Bitten by the eBay bug again ...

[RobertInOntario]

A few years ago, I got bitten by the eBay bug and enjoyed buying a few MRR items there. I found it a little "stressful" at first as I wasn't used to it and didn't have a Paypal account.

Then I started to avoid eBay because I'm a firm believer in supporting your LHS. I have two really good LHS's, one near my work & one near my home. I still try to support them but, just recently, I've got bitten by the eBay bug again because there are some real deals out there.

The other thing about eBay is that it is SO easy to use. Just simply make a bid and (if you win) just click "pay" and it's so easy to pay via Paypal. Since all of your data (mailing address & contact info) is already entered it's extremely easy -- I think even easier than ordering online from other websites where you have to re-enter your data and paying method. (It seems that Vectis is the other major model railway internet auction site, especially for British models. Has anyone used them as well?)

So now I'm kind of addicted and want to keep searching for new deals. I've recently ordered a few items from the UK and (so far) haven't been hit with any duty or tax charges.

Can anyone else relate? I still want to (and do) support my LHS's. But why pay $45 (plus tax) at an LHS for a used tank engine, when you can get the same thing from eBay for $18 (which even included shipping)?

Cheers,
Rob

[nachoman]

The only things I ever buy on ebay are used items that are difficult to find elsewhere, or one of a kind things not availale at local stores. Ebay is great for researching things and finding examples of what is available for a particular item. Often I use it more for research than for purchasing things. For example, I will try to find junkers to use for parts, or auto parts that haven't been made for decades. I have never bought a new item that is still being produced or recently produced. Once I add in the inflated shipping charges that many ebay sellers charge, it becomes obvious that I am no longer getting a "deal" anymore. I have seen things sell on ebay for 10% more than what one would pay going to the local store - and at the local store you don't have to feed the evil brown or white trucks.

While I have spent pletny of time browsing ebay killing time, I rarely buy anything. I figure the cost+shipping would have to be 10% lower than what I can get from a local store before I would buy something new in box.

[RobertInOntario]

The only things I ever buy on ebay are used items that are difficult to find elsewhere, or one of a kind things not availale at local stores. Ebay is great for researching things and finding examples of what is available for a particular item. Often I use it more for research than for purchasing things. For example, I will try to find junkers to use for parts, or auto parts that haven't been made for decades. I have never bought a new item that is still being produced or recently produced. Once I add in the inflated shipping charges that many ebay sellers charge, it becomes obvious that I am no longer getting a "deal" anymore. I have seen things sell on ebay for 10% more than what one would pay going to the local store - and at the local store you don't have to feed the evil brown or white trucks.

While I have spent pletny of time browsing ebay killing time, I rarely buy anything. I figure the cost+shipping would have to be 10% lower than what I can get from a local store before I would buy something new in box.

That's generally what I've been buying -- rare, hard-to-find items that I wouldn't expect see at my LHS's. That tank engine was an exception. Being a British modeler, eBay can work quite well as older British items can be hard to find over here.

I also use eBay for research to find out what some of my older items are worth. And yes, you certainly have to watch the shipping and handling charges.

Rob

[tv_man]

Oh, I'm a total ebay addict.. 80% browsing though, at least, but most of my mrr stuff originates from there. Have had a few not so good experiences, with product which didn't quite match expectations, but either the seller corrected the fault or the items could be used as trackside junk (a broken boxcar on the side of the track doesn't look too out of place) The LHS is mainly used for modeling supplies.

[RobertInOntario]

Oh, I'm a total ebay addict.. 80% browsing though, at least, but most of my mrr stuff originates from there. Have had a few not so good experiences, with product which didn't quite match expectations, but either the seller corrected the fault or the items could be used as trackside junk (a broken boxcar on the side of the track doesn't look too out of place) The LHS is mainly used for modeling supplies.

Yes, the LHS sources are the best places to go for things like scenery, paint, glue, brushes, etc.

I'm probably going to just use eBay to buy the really hard-to-find items. And, for a British modeler living in Canada, there are quite a few of those -- even LHS's that sell British MRR stock often do not have these. I do the same thing when I visit England -- only buy MRR items there that are either hard to find in Canada or are real deals.

Rob

[MasonJar]

My LHS buys estates and will often put the most interesting or rare items on their eBay site, so it kinda defeats the purpose of going there...

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

My LHS buys estates and will often put the most interesting or rare items on their eBay site, so it kinda defeats the purpose of going there...

