Used Train prices

It’s not just trains. It’s all collectibles.

Go price a used car since new cars aren't being made right now.  Have you been to the grocery store?

With the world production of oil and goods coming to a grinding halt during Covid it was bound to take a long time to resume production at a level Pre-Covid.

Then there was the wisdom of starting a trade war with China in addition to US carriers holding drills in the South China sea.  But hey, what does China have to do with goods Americans buy 

John

This is a guess, but with all the ships anchored off port, I'm thinking that supply of new product has dropped thus raising the prices of used products.

I am astounded about what some people are asking for used trains.  But as I often watch listings on the auction site, they are not selling at those prices and after several months get discounted. 

In the meantime, I have still been finding bargains on items I am looking for.  Like always it just takes work.  I just picked up three baggage cars (Lionel and K-line) for a M&E train and the total price not including taxes and shipping was $125.00.  No complaints from me for scale length cars in good used condition. There is one bargain out there I am sorely tempted on, but I have overspent my budget for the month.

Since we live in a market economy, a seller can ask whatever price they like for an item.  We can also chose to pay it or not.

Points in my post above aside, I feel that specifically for O Gauge trains, the semi demise of MTH played a large factor in some of these insane prices.  It would seem that the new Lionel catalogue's prices may not have spiked so dramatically if it were not for a significant reduction in the competition.

Look at what they are getting for MTH subway sets (used ones) now that no one is making them.  A year ago or so new ones were greatly discounted below list.  Now used ones are way above list.

John

@Craftech posted:

Points in my post above aside, I feel that specifically for O Gauge trains, the semi demise of MTH played a large factor in some of these insane prices.  It would seem that the new Lionel catalogue's prices may not have spiked so dramatically if it were not for a significant reduction in the competition.

Look at what they are getting for MTH subway sets (used ones) now that no one is making them.  A year ago or so new ones were greatly discounted below list.  Now used ones are way above list.

John

Being in the train industry, new pricing has little to do with MTH leaving the market.  It has everything to with increased labor costs, increased management costs, increased shipping costs, increased materials costs, and most all of less market for the products.  Brass hybrid is all about lower units. 

I would be careful to separate second hand costs from new costs.  The used MTH inflation factor is merely sentimental like postwar Lionel used to be.  Those prices will correct and when the buyers of MTH tooling start bringing new former MTH product to market.

That sounds promising Jonathan.  Thanks.

John

I think we will see a correction once the former MTH tooling comes to market via Lionel and Atlas.  Yes it will cost more than it used to, but it should bring some stability to the used market.  For the subway sets, I haven't seen who, if anyone has obtained any of that tooling so there will still be some price gouging on certain products no doubt.

I have some Atlas "Premier" special run passenger cars on order from a forum sponsor and I didn't find the pricing outrageous.  It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't ridiculous either.

I can wait, I have more than I can run now, so there's no urgency.

Fortunately for me...lol...I scooped up a bunch before the crazy hit...so I have lots of spares...but...man...I got burgled...the thief got nothing but did damage...so there's that...but still...more is better.

I'm always hunting a bargain but suddenly...there ain't none...lol.

Crazy...man...

You guys may be looking at a particular seller.  I am convinced that that seller (the one with lousy photos on a white lazy Susan platform) is taking stuff on consignment from folks who think all used trains track the 700E.  Jonathan is correct; it ain’t sellin’ at those prices.

opinion

@gibson man posted:

Am I the only one astounded by the silly pricing of used trains and accessories?

It's wasn't a year or so ago that serious bargains could be had...now that has dried up and pricing is...uh...just silly....

What's going on? Has a generation turned and now we're all waiting for the next turn...like when I turn...lol...?

Umm. Its toy train season from now until April York. You want bargains, you have to work and look out for them or wait til May -July 2022.

The secondary market is always volatile.  Used prices are set by the seller and confirmed by the buyer.  As an example concerning trains:

Last year I purchased the latest Santa Fe Super Chief with the two additional cars.  It was my first Lionel purchase ever.  Since Lionel has made everything I could ever think of using on my planned layout, I bought a stack of old catalogs, virtually every catalog from 2000 forward. )I’m only interested in command equipment an, only locomotives with flywheel motors as I came to o scale from LGB and I’m use to locomotives running smoothly at slow speeds.)

I found that a few years back Lionel had issued the same set without remote.  I also discovered that an A Dummy and B Dummy were made at the same time. Using saved searches on eBay, I found both.  I paid $119 for each on separate occasions from different sellers.  Now less than a year later someone bid an A Dummy up to $203. Now you cannot find an A Dummy or a B Dummy for less than $200.  Every one of them listed is now selling for at least $200.  I know because I still have the searches active and about every three weeks or so one or the other shows up.

As long as someone is willing to pay ridiculous prices for used merchandise then people will ask exorbitant prices and get them

As an addendum to this I must add that I don’t know if Lionel monitors the secondary market.  They should.  (I was in marketing for most of my working life and old habits die hard and I monitor everything I’m interested in with the same enthusiasm as when I was working.) Some of the items I’ve found are real opportunities for Lionel or any manufacturer.  

@Craftech posted:

Go price a used car since new cars aren't being made right now. 

John

VERY TRUE... I won't bore you with the long story, but I need to buy a truck to tow our travel trailer.  We saw a used one on the lot that was perfect but the fella would not budge on price.  But they can build me a brand new 2022 truck with all of the same options for $5K less than the used truck.  16 week lead time on the build.

After all the papers were signed, I asked the guy why didn't he just sell me the used truck for $5k less, at the price of the new one?  His reply, "I'm gonna sell that used truck at that price before the month is out, guaranteed.  So I really sold two trucks tonight".

So I'm choosy when buying used trains.  Like GRJ, I already have plenty to run now.  So I can wait for this bubble to burst later on.

Have Fun!

Ron

The prices are insane on everything. Look what ZW-C's are priced on Ebay. I'm more worried about what heating my  home is going to cost this winter. Hang folks it's gonna be one H$% of a ride.

If it’s a bad time to buy, then it must be a good time to sell.

Yeah I have some I’d like to sell but dealing with eBay and shipping stuff is such a headache it doesn’t seem worth it. I’m not retired and I have lots of other things vying for my time.

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

Yeah I have some I’d like to sell but dealing with eBay and shipping stuff is such a headache it doesn’t seem worth it. I’m not retired and I have lots of other things vying for my time.

So why not sell them here on the For Sale forum?  I guess packing and shipping is the same "headache", but there are no fees and the people here are nice.

You have to pick your spots. I’ve bought over 100 lightly used cars over the past year, a variety of modern Lionel, MTH Premier, Atlas and Weaver, mostly freights, mostly C8 to C10 quality, at an average price under $20/piece. And a couple Legacy diesels under $500. I had to view dozens and dozens of online auctions, but if you’re patient, deals can be found.