Looking for suggestions on liquidating Father-In-law items

[vfpsql]

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Hoping someone may have a suggestion on the best way to sell of engines and tenders? I've always enjoyed trains but am as far as you can get from an expert. I was asked by my mother-in-law to help sell some of her late husbands items for her (after allowing the children to pick something to remember him by). I've done alright with most of it on ebay but have been holding off until now listing the engines, tenders and a bunch of brass small parts. Most appear to be older stock and some kind of metal, he used to show them to me when we visited and mentioned that many were brass but I can't really tell much by looking at them. I'm not seeing much in the way of markings that would identify the manufacturer.

I don't think there's much I can do except take lots of pics, take a chance the buyer is more knowledgeable than I and hope for the best. That didn't seem very efficient for the number of items I have to go through especially if they aren't very valuable but also don't want to shortchange the MIL. Thought I'd check here first for any ideas.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

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[Scordicus]

eBay probably is your best bet & like you say, take plenty of photographs.. If you have stock that is painted & your not sure if their brass or not (brass models do tend to fetch a bit on eBay) then scratch a little paint from the underneath where it won't show to see if it is brass or not & just be honest with your listings, if your not sure, just say so then there's no comeback if your not 100% correct..

I'm presuming that you don't have a local model shop or railroad club that you can get things appraised at? Just bear in mind that the local hobby shop is a business & may charge you for their time...

 

[vfpsql]

I've been brutally honest in my listings, I say without doubt I know nothing about this and only rely on what's seen in the pics. Its been ok for the most part.

Not much in the way of 'real' hobby shops anymore around here (at least that I'm aware of). The few I've checked out over the years have been 'Radio Shack' versions of a hobby shop, some stock, not much interesting and no one who really knows about the product.

A local railroad club/flea market is a good idea, I'll have to poke around the web and see if there are any in the area.

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[Scordicus]

In all honesty the railroad club would be your best bet simply because there will be more people with more accumulated knowledge & they'll help you for the love of the hobby instead of trying to make a quick buck!

 

[Dameon]

With the lack of dedicated model railroad shop, I'd also suggest searching out an contacting a local club. I am sure there'd be someone who would be willing to take a lot at what you have and at the very least help you identify some basics about the locomotives, such as which ones are brass.

I've got a very good record as an e-bay seller, dealing mostly in plastic models and other miniatures, and I would be very hesitant to say in a listing that you know nothing about the item being sold. Don't try to play expert, but also don't let on that your clueless either. It's amazing what some people will try to get over with on you.

I would suggest you fortify yourself with a healthy does of patience. It may take you a few years to clear out everything getting a decent amount back and you may have to sell pieces individually. Resist the urge to sell it in large lots as not only will this get you less $ but more importantly, drive away potential buyers who don't want the rest of the lot.

 

[jayl1]

Where are you located? Some forum members may live nearby to help you.

 

[evause]

I agree your best bet would be contacting someone from a local railroad club since they are more expert on those things so they can be assess and appraised properly since when you go in stores, as they say business is business so you might get short-changed by mere assessment and all. Ebay is also a good place to start and as long as you are honest with your post, you'll turn out all right.

 

[darth_vader]

I am going to jump right on this one, as i am here for the same reason, kind of.
But i am going to let the pics do the talking - i think that is best as you pros will see immediately what i have here and can tell me what to do with it.

i sorted out the first batch of things and if i can believe the price tags on the bottom, which range from $2.75 to $6, there would be ~$500 sitting here, can this be correct ?
second question would be - is this definitely HO scale ?
and last, inline with the OP, where and how do i sell this best ?

thanks in advance for your replies and sorry for hijacking the thread,
but I figured this was better than starting a new thread.....