous simply making out that something is not what it claims to be. Perhaps I'm too suspicious of folk.

 I think that great catch-all caveat is used "appears to be complete" It is one of the first things I look for in photos if the wheels are missing on a DJH kit sale then that's £30-40 of the value. Even though I will probably change the Romfords for AG as a matter of preference, I don't see it so much as misleading as the seller not fully aware of what they have. I quite often contact the seller to point out that a kit came with wheels and often a (useless) motor. The answer often shows up the ignorant from the deceptive.

 

 

I think the fact that having a box adds value is not in dispute. It is entirely possible that the seller has no idea whether the box is original or not but if the box has the correct insert and the correct label specifying the contents then it is an original box containing an original model. Whether or not the items left the factory like that is a bit irrelevant but if that is important to the buyer then he or she should ask or assume on bidding that it is unlikely.

 

What is certain is that the box value is greater if the box is unmarked and that the value of the item is increased if it is 'originally' boxed. Both values are still seriously affected by age and rarity. Again, i have been party to some very rare and boxed items that have fetched hardly any price because they are bulky and not locomotives. A Mainline coach for instance is worth naff all even when it is boxed and brand new and Lima locomotives don't fetch much more brand new ( and boxed ) than they do second hand ( and boxed )

 

There are two ways to read a description, one is to look for what is or isn't there and bid accordingly and the other is to ask unending questions of the seller, probably in the last few hours of the bidding and never bid anyway. Experience talking there.

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The Stationmaster

The Stationmaster

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  I've been mistaken all this time I thought real collectors wanted the whole thing to be original literally "mint in original box" unopened and untouched beyond the factory. The thought of them buying a "clean" s/h item and putting it back into a box disposed of by someone else just didn't meet up with my idea of a true collector. Do they admit to this when they sell on the collection or do they continue the deception.

 

 

The problem such folk face is in finding something which is wholly original in every respect - so there is a market for things like boxes, inserts, lubricating oil and so on because that is the only way a 'complete' model can be achieved.

 

I get the impression that all the truly serious collectors know each other, know what each other has got and how they got it.  It is interesting to listen at auctions to talk about disposal of collections as the 'interested' buying parties always seem to know exactly how and where it was acquired although that applies most particularly in the larger scales.  And this generally seems to apply in all areas of serious collecting although I must be honest and say I don't know who owned many of my postcards before I bought them at auction - but several of the dealers do!

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Metr0Land

Metr0Land

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More of a conversation piece than madness.  After endless listers with L@@K - AWESOME - Professionally Weathered' etc etc a new variation. 

 

As this (and his others) are BIN 'the system' allows titles to be changed.  So he's revised them to start ENDING SOON as the deadline looms.

 

How long before we get LAST CHANCE TO BUY BEFORE CHRISTMAS?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENDING-SOON-Hornby-RMC-Concrete-Weathered-Orange-PGA-Wagon-Ex-Set-R6154A-EXC-/281155465346?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item41762bf082

Edited by Metr0Land
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Oldddudders

Oldddudders

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I know it's not UK, but this strikes me as the pits in ebay terms. The product on offer is a brand new N gauge railcar - and the picture is of an HO version by (allegedly) another manufacturer. The Mabar product is N, the pic is Electrotren HO. I do not know the relationship between Electrotren and Mabar, if any, apart from both being Spanish.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MABAR-ABJ1-SNCF-/200965151014?pt=FR_YO_JeuxJouetd_TrainsElectriques&hash=item2eca74d926

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Ruffnut Thorston

Ruffnut Thorston

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That one has the early tender with the metal bogies as well.

 

(I have one of these, with a selection of tenders, and the coaches. Nice, and it has a smoke unit! B)

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RhBBob

RhBBob

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Is that what is meant by 'Ebay Premium Service', then ?   Does 24 watchers suggest 'offers' ?   No, more like a lot of disappointed folks hoping to sell their own Hornby novelty  :jester: 

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valeofyork

valeofyork

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Is that what is meant by 'Ebay Premium Service', then ?   Does 24 watchers suggest 'offers' ?   No, more like a lot of disappointed folks hoping to sell their own Hornby novelty  :jester:

 

Everything Rails sells seems to go for a lot - more than it would do from most other sellers.

 

I've only ever bought a handful of second-hand items from them (some through ebay, some on their website), and wasn't impressed with the most recent - a Class 50 - it wasn't as good as described and there were several small parts missing. I decided to keep it anyway, but did email them to point out the problems and suggesting that they gave me a discount on a future purchase. They did agree to this, but the amount offered wasn't a lot considering the price paid (ironically, I'd put up with paying a high price because I thought they could be relied on!). I've not taken them up on the discount yet - I'm wary of anything second-hand from them now, and for new items - which I've not bought many of recently anyway - I'd prefer to use the local model shop.

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'CHARD

'CHARD

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I get the impression that all the truly serious collectors know each other, know what each other has got and how they got it.  

 

I am SO glad I don't know, and am unlikely ever to know this terrifying sector of society.

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