Buying used control systems... should you?

If it is from someone I trust implicitly, yes. Off an online auction site, probably not. 

Regardless of where you get it, you need to be prepared man-up if/when it fails.

I did, some time back, on eBay.  A used NCE DCC system, that listed as "works fine." If it didn't work when I received it, eBay would immediately step in. Regardless of a seller's "no returns" policy.

If the seller states "working condition unknown, sold as-is" or something like that, then, of course, eBay would not have any reason to help.

Of course, there will be no manufacturers warranty for the future, but I've never had to use one. Except a very long time ago, when I had to send my Legacy system back to Lionel to do that 1.2 (?) version update.

With eBay and PayPal/VISA …. you're protected. 

My 2 cents.

Good luck.

Based on my experience, it's not worth the risk. Buy new and if anything happens, you have a warranty. I don't know about Lionel, but with MTH to get a warranty, you have to buy from an authorized dealer.  If you buy an item from anyone other than an authorized dealer, you're on your own--even if it's never been out of the packaging. 

John

I was a late adopter of TMCC.  All purchased from here or ebay.  All worked just as described.  Seller received funds to trade up, I got to move into command control at a fraction of the cost, a win win.

Ebay with PayPal from a seller with a lot of items sold and a 99+% selling history is a safe route or the forum from a long time active member. The most important thing IMO is to do enough up front research to know what your buying. There are plenty of older semi obsolete systems out there for cheap. Know what versions to buy or if upgrade capable. Personally I prefer to focus on the long term and buy current technology.  Good luck.

Okay.  Well I was overzealous and got a Legacy 990 system (Cab-2), MTH DCS (remote and "L" TIU) and MTH Z-4000.  Some were NIB.  All for 40-50% elsewhere.  Was "as is" auction so if one craps out I'd like to think I'm still ahead.  The Legacy 990 was really more of an impulse buy since I knew I needed something to run TMCC and could get a Cab-1 base but the price for the Cab-2 was pretty compelling.

If a eBay seller feigns ignorance, figure it dosn't work.

Primary reason to never send PayPal friends & family, you have no recourse period.

I have purchased a couple of TMCC sets off of Ebay and Trainz and they both have been working flawlessly for over two years.  The DCS and TIU set I bought used locally lasted about four months and the remote quit working. The TMCC units are a lot more simple than the DCS but the TMCC built is better.  You are rolling the dice either way and I just happened to  have good luck  2 out of 3 times.

Been burned once with a 'Like New' Condition.  From then on I make a point not to buy used electronics.  

Why shouldn’t you? Only buying because it has a Mfg warranty implies the product is only good for a year. There are tons of trustworthy sellers both here and on eBay selling good equipment that works at a reliable price. Just be cautious of who you’re buying from and do your due diligence to ensure you are getting what you pay for. After all, we are just random people on the internet and anyone of us could screw you over for any numberof reasons. PROTECT YOURSELF!!! Nobody else will. 

I have both bought and sold pre-owned electronics. Only one not quite perfect purchase: a used PH180 and the power on indicator was not working. I  should not have waited over 2 months before testing it - my fault and i'm not about to open it.

Anything I sell, I test immediately or within a week before shipping, and inform the buyer accordingly, or stuff I sell that's not working is so noted and priced accordingly.

I purchase a rev I dcs unit and remote years ago used, but from someone I knew.  that person in particular was an electronics whiz, just was shifting his concentration to Lionel.  I haven't had any issues.  Good advice above - if buying online just make sure you understand the terms.  A great deal on a piece of junk is still a piece of junk.

All the TMCC and DCS items we have purchased "used" have worked like new.

As for our purchased new 990's, well... Not so much.

I bought a used "like new" 990 and 993 at a "good price" from someone on the board.  I received them and they were not as advertised.  They were not like new and were sticky all over the handles and the 990 had a cracked touchpad screen.  Luckily the person I purchased from was a stand up guy and we worked it out where I was refunded some of the money (to cover repairs).  I cleaned the sticky handles off thanks to the board info...but was not fun and not what I was expecting.  I ended up sending the 990 to Lionel to be repaired ($70 plus shipping there)...came back from Lionel with the whistle/bell button stuck in place.  I sold the 993 on Ebay and repaired the stuck button myself as it was not lined up correctly inside for the slide switch.   So sending it in to replace the LED screen came back with a different issue from Lionel.  Yes, I could have sent it back to them, but it took 8-9 weeks to get it back in the first place and I didn't want to wait anymore.

In other words, I would not buy a used 990/993 again.  The peace of mine knowing it is new is now worth it to me.

Greetings All.

 I, luckily, purchased two (2) Legacy 990’s and one (1) MTH DCS system on-line and they all work perfectly.   I probably will not purchase any used operating systems in the future because I’m certain my luck will run out sooner than later.

 Chief Bob (Retired)

Electronics are a very hard to evaluate commoditiy.   You can't tell from looking at it, if it will work or not.    Not like a freight car.

I bought a slightly used (supposed) Digitrax DCC system.   It has worked out for me and I got it for 50% of list.   However, as above, I knew the seller very well.   he is not an electronics whiz, but he said he would pay for repairs on anything that did not work.   I think one of the circuit breaker boards had a problem and he paid for the Digitrax repair.   so it has been good, but I am very very cautious about buying electronics used.