Model Railroading > Best Moneymaker Methods in Selling of Railroadiana & HO Models??

Just curious here based on this subject.  Naturally, some of my Rock Island RR and others materials, I'd prefer donating to local history museums while some I'd like to benefit the most from sales.  I see very litttle to no sales through local demands in my rural area of Kansas.  Ebay, I've thought of, but not sure that's worth the efforts either.  Just seeking some valid recommendations from those that's experienced selling such.  Any valid suggestions is appreciated!!

I have sold on both eBay and HO List.
eBay is a far larger audience than HO List but it is much harder to work on and they take a fee for each sale.
You might subscribe to HO List and watch the sort of things that people offer.  All they do is get you in contact with a buyer, then it is up to you to make all arrangements, they make no guarentees like eBay does.
eBay has a very rigid format for creating listings and gets cranky if you cannot fill all the boxes (for example year of manufacture).

Thanks!  Good to hear your thoughts here.  I can certainly imagine Ebay's rigid requirements.  I'll take a gander at the HO List and I appreciate hearing your suggestions.  Wishing you a Great Day!!

Where does one find this "HO List?" An internet search came up empty. Thank you.

Irhoghead, I tried that myself and drew a blank.  We must be missing something.  Will let you know if I find more about this or another similar site.

I have purchased a few items on the IO Group called "HO Swap"
https://groups.io/g/HOswap

Join for free.
Members post what they are offering for a firm price.
First come, first served.  (no bidding)
If there are no bites, then the seller can drop the price and post it again.
Definitely a smaller audience than eBay.  (Currently 1930 members.)  Sell and buy at our own risk.

I prefer eBay since there is a larger audience, and there are more safeguards in-place to discourage bad actors.  Granted, they take their cut, but the items tend to go for more than listing them on any other venue.

Take care and God bless!
Dave
 

Ebays cut is now almost 35%

The unfortunate reality is the amount of money you can recieve from a model is proportional to the amount of effort you put into selling it. If you are selling something that is hard to find, then it can command a big price in the right place. But common items go for much less. Ebay is a great place to sell hard to find items, because it can go for huge amounts of money if advertised correctly. Best thing is to search for your item on E-bay, and if not shown under current items use the advanced search to look at competed auctions. Take care to note the price points that items sold or did not sell at. Auctions are good because they show what stuff was bid up to, meaning two people were willing to pay just under that amount. This will give you a good idea on the value of your item on a national or world wide scale. Also take into consideration the condition of the model. Now E-bay is good for the more hard to find items, but bad for common items where it will go for low amounts. You might have better luck selling at a local train show or stuff like Facebook marketplace, or Facebook groups like HO Yard Sale and others. There are people out there that buy estates and collections, but they pay only pennies on the dollar for stuff.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

What is HO List?  I goggle it and nothing about trains

You could try the following Facebook group if you're on that platform:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/HOtrains4sale 

I have had some success buying on the group. It does not have the built-in protections that ebay has and you can avoid the FB fees by specifying not to use FB as the transaction processor. Caveat emptor.

Bill Phillips

BNModeler Wrote:
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> Ebays cut is now almost 35%

where do you get 35 percent. 
I pay 13 percent and did 11,000.00 in sales in 3 monthes

Jon Fink
Schenectady, NY

Boy did I fugure that wrong!
Thanks

Highhood Wrote:
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> BNModeler Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Ebays cut is now almost 35%
>
> where do you get 35 percent. 
> I pay 13 percent and did 11,000.00 in sales in 3
> monthes

I figure around 15%, but next year taxes are rumored to be withheld up front which will make it 25% plus the 13-15%.  Not sure how any dealer can afford to be on there if that rumor is true.
BNModeler Wrote:
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> Boy did I fugure that wrong!
> Thanks
>
> Highhood Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > BNModeler Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Ebays cut is now almost 35%
> >
> > where do you get 35 percent. 
> > I pay 13 percent and did 11,000.00 in sales in
> 3
> > monthes