So what’s the deal with boxes? Some used equipment on eBay notes the condition of the box (flap missing, etc.), and I’ve even seen auctions for empty boxes. I have been throwing away my boxes. I don’t have room to store the equipment AND an empty box. Am I missing something?
Not really.
Lionel 0 gauge collectors make a big deal about having the box, but, in the real world, it adds nothing. Curiously, that doesn’t seem to extend to MTH.
That said, having the box for one of my locomotives allowed me peace of mind on its journey across country for repair.
yes. you are missing a colector’s mindset.
For locomotives (only), I have been saving the styrofoam inserts for transport.
Eric Reuter said:
So what’s the deal with boxes? Some used equipment on eBay notes the condition of the box (flap missing, etc.), and I’ve even seen auctions for empty boxes. I have been throwing away my boxes. I don’t have room to store the equipment AND an empty box. Am I missing something?
Eric, keep the boxes! Don’t throw them away! For collectors like me, the original box helps to maintain the value of the train car. USAT no longer makes the original older style boxes for cars made in the 80’s/90’s/2000’s. I’m one of those funny guys who has purchased boxes only on Ebay for a few of my cars that either came without boxes (swap meets) or I needed to upgrade it because the box came with the car damaged. All my engines and rolling stock have their original boxes and packing materials to store them and to prevent scratches/scuffing/dust and damage when moving them around and stacking them. If the little woman decides to sell my collection when I croak, the boxes in good condition will help to maintain the value of the engine/car. I know there are some out there who will think I’m looney tunes, but I don’t care. You will see on Ebay that a box in like-new condition is a selling point on Ebay and other auction sites.
Eric, think “collectible”. Many of these LGB and USA Trains and Aristo engines have not been for sale by the manufacturers for many years. They are getting harder and harder to find, even on Ebay.
If you’ve ever watched The Antiques Road Show, having the box it came in often doubles the value (in the eyes of collectors).
Since I bought my trains to run and ‘play’ with, there won’t be much to put back in the box. Because of their large size, many who ‘got into G’ were collectors, they can drive up the price for us hobbyists! Collectors also want the receipt and any additional paperwork to determine it’s history blah blah blah…‘provenance’.
I’ve saved all mine out of habit … as a Navy brat, being prepared to move was a necessary state of mind, having the right box meant my stuff didn’t get tossed as fast. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)Funny since I plan on this house as my last…
This topic comes up every so often.
If you are a “collector” the boxes may be of value… right now, in my opinion, the only “collectable” stuff seems to be LGB where people are really in box condition, etc.
We shall see if Aristo, USAT, Bachmann become collectable.
I am not a collector, and I was keeping the boxes, but way too many, and very inconvenient to store the trains in the boxes, takes too much space, and wears on the paint. If you keep your trains in boxes, then you probably don’t run them much.
I did keep one each of every locomotive box, for shipping, since they are so easily damaged.
Still happy with my decision, although again, I am not a “collector”
Greg
I figure once I start carving up the equipment to install Kadees, etc., the value to a collector has plummeted. I intend to run my trains, and keep cars on storage tracks or shelves when not in use. I don’t have room to also keep boxes, so I’ll just send them all Michael. 
Eric
I sell stuff in several hobby / collectible categories on E-bay. There is a variety of reasons why people want to know the condition of the box and it is not limited to G scalers.
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They are collectors in the same vein as Barbie, GI Joe or Hotwheels. The item will never be opened and only displayed mint in box MIB preserved in its original condition. This helps verify that it is a limited edition, actual vintage item or complete set. Value is all about condition in the collectible toy market to include the original packaging. Some go so far as to want the original over pack for shipping. You will often see the verbiage “Unbroken case lot” used for items that came as a series such as action figures. This insures that it is a complete set from the same year, series or release. In short it is all about bragging rights and preserving value.
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Items that are new and in the original box are often bought by dealers who will be displaying the item in their store or at a hobby convention. In this case it is about the presentation of the item being new. They want it to look good sitting on the shelf. Buyers will sometimes settle for a generic box but usually want the one with the correct end markings for contents along with all the inserts and original packing. If the interior packing was a cardboard insert with wire ties then the item needs to have never been removed (not even for photographs) to get top dollar.
