eBay Deals

[Earl]

This thread has been started to offer a venue for posting information relative to 'good' or interesting eBay deals, as opposed to the ongoing eBay 'silliness' thread.

To wit....

For those Battlestar Galactica fans out there or just general Estes collectors, here's a link to what is about the lowest price I've seen for the vintage Battlestar Galactica Laser Torpedo, boxed and sealed. Buy-It-Now price of $13.59, plus shipping of $6.00.

They state they have a quantity of 10 on hand. These come up on a fairly regular basis, but this is the cheapest I've ever seen them go for.

Not my listing nor do I know the lister.

Earl



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battlestar-Galactica-Laser-Torpedo-Flying-Model-Rocket-set-1978-sealed-no-engine-/350861172710?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item51b0f49fe6

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

This thread has been started to offer a venue for posting information relative to 'good' or interesting eBay deals, as opposed to the ongoing eBay 'silliness' thread.

To wit....

For those Battlestar Galactica fans out there or just general Estes collectors, here's a link to what is about the lowest price I've seen for the vintage Battlestar Galactica Laser Torpedo, boxed and sealed. Buy-It-Now price of $13.59, plus shipping of $6.00.

They state they have a quantity of 10 on hand. These come up on a fairly regular basis, but this is the cheapest I've ever seen them go for.

Not my listing nor do I know the lister.

Earl



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battlestar-Galactica-Laser-Torpedo-Flying-Model-Rocket-set-1978-sealed-no-engine-/350861172710?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item51b0f49fe6
Thanks, Earl! I treated myself to one. It's still technically a birthday present for fourteen more minutes. :D

[rokitflite]

I got one too dag-nabbit... I'll just consider myself celebrating Bill's Birthday as well.

[Scott6060842]

Louie is back ... I missed the $65 Saros 's :mad: but picked up a Multi-roc for $25

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=271278179348&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f29708414&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[Earl]

Louie is back ... I missed the $65 Saros 's :mad: but picked up a Multi-roc for $25

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=271278179348&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f29708414&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Over the last 5-6 months off and on 'Louie' has had some great deals on essentially mint vintage Estes kits, most from the 1970s. I lean more heavily to the Centuri kit collecting side of the house, but some of his deals have been too good to pass up, especially the $45 Honest Johns and similarly priced LTV Scouts. A week or so ago he had $85 mint two stage Omegas and though I really didn't need a third one, I picked up one of his. He had $45 Farsides several months ago as well.

He must be liquidating an old hobby shop or distributor's stock from the latter 1970s that has been kept in storage all these years. Most every item he sells are in quantities of 4-5 at least, and some he has as many as 10 or more. All that I have purchased appears to never have even been hung by the hang tag and no price tags have ever been applied to them.


Earl

[Bill]

Thanks, Earl! I treated myself to one. It's still technically a birthday present for fourteen more minutes. :D


Why not celebrate your birthmonth?


Bill - gift certificates from vendors gladly accepted

[tbzep]

This thread has been started to offer a venue for posting information relative to 'good' or interesting eBay deals, as opposed to the ongoing eBay 'silliness' thread.

To wit....

For those Battlestar Galactica fans out there or just general Estes collectors, here's a link to what is about the lowest price I've seen for the vintage Battlestar Galactica Laser Torpedo, boxed and sealed. Buy-It-Now price of $13.59, plus shipping of $6.00.

They state they have a quantity of 10 on hand. These come up on a fairly regular basis, but this is the cheapest I've ever seen them go for.

Not my listing nor do I know the lister.

Earl



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battlestar-Galactica-Laser-Torpedo-Flying-Model-Rocket-set-1978-sealed-no-engine-/350861172710?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item51b0f49fe6

I already have one, but I wanted to keep it NIB for display. I grabbed one of these to build, even though I could clone it fairly easily. I just didn't want to fool with turning the nose cone. The seller was very quick to get it to me and even refunded me a couple bucks on shipping. :cool:

[Earl]

I already have one, but I wanted to keep it NIB for display. I grabbed one of these to build, even though I could clone it fairly easily. I just didn't want to fool with turning the nose cone. The seller was very quick to get it to me and even refunded me a couple bucks on shipping. :cool:

Well, looks like these are all cleaned out now.

The lister is probably really scratching their heads (or thinking they have all of a sudden become a marketing genius) to have all 10 of these go so quickly, depending on how long they've been listed. I think they had been listed for a while.

Earl

[Earl]

These folks have listed Centuri Buck Rogers kits for quite some time (years), but this a about the cheapest I've seen them run on the Marauder kit. About $19.

Not many left and sale ends in a few days apparently.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Centuri-Buck-Rogers-Marauder-Model-Rocket-Out-of-Production-1979-1981-/300965814908?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4612f5e27c


Earl

[tbzep]

These folks have listed Centuri Buck Rogers kits for quite some time (years), but this a about the cheapest I've seen them run on the Marauder kit. About $19.

Not many left and sale ends in a few days apparently.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Centuri-Buck-Rogers-Marauder-Model-Rocket-Out-of-Production-1979-1981-/300965814908?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4612f5e27c


Earl
If Pamela Hensley was included, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[luke strawwalker]

If Pamela Hensley was included, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

(SIGH!)

Me too...

Later! OL JR :)

[Chris_Timm]

There are a few OOP Roachwerks kits on ebay currently.
2 Nike-Hercules, a Scout and a Pershing 1a.

[mojo1986]

There are a few OOP Roachwerks kits on ebay currently.
2 Nike-Hercules, a Scout and a Pershing 1a.

Can you provide a link? I did a search and came up with a single Nike-Hercules kit by a seller who also has an LTV Scout, but I didn't find a Pershing............

Joe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROACHWERKS-1-20-scale-Nike-Hercules-model-rocket-kit-4-x-13mm-/171128388265?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27d80bfaa9

[mojo1986]

Just found the Pershing...........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROACHWERKs-Pershing-1a-BT-60-scale-model-rocket-kit-18mm-C6-3-/171128396743?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27d80c1bc7

[mojo1986]

Earl, great thread! I'm surprised that no one thought to do this before..........

