Large Scale Central

Ebay Rip Off or Just Pure Dillusion?

General Discussion
#1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MDC-G-Scale-G2110-Diesel-Swith-Engine-Very-Rare-/321174325733

I am so tempted to call this guy out on this one, this is neither rare nor anywhere worth the asking price, I thought the guy was smoking crack, then I saw the shipping cost and new for sure this was a pure nuts listing. The highest I have EVER seen one these sell for was about $75. USPS 1st class prepaid anywhere shipping boxes for this are less than $12.

I am getting really tired of even bothering to look on Ebay for LS anymore as it is packed to the rafters with stuff like this and its becoming a chore to sift through the crazy sales to find the reasonable listings.

#2

Vic, that is why I quit bothering with dBay several years ago. My final straw was a listing for am AMS car at about $50.00 for the car, which was a great price. Then I looked at the shipping…$100.00. Clearly stated in the listing was a clause that the listed shipping was for SHIPPING AND HANDLING, making the ridiculous shipping cost a legal cost. Federal law states the ‘shipping’ cost is a pass through cost and cannot have a margin added, however if you add handling to the shipping and clearly state that the charge is a combined charge, anything goes.

As for the ‘very very rare’, all I can say is “caveat emptor” buyer be ware.

Bob C.

#3

Looks like this guy is chancing it. Who knows someone might believe it and actually bid.

I have also been noticing alot of listings that are like this, over priced or a good deal but then the shipping is HUGE.
Keep an eye on that auction I bet it will get relisted for the same price.

What bugs me about Ebay are the ever rising fees. I sold a few pieces this past month and just paid a bill of $42 for the pleasure. I had to sell 2 little items and cross my fingers they didn’t get damaged in transit or the buyer was honest and didn’t claim they were damaged and give me bad feedback just to cover the costs ?? Doesn’t make sense sometimes.

Ebay is nutty and there are plenty of squirrels out there.

#4

Soooooo why are you guys still looking at eBay?

:wink: :slight_smile:

#5

#6

Because I can find things I don’t have and can’t find anywhere else at a reasonable price. Because I sell stuff I don’t need anymore and 9 times out of 10 can find a buyer that is looking for a deal.

And because as always Caveat Emptor.

There are always idiots looking to scam you…

And these are fun to look at!!!

#7

Those things are horrible. I know guys who had them. The guts went away, the shells were cut up to make control booths for turntables.
I have 2/3 of a chassis…in an old Hubley Model A, running on batteries with a fwd-neutral-reverse switch in the floor, with a brass tube extending as a gearshift lever.
They wobble, gears are noisy (before they strip out), 1:32, not worth even 1/10 of the asking.
And, yes, Bob, this thread again.
TOC
(you out to see 0 gauge stuff…just because it’s old…and they add names to the items for “provenance” that A) cannot be proven, and B) from the photos, obviously not…)

#8

There is no rule on Ebay stating if you look you must buy! I am always amazed at the ‘buy it now’ prices from BF and others at MSRP when Aristro and C Ro have them listed on their site for 60% or less than MSRP. Who buys at that price without looking around?

#9

Sorry Bob but this one was so wacky I just had to share it.

PS I did sent the seller a message gently telling him that these are not very rare and that the best he could expect to get would be in the $75 range. I doubt I will get an answer.

edit: Oh dear it didnt sell. I wonder why? Maybe if it was unbuilt still in its original box. (snark)

#10

Sweet, a $50 discount :wink:

MDC Loco

#11

Matt Doti said:

Sweet, a $50 discount :wink:

MDC Loco

The only way I’d get another one of those POS units was if somebody paid ME fifty bucks to take it off their hands. Last two were free…and that was too much.
TOC

#12

Matt Doti said:

Sweet, a $50 discount :wink:

MDC Loco

LOL at that rate in 5the weeks it will be at $50 where the starting bid should be. Despite TOCs apparent ‘dislike’ of these, they do have one appeal. They are great for bash parts, the hoods particularly. I did a bash using the hood of this a Bmann Porter cab on an LGB tender drive unit. And the MDC cab worked great on my Gn15 loco bash. So they ain’t all that bad.

:slight_smile:

Edit - I did get a friendly reply from the seller stating that he would continue to sell it for what he thought it was worth. good luck

#13

I blame Rooster…

#14

I nearly got stung on a G scale truck the other day. The price for the truck was good and I never thought to check shipping. Later I checked and it was $10 shipping for something that was less than $5 to ship. I lucked out and someone outbid me!

I’d like to sell some HO. Another place to sell it besides ebay?

#15

Craigslist? You will have no shipping (unless it’s to Nigeria :slight_smile: ) and local pickup.

I haven’t done any train stuff but it would be local.

#16

Doug Arnold said:

I nearly got stung on a G scale truck the other day. The price for the truck was good and I never thought to check shipping. Later I checked and it was $10 shipping for something that was less than $5 to ship. I lucked out and someone outbid me!

I’d like to sell some HO. Another place to sell it besides ebay?

Yahoo Groups, The New HOswap.
There is Vintage H0, and Yardbird.
If it’s old, what do you have?
I have been collecting and restoring old die cast varney, PennLine, English, even early Mantua.
TOC

#17

I don’t think any of the HO goes back that far but I’ll check the boxes. I would say most of it is around 1970 ir a little earlier. I’ll check that Yahoo list.

#18

There’s a HO Bowser Challenger out there that is clearly the cast version with some brass details. Seller is selling it as a Brass HO Engine. Sent him a note - was told I didn’t know what I was talking about. Hmm - still have 3 version of it downstairs and have owned most of them. Only brass version the twin smoke stacks were well detailed - not a oval blob with two holes to represent the exhaust. Caveat Emptor

#19

Bob McCown said:
(http://images.wikia.com/rio/images/c/cf/1778756-oh_look_its_this_thread_again.jpg)

I Love it. Almost spit out my morning coffee. Totally caught me off guard. Great answer, Bob.

#20

(http://meetingintheclouds.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/it-wont-go-away.jpg)

Doug, dont worry, even Tyco has collectors

:wink: