81 Collectable Model Trains: Meets (or shows): How should I approach attending a collectors train meet?
Description
This article is from the Model Trains FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by others.
81 Collectable Model Trains: Meets (or shows): How should I approach attending a collectors train meet?
There are two types of meets, Open and Closed. Open meets are open to
the public such as Greenberg's Train and Doll Shows and Great American
Train Shows. Closed meets are open only to group members and guests,
such as the TCA York PA Meet. It is often recommended that you attend
at least one meet with no money and just get the feel of the meet. I
walk through a meet once before buying to get a feel for that meets
prices and selection, and then make successive rounds getting the
emerging deals each time. Another tip is always hang around until
closing time when many sellers would rather make a deal than haul
stuff home. In any case you should try to have an experienced
collector with you for your first few meets. There are sharks at every
meet who just want your hard earned dollars in their pockets. It is
also a good idea to carry a price guide with you. Don't use it as a
bible, but as a guide, and don't hover over an item with the price
guide open, you might tip off the seller as to how interested you are
in the item.
Another tip is that some sellers are very testy about people handling
their items until sold, so restrain that urge to examine every piece
at a meet and watch for dealer's "NO TOUCH" signs. Also keep a close
eye on guests and children, as they are the most frquent violators.
They may 'buy' you a piece you can not afford.
Prices are usually higher at open meets since the clientele is less
experienced. Prices are mostly a factor of how badly the seller wants
to dump the item and how badly he wants to turn a profit. Prices are
usually higher than book value and can be negotiated down to around
book value. NEVER buy a piece at a meet without trying to bargain it
down and don't be afraid to walk away and try later, the dealer might
become more desperate to sell. It is also a good idea to carry a
pocket price guide with you, but don't swear by its accuracy.
For more information see:
Greenberg Shows
7566 Main Street
Sykesville, MD 21784
URL: http://www.greenbergshows.com/
Great American Train Show Limited
PO Box 1745
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: 708-834-0652
URL: http://www.gats.com
Meets versus Shops? Meets have better selection (by a long shot) and
prices (by about 20%) but shops have a friendly face and service after
the sale which is best for new items, plus there is less difference in
the price of new items (about 5%). I do not recommend mail on used
items orders since you get the worst of the two above, plus you don't
really know what your getting until it arrives (postage charges too).
If you are buying from a reputable seller, buying used items mail
order can be more attractive. For new items mail order can be a good
alternative. Know your mail order house, though. Ask for
recommendations. Some sell old stock at deeply discounted prices.
Online auction houses, most notably ebay, are an increasingly popular
means of buying and selling trains. Use caution here just as you would
buying mail order. Be sure to check the sellers feedback rating for
any negatives and find out what the problem is. Pictures don't lie, so
auctions with them are a definite plus. Also be sure to specify good
packing. Many good items have been destroyed by UPS due to
insufficient packaging.
Lionel in 1992 instituted a new policy that no current production year
items may be sold at meets or advertized mail-order. This is an
attempt to prevent undercutting of their dealers and to ensure service
after the sale. As a result, dealers, many of whom do both shops and
meets, will just sell their year-old stock at the meet.
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