Joe

[sandman]

Here's all of them.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/nar28346/m.html?item=171128388265&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27d80bfaa9&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Just so you guys know, it's not me.

[Chris_Timm]

NAR28346 is me.
I didn't want to sell them but I've got some massive medical bills coming in.
I'll be listing stuff as soon as I can find stuff hidden in all the unmarked storage boxes.

Chris

[sandman]

NAR28346 is me.
I didn't want to sell them but I've got some massive medical bills coming in.
I'll be listing stuff as soon as I can find stuff hidden in all the unmarked storage boxes.

Chris

Yep, welcome to America. The only country in the industrial world where medical care is for the wealthy.

[Earl]

Earl, great thread! I'm surprised that no one thought to do this before..........

Joe

Laughing at some of the ebay silliness of the other thread is good entertainment at times, but we all know that there CAN be some good things listed as well.

I'm sure each of us have stories of prized items we've picked up over the years and in some cases, most of us have gotten a GREAT deal from time to time when we stumble across something no one else has seen yet.

Primarily though I thought it would be good to have an avenue where folks could pass on leads about on-going auctions that others might find of interest. Also, I hope that in those events where someone happens to pick up that complete MMI starter set for $15, they'll take the time to share their 'victories' here if for no other reason than to make the rest of us downright sick with envy! ;)

Earl

[Earl]

Many have probably seen similar knife sets at their local discount hardware stores or Big Lots type store, but this seemed like one of the better prices I've seen for one of these three-knife sets with multiple blades. Little more than $5, with free shipping.

I bought a set just like this a number of years ago and still use a couple of the knives to this day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-16pc-Hobby-Knife-Set-w-Deluxe-Storage-Case-813PK/280751012092?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D1459140101748991229%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D390661271624%26


Earl

[mojo1986]

Many have probably seen similar knife sets at their local discount hardware stores or Big Lots type store, but this seemed like one of the better prices I've seen for one of these three-knife sets with multiple blades. Little more than $5, with free shipping.

I bought a set just like this a number of years ago and still use a couple of the knives to this day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-16pc-Hobby-Knife-Set-w-Deluxe-Storage-Case-813PK/280751012092?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D1459140101748991229%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D390661271624%26


Earl

Yes, but if you live in Canada, shipping is $9.99. At least he ships to Canada, though. A lot of sellers won't.

[sandman]

If you have a Harbor Freight near by this is a better deal.

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-precision-knife-set-32099.html

[Ltvscout]

If you have a Harbor Freight near by this is a better deal.

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-precision-knife-set-32099.html
The link Earl gave on eBay appears to have an all metal handle, including the piece that tightens the blade. The link you gave the handles have a plastic piece that holds/tightens the blade. Read all the one star reviews for the HF brand kit.

[luke strawwalker]

Many have probably seen similar knife sets at their local discount hardware stores or Big Lots type store, but this seemed like one of the better prices I've seen for one of these three-knife sets with multiple blades. Little more than $5, with free shipping.

I bought a set just like this a number of years ago and still use a couple of the knives to this day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-16pc-Hobby-Knife-Set-w-Deluxe-Storage-Case-813PK/280751012092?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D1459140101748991229%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D390661271624%26


Earl

So long as they have metal collets, then I think those are some good ones... I've bought a set of hobby knives from Harbor Freight when I started rocketry again years ago... the cheapy ones with plastic collets to hold the blades-- not worth a darn... they'll last maybe one or two blades, IF you don't do any heavy cutting, and then the collets will get so they won't hold a blade tightly, and you can't keep the locking barrel (the part you twist to tighten the blade) simply won't stay tight and won't hold...

Don't waste your money on cheap knives with plastic collets-- save your money and put a little with it and buy a couple good handles...

Later! OL JR :)

[Brent]

Here's all of them.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/nar28346/m.html?item=171128388265&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27d80bfaa9&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Just so you guys know, it's not me.


I won the bid on the 4/18mm Nike Hercules. I think I did alright . No telling when Gordon will be able to do anymore. I had the 4/24 Nike Hercules and it suffered a very bad flight due to some D motors with an overzealous ejection charge . Should have saved it and rebuilt it but at the time I was mad (LOL).

[sandman]

I won the bid on the 4/18mm Nike Hercules. I think I did alright . No telling when Gordon will be able to do anymore. I had the 4/24 Nike Hercules and it suffered a very bad flight due to some D motors with an overzealous ejection charge . Should have saved it and rebuilt it but at the time I was mad (LOL).

My supplier of parts has basically dried up so it may be a while before I can make any more but I sholud have enough parts to help you rebuild yours.

Just let me know what you need.

I KNOW I have decals. :cool:

[sandman]

I've been looking at old tools on Ebay and this just came up.

This is just so cool! if you need a scroll saw this is about the coolest I've ever seen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350876883275?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

OK, maybe not that practical but ya gotta admit, it is cool. ;)

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

I've been looking at old tools on Ebay and this just came up.

This is just so cool! if you need a scroll saw this is about the coolest I've ever seen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350876883275?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

OK, maybe not that practical but ya gotta admit, it is cool. ;)
Someone likes it. $331 on 8 bids. :cool:

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-Wizard-Model-Rocket-Kits/261288973853?_trksid=p2047675.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D13%26meid%3D1504456196800833987%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D1014%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D261280737991%26#ht_26wt_1330

I bought four of these last week and he messaged me to tell me that he still had 30-35 of them left, along with a bunch of old motors.

"Dear wallyum,


I still have about 30-35 of these left. Also have a bunch of the motors but they are old and I don't have ignition system to test. If you and your buddies want some or all, let me know. I'll put up whatever number you want. I understand the nostalgia. I flew rockets and airplanes as a kid too. Thanks.

Kevin."

He's in San Francisco, so the motor thing isn't "convenient" to me in Kentucky. If anyone wants to get in touch with him, let me know and I'll give him your contact info.

