Prices for selling train stuff

[rogruth]

I will probably be selling some of my stuff at the Savannah show in January.
I know that the so called guide books are just a place to start. From what I have seen at shows the last several years the selling prices are about half of what is given in the guides. AS you all have seen there are those that bring the same stuff to a show year after year and try to sell it for the same price year after year and bring it back next year and do it again. I am not an e-bay user and have no interest in it. I am not really very able with a computer.
What you see here is just about my best.
I have nothing of real value to sell. The only things I have that cost over $300.00 are two MTH Z4000 transformers, one never used. I don't have any mint in box. In fact I do not have a lot of boxes. I am not a real collector, I bought stuff that I liked to play with.
I have locos and rolling stock from Lionel, Menards, K-Line, Williams, Williams by Bachmann, Atlas, MTH, RMT,and probably something I forgot. I do
not have any MTH locos.
I am not planning on selling everything at once.I will keep some to play with. Maybe I can get a few bucks that I can use for some thing useful and maybe keep my kids from fighting over who gets what before they decide to give or throw it away.
So after the above I would appreciate any suggestions concerning pricing.
Would listing items for sale on MTJ be worthwhile?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Would listing items for sale on MTJ be worthwhile?

It cannot hurt to try and the cost to do so is pretty good, too

The only issue is you are saddled with actually performing the shipping & handling operations personally - selling at a show eliminates that component.

Selling at a show however requires considerable interaction with bottom feeders that will ask you if you will take a $1 for an item that's marked $10 that's worth $100.

[G3750]

Roger,

I think you should try selling on MTJ as well.

George

[Roy]

Maybe I can get a few bucks that I can use for some thing useful and maybe keep my kids from fighting over who gets what before they decide to give or throw it away.

I'm sorry you're still grappling with that situation. As for selling, I think you'd do better to advertise on OGR.

[CWBurfle]

The best place to get an idea of current market value is EBay. You have to look at completed sales, and look at a bunch. Any one sale can be abnormally high or abnormally low. You also need to match condition, whether the item is boxed, and so-on.

[rogruth]

Thanks all.
Keep those cards and letters coming in.

[HONDO74]

I will second what Roy said, when it comes to selling O-gauge on a forum OGR is the best place. Remember when Frank53 tore down his layout. he sold most all of it on OGR. Since you are on MTF you might try them. A lot of the O-gauge guys from OGR are on MTF now also. There is very little traffic on this forum.

Several years back I bought a Lionel 726 from a person that advertised it here. I was the only one that responded to his ad.

[Neil]

Second the opinion that eBay will give you an idea of current sale prices by looking at completed listings that have sold. These days I list things with a reasonable price, but allowing best offer. List for 30 days, not auction style, so lots of people can see the item.

If you can find someone who will set up a Paypal account for you and help you list items on eBay this is likely to maximize value, but it does mean going to the Post Office, UPS or Fedex to mail stuff, and wrap it up, which is time consuming and perhaps more labor than you want. Then again, hauling stuff to a show can be a pain too, unless you have some helpers.

If you don't want to use eBay, I agree that market priced items on the OGR Forum will likely sell.Good luck with whatever you choose. No reason you cannot list in multiple forums, or even eBay and several forums if you have the energy and time.

[christopher2035]

Sorry to hear you are going to be selling some stuff. I think the best place to start is here & OGR. I've sold tons of stuff on OGR. Never had an issue. A train show could be good as well, but then you have to pay for a table, lug all the stuff there & back. Ebay would give you the best look at what current values are for the items. Best thing I could say is if you sell on OGR or here, is to post a picture of the item. Ads w/ no pics, I pass right by. It all depends on how fast you want to move stuff - price it accordingly

[Roy]

To follow up, I agree about using ebay to get prices for your items. If you've not done it before, you're looking for items identical to your own, that sold previously. The listings have red or green prices, depending on whether the item sold or not.

In addition to selling by way of advertising on OGR, there are some businesses that will sell your items on ebay. I've never worked with any of them.

[rogruth]

A appreciate all of the replies but must also to remember I am not in a hurry to sell.
Really just trying to learn how to go about it.
Keep it coming and thanks to all again.

[Roy]

Roger, are none of your kids interested in three-rail O gauge?

[rogruth]

Roger, are none of your kids interested in three-rail O gauge?

My son is interested in how much they will sell for.
My youngest grandson, a senior in high school, likes to run them for visitors.
That's it. At least they probably will not be trashed.

[Roy]

Roger, are none of your kids interested in three-rail O gauge?

My son is interested in how much they will sell for.
My youngest grandson, a senior in high school, likes to run them for visitors.
That's it. At least they probably will not be trashed.

So, everyone concerned is old enough to have their own three-rail, but none has any. Is that right?

[rogruth]

Grandson has a Lionel Thomas set from @ 2005(?).
My oldest kid is 62. Youngest great grand is 13.