Okay, what in the heck happened with the pricing of Life-Like's GP-38? I remember 10 years ago paying $25 at Toys R Us for this locomotive. Same die, same motor, same frame. I went to the Portland GATS show and everyone is selling this thing for around $50 same as the GP-18 What made this thing worth more? If it weren't for the guy from California up front selling GP-18s AND GP-38s for 50% off ($23.50) I wouldn't have bought either. Finally, the model still has Bloomberg M trucks and a water sight glass opening, why is it called a GP-38 now instead of a GP-38-2? [ 17. February 2003, 20:08: Message edited by: YoHo ]
YoHo, both can be bought on eBay for $18-22.00 or less plus shipping most of the time. So you got an OK deal. Those others are trying to make a big profit, that's all.
Yeah, but E-bay is a little different. My problem is that it would appear that Life-Like increased the MSRP on the GP-38. A relativly old design. Are you saying that dealers are marking up the GP-38 excessivly compared to the GP-18? The GP-18 is a better made Loco as I understand it.
It may not be "excessive" based on the circumstances. At a GATS show, or any other train show, the vendors have pretty high costs they have to recover, plus make a profit for their time and effort. They pay for the space they use with a "table rent" plus consideration has to be given to the travel costs if they come any distance at all, especially at todays gasoline prices. So they may feel their prices aren't that high. From what I've seen, both units sell in the same price range...as well as the LL F7. Glad you were able to get one at the lower price. [ 17. February 2003, 21:41: Message edited by: shoreliner ]
Okay, I can see that, although I've seen the thing for sale around $40 at hobby shops which bothered me too. As I said when it was available at toy stores it was typically around $25 a pop and inflation hasn't been bad enough to justify $40+ since that time.
I recently purchased the same loco (boxed set of powered/dummy and caboose) for $20- from my local hobby shop. I have seen the same boxed set at other shops for approximately the same price, a bit more on ebay. It sounds like someone was trying to recoup some losses at the show. Russ
There is a local fellow who travels to many of the GATS shows. Trying to recall what he's told me, there are a bunch of obligations and guidelines the GATS folks want from you. IF, I say IF, I remember, not only does it cost a significant amount to have a table. But I believe he's told me that they frown upon the discount type sellers. Boxcab E50
I'be been to a couple GATS events and I must say that I wasn't impressed by the prices of the merchandise. There were the occassional 'Show Specials' that were excellent deals, but I don't think I'll be going to a GATS for quite some time. I'll stick with ebay for now.
EXACTLY the reason I don't go to GATS shows anymore. I attend the two major shows in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, as do most North Texas modelers. GATS is largely ignored by all but the casual train-set crowd. Our shows can have a lot of discounted merchandise in all scales. Unless you're close enough to get to a large show that isn't GATS, best bet is to hit eBay. You'll find quite a few LHS owners selling there.
Danny, welcome to Trainboard! I went to the first couple of GATS shows back in the 1980s, when they first came to the Kansas City area. Back then, they were decently-run shows with good discounts and awesome layouts from local clubs. Nowadays, most if not all area clubs ignore GATS (or have been locked out), and it's one big traveling hobby shop, where "discount" is a word only found in the dictionary.
Bob, I have been to GATS shows for many years. And as you said or someone said they have changed. In the PNW however the clubs have not been shut out. The show at the Western Washington Fairgrounds is one of the best. Lots of club and private layouts, lots of vendors and there are bargins if you look and hagle. The last GATS show I went to was in November at the fair grounds. I purchased my WP GP-9 II with are rare number for $55.00, it was marked a $110.00. There were bargins if you looked. The Portland, OR show was a bust. I went two years running and saw very little product and only a few layouts compaired with the Washington show. The next Gats is in March in Seattle, should be fun. I have found more at GATS than I could find on Ebay, and you get it there and don't have to wait for it. I have been stung on Ebay so I will go to the GATS showes and take my chances. hey YoHo, the difference between the GP-38 and the GP-38-2 other than the water site glass is the electronics. The dash 2 have upgraded electronics. Shannon WP LIVES
I had a LL GP38, and some time ago just tossed it in the trash can, as it was a poor runner, and did not look very good either. Looks like I should have sold it on ebay! I originally bought it for £16, (around $25).
Wow, a poor runner, its nice that in this day and age that is considered a poor runner, because 10 or so years ago when I last got one it was considered a godsend. remarkably affordable and a solid runner. As to the Portland GATS show, my other big problem was parking. It was $6. The show had a fairly decent number of Layouts even compared to the Albany oregon train show (which is somehow affiliated with GATS, but isn't GATS.) but for the extra six bucks (plus admission was a buck higher, I could of gotten lunch at subway. I'll have to check out the Washington show. I always get a sense of satisfaction when I show my Oregon licesnce and watch the sales tax disappear.
Alan, the next time you are ready to throw a locomotive in the trash can, send it and please let me know and I'll send you the postage for it.
I have seen similar pricing of N-scale items at the Greenburg shows in my area. Just can't find any deals at train shows anymore. I've given up going to them and stick with on-line stores and/or ebay.
I think there is maybe some confussion here. I've been to NUMEROUS GATS and have never seen a LL GP38 for this OUTSTANDLY HIGH PRICE. Are you sure you weren't looking at an Atlas GP38? I've seen them for around $50.00 at GATS but not the LL. And MAYBE you are looking at the LL GP20, simular to the 18, but not the same drive. The LL GP 38 has the same drive as the LL GP 18, a really poor drive, so your pricing MUST be wrong.
Nope, they were GP-38-2s and all the local hobby shops have them at a similarly high price. The GP-18s were priced the same. I didn't see too many GP-20s, but the ones I saw were again priced about the same.
Doesn't anyone get the Walther's sale flyers anymore? I see them in almost every sale flyer for $19.95, the same as their GP18 and F40PH. My LHS will add them to their regular Walther's order so I pay no shipping and have NO hassle. I have 2 of them in CSX and like them fine. I realize they are a budget engine and adjusted my expectations accordingly. I had one of them (I run them as a 2 unit consist) throw one of its springy driveshaft thingies, but it was easily popped back into place with no tools. My only gripe is that they were a BEAR to convert to MT's! Ask your LHS for a Walther's flyer. They're $19.95 in the last issue of it. Ray M.
What you have to remember is that GATS shows are for the people that only mess with trains only a couple times a year, not for the full time model railroader, like most of us here on trainboard. You can get some good deals at GATS shows, if you know what you want and how much something is worth. I was able to split a weekend's table rent with another modeller, he sold his stuff on Saturday and I sold mine on Sunday. I took all the excess stuff I had and any duplicate items. I wheeled and dealed and I made almost $700 for the day. No shipping fees, eBay charges, only cost was 1/2 table rent, $20.00. If you want real good deals go to your local model railroad SWAP MEET. Check around there may be a SWAP MEET closer than you think. There is going to be one in Louisville Kentucky March 15th, sposored by Division 8 of the NMRA. SWAP MEETS are where you bring all the stuff you don't need/want and sell it to somebody that does need it!