[Earl]

This would keep one supplied with chutes for a while......100 sixteen inch plastic chutes for $20. Similar to Centuri/Estes type printed plastic chutes that have to be cut from sheet plastic. Yellow and black printed pattern. Lister says he has 3000 of them, so if you need more than 100....

The listing is not clear on whether this includes shroud lines or tape discs......I have sent a question to that effect to the lister.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-X-MODEL-ROCKET-16-COLORFUL-RECOVERY-PARACHUTES-READY-FOR-CUT-OUT/161113959257?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D1523488606672644617%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281174511303%26


Earl

[Earl]

Here's the reply on the chutes mentioned above:


=========================
Hi Earl.
NO lines or dots to attach, just the actual plastic
Bob
=========================



Earl

[jadebox]

Speaking of eBay deals ...

I created a "Rocketry Deals Finder (http://www.rocketreviews.com/deals.html) " at RocketReviews.com. It's not perfect, but it can help you discover some good deals at eBay that you might otherwise miss.

For vintage kits, it compares the current bid or "Buy It Now" price to a resonable price based on the "mean price" quoted at Gerry Fortin's Estes Model Rocket Kit Collecting Site. The results are sorted by the discount.

I have to manually add search criteria for vintage kits, so if there's any you would like to see added, please contact me through the Contact Us link (http://www.rocketreviews.com/send-feedback.html) at RocketReviews.com.

The Deals Finder is sometimes fooled by listings for incomplete kits or decals or whatever, but I'm continually fine-tuning it to work better.

-- Roger

[Earl]

Louie is at it again....

Probably would have a hard time finding a better deal on these Estes Scramblers, the three-engine clustered kit. This one appears to be latter 70s packaging, but a good deal at $45 in mint condition. Seven left as of right now.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Astron-Scrambler-1237-K-37-Sealed-/271290882649?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f2a325a59


Earl

[Brent]

Louie is at it again....

Probably would have a hard time finding a better deal on these Estes Scramblers, the three-engine clustered kit. This one appears to be latter 70s packaging, but a good deal at $45 in mint condition. Seven left as of right now.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Astron-Scrambler-1237-K-37-Sealed-/271290882649?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f2a325a59


Earl


Those went quick.

[Earl]

Those went quick.

Yeah, I didn't think they'd last too long. Hopefully, a YORFer or two was able to grab one before they were all taken.

Louie has other vintage Estes kits of varying interest listed on ebay, and in general he has raised his prices somewhat on his vintage stuff. But, occasionally he still pulls out a gem or two in quantities of 8 or 10 at fantastic prices. Not sure where all these vintage kits have been stored all these years, but he apparently has had a ton of old stock to pull from the past 10 to 12 months or so. I've sent an email or two to him to try to find a bit more about his 'stock', but he has never answered one yet. Good service though and fairly fast shipping.


Earl

[mojo1986]

He still has 1 Avenger ($55), 3 Sky Hooks ($30) and 4 Cherokee-D's ($50).

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=271290882649&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f2a325a59&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[PaulK]

He still has 1 Avenger ($55), 3 Sky Hooks ($30) and 4 Cherokee-D's ($50).

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=271290882649&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f2a325a59&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562He's down to 1 Cherokee-D. Thanks! :D

[mojo1986]

His Avenger and Cherokees are all gone. The 3 Sky Hooks are still available at $30 each. Not a bad deal either, considering that it's a collectible kit, sealed and in early 70's packaging.

Joe

[Earl]

His Avenger and Cherokees are all gone. The 3 Sky Hooks are still available at $30 each. Not a bad deal either, considering that it's a collectible kit, sealed and in early 70's packaging.

Joe


Yes, those Sky Hooks have been listed for a pretty good while and just aren't moving much for him. The open package Big Bertha's have also been there for a while, but he finally dropped the price $5 on those. Still no movement on them much. The Scouts have finally begun to sell some here in the past few days. And he is really going to have to drop the price on those bent package Alpha III's to move them out.

I still wish he'd answer some of the questions I've sent him on just how extensive his stock is and where it all came from and.....does he have any Centuri stuff to sell! He's just playing close to the vest at this point I guess.

Earl

[mojo1986]

Don't know if this qualifies as a 'deal' exactly, but you don't see these very often..........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/centuri-egg-crate-model-rocket-not-estes-vintage-mint-in-package-kit-/321223501877?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4aca69a835

[Earl]

Don't know if this qualifies as a 'deal' exactly, but you don't see these very often..........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/centuri-egg-crate-model-rocket-not-estes-vintage-mint-in-package-kit-/321223501877?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4aca69a835


You're right....that one does not come up too very often at all. Last night after it was listed it quickly jumped from it's original listing open price of $.99 cents to over $100 in no time at all. The kit was offered by Centuri only one year in their 1971 catalog. I don't suspect the number of surviving kits is all that high, comparatively speaking.

In my seven years or so of ebay rocketry purusing, I've seen this one come up only a few times and I've only been successful in snagging one. I suspect this one could go for the $250 to $300 range.

The same eBay lister also has a few interesting older Estes kits (Ranger, Sandhawk) as well as an old wooden Tilt a Pad still bagged.

Earl

[chadrog]

Good deal on starter sets here, if anyone is in need. Fair shipping as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1469-Tandem-X-Launch-Set-E2X-Model-Rocket-New-/290993833566?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item43c095865e

[Earl]

Not so much a deal as an interesting set of listings. The link below is to one of 5-6 vintage Centuri catalogs going back to '66.

The 'interesting' part is that in the description of each it states "From Semroc private collection". The seller has a Wendell, NC address.

Anyone know who this might be?

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centuri-model-rocket-catalog-1966-/281186104176?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4177ff7370

[Les]

Not sure. I saw something about this posted on Facebook as well

[Ltvscout]

Not so much a deal as an interesting set of listings. The link below is to one of 5-6 vintage Centuri catalogs going back to '66.

The 'interesting' part is that in the description of each it states "From Semroc private collection". The seller has a Wendell, NC address.

Anyone know who this might be?

