Large Scale Central

Aristo-Craft prices on eBay

General Discussion
#1

I rarely check Aristo ‘Buy it now’ prices on eBay and after the recent search I am able to see why. Black box locomotives (U25B) now selling for over $100 more than this time last year ($150 last year, $250 this year). Black box freight rolling stock selling for $60.00 upwards. These items now must be getting onto 20 years old. Original series Pacific locomotives selling for more than recent releases. In most circumstances, the new old stock Aristo items are selling for more in the U.S., than one is able to obtain newly released stock here in Australia. Keep in mind that to ship a common locomotive like a U25B will cost around $120.00 to Australia. An SD45 would be at least $150.00.

I have been spoiled by my favourite eBay ‘discount’ sellers and with Ridge Road Station with their relatively low prices over the years. I have never been a big Aristo fan as I tend not to model 1/29 scale, but I do have a lot of Classic range and some 1/29 stock.

There are just no ‘Buy it now’ bargains left. Even track is full retail everywhere.

#2

Tim,

it looks like the 1:29 rolling stock has now joined the ‘rare - collectable’ league.

I recently purchased an Aristo 1:20 covered hopper second hand from one of my preferred UK suppliers. I never gave the box colour a thought - yes, it was a black box. I am not too concerned about aged s/h rolling stock but I would not consider any Aristo locos that were not recent production. I like the plug connectors on Aristo locos which enable a quick transition to a battery trailing car

UK Ebay often has light blue or black box Aristo items on offer frequently at inflated prices.

#3

Alan,
even the yellow box items could be ten or more years old. One has to be particularly careful purchasing the FA1/FB1 locomotives, as many yellow box models are new old stock and do not have the more recent upgrades. Many Union Pacific and Rio Grande models are being listed as new, whereas they could date back to 2000/2001. It is a market full of traps for the unwary.

  The latest release rolling stock is vastly improved over the black box/blue box era with crisper mouldings and better wheels/trucks on coaches.  The locomotives are aslo vastly improved as no doubt you are aware.
#4

Ebay for trains has become a bit of a joke, its completely overrun with Ebay “stores” that offer jacked up prices at a no negotiation “Buy It Now” pricing. Of a recent search where there were some 6000+/- large scale items listed, only 1500+/- were actual “auctions” the other 4500 items were “Buy It Now” items from Ebay “stores”.

On can still find bargains but its sure getting harder, clicking the “auctions only” tab is the best way to sort out the BIN stuff, there are a couple stores that offer good prices (only a couple) most of the rest are a complete rip off often asking above the MSRP and with inflated shipping on top of that!

Caviet EMPTOR

#5

I can unfortunately support Vic’s comment, it is not just large scale stuff that has gone up in “prices” on eBay.

Filling some holes in my prewar tinplate collection is costing a lot more than it did a couple years ago (and even more than some walk in brick and mortar hobby shop finds). For example, I got two nice green and orange 607/608 passenger cars out of a shop for less than one of the cars in similar condition on eBay would cost, NOT including shipping!

#6

I’m finding in general that ALL items on Ebay have gone up (corresponding to Ebays rate increases?) and shipping costs have gone crazy. When one person wants $10 to ship a boxcar and the next wants $30 for essentially the same car from the same area something is VERY broken there. Of course if they are using the UPS Stores or the “Quick pack and ship services” then they need their cut too… Still a $20 cut is a bit ridiculous. Hmmm? Buy an Aristocraft boxcar with metal wheels for $50 or buy trucks with metal wheels for $40? What?

Chas

#7
W. Chas. Ronolder IV said:
When one person wants $10 to ship a boxcar and the next wants $30

Chas


I can’t ship a boxcar anywhere for $10. And eBay takes 9% of the shipping charge too. Not to mention PayPal getting their percentage.
So if you collect $10 in shipping, you have to ship it for $8.50 or you are going to have to reach into your pocket and kick in some more money.
Ralph

#8

I do our UPS shipping at work. I can send a 5 pound package to a commercial address for under $10, but the same package to a residential address is $25 or more.

#9

This seems like a good buy.
Shipping a bit high, though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CAR-WORKS-RGS-DITCHER-030-w-XTRA-BOOM-FP-1-20-3-F-/400217323919?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5d2ecfb98f

#10
Alan Lott said:
Tim,

it looks like the 1:29 rolling stock has now joined the ‘rare - collectable’ league.


So perhaps now would be a good time too sell an F-40 with 3 Superliners in 1:29 then?
I would say they are quite rare …and ain’t doing it for me these days?

#11

Go for it… some one is always looking to buy. Me? I just managed to pick up a Lionel Atlantic sans wheels for 35 including shipping. Since I already have one tender and plan to convert it to either an Aristo-based drive or one of those consolidation kitbashes, it made more sense then the 150+ for a full unit.

#12

David,
you are suffering from ‘hobby fatigue’. You need a few months break away from the hobby to rekindle your hobby spirit. Maybe another hobby???

     In so far as selling your Amtrak set. Forget it.  You will never get enough compensation for all those hours and if sold you will lament its passing.  You would never build another set and someone else would profit from all your skill and dedication with no recompense to you.  I have dozens of locomotives built over the years and know that if sold I would get a pittance in return.  People,  in general,  equate a custom item with the same value or less than a used version of the donor parts.  In your case, apart from the Great Trains 'rubber rule' models,  there was only the coaches selling for around $1000 each.

    Think how many hours workk that you put into your set and even at just $2.00 an hour labour,  you still would not even get what you paid for the parts only.  Selling custom items is a cruel, harsh world.
#13
Tim Brien said:
David, you are suffering from 'hobby fatigue'. You need a few months break away from the hobby to rekindle your hobby spirit. Maybe another hobby??? .
Perhaps .......if the freakin rain would quit I would go fishing! ;)
#14

the fish don’t mind the rain :slight_smile:

#15
David Russell said:
Tim Brien said:
David, you are suffering from 'hobby fatigue'. You need a few months break away from the hobby to rekindle your hobby spirit. Maybe another hobby??? .
Perhaps .......if the freakin rain would quit I would go fishing! ;)
The best time to catch fish is in the rain. Since when did roosters eat fish?????
#16

I am shocked, just shocked at how much “Rare” and “Vintage” stuff there is out there. Of course if you are selling it is “Collectible”. If you are buying it’s “Junk I’ll take off your hands at a rediculously low price.”
I have been at it about a year now of buying anything, painting and lettering and trying to sell as “One of a Kind.” It is, but I’m getting about $2 an hour for my hard work. I do enjoy doing it, so that’s what keeps me going!
Lou

#17

rare, collectable, one of a kind, is only that to the person that wants it more than the other! mine is Amtrak
might have to put my five superliners up ther for a million whole set! I am more worried what I would owe ebay=)

Don’t stop what you love!!! Or you will go insane=)

Cheers
Scott

Know anyone that has an e-8 for 199.99 and in stock??? LOL I waited to long now they will be 375.00 please