C W Burfle posted:They're stuck in the mindset that folks think there's VALUE in a rare postwar Jersey Central FM with a maroon vs. gray roof. Variations like that are part of the "collector's mentality" that has fallen off dramatically as many enthusiasts have evolved into operators who don't give a hoot about variations -- at least not in a sense that they're willing to pay a premium for them.
There are still folks who care about variations, and assign higher values to certain ones. They don't attend every show, and if they participate here (probably don't) they probably keep it to themselves because of the ridicule they'd receive.
That written, I'll agree that the market is shrinking, and there are fewer people interested in such things. Many of them already have those "rare" variations, so the demand certainly is low.I think that a lot of people are missing the thought that many of the folks setting up a train shows are not dealers nor are they running a business. They are hobbyists looking to sell off some stuff. They don't need the money to pay the bills or be able to buy dinner. Or even to be able to afford their next train fix. So they set the price where they feel it should be, and don't care whether they sell the item or not.
If you don't sell anything, you cannot have "sellers remorse".
For my part, don't care, I just walk by when the prices are crazy. However, a lot of these guys also spend a lot of time complaining and moaning that buyers are cheap, don't want to buy their stuff. If they want to go from show to show, pay the table fee, and not sell anything, it doesn't bother me, but I have heard these guys in person, and online, moaning and complaining about the people at the shows not willing to buy their stuff...
As far as those willing to pay more for something they value, that is their right, I have bought things with personal meaning where I likely paid too much, there is nothing to make fun of there. However, I also have seen where they overpaid for something, thinking they have a treasure that they think they bought cheap, find out they overpaid, then blame everyone else because they don't cherish their 'treasure'.
