Toy train operating and collecting

The other day, I asked a couple of guys if they had ever purchased anything from a live eBay Auction, and they replied they had not.  I have purchased a few things from eBay but never from a live auction. 

Has anyone had experience with the live eBay Auctions?

An example can be seen at : http://www.liveauctions.ebay.com/catalogs/21495

I've watched a few and bid on a few items, but as far as postwar items are cocerned, the prices are way to high. If you factor in the buyer's premium it's just crazy to me. I'd rather go to York.

Mike S.

Yes, I have done before and since I only purchase high-grade collector items I generally am interested in the live auctions.

Its actually quite simple. Just sign up (like signing into eBay) and your done. Next input your highest bid. Once the auction is going you can actually watch the your lot # bidding. 

I have purchased only from Ambrose-Bauer auction and the shipping and item quality is exceptional. 

BUCKEYE,

  I won two Lionel baby hudsons from the KUHUN Auction a few years ago, for $120.00 then I had to pay a premium and shipping.  Total came to about 150 bucks so not to bad for 2 conventional engines?

laz57

I was going to start a tread along the same subject.  I won this auction earlier today, and was looking for some input.  I know I didn't get a "great" deal; but I figured I did OK.  Other cars like this went for as much as $300.  This one went for $110 + 18 (Premium) + S+H witch I figure will probably be about $10...Total about $138 (OK...now I don't like that figures).  Live and learn; it could be worse.

Live Auction

If you scroll down on the page and click on the "prev" button under the large pics; you'll see what others went for.

What do you think?

darianj wrote:

I won this auction earlier today,

I think you got a really really exceptional car for a more than reasonable price.

I have been trying to buy one of these for a few weeks from my local shop. No box, and the condition is probably "very good". They want $80.00 for it, which is way overpriced for the condition. The one you bought appears to be a better value.

I'm suspicious of some of the so-called "live" auctions. One of the more well known collectors used to sell on regular Ebay auctions and has now gone "live". Good way to add xtra profit to the sale in the form of the buyers premium, and without declaring a reserve that would increase the seller's Ebay fees, it seems possible to void a low bidding auction by declaring it was "won" by some anonymous live bidder as opposed to an internet one.

It's already bad enough trying to score a good deal on Ebay thanks to all the rookie knotheads that keep bidding up items because they think that they have to be top bidder throughout the duration of the auction instead of just the end.

I suppose if you have more cents than sense, "live" internet auctions are just fine... 

Frank53 wrote:

darianj wrote: I won this auction earlier today, I think you got a really really exceptional car for a more than reasonable price. I have been trying to buy one of these for a few weeks from my local shop. No box, and the condition is probably "very good". They want $80.00 for it, which is way overpriced for the condition. The one you bought appears to be a better value.

Actual experience beats speculation any time.

Buckeye Riveter wrote:

Actual experience beats speculation any time.

Frank53 wrote:

Buckeye Riveter wrote: Actual experience beats speculation any time.

Though I only have experience with Barrett Jackson live car auctions !! I'm still deciding on which one to bid on !!

Thanks, John