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I ended up getting the one engine I wanted, but for just slightly under the max I was willing to pay ($200). I plan to use it for the PS-3 board to upgrade one of my current PS-1 engines of the exact same type. All in all, its the same as retail price for a PS-3 upgrade kit, but since I can just swap the engine bodies it saves me the $100+ for getting a tech to install it.

So fingers crossed that it actually has the functioning electronics on the inside... From the pictures it clearly has the motors (visible through the cab windows) so I assume it also has the other components. 

Hey Curtis: I am aware of the 2 minute extension on the auction deadline, but it becomes awful tricky when you live on the other side of the world, and tucked down-under as well.

Just the international time difference between the US and Australia confuses my mind. You ought to live here and see how hard it is to win and receive anything "O" gauge related from any auction held in the northern hemisphere.

Peter (Buco Australia)

@CurtisH posted:

Phil

It was clearly stated in the signup that your card would be charged $1 to authenticate it and then be charged at the end of the auction for all bids you won. Jared is definitely a top guy to deal with. He will bend over backwards trying to help you and accommodate any questions with a quick answer.

Curtis

Curtis, please don't misunderstand me. I was extremely rushed that morning and didn't have time to read everything. I was actually glad they charged my cc. It made everything so much simpler. Like I said I have no complaints. Jared quickly answered my email and he said he will get back to me about shipping. I live 90 minutes away and if weren't for the remote learning I would pick it up myself. I am actually happy they are not shipping it right away. Better to give the shipping companies a chance to recover and catch up from the Christmas rush.

Well, all can say is I bid on several items. Bids that I thought were fair and all I was willing to pay

Rolling stock went for 3 times retail. There was a holiday caboose that I really wanted. When it reached $140 I gave up. It worked out as I found one on the buy and sell board here, for almost a 1/3 of that

I also bid on a few tinplate engine shells. Went for ridiculous amounts.

A week later I saw them on ebay for same amount ridiculous amount. I then later saw them listed for $200 less.

My feeling is people are trying to obtain something to remember MTH by, and are paying too much. Something I am not willing to pay for.

Joe Gozzo

I made a purchase about 6 weeks ago.  Logistically speaking, was handled professionally and very well.  Folks running it answered questions promptly and made the process easy.  Yes, prices were high and that is likely due to people wanting what was never going to be available (unless resold) again from Mike's 'shed' (i.e the warehouse).  I am not complaining about the price - it was market based.  Eyes wide open and that is what happens with auctions.  I have been waiting 5 years for the item to show up here or elsewhere, and it never did; so price was not an issue.  Ended up paying (all in) the original MSRP.   And becasue Mike decided to go the route he did (through the auction house) I had the chance to get what I wanted.  Happy camper here.

Well, all can say is I bid on several items. Bids that I thought were fair and all I was willing to pay

Rolling stock went for 3 times retail. There was a holiday caboose that I really wanted. When it reached $140 I gave up. It worked out as I found one on the buy and sell board here, for almost a 1/3 of that

I also bid on a few tinplate engine shells. Went for ridiculous amounts.

A week later I saw them on ebay for same amount ridiculous amount. I then later saw them listed for $200 less.

My feeling is people are trying to obtain something to remember MTH by, and are paying too much. Something I am not willing to pay for.

I think this a generalization of the auction.  I got a a pretty rare PS-3 Premier steam locomotive for less that half of retail.  I also got a set of passenger coaches for just under retail that I haven’t seen for sale in probably 5 or more years anywhere near msrp.

Stuff is worth what people are willing to pay.  It goes both ways.

@rplst8 posted:

I think this a generalization of the auction.  I got a a pretty rare PS-3 Premier steam locomotive for less that half of retail.  I also got a set of passenger coaches for just under retail that I haven’t seen for sale in probably 5 or more years anywhere near msrp.

Stuff is worth what people are willing to pay.  It goes both ways.

Consider yourself one of the lucky few. 😁

When I place a bid on an auction I generally place my highest bid and let the chips fall where they may.  This way there is no missing out at the last minute.  If I win, great.  If not, then someone else was willing to pay more and it wasn't meant to be.

I've been very happy with the way the auctions have been run.  I receive timely emails in regards to my winning(s).  That Jared is a real workhorse!

I won the bid on one of the few pieces I was interested, from the first round of auctions. I wanted at least one item from the MTH archives. I thought the whole process went smoothly and I am very happy with my purchase and at a fair price, a nice addition to the collection. I think as the following rounds of auctions went on the final prices have been going up, I assume because more people know about the auctions.

