Athearn Blue Box
- Thread starter kz9
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I've got a dozen or more I'd sell you at that price!!!!! I only paid $27.50 for most of them!!!! The most expensive was less than $35.
Bob
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Charles Smiley
cspmovies
I just checked the yellowed and dusty price tag on a circa-1980 Athearn ALCO PA and it was 26.95, for reference. But specific model scarcity and current demand would be the rule today.
stationmaster
Crusty Old Geezer
At shows, I rarely paid over $20-$25 for an engine in excellent shape. Rolling stock is all over the place, but I rarely pay over $5-$6 at shows. Passenger cars, I usually get for $7.50-$9.
The problem is that many are still available at decent prices. Wait 10 years and they'll be worth a mint. Many think that just because they are no longer produced the price should go up.
Some buyers are pure idiots when bidding for a piece. And some sellers think that they have a one-off or something. And even more think that the piece they have is made out of platinum or some other precious metal. Truth is, they are still selling at or below retail in most instances. I just won a 12 car Athearn Blue Box lot on eBay(all assembled and all used) yesterday for $18 and $9 shipping. That figures out to about $2.25/car. But, I have to change out couplers and wheel sets. Road names included C&O, NYC, NKP, and PRR, all roads I model. A deal yes, a steal not really, considering I'll put another couple of bucks into each car when they arrive.
Bob
The problem is that many are still available at decent prices. Wait 10 years and they'll be worth a mint. Many think that just because they are no longer produced the price should go up.
Some buyers are pure idiots when bidding for a piece. And some sellers think that they have a one-off or something. And even more think that the piece they have is made out of platinum or some other precious metal. Truth is, they are still selling at or below retail in most instances. I just won a 12 car Athearn Blue Box lot on eBay(all assembled and all used) yesterday for $18 and $9 shipping. That figures out to about $2.25/car. But, I have to change out couplers and wheel sets. Road names included C&O, NYC, NKP, and PRR, all roads I model. A deal yes, a steal not really, considering I'll put another couple of bucks into each car when they arrive.
Bob
stationmaster
Crusty Old Geezer
I've got a dozen or more I'd sell you at that price!!!!! I only paid $27.50 for most of them!!!! The most expensive was less than $35.
Bob
stationmaster
Crusty Old Geezer
I auctioned a group of lightly used, and I do mean lightly, Athearn BB Geeps, GP35's, 38's and a few GP9's, on eBay not too long ago. The bidders were nuts!!! One NW GP9, lightly, yet nicely, weathered and detailed went for $79 plus $7.50 shipping!! I figured if I got $25 each, I'd be happy. I was truly shocked!! Not, shocked enough to offer a refund though. I started the Started them low to get a bit of action. engines at $12.99 plus shipping.
The train market is really weird on eBay lately. High quality brass is going for a pittance many times, while pieces of crap are really commanding higher prices. Really odd, IMO.
Bob
The train market is really weird on eBay lately. High quality brass is going for a pittance many times, while pieces of crap are really commanding higher prices. Really odd, IMO.
Bob
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