14 replies to this topic

[ravajack]

Some rare items in there...

 

 

[TSR]

Looks to me that the gentleman is a bit optimistic in his appraisals, but hey, why not? 

[Phil Hackett]

Bragging on his cost doesn't help either... I ran a major portion of the video at 2x speed. It was tiresome to watch so I stopped it and moved on...

[Bill from NH]

This video was either posted here or on OWH about three years ago. It was one of several videos by this seller.

[Phil Smith]

Looks to me that the gentleman is a bit optimistic in his appraisals, but hey, why not? 

 
Optimistic is an understatement. He didn't seem to know much about slot cars. The Varneys he valued at $400 are on eBay for $300 or best offer. None have sold.
 
Blue #46 Varney Model Corvette Sting Ray Slot Car 1/32 in Box New

[MattD]

Not a lot of the "regular" world have much real knowledge of slot car values. I know nothing of HO, Motorific, or anything much beyond vintage 1/24.

 

I didn't see anything  in the video that would make me want that lot. Might be a few dollars to make, but there is a lot to sell to  make that money.   

[Pablo]

My take is the same as TSR's - the guy seems genuinely enthusiastic and enjoys collecting vintage slots.

 

Trying to read anything deeper into it that that would be a mistake IMO

[slotbaker]

I see he has a couple of those rare Stromberg Barracudas.

[bluecars]

Just another scripted reality show.

[Phil Smith]

That video, possibly not intentionally, is misleading. He doesn't have a reality show. He was on an episode of Storagewars according their WEBSITE.
 
I case anyone didn't notice, that link to the Varneys are the actual cars in his video. That's his eBay account.
 
In the video it looks like he lives in a nice house, but judging from his completed eBay auctions he's not making much money as a buyer/seller. It must be a side job for him.
 
Here's a new Varney in the box listed by another eBay seller that didn't sell at $165. The bargainhunter guy is way off on the price of his.

[TSR]

Thing is, Varney slot cars were a total sales flop, and there are quite a few around from unsold stocks... hence one can get them for cheap if you wait long enough! 

The question is, "Why?" 

[tonyp]

He is a regular on Storage Wars and has a brick and mortar store.

[Phil Smith]

You're right, Tony. I stand corrected. They don't promote their store on their website so I assumed they didn't have one.

 

I've been in several thrift stores when I was buying and selling for a living. The ones I visited never had anything worth a crap. I don't think I ever bought anything from one. I just Googled his address and he's got some good stuff, at least as far as thrift stores go.

 

Bargain Hunters Thrift Store
12845 Poway Road
Poway, CA 92064

[Phil Smith]

Thing is, Varney slot cars were a total sales flop, and there are quite a few around from unsold stocks... hence one can get them for cheap if you wait long enough! 

The question is, "Why?" 

 

Philippe, I read somewhere that they have twospeed transmissions, and from the bottom view you can see two crown gears. How does that work?

 

[Dave Crevie]

Varney was heavy into model railroading, and saw slot cars as an extension of that hobby. They never approached it as slot car racing.

 

If I recall, the dual crown gears were for reversing the direction of the cars. That way you could represent a roadway with cars travelling in opposite directions.