Andrew

My LHS also occasionally buys estates but (AFAIK), they don't put them on eBay.

Just curious, which LHS do you deal with ... maybe I should check out their eBay listings!

Thanks, Rob

[MasonJar]

LarkSpur Lines in Merrickville. RUn by husband and wife Jeff and Pat Trew - very nice people, excellent service. I got my Mack railbus from their eBay auctions.

<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.larkspurline-trains.com">www.larkspurline-trains.com</a><!-- w -->

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

LarkSpur Lines in Merrickville. RUn by husband and wife Jeff and Pat Trew - very nice people, excellent service. I got my Mack railbus from their eBay auctions.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.larkspurline-trains.com">http://www.larkspurline-trains.com</a><!-- m -->

Andrew

Thanks, Andrew! I'll check this LHS out then.

Rob

[shaygetz]

Quite frankly, my LHSs do little to keep my business...one is a hoot to watch at train shows as he prices his used table. The one I do frequent is part of a museum so they can only stock so much. They order what you need at 10% off of Walther's prices---not much I know but it does support the museum with its all volunteer staff. I lose little sleep over it, my money is my money, my hobby dollar is deliberately small for other priorities I have so for me it's a stewardship issue and not one of loyalty.

[2-8-2]

I support the LHS(s) whenever I can. However, none of them have much in N scale to begin with, much less the era that I model. I will continue to avoid eBay like the plague that it is since my own experience with it hasn't been that great. In my 35 transactions, I've been scammed twice and been banned for a year for something I didn't even do.

Just as a public service announcement: If you're using a cable internet provider, you share a connection with your neighbors and your IP is nearly the same. Unknowing to me, I was bidding on an item put up by someone down the street from me a couple years ago. I got an email from eBay warning me of shill bidding (something like that...it's where you bid on your own, or a friend's item, to increase the price). I emailed them back stating I didn't even know what they were talking about, because at the time, I didn't.

With my next bid, I was instantly banned, no questions asked. Even after finding out what had happened and going back and forth w/ eBay for 3 months, they upheld my ban. So as far as I'm concerned, eBay sucks.

[RobertInOntario]

Quite frankly, my LHSs do little to keep my business...one is a hoot to watch at train shows as he prices his used table. The one I do frequent is part of a museum so they can only stock so much. They order what you need at 10% off of Walther's prices---not much I know but it does support the museum with its all volunteer staff. I lose little sleep over it, my money is my money, my hobby dollar is deliberately small for other priorities I have so for me it's a stewardship issue and not one of loyalty.

That's a good point about stewardship and keeping one's hobby dollar in proportion to other priorities -- I do agree with that. I can easily get carried away and spend too much on my hobby (when I personally should be supporting various ministries and church more).

But I think being frugal and looking for eBay deals is a good way to do this. Sure, there are pitfalls to watch out for on eBay, but as I use it more and more I think I'm getting alert to these (i.e., ask the seller lots of questions if things aren't clear, deal with sellers who have good ratings, be alert re unfairly high shipping prices).

I should also curb my coffee and Starbucks spending -- that's another vice I have!

Cheers,
Rob

[nachoman]

2-8-2 - That is one weird "small world" story!

[Brakie]

Quite frankly, my LHSs do little to keep my business...one is a hoot to watch at train shows as he prices his used table. The one I do frequent is part of a museum so they can only stock so much. They order what you need at 10% off of Walther's prices---not much I know but it does support the museum with its all volunteer staff. I lose little sleep over it, my money is my money, my hobby dollar is deliberately small for other priorities I have so for me it's a stewardship issue and not one of loyalty.

I agree but,a recently reopen hobby shop has caught my attention as far as prices..I plan on making several return trips since he has lots of "dated" N Scale in stock..

[nkp_174]

Why I like ebay:

-Grandt Line On3 gondola kit, under $20 including shipping and decals, versus $44 list price.
-Spectrum On30 2-8-0, $79 including shipping, versus $200 if I ordered through my LHS.
-Brass NKP hudsons and DSP&P moguls that I've never seen in person except after buying them on ebay.
-$45 including shipping for a B-man Big Hauler chassis that is on its way to becoming D&RG 2-4-0 #6, Ute.

Most of my purchases are at my LHS...they give a nice discount and I like having the local option for emergency purchases. Ebay is definitely more time intensive, but the rewards are worth it. I probably win less than 10% of what I go after on ebay since I'll only bid on deals well below what I can get at my LHS.