Buying a Postwar Collection: UPDATE

Was it a buy it now purchase?
I'd suggest asking him what he wants.

By the way, does the seller have a good feedback history?
If you conduct a sale outside of EBay, you won't have any protection.
I am not certain whether PayPal would provide any protection in a private sale.

C W Burfle posted:

Was it a buy it now purchase?
I'd suggest asking him what he wants.

By the way, does the seller have a good feedback history?
If you conduct a sale outside of EBay, you won't have any protection.
I am not certain whether PayPal would provide any protection in a private sale.

It was a buy it now purchase. The seller does have have good feedback, he certainly didn't raise any red flags through the whole conversation so I would be willing to take the chance.

If it's all in immaculate condition, I would say $300-450 would not be a bad range to pick them up in.

El Classico posted:

If it's all in immaculate condition, I would say $300-450 would not be a bad range to pick them up in.

Great! That's in the ballpark of what I was thinking of. The most I probably would be willing to go is about $500, or $62.50 per car.

Do they have ribs or are they flat on the top side edge? How are the name plates attached?

Been trying to sell my four car set for $250 without much luck.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...-sale-lionel-postwar

It makes a difference price wise if you're buying them for resale or to keep for yourself.

NJCJOE posted:

Been trying to sell my four car set for $250 without much luck.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...-sale-lionel-postwar

It makes a difference price wise if you're buying them for resale or to keep for yourself.

Joe, I'm interested in your aluminum cars; are the name plates attached with round rivets or hex-head? I can't tell from the pictures. Thanks. 

Moonman posted:

Do they have ribs or are they flat on the top side edge? How are the name plates attached?

They are ribbed channels with adhesive plates. I have a few in my collection that are ribbed with riveted plates and one with the hex screws but they aren't in great shape, not even close to the condition of the ones I'm looking at now.

C W Burfle posted:

I am not certain whether PayPal would provide any protection in a private sale.

PayPal Purchase Protection is comparable to eBay, as long as the buyer and seller don't pull the friends or family stunt to cheat on the PayPal fee.

Zach K posted:

Moonman posted:

Do they have ribs or are they flat on the top side edge? How are the name plates attached?

They are ribbed channels with adhesive plates. I have a few in my collection that are ribbed with riveted plates and one with the hex screws but they aren't in great shape, not even close to the condition of the ones I'm looking at now.

So, they are still early production. Condition is everything and the ribs are nice. Price accordingly. Nice looking train!

Here's the latest on the collection; I offered $320 to start and the seller surprisingly agreed! He is also going to send me more pictures of the cars to confirm their condition. Now here's the bombshell...he also said he has "two or three engines" that he is willing to sell! He sent me a file photo of an HO Santa Fe F3 because the engines are packed away and boxed up so I can only assume they are either 2333s-2383s until he sends he pictures that I've requested. I will keep you all updated as I get more information!

Finally closed the deal! After a few days of negotiations me and the buyer came to a successful agreement. For $500 plus shipping I got an early 2343 A-B-A set in good to very good condition with no battery damage (no boxes) and two 2530s, 2531s, 2533s and 2534s for a total of eight passenger cars all new in the boxes. I am very happy and look forward to sharing pictures with everyone when everything arrives in the next week or so!

Excellent fnd

Sounds like you did well. All that is really important is whether you are happy with the deal. Enjoy!

                           UPS just dropped everything off today and I finally started unpacking things. I am having a bit of an enigma; I noticed that all of the passenger cars seem a bit dirty on the roofs but everywhere else they are flawless. By the look of the wrapping paper and inserts the cars look to have never been unpacked. Is this some kind of oxidation? Also, some of the cars have inspection slips but some don't. Did Lionel tuck them in all cars or was it done sporadically? The pictures above are all of the same 2530.

looks like you did great.

Steamer posted:

looks like you did great.

Thanks Dave! I am very happy with everything!

Zach K posted:

                 

Is this some kind of oxidation? 

Perhaps it's a reaction from prolonged contact with the ink on the wrapping paper, based on the apparent pattern of the discoloration, if indeed the car never was unpacked.

What, me worry?

Per the inspection slips, look inside the cars. I found one that way.

Zach K posted:

                           UPS just dropped everything off today and I finally started unpacking things. I am having a bit of an enigma; I noticed that all of the passenger cars seem a bit dirty on the roofs but everywhere else they are flawless. By the look of the wrapping paper and inserts the cars look to have never been unpacked. Is this some kind of oxidation? Also, some of the cars have inspection slips but some don't. Did Lionel tuck them in all cars or was it done sporadically? The pictures above are all of the same 2530.

Zach you can purchase "NEVR-DULL" wadding polish at Walmart. It will clean them up nicely. I used it on mine, Vic.

Dr.Fu-Manchu posted:

Per the inspection slips, look inside the cars. I found one that way.

Just looked inside the cars, didn't see anything that stuck out. No inspection slips won't bother me, just piqued my curiosity.