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centuri-model-rocket-catalog-1966-/281186104176?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4177ff7370
That is Bruce at Semroc selling those catalogs. I'm not sure why he's using his other businesses store vs creating a Semroc store to sell that stuff though. Maybe Carl created a Semroc store on eBay already but didn't record the password anywhere?

[Earl]

You're right....that one does not come up too very often at all. Last night after it was listed it quickly jumped from it's original listing open price of $.99 cents to over $100 in no time at all. The kit was offered by Centuri only one year in their 1971 catalog. I don't suspect the number of surviving kits is all that high, comparatively speaking.

In my seven years or so of ebay rocketry purusing, I've seen this one come up only a few times and I've only been successful in snagging one. I suspect this one could go for the $250 to $300 range.

The same eBay lister also has a few interesting older Estes kits (Ranger, Sandhawk) as well as an old wooden Tilt a Pad still bagged.

Earl

Looks like I underguessed on this Centuri Eggcrate auction. Final price was $462.

Earl

[Scott6060842]

This seller has (had) some decent prices.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/meierm01/m.html?item=131021711700&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1e8180a954&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

I picked up a sealed Nike-X for $24.95 plus a fair shipping rate.

[mojo1986]

I really like those MRC Concept II kits (good value)...........he has a Standard ARM for $24.95.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCARCE-Vintage-70s-Estes-Flying-Model-Rocket-NASA-Mars-Lander-Parachute-Recovery-/261307393249?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3cd72264e1

I hate to pass this up, but I'm a little short at the moment. You guys feel free to crank the bidding up. :rolleyes:

[Earl]

Not so much a 'deal' per se, but certainly an interesting lot of 'stuff'. I see some Estes, Centuri, CMR, FSI, and some MPC stuff in this pile.

Also, two Cineroc boxes, though the lister says "one good camera". Not sure if that means one box is completely empty or contains a damaged camera, etc.

Anyway......at the very least will be interesting to see what attention this listing gets, but if you are in the market for a lot of vintage tubes and nosecones, this grouping may be of interest.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/261338413609?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

Oh: And one box marked "Ace" down the side. Wonder what that could be?

[Jimid123]

Not so much a 'deal' per se, but certainly an interesting lot of 'stuff'. I see some Estes, Centuri, CMR, FSI, and some MPC stuff in this pile.

Also, two Cineroc boxes, though the lister says "one good camera". Not sure if that means one box is completely empty or contains a damaged camera, etc.

Anyway......at the very least will be interesting to see what attention this listing gets, but if you are in the market for a lot of vintage tubes and nosecones, this grouping may be of interest.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/261338413609?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

Oh: And one box marked "Ace" down the side. Wonder what that could be?


Hi Earl, Here is one you might like. I know you are a big fan of Centuri I am also. This was listed last week Nov. 20. I just happened to be checking on anything new on the auction and when I call up the page this popped up on the top. The box has no wrap as he states. He had a Buy it now at $89.95 I read it fast than hit on it and pay for it right then. I'm waiting for it to arrive. He states it was sent out on Nov 21. Here is the ebay item number if you like to check it out

200990896006

You Take Care, Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

Jimi

[mojo1986]

Hi Earl, Here is one you might like. I know you are a big fan of Centuri I am also. This was listed last week Nov. 20. I just happened to be checking on anything new on the auction and when I call up the page this popped up on the top. The box has no wrap as he states. He had a Buy it now at $89.95 I read it fast than hit on it and pay for it right then. I'm waiting for it to arrive. He states it was sent out on Nov 21. Here is the ebay item number if you like to check it out

200990896006

You Take Care, Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

Jimi

Nice snag, Jimi! Lucky you!

Joe

[Brent]

Hi Earl, Here is one you might like. I know you are a big fan of Centuri I am also. This was listed last week Nov. 20. I just happened to be checking on anything new on the auction and when I call up the page this popped up on the top. The box has no wrap as he states. He had a Buy it now at $89.95 I read it fast than hit on it and pay for it right then. I'm waiting for it to arrive. He states it was sent out on Nov 21. Here is the ebay item number if you like to check it out

200990896006

You Take Care, Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

Jimi

It looks like you got quite a deal. I am never that lucky.

[Earl]

Hi Earl, Here is one you might like. I know you are a big fan of Centuri I am also. This was listed last week Nov. 20. I just happened to be checking on anything new on the auction and when I call up the page this popped up on the top. The box has no wrap as he states. He had a Buy it now at $89.95 I read it fast than hit on it and pay for it right then. I'm waiting for it to arrive. He states it was sent out on Nov 21. Here is the ebay item number if you like to check it out

200990896006

You Take Care, Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

Jimi

Wow, great deal Jimi! No doubt that one would not have lasted long. Good you checked in when you did.

I got a Centuri Saturn V last week under very similar circumstances for $79. Pretty good deal, but not quite as great a snag as the Little Joe II.

Ya know, you could probably double your money with that Little Joe here on YORF. Heck, bet you could stretch it all the way to an even $200! ;)

Earl

[Earl]

This one may not last long, but here it is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aerotech-RMS-lot-of-22-Motors-/131077779126?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1e84d82eb6


22 reloads for $150. Not too bad.


Earl

[Brent]

This one may not last long, but here it is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aerotech-RMS-lot-of-22-Motors-/131077779126?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1e84d82eb6


22 reloads for $150. Not too bad.


Earl

That was a heck of a deal. If only I would not have fell asleep on the couch last night.

[Earl]

If you missed them when out in '77, here's a chance to get them at a fairly decent price at essentially $25 apiece.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKETS-FACTORY-SEALED-/171202588637?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27dc782fdd


I picked up these two kits from this seller several months ago and they were in brand new shape. They had a bunch of them they were selling. I never got them back when Estes first issued them myself.


Earl

[tbzep]

If you missed them when out in '77, here's a chance to get them at a fairly decent price at essentially $25 apiece.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKETS-FACTORY-SEALED-/171202588637?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27dc782fdd


I picked up these two kits from this seller several months ago and they were in brand new shape. They had a bunch of them they were selling. I never got them back when Estes first issued them myself.


