Best Way to Sell

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


catnippertom

That Oregon Guy
Hey all, long time no see!

I am currently looking at getting rid of some of my rolling stock/locos that I tend to not use that much. I am looking to upgrade my collection in quality rather than the quantity method that I have been going for for the last while. I just wanted to gauge the forum on their preferred methods of selling items online. How do I get the right money out of the stuff I own? Do I sell in bulk or should I go the individual route? Do I go to Facebook Marketplace, Ebay or just sell to someone like Trainz.com? I would love to know your selling experiences with different outlets.
 
The only selling experience I have is through eBay, and I have sold a few things on a forum.

The eBay route is probably going to be by far your biggest audience, but its also time consuming in the fact you have to photograph. write the listing, package, and ship. They also charge a percentage of the selling price. Plus if you sell a certain dollar amount, don't they send you a tax form? That's something else to consider.

There is another group that you can list on. I don't think they charge any fees, I have bought a couple items off there with no issues.

I wouldn't use the trainz route unless you just want to get rid of it and dont care what you get for it. Your probably only going to get pennies on the dollar.

I would try to list them here as well.

Lots of options, just how fast are you looking to sell, and how much do you have, and how much effort do you want to put into it.

I sold my entire N scale collection on eBay. 40+ locomotives and close to 250+ pieces of rolling stock. Some I sold individually, but some I sold in lots. It was a time consuming process, but I wasn't necessary in a hurry since I was starting out in a new scale. After I sold the item I would package, weigh, and print the shipping label at work on my lunch break and drop off at the PO on the way home.

Anyway you go good luck with it.
 
I use ebay for most of my sales and purchases. I sold 6 to 8 items per week, listing them all Saturdays before noon for a one week exposure window. It took 5 weeks to sell my excess stock.

I packaged each week's items directly after taking pictures. I found this entire process to work well for me.

Unexpected items sold above my purchase price-like roundhouse log cars with load and select locomotives.

Some items sold shamefully low, however it accomplished the partial liquidation. All in all, I am satisfied.

No matter how careful I was and meticulous about packaging, I did receive some complaints of broken pieces. For this reason, I am reluctant to sell locomotives or detailed rolling stock.

Dave LASM
 


I have found some of the groups of facebook to particularly useful. I belong to several different groups such as HO Sale Depot, HO Yard Sale, HO Scale buy sell trade, and On30 Market place. The nice thing about selling there is no Ebay fees. Most of the transactions are still done via Paypal G&S so a small fee applies but its not EBAY and Paypal fees.

I have pretty good luck both buying and selling there. I rarely actually use Ebay anymore unless there is something special I want. The facebook groups are way easier in my opinion and its pretty easy to talk with the buyers if they have questions.
 




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top