I purchase three locomotives in Auction 2,  an Undecorated Prototype, missing motors and other components, and Undecorated prototype, missing motors and components, and  an Unpainted Kit.  All three were missing parts: motors, worm gears, worm covers, etc.  The tenders have no coal load.  I installed large Pittman motors in all three, had to modify the worm housing - rear on one because the worm would not mesh with the spur gear on the drive wheels, modify the internal engine housing on one to accommodate the motor.  I installed lights, will install PS3, and get them all running.  I have no desire to paint them or install coal loads in the tenders.  After all - how many collectors or ASC-Technicians can say they have authentic "Engineering Prototypes".

Be careful what you buy at these auctions - I have been in the warehouse during Tech Training and know what the word Prototype means.  Also have a certificate with each stating they are from the MTH Archives.

As for Cabin-Fever, they are listing as accurate a description as they can.  There is a tremendous amount of train items to auction off.  When they list about 1,000 items per auction, that is a lot of work.

Again, be careful and stay safe.

Bruce

I purchase three locomotives in Auction 2,  an Undecorated Prototype, missing motors and other components, and Undecorated prototype, missing motors and components, and  an Unpainted Kit.  All three were missing parts: motors, worm gears, worm covers, etc.  The tenders have no coal load.  I installed large Pittman motors in all three, had to modify the worm housing - rear on one because the worm would not mesh with the spur gear on the drive wheels, modify the internal engine housing on one to accommodate the motor.  I installed lights, will install PS3, and get them all running.  I have no desire to paint them or install coal loads in the tenders.  After all - how many collectors or ASC-Technicians can say they have authentic "Engineering Prototypes".

Be careful what you buy at these auctions - I have been in the warehouse during Tech Training and know what the word Prototype means.  Also have a certificate with each stating they are from the MTH Archives.

As for Cabin-Fever, they are listing as accurate a description as they can.  There is a tremendous amount of train items to auction off.  When they list about 1,000 items per auction, that is a lot of work.

Again, be careful and stay safe.

Bruce

Did one over the summer. It was a model used for catalog photos. Got it through a back channel. Apparently MTH used plain shelled locomotives and used photos editing software to add color/road numbers.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...locomotive-from-junk

Wasn't hard to do at all. But I have a stash of worm shafts, motor mounts, drive shafts, flywheels, and Pittman motors. Well plus boards and wiring. I'm a little ahead of the curve.

Just another voice here... I've picked up lots now from 3 auctions and each time was a great experience.  Arrive, they bring your items, quick signature and you're gone.

Of course, it's an auction... buyer beware... so far I think I did well!  My only issue is that the headlight and one of the marker lights on my J609 don't work.  If that's the only issue, I certainly can't/won't complain.

Not being able to pick up on Saturday makes things difficult for me.   I hadn't picked up before because it was always one or two items, this time it's 5.  This last round I was going to pick up but could only get a particular day off.  The pick up schedule was already full for that day, and  I emailed about still getting in.  I was told politely but firmly that all pickups are made per the scheduling tool. I asked about Saturday and was told that customers have repeatedly not shown up on time if at all when special arrangements were made.  So shame on us for not following through on commitments with vendors.   Not having Saturday or evening hours for pick up is very frustrating to me.  This same business used to have auctions on Wednesday evening if memory serves me correctly.

I know they are very busy, but now I am still waiting to hear about charges for shipping. If anyone else from the  York area is picking up and willing to bring my items closer let me know.   It's only about an hour and 20 minutes for me to get there, but I can't blow vacation days every time I make a purchase.   I really wish they had evening pick up hours.  This is one more wrinkle for me to deal with in buying auction items. 

Sorry for the rant - jhz563

jhz563

Yep, I agree BUT they are 100% correct. They have to pay someone to be their and then if we are a no show or late BAM they are out more than the commission sometimes. I can not even begin to count the times people say can I do it at this time and I agree to only get there and either they aren't home or can't do it then as something came up. Excuse me? A phone call would have helped but nothing. Then they get mad when I send a bill for on site repair that did not happen. I don't remember my truck saying "I won't use gas and no wear and tear this trip". Or time backing up so I didn't lose it. YE,T WE feel everyone should bend over so they will fit OUR schedule. Try calling Lionel and let me know how that works out for ya. NO, while I agree with you, I fully understand their position. This is a case of a few bad apples ruining a complete basket.

