I hope this isn't too "off-topic". My Grandad, who passed away a while ago, had a reasonable n-gauge collection. I have sorted through this with my Dad but we are a little stuck on how to sell it.

We wish to avoid eBay and the like as we'd prefer collection and rather let people see it in person before they commit to any purchase. I have been Googling for websites with classifieds yet come up short, I have also been looking out for local enthusiast meetings but also without much luck. If it's not too much trouble, may I ask where the N-Gauge community usually buy/sell second-hand n-gauge gear?

Many thanks in advance,
Jason

Sorry to hear about your Grandad and sorting out his collection cannot be an easy task for you and your dad.

I have bought most of my stuff from eBay, some from shops and a few purchases here.
Personally I don't know of any site apart from eBay but if there are other sites I feel sure you will get an answer here.

Hi Jason,

Very sorry to hear about your grandad, and E Bay can be a bit of a pain.
On the forum we generally insist on at least 10 posts before allowing members to put stuff in the for sale section.
However, I would suggest you send a personal message (PM) to the forum owner (Tank) to see whether he can help. Whatever route to market you take will require pictures & description of the individual items so I would suggest that is your first step. If you are at all unsure about anything just ask for advice in a post on the forum as we can all help you with that.
If you can, with Tank's OK, sell them on the forum you will at least know they are going to a good home and will be appreciated.  Hope this helps!

Hi Jason, Sad days indeed for your family as you go through your grandfathers things, all those memoires...

Have you thought about enquiring with someone like Rails of Sheffield? They are considered one of the big 2 internet main dealers, they also have a 'normal' shop as well. I know they sell a lot second hand stuff on eBay and they are always advertising in the various hobby magazines for second hand stock. Maybe worth a phone call.

One of our members works for Rails, and without putting him on the spot, maybe be able to offer advise.

Hi Jason

firstly catalogue everything and take good quality photos showing any damage or missing parts (this is important), have a look at http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/ for a shop near you that may buy & sell pre owned stock, you may also have a model railway club near you that may be interested in taking it all off your hands which save a lot of postage!

Depending on what you have members on here may be willing to advise on rough valuations however it would be useful to look at ebay to get an idea of prices and also look at what shops like Rails of Sheffield are selling pre owned stock at

Dealers, model shops etc., will give you at best about 25% of what they will resell it for.
Try the local N gauge group of the nearest club or sell privately once you have arrived at a list & photos of what is for sale.

Ebay needs a bit of sense, split stuff up logically, take nice photos, explain why its for sale, test more valuable stuff.

However even if you do badly on ebay odds are you'll far exceed what a model shop will offer you. That however is a trade-off. They'll pay a lot less but do all the work and sometimes that can be a relief.

The N Gauge Society also has a second hand shop and may be able to assist or be interested.

Alan

I am amazed by the response, this is fantastic, thank you all so very much. I am going to look into every suggestion. As somebody on the outside I was very daunted - I just wanted to ensure my Grandad's n-gauge collection found a good home. With all of these suggestions I am now confident I'll be able to do this.

Thank you once again, I am honestly so grateful. It's fantastic how you have taken the time from your day to help a stranger.

Jason, was your grandad a member of the N Gauge Society?. if so try your local area group http://www.ngaugesociety.com/index.php?page=area-groups#Area group list, I feel sure they will be able to help you(like minded people to your grandad). You have got me thinking about when it's my turn, my kids like you, will have no knowledge of what to do for the best. Certainly got me thinking. Cheers john.

There is a very successful high volume N-gauge seller based in Camberley, username Malcrosby.
I have bought alot of stuff from him, mostly German admittedly, and he is very efficient and seems to get good prices.

Pure speculation, and I've no idea where he normally sources his items, but he might just be interested in taking the whole lot from you, either for a fixed amount, or a percentage of what he gets for it on resale.

Im sure Im repeating what othrs have already said but dont take it to a model shop to sell as you will be offered peanuts for your items.

I once offered some stuff to Rails of Sheffield and was shocked at what a ridiculas offer they made me!!

This website might well be as good a place as any other.

Without getting too maudlin about this, I decided some while ago that if the worst happened to me my younger relatives should sell all my stuff on this forum in the first instance. It is all catalogued in an Excel file, and any proceeds should go to HTH.

Quote from: Jack9465 on April 19, 2012, 11:50:02 AM
One of our members works for Rails, and without putting him on the spot, maybe be able to offer advise.

That'll be me. Without trying to advertise or put people off i'll say this....

If you simply don't have the time, or want to bother with selling it yourself then by all means sell it to a shop. But bear in mind you will sell for a greater value if you do it yourself. If you've seen a loco sell on ebay for £70 then a shop will pay between 1/3 and 1/2 of that. Shops after all are there to make profit so once you take out ebay fees, paypal fees, staff wages, overheads etc you need to leave room to make some profit on the item.

So i'd go along with what many are saying and get in touch with Tank and see if you'll be able to sell on here.

Ollie

Ebay can be very surprising. I sold one of my Duchess's the other day because I had five of them and there is a new one coming out at some point. I ended up getting over £120 for it. A model shop would have probably given me £20.

that was pretty shocking....

At least the buyer did get a very good loco for his money (seen it myself), ebay does seems to have become very unpredictable lately... But it's still the best place to buy and sell N gauge in my opinion - you just have to tread carefully as things can go pear shapped very quickly ! (been there, got the bagdes  )