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The original package is usually very resilient for mailing. Many of us have bought items and then realized we did not need or want them. Posting it through an E-bay sale is a lot easier with the original box. While condition is not as important in this category, it does let the buyer know that any damage on arrival might be an indication that the carrier mishandled the item and they can make an insurance claim if needed.
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Then there is the cheap ass. Because of this person E-bay sellers have to describe the box out of self defense. An item can be brand new never run and rare as a unicorns rainbow fart but this buyer thinks they should get it for garage sale prices because they are buying it from you rather from a retailer (in a box that they will throw away). In this same category is the guy who will find something to nitpick trying to argue for a discount. Sometimes after the sale! I call this second group “professional whiners”. I have gone so far as to block buyers who make suspiciously picky inquiries on common items. After 20 years of selling I can see a complainer coming and would rather not deal with them. E-bay has also picked up on this and now logs the complaints of chronic whiners (sellers can now report buyers who do this). It often bites the buyer in the butt when they have a legitimate problem to resolve as E-bay will give less support to someone with this record. I.e “the boy who cried wolf”…
Just on a side note: E-bay prohibits the use of disparaging or vulgar terms in the feedback section. They also limit comments to 87 characters making it hard to explain a situation. Sellers can no longer leave negative feedback only report a buyer. To regain some control a trend has started over this past year in the 1/6th scale hobby. Sellers have started using the § in buyers feedback to indicate a problem buyer. When ever I see this in a bidders feedback I cancel their bid and block them from my listings. I have started doing it in G scale. Sound extreme? Well just last month I had person who is a member of LSC buy a boxcar and leave me neutral feedback because I committed the sin of sending him the item he bought rather than the item he wanted. Yes he confused two listings and blamed me for it. He now has his §.
What Boomer said. On the money. Coulda written it better myself. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Eric Reuter said:
I don’t have room to also keep boxes, so I’ll just send them all to Michael.
Please do! I’ll pay postage! Hope you saved the box for that beautiful Southern Pacific GP-9 you have there!
I keep LGB locomotive boxes and liners in case the engine has to be shipped. I have a few LGB boxes from cars but most of my boxes have lit the woodstock in my house.
Michael Kirrene said:
Please do! I’ll pay postage! Hope you saved the box for that beautiful Southern Pacific GP-9 you have there!
I only saved the styrofoam. I bought it new at Charles Ro, so it didn’t seem like much of a collector’s item. Plus, I’ve hacked it to bits customizing it.
Once I cut up a car, the box is disposable, unless my final product will still fit in it. This is so I can ship it, or move it (if I move) while keeping it protected from damage. I keep as many of the boxes as I can, but I am not going out and buying boxes for the stuff that doesn’t have one. I am not a collector, although my mom might argue that, I play with my toys. So when I am done with them they will not have too much value. They won’t be worthless, since they will still have life left in them, but they will be used. And since the boxes for most of my stuff are stashed in the attic, whoever has to sell off my collection will have an easier time, since most items will have a box to ship it in.
As a side note, the Bachmann big hauler stuff comes in boxes that are practically worthless. The boxes are real flimsy, and the packaging is almost none. So I am not real sure why I save those boxes.
I saved all my boxes! Nice to have if you sell something and need to ship it.
Took my layout down in the spring, have all the trains are in their box on a shelf in the basement.
Selling off a little at time.
I just kept out what I run at shows.
Don
I saved all of my boxes in a giant green container…but the disposal company came and picked them up. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
I have about 98% of my boxes… The loco boxes, I keep in the basement, either on a shelf in the utility room, or under the layout, so I can grab one to pack the loco’s in when I go to run on other folk’s layouts… Most of my freightcar boxes are up in the attic over the garage, for use when the layout is liquidated… Have never used E-bay either to buy or sell…
Testing top secret photobucket image instructions via Mr. Joe Zullo using firefox 69.3/10
Andy Clarke said:
I have about 98% of my boxes… The loco boxes, I keep in the basement, either on a shelf in the utility room, or under the layout, so I can grab one to pack the loco’s in when I go to run on other folk’s layouts… Most of my freightcar boxes are up in the attic over the garage, for use when the layout is liquidated… Have never used E-bay either to buy or sell…
Yep! Another reason to keep the boxes - for transferring trains to other layouts.
All car boxes trashed. All loco boxes in storage in case locos need to be shipped for repairs or for when I sell. Later RJD