*snicker*

[ScaleCraft]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/P-W-Lionel-O-G ... 4726668464
Interesting.
Over a grand to BIN. No bids. Mishmash of latch and box couplers. Two POS lightweight Lionel power packs, the contact pack needs to be deep sixed. Signal is broken. The "track" is a mix of 031 and 027, with the 022 switches missing covers, the 711 switches missing covers, the controllers look rough, at least one the lever is cut very short, track clips are throw away, no "T" rail, two 031 curves, two 072 curves, two 031 straights (and a couple of half sections), an 071 ninety, and 031 forty-five, what, 200 or so for the lot, untested, half goes in the trash?
"Unsure if locomotive runs, but I assume it does as it has been lovingly stored for nearly 80 years. I have no idea how to test it. " Right. evilbait get-out-of-jail-card.
Not sure the 2814R bumps it that much. Paint chips and dings sort of removes it from serious collector status.

[healey36]

Not even worth that in pieces.

[Dennis Holler]

Hodge podge for sure. Cars are clean. I know the switch is worth a couple of bucks. Maybe $150-200 tops. The cars are all common stuff. I guess I’m a cheapo.

[healey36]

If the 262 is in running condition, than I can see the pile being worth $300, maybe. It's tough to find a 262/262E in nice running and cosmetic shape anymore for less than $130. The cars will sell easily for $25-$40 each. Track and transformers, not so much.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I have no idea how to test it.

Yet he's selling the transformers and track in the same lot,

[jlong]

It's no junk pile and doesn't appear to be the usual warmed over junk we more than often see. It all looks virgin factory original too me and the bumps and dings don't look all that bad to me. There is a mish mash of couplers but there is some series matches there. As Dennis suggests, the 711 switches are a bonus to the lot. I'm guessing the 711's are the early versions with diecast metal covers and someone swiped the covers. The 2814 is sought after but it's not rare. It's not in shabby condition. The lot is certainly not high grade but I'm guessing he's looking at the high grade prices in the price guides. Would a fool pay that? Yes but then you will pay the same money for some command control steam engine that will be a door stop ten years from now so I guess it boils down to how one defines fool.

[jlong]

I have no idea how to test it.

Yet he's selling the transformers and track in the same lot,

The large transformer works, but I don't know what the others do

He claims the transformer works so how can he not know how to test??????

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I have no idea how to test it.

Yet he's selling the transformers and track in the same lot,

The large transformer works, but I don't know what the others do

He claims the transformer works so how can he not know how to test??????

Exactly my point.

[ScaleCraft]

Those little ones are overheating junk. I have experience with some contact units. Not pretty. The cord is shot, the ones I have had to work on are filled with tar...hardened tar. Chisel it out to get to where you can put a new cord on. Junk.

[jlong]

In all seriousness, if someone were to buy this lot for the BIN price, he is grossly over paying. BUT he can lick his wounds and expand on the lot because there is a lot of nice stuff worthy of expanding on. Nice prewar on an O72 layout is just a blast to operate. Just slam the throttle down and get high on the intoxicating ozone and colors wizzing by. This hobby is about enjoyment. Getting a bargain is secondary to that.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

This hobby is about enjoyment.

Too often forgotten

Getting a bargain is secondary to that.

Too often forgotten yet for some a dominating force. For some, the only way to get that one item. For some, the pursuit is their fun. I wish all luck.

[E7]

This hobby is about enjoyment.

Too often forgotten

Getting a bargain is secondary to that.

Too often forgotten yet for some a dominating force. For some, the only way to get that one item. For some, the pursuit is their fun. I wish all luck.

The problem with MOST of the hobbies I have participated in, is the penchant of the participants to turn the hobby into a business. The almighty dollar takes over, and the would be hobbyists become a bunch of carpet merchants. The way I have seen some so called "hobbyists" act, that comment is probably sullying the name of carpet merchant! A late friend of mine used to keep copious notes on all his transactions and the hobby soon became secondary to turning a buck. The sad part is, the guy had a great job and money should not have been that much of a factor to him.

[ScaleCraft]

The problem with MOST of the hobbies I have participated in, is the penchant of the participants to turn the hobby into a business. The almighty dollar takes over, and the would be hobbyists become a bunch of carpet merchants. The way I have seen some so called "hobbyists" act, that comment is probably sullying the name of carpet merchant! A late friend of mine used to keep copious notes on all his transactions and the hobby soon became secondary to turning a buck. The sad part is, the guy had a great job and money should not have been that much of a factor to him.

Which is what I've been saying all along but more directed to a specific point.
Hobbyists think they are gurus, buy cheap from whatever source, estates, neighbors, flea markets, and get them selves an evilbait account.
If it lists on da bait, even if it doesn't sell, these clowns get it in their heads that what they have is worth MORE!
Lionel? MILLIONS! Even if the shell is warped, the lettering is rubbed off, the paint is shot, and there are huge chunks missing from the body.
They find a NIB, factory sealed original 2343 price and THEIR 2383 with rusted paint is worth that and more.
But oh, no, we point that out and the junk "is worth what it sells for".
Not.

[jlong]

This hobby is about enjoyment.

A late friend of mine used to keep copious notes on all his transactions and the hobby soon became secondary to turning a buck.

Quite common with 3 railers. Spread sheet templates that read like stock market portfolios are quite popular. There is a mentality that if you aren't getting a bargain, you are doing the hobby all wrong.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Except a lot of these sellers are not hobbyists at all and are more along the lines of glorified on-line yard sale specialists, storage unit buyers, and estate sale bulk buyers selling anything and everything that they think they can make a buck on -- this seller has 12 listed items now -- 10 are men's clothing, 1 toy soldiers, and trains. They're most often clueless(ignorant) as to what they are selling beyond a superficial 30 seconds on Google. They get a hit on what they are looking for and drop a listing for top dollar and shipping.