Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Sometimes you find a real bargain. The other day I bought a vintage, sealed Entex 1/16 scale 1905 Rolls Royce kit on ebay. The kit was going for roughly $60-$80 or so, plus shipping, from all the other sellers. I found one for $29 and free shipping! I don't know if the seller was unaware of what this kit usually goes for, or if he just wanted to get rid of it, or if he's just a nice guy... but the moral of the story is that there are bargains to be had on ebay all the time. All it takes is a little patience.
Erik Smith Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Yes. It takes vigilence to find them and sometimes you have to be quick with the "buy it" button... I purchased a Rolls Royce Pocher kit, still sealed - $185. I was holding out for it NOT to arrive, but, 5 days later, perfectly packed in a giant box, it arrived and was as advertised.
Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Author Posted July 21, 2013 I purchased a Rolls Royce Pocher kit, still sealed - $185. That would qualify as the bargain of a lifetime!
MAGNUM4342 Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Very true. It just takes patience. I once bought a partially built "Milk Truck" by Doyusha because I figured I'd never score a mint example. One month later I scored one of those big buck kits, a mint Eldon version, for about $40 bucks. They were routinely going for $100 to $150. Other kits I've seen going for between $20 and $50 I've been able to score for as little as $5. It doesn't hurt that I was shopping in the summertime when competition is lower.
Chris White Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Harry I totally agree. With time and patience you can find deals, but they seem to be far and few. That said, I have bought three kits this month from ebay.
Erik Smith Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Harry I totally agree. With time and patience you can find deals, but they seem to be far and few. That said, I have bought three kits this month from ebay. They are rare, but many you never see because they sell very quickly. I check eBay periodically on my phone and have come across some pretty decent deals. Seems like they are scattered and usually sellers who are not interested in getting the max $, just selling the item. That being said, I have been "taken" once on low buy it prices - seller listed items, sold items, and collected $, then deleted eBay account - and never shipped (or had) items. eBay refunded every dime though:)
Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Author Posted July 21, 2013 eBay refunded every dime though:) And that is the beauty of ebay.
MAGNUM4342 Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I make good use of the "save this search" feature. It sends me daily e-mails when the item I want gets listed. Then I just put it on the watch list, check it daily and snipe when appropriate or hit the BIN. The thing to remember is that in 99% of cases, the item is not a limited piece. There are thousands upon thousands out there. If you don't grab the brass ring this time around just continue to ride until you do. Another one will be along tomorrow.
Repstock Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I've won, on two different occasions, mint unbuilt Ertl CO-4070A cabovers on eBay. Both were buy it now, and I just happened to stumble upon them moments after they were listed. Both times the buy it now was $25.00.
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Glad to see a non-bashing ebay thread. It's a great resource, when used intelligently.
Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Author Posted July 21, 2013 Glad to see a non-bashing ebay thread. It's a great resource, when used intelligently. It has completely changed the hobby. For the better.
Danno Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 (edited) Bill, Harry, 'Amen' to both your comments! Nothing to add, as I couldn't say it any better. Operant word is 'intelligently,' as in most everything! Edited July 21, 2013 by Danno
bandit1 Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I stumbled upon a built up version that was really nice...but it is an original kit that usually goes for around 200 or so dollars...i found it for 10 bucks on ebay ...the lady didnt know what she had i guess?...
Erik Smith Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 It has completely changed the hobby. For the better. For sellers and buyers. Kits I never knew. Prices I never imagined.
Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Author Posted July 21, 2013 For sellers and buyers. Kits I never knew. Prices I never imagined. The world's biggest, most well-stocked hobby shop. Open seven days a week for your shopping convenience!
Tom Geiger Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 The world's biggest, most well-stocked hobby shop. Open seven days a week for your shopping convenience! Amen. A funny thing happens when you list all the collectibles in the world in one easy index! eBay made it easy to find things that we used to have to search long and hard for. Not only models, but other types of collectibles as well. I make a game of it. I decide which kit I'm currently after and have the search agent set to find them. Then I bid a certain low amount on each one that comes up until I get what I want at my price. For instance, I love those old Heller Citroen trucks from the 1920s-30s. You can easily hit the Buy It Now on them around the $100 mark. I watch and when I see one going low, like in the $20 range, I bid. Not that long ago I wound up with an extra Bordon's Truck and one of the Normandee woody pickups. Message boards also make modeling much easier. I was always reluctant to buy a kit or built up that was missing stuff because it was so hard to find. Now, you post your need for a rare part on a board and someone out there usually has the piece and is happy to send it to ya!
Harry P. Posted July 21, 2013 Author Posted July 21, 2013 Harry, have you ever posted one of your builds here? Yes. About two dozen of them at least. Maybe more.
Dragline Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I scour eBay for vintage skateboards. And while the good stuff sells at market or above there are pieces that I find for reasonable and sometimes downright giveaway prices. The key is stay vigilant. Bob
martinfan5 Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Glad to see a non-bashing ebay thread. It's a great resource, when used intelligently. Agreed It has completely changed the hobby. For the better. Sure why not, I will agree too
Tom Geiger Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I scour eBay for vintage skateboards. And while the good stuff sells at market or above there are pieces that I find for reasonable and sometimes downright giveaway prices. The key is stay vigilant. Bob I collect a certain series of American stamps from 1903-09. In 35 years of collecting, my collection had big holes in it, and I hadn't even seen some of the items in person. With 15 years of eBay, I've managed to find all the rare stuff, and then some things I never knew existed. Last week I found a postal marking I had never seen before and bought it for $6. Can't beat that.
Guest Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Yes. About two dozen of them at least. Maybe more.i will have to do a search, I've never come across them. I was just curious.
Guest Johnny Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I have found bargains out there on ebay. I communicating with the seller found that they had no interest in what it was currently selling for but rather were only interested in finding the item a new home and recouping what they had payed for the item. I got an old Johan model once for 11.50 shipped on ebay on a Christmas eve. I contacted him questioning his buy it now price and he said he only paid 2.99 when he bought it and only wanted his money back and the shipping.
sjordan2 Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Harry, have you ever posted one of your builds here? You have over 3.000 posts and you've never seen Harry's builds? He's one of the best builders on the forum. Maybe you just never look at Big Boyz, because he mostly does large scale. Here are two of his most recent threads: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75837 http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76320&page=1
cobraman Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Also check "All the rest". I believe there are several there if I remember right.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now