Earl
I've bought these two kits from Brady also. He's a top notch eBay seller. I did get an X-Wing back in the 70's, but like you, I didn't get R2 or the Tie.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

If you missed them when out in '77, here's a chance to get them at a fairly decent price at essentially $25 apiece.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKETS-FACTORY-SEALED-/171202588637?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27dc782fdd


I picked up these two kits from this seller several months ago and they were in brand new shape. They had a bunch of them they were selling. I never got them back when Estes first issued them myself.


Earl
Oof! If not for my recent rocket orgy via the Estes sale........ :(

[tbzep]

Oof! If not for my recent rocket orgy via the Estes sale........ :(
Go ahead and get 'em. I promise not to tell your wife....

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Go ahead and get 'em. I promise not to tell your wife....
She wouldn't mind. I would. :rolleyes: ;)
And I even got Christmas money from my Mom and Dad. :cool:

[tbzep]

I would.
Go ahead and get them. I won't tell you what you did. :D

[Earl]

In light of the recent build thread announcement by hcmbanjo on an Estes Gyroc, here's a chance to join in the fun at a pretty decent price. Says he has 6 at a price of $22 each.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-Estes-K-24-Gyroc-flying-model-rocket-/231125300348?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item35d024347c


Earl

[Earl]

"Louie" is back with more of his vintage Estes items he posts from time to time. I have bought a number of items from him the past year or more and he has a great reputation.

In general, these prices are not as much of a steal as some of his items have been, but there could be something here of interest.

Can't recall if I've posted it before, but his items were from a hobby shop in the Broken Arrow, OK area that closed around 1980 and the stock has been in storage ever since. He and his wife run a youth home and, as I understand it, this stock of items were given to him by someone who bought the materials out of storage (original owner must have died or unable to pay for storage any longer) and gave them to Louie to use for raising funds for the youth home.

Here's his current list:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=281237956842&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item417b16a8ea&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562


Earl

[jeffyjeep]

I've bought some of his vintage kits before. They're top notch!

[UCBadger]

So if I buy something, I am really helping kids and not just buying more rocketry "Stuff" for me, right? :p

[Earl]

So if I buy something, I am really helping kids and not just buying more rocketry "Stuff" for me, right? :p

Strictly speaking, yes, but is likely to be answer the wife or significant other would find most palatable!

(seriously though, seems he is trying to put the funds towards a very good purpose)


Earl

[Earl]

Let the bidding begin....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Cineroc-Model-Rocket-Movie-Camera-/141158597995?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20ddb5456b


This one is listed as unused. Looks clean.


Earl

[dlazarus6660]

Let the bidding begin....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Cineroc-Model-Rocket-Movie-Camera-/141158597995?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20ddb5456b


This one is listed as unused. Looks clean.


Earl

Yes Clean! Very Clean!
(said in a Beatles accent) :chuckle:

[dlazarus6660]

Up to $60.00 on the first day...Oh boy!

BTW, where do you get film AND where do you get it developed nowadays?

[ghrocketman]

I think you have to cut the film from large spools and have it developed by a specialty developer.
I'm not sure that is a concern though as I highly doubt anyone would attempt to fly it.
If I did, I would gut it and set up the innards with a "Pen-Cam".

[Earl]

Here's a good deal on a vintage copy of THE Mechanix Illustrated magazine that was instrumental in getting the Carlisle Rock-A-Chute into the limelight and G. Harry (along with Orville) eventually into the model rocket business.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Model-Rocket-Cover-Art-Article-Father-Son-1957-LOOK-/201015549365?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2ecd75ddb5



At $5, hard to find it cheaper.

Earl

[Earl]

Well, speaking of the roots of model rocketry.....

An original MMI starter set......long box with original one piece launch rod!

First time I have EVER seen this particular kit on eBay. Expect some major bucks to be thrown at this one. And yep, bidder #1 is your's truly....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181297568951


Good luck to all who join the 'fight' for THIS one!


Earl

[Chas Russell]

Wow, just W-O-W!!! Can't afford to bid on it, but it was nice to at least be able to save the thumbnail pictures.

Good fortune on your sale.

Chas

[Earl]

Wow, just W-O-W!!! Can't afford to bid on it, but it was nice to at least be able to save the thumbnail pictures.

Good fortune on your sale.

Chas

Yep, I was pretty 'rattled' when I came across the listing!

Oh, and just to clarify, none of the items I list in this thread belong to me.....they are just various listings I come across on eBay that I think might be of interest to forum readers.

Bidding already north of $150, but I suspect that is only a fraction of what this set will finally sell for.


Earl

[Earl]

I sent a message to the ebay lister of the MMI kit to see what kind of historical background/ownership on this particular item they could provide. Here's the info they provided:


"In 1957 when the Russians launched Sputnik, a man in Lawton Oklahoma became obsessed with space. He started buying space themed toys, kits, t-shirts and anything else he could find and afford. He continued buying through the 1970’s.
In the late 1980’s his house was so filled with “stuff” that his brothers started pushing him to sell his collection.
He cataloged the collection as he purchased things. Typewritten, it was about 12 pages long.
When my husband became aware of the collection for sale, he made an appointment and drove to Lawton. By that time, the young man was an old man and decided that each individual item should be valued. It took my husband over 4 years to purchase the collection. And after purchase, he sold the majority of the collection and then about 20 years ago put the remainder in storage. We are just now coming across some of the items that were stored.
I appreciate your interest. I've had to do a lot of research and preparation in getting this rocket ready to send off. Good luck in your bidding."

------------------


Truly, it would be hard to imagine many of these original kits left anywhere.

Earl

[Gus]

Well, speaking of the roots of model rocketry.....

An original MMI starter set......long box with original one piece launch rod!


The kit on Ebay looks a little less complete than the one I photographed and posted a thread about here. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=7334)

Only 3 motors, no motor box, no motor box contents like the parachute protectors. Decals and MMI brochure appear to be missing. Nosecone photos are not very clear but nosecone looks somewhat balsa-like, which would be a replacement cone. Not sure what the silvery item around the nosecone tip is. Nothing like that in the kit I photographed. Blast deflector is quite rusted.

