Kids and model trains

[beastranger]

Are there any kids in your life who have been influenced by your trains? Although he is only 2 my grandson would come first. He loves to be able to sit there and pick out witch engine to run, he loves to see them crash too. I'll put on two old Bachman engines and run them in opposite directions on the inner and outer loops. Then try to time it so I can hit the crossover switch causing a head-on collision. Cherrise's oldest son turns 14 this weekend and I've just recently found out they have an old HO set someplace. So he is getting one of my brass engines that I restored as he does appreciate quality things. Her boys have only scene photos of my layout and have been bugging Cherrise to bring over to see it. Punk

[ginzokid]

Unfortunately my kids thought my trains were boring and went straight to R/C cars and planes. My grandson loves Thomas and may continue with trains some time down the road, if his mother will let him. Right now she has him in Karate. I suppose I did somewhat influence many children through the hobby shop. The real test was to see how many kids came back continuously after the Christmas train syndrome wore off. As part of our Christmas selling program at the shop, I used to go to people's houses and set up their Christmas train under the tree for them. For a fee of course. But this seemed to help remove the frustration for the novice parent who still had the bicycle parts all over the living room floor, if you know what I mean. We sold a simple 4'X6' plywood sheet with grass paper glued down to it for under the tree which would hold most N, HO and On30 starter sets. We always sold a little extra track to fill up the whole board. My idea and it worked too. The train sets, boards, accessories and my set up appointment went flying out the door. If any one wanted a "snow" scene, we sprayed the grass white before it was delivered. Those were the days..... B-)

[ginzokid]

Speaking of kids. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989269424&category=19150&rd=1 Here's a great way to get your kids involved in the hobby. Perfect for the back yard. Heck the neighborhhod kids might even enjoy those old ice cube popcicles we used to make out of Kool-Aid while riding around on the circus train. Cheap too!! B-)

[crazyd37]

The heck with the kids, I want it! Just kidding, but I am sure my niece and nephew would love this I only wish I had the room and the money for it! DZ

[untabubba]

DAMN!

[flaretired]

Think anybody will buy it? Chuck 🙂

[70novahound]

Nobody went for it! CJ

[flaretired]

Does this guy now have to pay a posting fee even though nobody bought it? Chuck)

[ginzokid]

Chuck, The listing fee for that item was $4.80. If he had listed it in more than one category, each category would have been an additional $4.80. That is the max listing fee on eBay. $500 and over, no matter how high, is only $4.80. If this item had sold at the listed price, his final value fee would have been $238.75. Thanks for asking. You can find the fee schedules by clicking on the SELL button at the top of your Summary page and then find the Fees link. It's a crazy formula. B-)

[flaretired]

Thanks Pete. Another question. What is Reserve not met? Right now I am the winning bidder (still have a day to go)but on my home page it says Reserve not met. Chuck 🙂

[untabubba]

Chuck, The seller has a "hidden" minimum price he will accept. It is an option sellers have whenever they list an item. I have found most sellers will tell you their "reserve price" if you write to them, using the "Ask Seller a Question" link in the box at the upper right of the auction page. If he won't tell you, he's a d*ck and, you should probably steer clear anyway! (JMHO!) Reserve pricing is one of the biggest controversies in the ebay community. It turns some bidders off. I, personally, choose to state a higher opening bid, rather than "jerk people around" and keep them in the dark over what I (really) want. Again, just my humble opinion! Marc Ask him....whataya got to lose?

[flaretired]

Thanks Marc. Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

Reserve or High opening bid amount. The quandry. I used to do a reserve and start low hoping to get more bidders interested. But I too just start with a higher opening amount now. The trouble is, those bidders looking for a bargain will not look at a high opening figure. So you get less bids, but those that do bid are more serious, so the item is actually more likely to go. I will tell anyone who asks what mt reserve is, if I have one on the auction. It is still up in the air as far as I am concerned as to which is the best way to sell. It depends on the item I guess. So ask the seller what the reserve is. Then you can decide if you want to pay that much for the item. B-)

[flaretired]

I asked and he did not respond, so I when I got over bid I did not continue. Chuck 🙂

[untabubba]

Chuck, It's still really up to you to decide what you think an item is "worth". If that is lower than his reserve, "kiss it goodbye". Otherwise, keep bidding, up to your "predetermined" maximum. We've all done it. Marc