I feel so stupid.

Hike down, pick them up, hike home, take really good picks and post them back for sale on eBay. Maybe you can break even, maybe you can make a couple bucks. I think most of us have made a bid we regret. Deal with it and move on.

 

He did say he would re-sell them and not just back out. I think some people here are jumping to conclusions and not being very kind. I'm being kind by calling it not being kind.

 

When I came back to the hobby, I went to a few train shows, and quite frankly, I bought stuff that I ended up not really needing. I bought kits that sat on shelves for 5 years before I finally found a place for them. They look nice, but they don't belong there, and if I ever get to build Phase 3 of this layout they will be moved.

Over the weekend, I was at the Amherst Railway Society's show, frequently described as the largest train show on earth. I saw a staggering number of really nice structures I'd love to have on my layout, but right now there's no place for them. So, I did NOT buy them and put them on a shelf for a later date. I've learned not to buy what I can't use right now, and have no definite plans for being able to use in the future.

Buying stuff you don't need isn't necessarily stupid, as I keep telling myself, but it is the voice of inexperience. As long as you learn from the mistake, you've made a profit.

 

Dieter,

Your problems I feel are deeper than anyone her at TB can help you with. I suggest you contact Dr. Phil for guidance as to why you feel you need to lie to your girlfriend, and Suze Orman for advice on spending money you (from the info you give) obviously cannot afford to spend . Regarding biddng on items you hope you don't win, the title of your thread is a self generated "enlightenining moment". sigh....

 

Well, it's like this we've all done stupid things at stupid times. Do follow through on your obligations and make it happen. Then start thinking seriously about starting a brand new hobby or put them up for resale.

We've all been to the school of hard knocks and lessons learned.

 

No money? No honey !
Make your best for what is really important (modeltrain isn't priority number 1)
When you have enough money, buy some honey (or trains..,).

Take care of yourself !

 

Maybe you will think twice about bidding for Amusement. LOL
It seems like bidding like that would just raise the prices for someone
that really wants that item.

 

Now, I'ma confused. You've now posted this incident twice. Are you looking for someone to bail you out? That wouldn't be me. $5.00 a car is all I would offer you.

I've puzzled over the nick you call yourself. Karneydoc? Do you work for Carney's or Carnivals? I had a friend who worked them as a clown. He was a shill selling over priced tickets after the show was sold out. You could find him out in front of one of the side show tents, a barker. Well, I say friend loosely.... as far as you could trust him. No offense meant, but I think you just got stung by one of your own Karney tricks. If all this be true.

Just hoping you will learn from this experience as has been noted by a number of us TB participants.

 

Where is the article?

 

Unbelievable? Unfortunately, not that unbelievable, the OP says what it is right is the thread subject.

 

I'm surprised this thread has gone on this long about nothing.

Trolling? according to Urban Dictionary the definition of a troll is: "One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument."

Not a whole lot of disruption and argument that I have noticed, but I think it is time to move on.

 

Article: I feel so stupid

My nickname has nothing to do with carnivals.

I used to work as a conductor on CSX's ex-Conrail lines in New Jersey. I was based out of the South Kearny terminal; railroad spelling for a nearby control point was "Karny." "Doc" was my nickname on the railroad. Thus, "Karnydoc."

Second, I'm not trolling.

I'm also saddened by certain individuals' being so judgemental of me, ESPECIALLY when they don't know me. Such people should walk a mile in my shoes before they judge others. (My girlfriend and I have been homeless twice. Think you'd manage, living in a motel, for a total of thirty months, with your belongings in storage?) Are they trying to drive me away? I wonder.

As I've said before, I am not able to model and operate actively due to personal circumstances, so I must "get my fix" via online forums.

I shared my story because it's the type of thing we've likely all done at some point, whether it was model railroading or something else. I wasn't looking to be judged, lectured, or have accusations leveled at me. I was looking for advice on what I should do, given my situation: keep the items I unexpectedly won, or resell them? (Given the treatment and judgement I received in this thread, I won't advertise them on TrainBoard.)

Dieter Zakas

 

Dieter - I have empathy for your situation and wish you only the best. However, as E-8 said so well - a lot of us, and I speak for myself here - are trying to enjoy the hobby on a limited budget. Train shows, flea markets...and yes at times eBay can be a real help. So I hope you can see the perspective I have, that someone with no real interest in an item would bid it up "for amusement". That costs me real dollars. No, the world is not going to end - but I wanted to convey that frustration at that practice.
Again, all the best to you - but no sympathy for your annoyance at winning items that you, indeed, bid on.

 

As far as whether to keep or sell the items goes, well, if you think you might want to run them add them to your collection. If the money is an issue but you want to keep them then find something you already have that you don't care for and sell it in lieu of these items. No knowing your situation thoroughly nor your modeling interests that's a tough call for me to make.

Again, I like following items, too, but I use the Watch Item feature for this. I win almost nothing because the prices usually get ridiculous.

 

No offense meant on my part I was just curious. KarneyDoc, you must've been known as being a real character. I know Rails well but wouldn't of, in my wildest dreams, suspected you to be a Rail. All to sad to hear about you guys being homeless at times. It is rough...we are all having problems putting it together and making ends meet.

Here is what I suggest, (not able to rescue you but) put them on TrainBoard's, TrainStore, post a picture of the cars and a price (no more bidding wars) and let's see if we can make this work... for all of us. Fair enough.