Anyone have any idea what the differences were between the 001-A and 001-B kits?

Steve

[mojo1986]

The kit on Ebay looks a little less complete than the one I photographed and posted a thread about here. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=7334)

Only 3 motors, no motor box, no motor box contents like the parachute protectors. Decals and MMI brochure appear to be missing. Nosecone photos are not very clear but nosecone looks somewhat balsa-like, which would be a replacement cone. Not sure what the silvery item around the nosecone tip is. Nothing like that in the kit I photographed. Blast deflector is quite rusted.

Anyone have any idea what the differences were between the 001-A and 001-B kits?

Steve

Steve, what is the red thing right below the tip of your nose cone in one of your photos? Your nose cone appears to be silver-pigmented vinyl (it's got that good old vinyl 'bend').

Joe

[Gus]

Steve, what is the red thing right below the tip of your nose cone in one of your photos? Your nose cone appears to be silver-pigmented vinyl (it's got that good old vinyl 'bend').

JoeThe red item was the plastic motor mount. If you look at the photo of the instructions on the old thread it shows where it goes.

I contacted the seller of the kit on ebay and the nosecone in this kit is wood, which is very interesting. I initially thought this must be a replacement, because the later MMI Arcon kit used the same vinyl cone as the Aerobee, and the vinyl cones were then sold in the early Estes catalogs. But in looking at the instructions with this kit, the instructions clearly changed between the 001-A and 001-B kit, and the instructions with this kit show a screw eye being inserted into the base of a solid nosecone (presumably wood). The metal seen at the top of the nosecone appears to be the revised motor mount. Very, very interesting.

Steve

[Earl]

The kit on Ebay looks a little less complete than the one I photographed and posted a thread about here. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=7334)

Only 3 motors, no motor box, no motor box contents like the parachute protectors. Decals and MMI brochure appear to be missing. Nosecone photos are not very clear but nosecone looks somewhat balsa-like, which would be a replacement cone. Not sure what the silvery item around the nosecone tip is. Nothing like that in the kit I photographed. Blast deflector is quite rusted.

Anyone have any idea what the differences were between the 001-A and 001-B kits?

Steve

It seems like one of the differences was three motors instead of the six that I think came with the 001-A kit.

There appears to be one packet of stuff in there with at least the ignitors in it.....may be some other things too such as decals, etc.

Earl

[pterodactyl]

The listing seems to have been taken down. Any ideas why?

[luke strawwalker]

The listing seems to have been taken down. Any ideas why?

Probably because it contains motors... that's against Fleabay rules...

Guess the "shipping cops" got to them (though in this case the listing said they had the proper authorizations to ship, but the buyer wouldn't be authorized to ship back, hence "no returns" on the sale to keep everything legal from a shipping perspective...

Later! OL JR :)

[mojo1986]

The listing seems to have been taken down. Any ideas why?

Any bets on whether the kit gets relisted without the motors? I have a hunch that the seller took the listing down because of a lucrative offer from a buyer.

[Earl]

Any bets on whether the kit gets relisted without the motors? I have a hunch that the seller took the listing down because of a lucrative offer from a buyer.

I too was afraid it had been pulled because the seller had received an offer they 'couldn't refuse'. I contacted the seller last night and I just read their response moments ago: pulled by ebay because of the motors.

They will be relisting the item without motors soon. They said they had gotten a LOT of interest in the item. Yeah, I imagine....

Earl

[Earl]

It's back...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-NOS-MMI-AEROBEE-HI-ROCK-A-CHUTE-KIT-001-B-W-BOX-NR-/181298808486?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a364046a6&autorefresh=true


Bidding above $175 already.


Earl

[mojo1986]

I'm happy to see that it wasn't a 'private deal' but rather Ebay that accounted for the original listing being pulled. It's a shame that the engines have been removed and are not included.

Joe

[luke strawwalker]

Maybe he'll give the buyer the opportunity to keep it together as it was intended, by paying fair market value for those vintage motors at the same time... Fleabay can't object to that, since it's a separate deal... shouldn't be a problem since he's authorized to ship...

Later! OL JR :)

[JohnNGA]

I can only afford to watch. You know what will happen at the end, someone will come in at the last millisecond with DEEP pockets and win it.

[Earl]

I can only afford to watch. You know what will happen at the end, someone will come in at the last millisecond with DEEP pockets and win it.

Yeah, I suspect most bidders have registered their first bid and are now waiting for 'closing time'. The current high bid of around $227 is pretty low for what this will probably go for in the end. I've bid, but not sure how far I want to go in the end. Would be a nice piece of model rocketry history to own that may never come up again.

Earl

[Earl]

Let the bidding begin....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Cineroc-Model-Rocket-Movie-Camera-/141158597995?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20ddb5456b


This one is listed as unused. Looks clean.


Earl

Well, this Cineroc seller faired pretty well......$407 with 26 bidders. That's quite a bit more than Cinerocs have been going for the past couple years.

Earl

[astronwolf]

Yeah, I suspect most bidders have registered their first bid and are now waiting for 'closing time'. The current high bid of around $227 is pretty low for what this will probably go for in the end.

38 minutes to go, and the MMI kit is only up to $305.

-Wolf

[Earl]

38 minutes to go, and the MMI kit is only up to $305.

-Wolf


$936 winning bid.

Earl

[jeffyjeep]

Whoa, mama!

[Earl]

Whoa, mama!

Yeah, not a bad haul certainly, though I would not have been too terribly surprised at something in the $1200 to $1500 range.


Earl

[jetlag]

What about the guy on ebay that keeps changing his 'handle?'
He is selling upscales of rockets, and he's using the original Estes and Semroc photos to do so.

He recently changed his name from 'thehobbyguru' to '2014_snark' but is selling the same stuff:

He has no seller feedback at all; I keep waiting to see...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261376413262?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261376416115?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231127222231?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231131547584?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261376410890?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

and the best one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUGE-1-32-scale-Saturn-1B-launchable-rocket-KIT-7-feet-high-8-25-diameter-/261376383288?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3cdb3f1938


Anyone know what his deal is? I think 'buyer beware' comes to mind.

