Good Buy--Goodbye

Tom Parkins · Feb 4, 2013

I attended a Train Show in Timmonium (Baltimore), MD. It is a large all scale show but really very little G. Star Hobby is a vendor. On the White Elephant Table was a USA Trains PRR GP38 for $100. It was missing handrails and couplers. I model middle Appalachia 1960s but the Elm Creek is not a wealthy railroad. It would be a stretch to have a GP 38. I live about a mile from the the old PRR now Amtrak North East Corridor. GP 38s were plentiful in Conrail era. So I have a soft spot for them.

Bottom Line. I did not buy the unit, even though I thought it was a good value. Good value or not, it's still $100. The only thing I bought at the show was a used B&O steam book, glue, and a WMSR video.

What's your threshold on good deals at train shows? Do you pick stuff up for "future trade"?

Scottychaos · Feb 4, 2013

I would never buy something I didnt want for myself..
I dont see much sense in collecting things for "future trade" fodder..
I dont see much trade going on in this hobby really..

like you said, "Good value or not, it's still $100."..I agree..why spend $100 on something you dont want?
So even if its a "good deal" in theory..if its not something I want, a "good deal" would actually be a "bad deal" for me!

Scot

Greg Elmassian · Feb 4, 2013

There's also a lot of guys that buy and sell, and make a few extra $$ to help their "habit".

It's not for me, but I understand the motivation.

Greg

John J · Feb 4, 2013

IfI buy it it is to keep it. I buy from local Meets and from guys on MLS who are thinning their stock or are gathering cash for something else. JJ

kormsen · Feb 4, 2013

like scotty and the others say.
if i want it so badly (for myself!), that the price does not hurt, it is a good buy.
if i don't want it/can't use it - it never will be a good buy.

Naptowneng · Feb 4, 2013

Interesting. I also was at the Timonium show, nice day but not much G. My buddy got a nice Bachnamm Climax for a good price, I just got a wood pulp car and an older Aristo 3.5 amp power supply for a backup to my 10 amp. And Lots of details from Warrior Run...

However....I went to a firehouse train show before Christmas, with usually no G at all, and there was a USAT GP 38 SOO line, NIB. The fellow was willing to sell it for $160 and include 2 Aristo heavyweight passenger cars, and maybe a caboose. No doubt a nice deal. Of course, I could think of nothing more silly then that loco and cars on my little short line logging and mining loop. And my storage is maxed out. So despite the great price I hesitated......then noticed a younger man behind me with a look of wow in his eyes. Clearly he wanted those trains. I chatted with him for a few seconds, he had no trains of any sort, had been going through the show and nothing had really grabbed him, until he saw the LS trains. I smiled, said go for it and gave him my card if he had any questions.

Who knows, maybe some day he will be in the hobby, and hopefully having fun. And I don't have a "great deal" I can't use clogging my shelves.

Regards

Jerry

Torby · Feb 4, 2013

Sure. A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks. No point spending it on something you don't want. Somebody likely has just the spot for it in their railroad.

Tom Parkins · Feb 4, 2013

Naptowneng says I smiled, said go for it and gave him my card if he had any questions.
WOW! Quite a story. Not only do you encourage the guy, you take out your credit card and pick up the tab!!!!!

aceinspp · Feb 5, 2013

Well for the price it was a good deal and I would have bought it. The hand rails are cheap to buy and I have plenty of couplers around to fit to the loco. It makes for a nice cheap project and paint to my road colors and re letter. Later RJD

Good Buy--Goodbye

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities