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tractorboy wrote:I always check in on antique stores in case there's a rare gem hidden but usually find their prices are way over the top so you did well.

Anything common is always way overpriced simply because they have no understanding of what they have. However, the other side of the coin is that on those exceedingly rare occasions when they do have something worth having, it’s cheap for what it is.(It’s always the same, if you know more about an object than the seller does, you can come out on top.)

Idris wrote:

tractorboy wrote:I always check in on antique stores in case there's a rare gem hidden but usually find their prices are way over the top so you did well.

Anything common is always way overpriced simply because they have no understanding of what they have. However, the other side of the coin is that on those exceedingly rare occasions when they do have something worth having, it’s cheap for what it is.(It’s always the same, if you know more about an object than the seller does, you can come out on top.)

I think that a lot of these antique store sellers are making two mistakes: consulting a very out-of-date value guide and not adjusting said guide's price to match the condition of their wares. many of them likely overpaid themselves. Maybe a lot of them are optimistic and/or unscrupulous. Whatever the case, as tractorboy said, it can be hard to find even reasonable value for the money in such establishments. (Another antique store had a 36C, in far worse condition than mine and jumbled in a box with other models...asking price $17.50.)

These models actually arrived on 23 December, but I held off on opening the package till this morning. If it was bought by me, for me, does it really count as getting die-cast for Christmas? Whatever the case, I was the sole bidder on this eBay lot, and got it for $4.03 US out the door. First is the K1A Weatherill Hydraulic Excavator. Who knows how long the dirt has been sitting in the bucket!?
Second is the K2A Muir Hill Site Dumper, the reason I purchased the pair. This is a perfect little fun vehicle. I'm a bit disappointed that the seat wouldn't swivel, but that's a minor quibble. It will probably take the occasional trip around the floor, as I did 30-odd years ago...but carefully, as the bucket can easily come loose.
If anyone has any ideas about how to safely and effectively remove the "vintage" dirt, I'd love to hear them.

Nice models Dan.
Best way to remove vintage dirt is with damp Q-tips.

Thanks, Kurt. I have an ample supply of Q-Tips, so I'll give that a go later today.

It's been a while since I've been able to acquire more models, what with a move, but I took one home today...the 58C previously mentioned in this thread! I probably paid a little much for it, but to find such a model with no missing pieces in such a setting is probably a rarity. One girder is a little bent, and I need to trim off the flash, but overall I'm happy.
I might be back for the 33B and a nice 68B from the same seller.

I had exactly the same Girder carrier and was definitely played with because of how the girders could be built together, sadly no longer with me, it is one model I will be hoping to re aquire one Day, thank's for showing it Dan, brought back a few Happy memories seeing that again.

Ghosthunter.

Glad I could bring back some happy memories for you, Ghosty. As an aside, that model is older than I am...

Squid wrote:Glad I could bring back some happy memories for you, Ghosty. As an aside, that model is older than I am...

...and I'm older than the model...

Ghosty.

After going a while without any new finds, I took some home today. These were also antique store finds. The seller who maintained this particular booth specializes in model train stuff, which might give us a clue into these models' past. We'll start with the 4D. I believe it to be a code 4 (I didn't measure the frame rails, so I can't be absolutely sure).
I also picked up a 21D. I like the grill on this one! I have no idea what code it is; will need to examine it in daylight to be sure.
The price? $10, plus tax, for both. I would have bought his 58B if I had a better idea of what to pay for replacement tracks.