I have found great deals at the local hobby shops where I live. New stuff, old stuff, postwar Lionel, Flyer, brass O scale, you name it. The best deal I got was on some standard gage Flyer Presidents Special cars. The owner new I had a soft spot for these and made me a deal I could not refuse. Unfortunately, that shop closed last year after 40 years in the business. It was the going out of business sale of all time however.
Rolland