Some backgound first: I’m a collector of vintage Model Railroading books. By “vintage”, I mean books published from the early/mid 1930’s to the hobby’s height of popularity in the mid/late 1950’s. That is not to say, I don’t collect “newer” MRR books than that since I also collect MRR books from the the 60s, 70’s, 80s, etc. The vintage MRR books though, are written in eloquent prose style sometimes having 100, 200 or even 300 pages in length. They are quite something to read, because each author is so very passionate about this hobby, and wants to share his passion with others. Collecting these books for the past fifteen years, the collection is now more than 100 vintage (or newer) volumes on the subject of Model Railroading.
So, I use eBay as a way to find (old and newer) books on Model Railroading. Found one today, price was “$125 or best offer”. Book was from 1975, but a “first edition”. [most model railroaders don’t pay attention if a MRR book is a first edition or not – I certainly dont]
I submit an offer of $15.
The guy declines with a counter-offer of $120, and the following msg:
“Sir, I do appreciate your sense of humor. Since I know your offer was meant as a joke.”
I reply back with: “Sir: Sorry you took it to be a joke, I didn’t mean to offend you. it’s just a MRR book and I value it to be worth $15-30 bucks at the most. Good luck with your auction.”
Lol – we Model Railroaders are truly polite “sums-a-bitches.”
