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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: stevieboy on February 15, 2014, 06:47:50 PM

Title: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: stevieboy on February 15, 2014, 06:47:50 PM
In people's experience is it better to list wagons/coaches in rakes or individually?

I've basically decided that I've settled on an Era and my past year or so of manic purchasing has left me with several rakes I won't be needing, some 20+ long

I've also got about 30 mk1's, some of which haven't even been out of the boxes.





Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: scottmitchell74 on February 15, 2014, 06:55:39 PM
Are you selling on Ebay? Sell them individually. Most people target one particular piece so they'll avoid a big lot with stock they don't need/want.

Some people might like the discounts associated with a lot, but they'll be looking for a deal, and you won't get as much money per wagon/coach. 

This has been my experience.
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Trainfish on February 15, 2014, 07:01:37 PM
If we're talking about ebay here then I generally sell coaches individually. As for wagons it depends what you have. If for example you have 4 Yeoman wagons then they often sell better as a rake as they are usually in a rake of similar wagons anyway. If they are all individual wagons then separate selling may be better. As ever the postage cost is the killer and it will cost you (and the buyer) the same for postage on 4x wagons as it will for 1x wagon.
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Buzzard on February 15, 2014, 07:10:03 PM
Quote from: stevieboy on February 15, 2014, 06:47:50 PM
In people's experience is it better to list wagons/coaches in rakes or individually?

I've basically decided that I've settled on an Era and my past year or so of manic purchasing has left me with several rakes I won't be needing, some 20+ long

I've also got about 30 mk1's, some of which haven't even been out of the boxes.

It depends on where you're going to list them.

If it'll help I've sold some stuff at the Meet at Riddlesdown today.  I worked out a price for an individual wagon and had an idea of a price for all of the same type.  I also worked out a "haggle price".  So if asked I could say a price for one but would be prepared to do a deal for the lot.  I sold some bits so that was good.

I also had a couple of rakes of coaches with me that I wasn't prepared to split.  They didn't sell today but at some point I hope they will.

Recently I bought a rake of wagons from an NGF member, albeit via fleabay.  He wanted to sell the lot and I wanted the lot so the deal was done.

Moving back to your excess stock it really depends on the detail of what you've got.  I cannot imagine anyone buying 30 Mk1s in one go but stranger things have happened.  Ask yourself this question, Would I buy xx number of yy item in one go?  If the answer is yes then try a sale of that number.  If no then split the particular amount into two or more batches.

Of course if you list the stock here you won't incur any charges, except perhaps a hint from Tank for a contribution towards the cost of running the forum.  If they don't sell you're not out of pocket.

As I said the devil's in the detail and until you try to sell your stock you won't know which is the best route.  I found out this today but am not in any hurry to offload my excess.

HTH,

Nigel
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: PLD on February 15, 2014, 08:25:04 PM
As other have said it does depend partly on what you have and where you are intending to sell it...

From experience running the club second hand sales at exhibitions, all I'd add is don't offer mixed bundles. Items sold as a job lot should match region/era so that they can be run together and ideally form usable rakes e.g. don't include a GW liveried coach in a batch of BR blue Mk1s.

As to the size of bundles, 4-6 seems to be the ideal size. Enough to tempt the buyer into thinking they are getting a bulk deal but not so big to put them off paying a realistic amount.

Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Luke Piewalker on February 15, 2014, 09:45:47 PM
As an extension, if you were selling several coaches individually that would 'go' together try having them on at the same time as each other so anyone who wants more than one can find them easily.
And check what the big online fellas are selling things for new if you're setting a BIN...
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Bealman on February 16, 2014, 06:20:11 AM
Stevieboy, out of curiosity, these Mk1s - old Farish or new? Liveries?
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: stevieboy on February 16, 2014, 07:28:29 AM
Quote from: Bealman on February 16, 2014, 06:20:11 AM
Stevieboy, out of curiosity, these Mk1s - old Farish or new? Liveries?

They're new Farish and I've got Maroon & Choc 'n Cream.
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Wingman mothergoose on February 16, 2014, 07:44:43 AM
What have you got Steve and how much do you want per item? I might be interested, and my friend is after some wagons and MK1's...

Chris
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: stevieboy on February 16, 2014, 08:40:14 AM
I'm away this week and will be having a good think about what I'm doing.

In any case, forum members will come first as eBay is a minefield and their fees are daft now.
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: scottmitchell74 on February 16, 2014, 02:47:40 PM
Quote from: stevieboy on February 16, 2014, 08:40:14 AM
and their fees are daft now.

:thumbsup: You nailed it. I'm getting so sick of ebay, even though I still use them.
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: Steve.T on February 16, 2014, 03:10:13 PM
Personally I would put them on the Forums classified first as you can offer them at a fair price as there are no fees to pay, and you may find someone who lives close enough to pick them up to save the laborious, and expensive, postage which often puts people off as it is so expensive now.
I would be surprised if you don't get interest and even if you didn't then you have lost nothing.

You can put each type in one listing and just give a price per coach and offer postage discount for multiple buys.

Steve
Title: Re: Selling rolling stock - advice
Post by: lionwing on February 16, 2014, 03:31:43 PM
Quote from: stevieboy on February 16, 2014, 08:40:14 AM
I'm away this week and will be having a good think about what I'm doing.

In any case, forum members will come first as eBay is a minefield and their fees are daft now.

They certainly are!

For every £100.00 eBay & Paypal take £13.40!