Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 19, 2018 8:10:19 GMT -8
gevohogger,
I suggested the same idea; that bar's problem is really with the bidders and not Pelle. However, bar did call Pelle a "profiteer" and a "hack" and compared him to the Kardashians, so I would say that Pelle is indeed the target of bar's ire.
His ire really should be with the bidders. Pelle started the bidding on his freight cars at $50 ea. (just about list price when you add the Sergents and the magnetic hoses) and $180 for a Genesis ES44AC w/sound that currently retails for $310. How the heck can one be a "profiteer" when you offer an item for the retail price and far less than the retail price? It baffles me.
And FWIW, looking at Pelle's eBay listings (all 4 of them, currently), these are not "unremarkable, factory-painted boxcars". These have been weathered (light to medium) and have had decals/markings added. These are unique models. A buyer can look at it and see Pelle's work. It's not my cup of tea, and I've seen better work at my local RPM meet, but anyone can look at one and see Pelle's handiwork.
I also disagree with bar because I can see the draw of owning something unique from one of your hobby inspirations. For example, I got to see John Pryke's last layout in his home a few years back, and it was like I was a starstruck fanboy teenager again. John was in MR 40 times over the years, and when I was 16 or so, he made the cover of MR with his old layout in "High Noon on the New Haven". I read that article over and over, designed a layout to copy his (but never built it). I was blown away with the modeling skill shown, and the operations design, too. To this day, it still inspires me to get to his level. I know I never will, but the chase of that is part of the hobby, too.
If any of John's engines or cars that he modified and weathered made it to eBay, I would pay above retail to own it. Not because he was a "celebrity" or famous-for-being-famous, but because every time I saw it on my layout, I would get that sense of wonder I got when I was a kid just getting into this hobby, and how far I've come since then. That would not be the case if it were John Pryke's drywall screws; stuff like that didn't inspire me but his models sure did. And that's why I'd want it.
I suggested the same idea; that bar's problem is really with the bidders and not Pelle. However, bar did call Pelle a "profiteer" and a "hack" and compared him to the Kardashians, so I would say that Pelle is indeed the target of bar's ire.
His ire really should be with the bidders. Pelle started the bidding on his freight cars at $50 ea. (just about list price when you add the Sergents and the magnetic hoses) and $180 for a Genesis ES44AC w/sound that currently retails for $310. How the heck can one be a "profiteer" when you offer an item for the retail price and far less than the retail price? It baffles me.
And FWIW, looking at Pelle's eBay listings (all 4 of them, currently), these are not "unremarkable, factory-painted boxcars". These have been weathered (light to medium) and have had decals/markings added. These are unique models. A buyer can look at it and see Pelle's work. It's not my cup of tea, and I've seen better work at my local RPM meet, but anyone can look at one and see Pelle's handiwork.
I also disagree with bar because I can see the draw of owning something unique from one of your hobby inspirations. For example, I got to see John Pryke's last layout in his home a few years back, and it was like I was a starstruck fanboy teenager again. John was in MR 40 times over the years, and when I was 16 or so, he made the cover of MR with his old layout in "High Noon on the New Haven". I read that article over and over, designed a layout to copy his (but never built it). I was blown away with the modeling skill shown, and the operations design, too. To this day, it still inspires me to get to his level. I know I never will, but the chase of that is part of the hobby, too.
If any of John's engines or cars that he modified and weathered made it to eBay, I would pay above retail to own it. Not because he was a "celebrity" or famous-for-being-famous, but because every time I saw it on my layout, I would get that sense of wonder I got when I was a kid just getting into this hobby, and how far I've come since then. That would not be the case if it were John Pryke's drywall screws; stuff like that didn't inspire me but his models sure did. And that's why I'd want it.