Secondhand values

d-a-n · January 04, 2015, 08:09:42 PM

I recently part-exchanged a DMU in a shop and was surprised at how much of the cost was recovered considering the fact you'll never get top dollar from a selling it in this way.
Some of the prices in the secondhand section on here surprise me, being very close to what you can just buy it for new. I've even seen a few things exceeding the cost that it would be from a retailler!

Do you find that newer, looked after N gauge holds it's value quite well? I understand it'll never be an investment but having had cars and cameras for a hobby, it's surprising to see our little models hold so much value.

Zakalwe · January 04, 2015, 08:25:18 PM

i guess part of why the value is holding is it is becoming clear that some models will not be made again for a long time.... for example dapol FEA-B container flats have increased nicely in value as it doesn't look as tough a re run will happen soon

that said, the price of dapol weathered silver bullets got a bit silly last year (going for over £35 a pop in ebay) looks even more silly now as dapol did do a new run of them

and unlike cutting edge techwhich is out of date the moment you get it home the n gauge stuff of recent years will be very hard to beat at the price / quality of look it is at the moment (i think

)

PLD · January 04, 2015, 08:39:21 PM

It depends... With todays small-batch production, certain liveries or identities that are particularly saught after fetch a higher price 2nd hand than others; some reaching close to their original retail price.

Prime examples were LMR Crimson Jubilees which at one point were fetching up to £30 more than BR Green ones, and Black 08s which seem to fetch around £10-15 more than others.

What type/livery was your DMU? I'm not aware of anything other than a few special editions that are currently trading at any notable premium...

Luke Piewalker · January 04, 2015, 09:18:28 PM

It's a strange sort of a market. There is quite a lot of fluctuation in price at the box shifters, so what the current price is may not reflect what the price was even quite recently. For example for a few months the Express Parcels 101 was going for £69, now it's £98. So you could be selling one now for £70 s/h and look quite reasonable, whereas a few months ago...

austinbob · January 04, 2015, 09:30:33 PM

Occasionally I buy 2nd hand items from my local model shop. The prices are often only 10% or 15% less than new. I was told that they quite often get unsold items from other shops which they cannot shift. So the 2nd hand items are in fact brand new. So you can get brand new items a bit cheaper - but no warranty. You takes your choice??

They also have a lot of 2nd hand stock which are items, sold to them by people who are giving up N gauge (heaven forbid), that have virtually never been used. Again - a bit cheaper but no warranty.

Having said that, the local shop I'm talking about doesn't quibble if I have a problem. They've exchanged items I didn't like with no problem. Mind you I spend loads of money there so maybe they're just keeping me sweet.

Railwaygun · January 04, 2015, 10:15:12 PM

And the model shop is??

austinbob · January 04, 2015, 10:21:19 PM

Quote from: Railwaygun on January 04, 2015, 10:15:12 PM
And the model shop is??

And the model shop is....

Alton Model centre in Alton Hampshire - and.. I don't have shares in them.

Pete @ EGLM · January 04, 2015, 10:46:02 PM

Alton Model Shop has a new man in charge, Bob has retired apparently. The new man (Paul, I think) seemed quite eager to please when I visited last week.

Pete @ EGLM

OwL · January 04, 2015, 10:47:47 PM

Let's look at Dapol class 73 locomotives in Pullman livery going second hand (Brighton Evening Argus + Royal Alex) both fetch well over £140! More than double their original RRP.

A good barometer of how much second hand stuff is on the market is Hattons. Many may have noticed their listing of second hand items on their website amongst all their brand new RtR stuff.

On the whole N Gauge second hand stuff in good nick tends to fetch a healthy price these days. Markets and tastes do change however

austinbob · January 04, 2015, 10:51:42 PM

Quote from: Pete @ EGLM on January 04, 2015, 10:46:02 PM
Alton Model Shop has a new man in charge, Bob has retired apparently. The new man (Paul, I think) seemed quite eager to please when I visited last week.

Pete @ EGLM

Yes that's right. I think its Bob's son. He does seem keen. But, they no longer open on Monday and only one Sunday a month.

Trainfish · January 04, 2015, 11:42:13 PM

Do they still have that funny looking little bloke who stands by the door and watches you constantly to make sure you don't steal anything? Apologies if he's a good friend of yours but he is a funny looking little bloke.

Luke Piewalker · January 05, 2015, 06:19:10 AM

Say what you like, but I bet you've never managed to steal anything...

austinbob · January 05, 2015, 08:25:46 AM

Quote from: Trainfish on January 04, 2015, 11:42:13 PM
Do they still have that funny looking little bloke who stands by the door and watches you constantly to make sure you don't steal anything? Apologies if he's a good friend of yours but he is a funny looking little bloke.

I haven't seen him for a few months now - I think he was one of Bob's little helpers and definitely not watching to see if you steal anything.

Karhedron · January 05, 2015, 08:40:26 AM

The other thing to remember is that the prices for new N gauge are rising quite steeply at the moment due to various factors. This tends to pull 2nd hand prices along with them (assuming boxed, good condition etc).

DesertHound · January 05, 2015, 09:01:50 AM

I started a similar thread to this about six months ago. I remember it drew an undercurrent of ire with the odd "mis"-interpretation that to be interested in the second hand value of your locos was somehow connected to them being an investment. I found that bizarre, so the thread didn't really go anywhere.

That said, I do find them to be an investment. Not a financial one, but an investment in my well being and sanity - an investment that removes me from the things which stress me (for example, I take real pleasure in working on my trains when I know it's rush hour outside and I'm happily indoors doing something I enjoy, not getting caught up in the rate race). I do understand, however, that the luxury of time affords this pleasure.

Ok, getting back on topic, I agree with Karhedron that new prices will pull up secondhand prices. Also, an increase in the price of spares will pull up prices, since cannibalisation becomes more attractive.

I think there is also a seasonal effect, with prices (on eBay) being higher towards Xmas and during times of poor weather.

I think the psychology of eBay and auctions is such that people get sucked in and overpay. If I were buying Bachmann models (which I rarely do) then I'd be tempted to buy from a retailer than take the chance with eBay. Buying Poole stock I don't really have much choice.

Cheers

Dan