the world is a cruel place and ebay has too many .....'uninformed', or charlatans, both sellers and buyers
it seems there are certain sellers that indeed are 'predators', in the sense that if you dont research or know of any other resource, the prices then becomes, by default, acceptable if you want something, right away
this is not uncommon in anyway-in any field, cars, wine, women, horses etc
since ive just added to the herd (LGB that is) , and been watching ebay offering over here,
im simply floored by some of the asking prices, for very used or common items
i recently saw a starter lgb set, frieght, -you know crane, stainz and flat car, circa 1990 give or take, -asking $999 US!, anohter at $650.00-some folks have heard LGB is sought after and seem to have visions ...like the guy that has a common old lionel loco in beat condition thinking hes going to make antiques road show history
the harm however
is that , imho, other sellers, seeing these types get the wrong idea of actual value.
but as in real estate, if it sits long enough, eventually they get a clue
otoh, i have not only taken minor risks , and gotten screwed from time to time on ebay, gently, mind you, but also found some simply amazing deals
i guess it all works out
let me add, marklin's current pricing, or quality, isnt helping at all
for example
seeing the street price on a rail truck at about $300 US now makes those old ones at $175+ on ebay seem ....a deal.....