Allen

[jharding58]

I concede that scale models are possibly in the public domain, but surely he would need agreement from Semroc in order to release a Tau Zero? Although I do not see that kit on the Semroc site any longer. Does Jay hold the TM or Semroc?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-enlarged-Semroc-Tau-Zero-futuristic-rocket-kit-40-long-2-5-diameter-/261376408439?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3cdb3f7b77

[tbzep]

If the motor nazis would focus their energy on him for five minutes and consistently report him to eBay, he'd be gone forever.

[Gus]

Absolutely a con-artist.

Here is his feedback for his first handle "iambernielomax": http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=iambernielomax&&_trksid=p2047675.l2560&rt=nc&iid=291016369848&sspagename=VIP:feedback&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller

[SEL]

Currently at $0.99 < http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-MPC-Model-Products-Corporation-Delta-Katt-Minirocs-Flying-Model-Rocket-Ki-/231137441299?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item35d0dd7613>




S.

[jetlag]

I wrote him and asked why he changed his handle from 'thehobbyguru' to '2014_snark.'

His response:

"He's my business partner, and I have taken over advertising for the time being.

- 2014_snark"

Now I've asked him whether his handle used to be 'iambernielomax' and highlighted his bad feedback; I've also queried him if he got permission to use several of the images he's showing.
I'm interested in his response, especially based on what he wrote above!

Allen

[Earl]

Folks, I'd like to keep this thread focused on 'good' ebay deals and things of relative collector interest.

I know there is another thread called "Ebay Silliness" and this thread was started as an option AWAY from that thread. It is good to 'flag' these ebay crooks and post the info on YORF, but lets try to do that in the other thread when possible. ;)


Thanks much,

Earl

:)

[Earl]

This lister has a decent array of latter 60s and early 70s vintage Centuri and Estes catalogs......most appear to be in really nice condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CENTURI-1965-MODEL-ROCKET-CATALOG-/181304802513?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a369bbcd1


Several are fairly common years, but overall are probably better condition than you would typically see. The '65 Centuri catalog is not too very common, but it is probably of about average quality.


Earl

[Newbomb Turk]

I just picked up an apparently still shrink-wrapped Alpha starter set, red pad (like), blue launcher (meh) and Alpha with red/black decals (cool). Buy it now for $15, $6 shipping. May have overpaid, but now I won't have to use the black pad that I don't like or the two-finger launch controller.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

I just picked up an apparently still shrink-wrapped Alpha starter set, red pad (like), blue launcher (meh) and Alpha with red/black decals (cool). Buy it now for $15, $6 shipping. May have overpaid, but now I won't have to use the black pad that I don't like or the two-finger launch controller.
Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. :confused: Might even have a MOTOR or two included. :cool:

[Ltvscout]

Might even have a MOTOR or two included. :cool:
Heaven's to murgatroid! Say it ain't so!

[mojo1986]

This lister has a decent array of latter 60s and early 70s vintage Centuri and Estes catalogs......most appear to be in really nice condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CENTURI-1965-MODEL-ROCKET-CATALOG-/181304802513?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a369bbcd1


Several are fairly common years, but overall are probably better condition than you would typically see. The '65 Centuri catalog is not too very common, but it is probably of about average quality.


Earl

Earl, I saw that one, but I don't trust the seller ("There MAY be pencil marks inside".......well for cryin' out loud, is there or isn't there.........you have the catalogs right there!), and besides, there is a reserve on the lot.

Joe

[jharding58]

I think he means that there is a pencil mark on the inside cover, but he is unsure if it is a price. Then again, he does not write with clarity and...pizzazz.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Heaven's to murgatroid! Say it ain't so!
Long time since I heard murgatroid! :D

[Earl]

Earl, I saw that one, but I don't trust the seller ("There MAY be pencil marks inside".......well for cryin' out loud, is there or isn't there.........you have the catalogs right there!), and besides, there is a reserve on the lot.

Joe

Yeah, as jharding58 says he doesn't write with full clarity in his descriptions, but for some of these listings, I try to at least 'bring them to light' so to speak and let interested parties decide for themselves how worthy the item(s) may actually be.

His feedback is only about 38 I think, so yeah a bit of discretion may be in order.


Earl

[Newbomb Turk]

Just got this message about the starter set from the seller:

I'm so sorry. I have bad news. I feel horribly but I was wrapping up your rocket to send to you and I knocked it off the table and it shattered. I obviously cannot send it to you now so I will refund your order and apologize 100 times over. I'm so mad at myself. I hope you can understand. I will give you a full refund right now.

Guess I'll be looking for a refund.

[JohnNGA]

Long time since I heard murgatroid! :D
Exit..stage left

[foamy]

Just got this message about the starter set from the seller:

I'm so sorry. I have bad news. I feel horribly but I was wrapping up your rocket to send to you and I knocked it off the table and it shattered. I obviously cannot send it to you now so I will refund your order and apologize 100 times over. I'm so mad at myself. I hope you can understand. I will give you a full refund right now.

Guess I'll be looking for a refund.
How does one "shatter" a still shrink wrapped starter set? His message fairly drips with insincerity.

[Ltvscout]

Just got this message about the starter set from the seller:

I'm so sorry. I have bad news. I feel horribly but I was wrapping up your rocket to send to you and I knocked it off the table and it shattered. I obviously cannot send it to you now so I will refund your order and apologize 100 times over. I'm so mad at myself. I hope you can understand. I will give you a full refund right now.

Guess I'll be looking for a refund.
Completely bogus. You can't shatter a starter set. Nothing breakable in it. After getting your money back if this was me I'd leave negative feedback.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Just got this message about the starter set from the seller:

I'm so sorry. I have bad news. I feel horribly but I was wrapping up your rocket to send to you and I knocked it off the table and it shattered. I obviously cannot send it to you now so I will refund your order and apologize 100 times over. I'm so mad at myself. I hope you can understand. I will give you a full refund right now.

