Well, today I got the rolling stockn deal of a life-time. (At least it was so far in my life-time). I went to my local g-scale hobby store to buy myself a birthday present with the money/gift certificates I had been given by family. I expected to buy one car for my gift and one just because I thought I deserved two cars. I of course purchased the first car at full price (a bit more expensive than I would have paid online or from my friend Mike in Iowa), but while looking around through the stock, I found a used long caboose for $50 cheaper than the new one he had on the shelf. The caboose was mint except for a broken marker light (I have these in my parts stash in my work room). I of course grabbed it up immediately and put it in my "cart". Then on a whim, I asked the owner if he'd be willing to sell one of the hopper cars he had on his indoor layout? He paused a moment, and said, "sure" and quoted me a price that was $40 cheaper than the marked price on a new car (the one I paid full price for). This car was also mint! I couldn't believe the deal I got. What a great birthday present! Just wanted you to know that not all the great deals are on ebay or via online stores. Needless to say, I intend to give my local store more of my business because he treated me so well.
P.S. If anyone feels like raining on my parade, and telling me I didn't really get a deal because....blah, blah, blah,...DON'T!
As far as I'm concerned, I made out pretty well. Three cars for less thatn the price of two. I'll take that any day.