I feel so stupid.

Boy, do I feel like an idiot.

Recently, I had the pleasure (?) of winning three Atlas Center-Flows on eBay, all from one seller.

I had bid on them early in their listing duration, fully expecting to be outbid on all three (I sometimes bid on things for amusement, usually getting outbid.) Such is my luck: I was the sole bidder, setting me back thirty-six dollars. (I paid for them out of my own pocket.)

While the cars fit my modeling era, my personal situation precludes either building models or operating them, even at a club. So I'm stuck with this question: Should I keep them, or resell them? (BTW, my GF doesn't yet know about them.)

One final note: I haven't picked up their package from the post office as of this writing.

Dieter Zakas

 

Are you saying you don't have a layout yet? I'd say it's time to get an oval going for some running, and from there...

 

Three Atlas freight cars at 26 bucks sounds like a pretty good price, IMO. I don't understand why bid on items for amusement, but I wouldn't get rid of them unless you truly don't want them. Stick them in a box for the future?

 

If you send them back you'll just look like an unreliable e-bayer. I guess I don't get what the problem is. Go get an oval of snap track and a power pack, pick up a used loco, and get to running trains. It's obviously an interest.

 

I'm confused, too. :headspin:

First off, you're not doing anybody any favors by "bidding for your amusement". You're artificially driving up the price of an item, costing someone money. So I can't say I feel sorry for you....you got what was coming to you.

With regards to hiding it from your girlfriend and the money from your pocket...I really don't know what the complication is. Guess we would need more information.

 

To be honest, I'm on the fence about keeping them. "Should I, or shouldn't I?" is the question I'm asking myself.

Some people missed some information initially presented. For one, I was the sole bidder on all three cars.

Second, I haven't picked them up from the post office for a simple reason: no car, and I don't have money for the bus or train.

Third, I paid for the cars with my own money, and in no way tapped my GF's paycheck.

Also, I mentioned that our personal situation precludes actively modeling or operating, a problem exacerbated by the lack of a car.

Setting up even an oval of track to run a train is not an option because of our living situation.

My GF and I reside on the lower level of a split-level house (the homeowners live in the upper level). The rent (and most of the groceries) are covered by my GF's check. I had a seasonal job at a local Walmart stocking shelves overnight. Before they cut me loose, I put in for the position of overnight maintenance; today I learned they're waiting for HQ to give them the go ahead in late February to hire me. Thus, money is tight. In light of this, if my GF were to learn of the cars, she would chastise me, given our situation.

These three cars would, if I choose to keep them, join a fleet of over 140 cars currently stored at my mother's house, occupying about eighty cubic feet.

On one level, I agree with keeping them as a hedge for the future.

As for "bidding for amusement," I've done it in the past without problems, having been outbid.

Should I decide not to keep them, I would NOT return them to the seller, but list them myself.

Sigh. Decisions, decisions...

Dieter Zakas

 

you better be carefull playing games like that $36 bucks isnt to bad
how about if you lost a big time auction $$$$$ i have a basturd colt
SP1 rifle because of bidding games. i was bidding aganst a guy who kept
out bidding me by a few dollars $5 $10 $5.50 bidding was gettin close to a grand
then the next day this guy withdrew all his bids

 

Dieter,

I'd like to recommend the "watch item" feature on eBay. I use that thing all the time. I probably watch at least 7 or 8 items for every one that I bid on and I probably watch 15-20 items for every auction in which I end up being the high bidder. It's a lot safer that way, and eBay will give me some warning when the auctions are closing in case the price is still worth it to me.

Adam

 

Honesty is the best policy. I NEVER, EVER bid just for the heck of it. I bid because of an item I want, can afford, etc but I always set a price in my mind of what I am willing to pay and stick to the plan. Very easy to make dumb decisions and keep bidding...

 

You sir, are the bane of my existence on eBay! :frustrated:

IF YOU DON'T WANT IT DON'T BID ON IT.

Gotta agree, you made your bed on this one. Zero sympathy.

 

It's a good thing you don't work in purchasing for the Federal Government.

 

"Hike on down to the PO": it's a four-mile walk to said post office. Each way.

Dieter Zakas

 

Is four miles too far? It is good exercise, it will take about and hour and a half each way and keep you away from bidding on something you don't really want to win.