Curtis

Last edited by CurtisH
@jhz563 posted:

Not being able to pick up on Saturday makes things difficult for me.   I hadn't picked up before because it was always one or two items, this time it's 5.  This last round I was going to pick up but could only get a particular day off.  The pick up schedule was already full for that day, and  I emailed about still getting in.  I was told politely but firmly that all pickups are made per the scheduling tool. I asked about Saturday and was told that customers have repeatedly not shown up on time if at all when special arrangements were made.  So shame on us for not following through on commitments with vendors.   Not having Saturday or evening hours for pick up is very frustrating to me.  This same business used to have auctions on Wednesday evening if memory serves me correctly.

I know they are very busy, but now I am still waiting to hear about charges for shipping. If anyone else from the  York area is picking up and willing to bring my items closer let me know.   It's only about an hour and 20 minutes for me to get there, but I can't blow vacation days every time I make a purchase.   I really wish they had evening pick up hours.  This is one more wrinkle for me to deal with in buying auction items.

Sorry for the rant - jhz563

I don't see why you even felt it necessary to post this.  They have been up front about their terms since the beginning.  Why didn't you confirm there was availability on the schedule before taking that day off?  Or reschedule your day off?  I emailed Jared about leaving items from one auction there until the end of another auction that I planned on bidding on that was a week or two later so I could pick up that item and any others I won.  He had no problem with that.  I found them flexible with scheduling a time to pick up my items based on the online tool and the times and days that they have posted ahead of the auction.

Are the deals great on every item? No.  Are some things probably too expensive? Yes.  Are some things a great deal? Yes.  It's an auction, much of the value is in the eye of the beholder.  No one is forcing anyone to make the highest bid.  If it's more than you want to pay or pay to ship, or coordinate a time during the hours they are open, then DON'T BID.

@rplst8 I posted about my experience because that is the topic of the thread.   Looking to physically pick up was a new experience for me and discussing it was a follow up to the response above mine.

I have been quite positive about this whole series of events regarding Cabin Fever auctions and the closing of MTH in general.

If things worked out great for you, fine. The pickup hours unfortunately do not work for me.

Rescheduling days off doesn't happen in every workplace just because someone wishes it so.

If you can't stand a little venting or dissatisfaction in a thread then DON'T READ IT.  Discussing this inconvenience to me is nothing compared to the years of complaints on this forum over Lionel quality control.   

I hope you have a good evening,  jhz563

Last edited by jhz563

Hi All,

Well, I can probably say I had one of the most complicated auction purchases of all from Cabin Fever and MTH. I won the MTH Factory Showroom Layout during the first auction. My wife said "Go for it" and well... soon I realized what I got myself into. It was not easy to remove accessories, track, and scenery, and then cut into precise sections, all while trying very hard to preserve the layout. All 500+ miles from where I live. It required 4 trips from Cincinnati Ohio, to Columbia Maryland. My first trip out was October 28th, 2020, and my final trip to pick it up was yesterday (January 18th 2021). I would like to give a big shout out to both Cabin Fever and MTH! Especially Gary and John from Cabin Fever and Mark Hipp from MTH. Everyone involved was so great with coordinating and supporting my trips out to the factory. Here is the first of many videos to come about this journey.

Thanks, TrainFinder Craig

@PH1975 posted:

Jhz563 - Unfortunately it may boil down to you making a decision as to which you prefer more - using a vacation day (to pick up your trains) or incurring unknown (at this point) shipping charges?  It's an unenvious position to be in - that's for sure.

Good Luck!

Well my purchases arrived in a timely manner and the shipping cost was quite reasonable since they were all packaged in one large box.  Unfortunately there was some small damage.   The locomotive headlight was loose but working- no problem at all.  A Weaver box car has a broken truck assembly that will need replaced. The boxcar is a lower end car that wasn't out of the box for pictures. Its quite possible that it was broken before shipping.   I still feel I got a fair deal and am looking forward to participating again.

Thanks again for everyone's responses.  It's great to hear the perspective from our buyers to know how we might improve and continue to provide our services!

Don't forget there are auctions on the calendar all the time and there are plenty of (non-archival and other) MTH trains we sell on a regular basis.  We'll be doing MTH Warehouse auctions for some time yet but check out all our sales.

Tonight - MTH, some private collection Archival goods as well as Weaver Brass and Others:

https://cabinfeverauctions.bid...om/ui/auctions/58819

We have Toys and Antiques this Saturday the 23rd:

https://cabinfeverauctions.bid...om/ui/auctions/58820

And there are 500 lots live for the MTH Warehouse Auction with more being added this and next week:

https://cabinfeverauctions.bid...om/ui/auctions/58951

Thanks!!

Jared Schoenly

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