Hi all I've come across a site which is selling N scale, they say its about 15000 pieces, of which some I've bought. The thing is it seems, there are only about 10-15 people on the site bidding so it makes picking things up pretty cheap. The site is called www.gomotorbids.com I just wanted to pass this on as I've reached my limit of spending. Which has been a fair amount. If the site comes up with a red screen and shows auto memorabilia look for trains its a little obscure, once there you will be surprised. Toro
I picked up some pieces pretty cheap there as well but their shipping is sky high ($9.80). The do combine for a small extra price per additional piece so if you are buying a bunch of things, it works out well but otherwise, the shipping can take a big bite out of the savings.
I live in australia and I know what you mean about the postage, I have bought and paid for a fair bit of stuff and the postage was about 150 dollars, but even the total cost and the aus dollar to us dollar, ive paid about a 3rd of what it cost me here. Totally I,ve picked up 9 locos and 72 rolling stock with my total paid inc postage it works out to about 12 dollars a piece, wouldnt get that here.
Postage is crazy Price of shipping is out of wackbiggrin: and unless they get in line I will not bid and they lose out not me:thumbs_down:
I did a quick look to see what they had.....looked at a pasenger car, and the listed price for shipping was $4.30 in the item listing, which didn't seem too bad compared to ebay and online stores.......is there a hidden cost I'm not seeing?
Yes the pricing for US customers is reasonable, but if you live in let's say Canada the initial cost is $20.00 no matter what item you buy to me that'sbiggrin:and I just won't bid. That will leave more for the neighbors in the south:tb-biggrin:.
Yes..Shipping costs is a tight wire walk and depends on several things including the size of the box.. My orders from Kleins varies with the size of the order. USPS - Priority Mail Prices
Good to know about the change in shipping charges. I had about 6 cars shipped together so my overall per car price was really good but when it was $9.80, it didn't make sense for only one car. (Unless I got it for a $1.) I will admit the prices were good (not including shipping) and there were some unusual items that aren't usually available. It is worth a look to try to find that one car you've been looking for.
I'm wondering if they are using USPS flat rate medium boxes as their standard for the US. That might be the $9.80 (or $9.85 today for singles). I think some shipments might fit in the small flat rate box for $4.80 (single). They are listing items individually, which takes quite a lot of effort. The site is professionally done. I hear a concern here about their shipping rates. I'm sure they will hear it also.
With the modified shipping rates I think their charges are in line with some of those other auction venues we all know of, and probably a bit higher than online retailers. On balance, not all that bad after the reworking. I think they realized that first, N Scale isn't nearly as large or as bulky as, say NASCAR items (which appear to be the bulk of their business), and that second, they were losing potential customers. Personally, I think most of the true bargains on GMB are gone. Most items quickly go beyond the level that I'm willing to pay. Sniping still happens. The shipments come to the buyer in standard cardboard boxes marked "GoMotorBids." Packing could be a little better; boxes bounce against each other in transit. (Hmm, how would I know...)
Okay, yeah, that's what happened to me over there. It had to have been done in the last 2 or 3 seconds. Until I read this article you linked to, I had no idea people could get special software to do this for them. I'm sure what this guy buys will end up on Ebay in a couple of weeks with $5 tacked onto the price. Sad.
Check again. They have changed their shipping policies. For N-scalers, we get a pretty good shipping price cut. I just checked out one N scale freight car where the shipping price was quoted as $3.55 to Oregon, or $1.04 if purchased alongside a larger item. These changes took place September 1 so this problem has been addressed.
And it will very likely get a "no bid". I think it's extremely risky to be in the "flipping" business these days. Was at a local "brick and mortar" auction recently... prices were not terribly out of line and there were some real bargains. Last week some of these items were listed on eBay. None of them brought back the price paid at the brick and mortar auction (counting the auction premium and sales tax on the total), and when the eBay and Paypal fees are counted in, the result is a net loss. I've also been following a local "flipper" who is first to estate sales and puts his arms around everything saying "mine," then brags-- during the sales-- about how he's going to make a killing on eBay on it. Not so far! Mostly, it's eBay that's been making the killing. Unrealistic starting prices and unreasonable shipping charges have something to do with it, of course. The suggestion "buy it because you want it" is more relevant than ever in my opinion.