Guess I'll be looking for a refund.
Translation: "I was really hoping to sell this for enough to buy a new big screen and I think you're stupid enough to buy this BS excuse." :mad:

[Newbomb Turk]

That was pretty much my thought. Not to mention, if she were wrapping it to mail and it fell from the table and "shattered" it doesn't seem like it was ready for shipping.

[jadebox]

The "shatter" problem reminds me of something that did happen to us.

We sold a vintage "still in the original packaging" Centuri kit on eBay for a tidy sum of money. I picked it up to pack it and the plastic bag just disintegrated. All the parts fell out onto the floor.

Gee ... I'd like to have seen the look on my face when that happened! :-)

I don't recall how we resolved it with the buyer. But, we did end up sending it to him. I guess it made his "build it or not" decision a lot easier to make.

-- Roger

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Seldom meaning NEVER in my case. But I did hear of its existence. :cool:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Iron-On-Estes-Aerospace-Club-With-Rare-Achievement-Bars-No-Reserve-/251435009130?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

[kurtschachner]

I used to wear my t-shirt *all* the time when I was a kid. It had to be one of the geekiest things this already geeky kid did.

Achievement bars = money spent with Estes btw ;)

Seldom meaning NEVER in my case. But I did hear of its existence. :cool:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estes-Iron-On-Estes-Aerospace-Club-With-Rare-Achievement-Bars-No-Reserve-/251435009130?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

[PaulK]

I used to wear my t-shirt *all* the time when I was a kid. It had to be one of the geekiest things this already geeky kid did.

Achievement bars = money spent with Estes btw ;)This is a cool listing, haven't seen those bars in a long time. What level did you achieve Kurt? Just up to the green bars for me.

[kurtschachner]

I had them all at one point, my dad seemed willing to spend money on me for rockets to keep me out of trouble.

This is a cool listing, haven't seen those bars in a long time. What level did you achieve Kurt? Just up to the green bars for me.

[dlazarus6660]

What did the color coded bars mean? I don't remember them at all. :confused:

[kurtschachner]

What did the color coded bars mean? I don't remember them at all. :confused:
http://www.oldrocketplans.com/pubs/Estes/EAC/EAC_Information_Sheet.pdf

[CenturiKid]

This is a cool listing, haven't seen those bars in a long time. What level did you achieve Kurt? Just up to the green bars for me.

Paul, notice I never put on my bars on the EAC shirt I sometimes wear to launches. I don't see cardstock clones on the list of achievements... maybe someday I'll actually build a kit and earn my stripes :)

[Earl]

Fairly decent price on a '64 Estes catalog in what looks to be pretty nice shape.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-Model-Rocket-Supplies-Catalog-641-1963-/111267615794?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19e8111432


Probably won't last long....


Earl

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-XACTO-HOBBY-DEN-W-1966-CATALOG-88N-COMPLETE-amp-UNUSED-/171235405409?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
:cool:

[UCBadger]

My gosh......what is $25 from 1966 worth today?

[Jerry Irvine]

My gosh......what is $25 from 1966 worth today?$1.25

cite:
http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

Bid $140

This post actually shows this country's entire problem. The Constitution TRIED to solve it by declaring gold money. That got fixed real fast with the aftermarket income tax and central bank. F government. The constitution tells me so.

[tmacklin]

$1.25


LOL!

[Jerry Irvine]

LOL!In 1966 I put gasoline in my go-kart for IIRC $0.26. Lesser ISP/octane gasoline in the past year or two was $5 here. That's a 19x price increase, or 1923.1%.

A $1 catalog of the same era would be $19.23 today.

This country sucks ass.

I drove my go-kart from my house to the station and to the fields I ran it on. Totally illegal now. SWAT would be called. Probably the feds too. As a minor (age 8) I would be tried as an adult. My behavior was clearly adult-y.

[kurtschachner]

I remember seeing that set in catalogs, I thought it was so cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-XACTO-HOBBY-DEN-W-1966-CATALOG-88N-COMPLETE-amp-UNUSED-/171235405409?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
:cool:

[UCBadger]

Sorry, I guess I asked that question incorrectly. I meant "What would something cost today if it cost $25 in 1966." The inflation calculator says about $180. I would have guessed $250-$300.

[Jimid123]

Fairly decent price on a '64 Estes catalog in what looks to be pretty nice shape.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-Model-Rocket-Supplies-Catalog-641-1963-/111267615794?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19e8111432


Probably won't last long....


Earl


Hi Earl, I'm the one who won this Estes 1964 Catalog. I just received it today in the mail. The Catalog Is in Mint Condition. Very clean, does not look like it was ever look through..

You Take Care, Jimi

[Gus]

This one is really rare. Never offered for sale in the U.S. that I know of. It's being sold by Sandman.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281263494943

[sandman]

This one is really rare. Never offered for sale in the U.S. that I know of. It's being sold by Sandman.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281263494943

I actually picked that one up in England back in 2004 from the Deepsky Rocket Shop vendor booth at an EARS (East Anglican Rocket Society) launch held in Cambridgeshire.

Very very rare!

[Scott6060842]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2654

Louie is taking best offers for what he has left ... I got an X-Ray I wanted at the right price.

[mojo1986]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-XACTO-HOBBY-DEN-W-1966-CATALOG-88N-COMPLETE-amp-UNUSED-/171235405409?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
:cool:

Wow! This went for just $140! I would have thought much, much more!

Joe

[Earl]

Original issue Estes TIE Fighter and R2D2 kits BOTH together for $49.

Look mint and are sealed.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKETS-FACTORY-SEALED-/331131428059?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4d18f89cdb


Earl

[tbzep]

Original issue Estes TIE Fighter and R2D2 kits BOTH together for $49.

Look mint and are sealed.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKETS-FACTORY-SEALED-/331131428059?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4d18f89cdb


Earl
I have bought from this seller. His stuff is mint!

[Earl]

This is the best price I've ever seen on this kit.....shrink wrapped Estes Battlestar Galactic Torpedo for $20.

I think this same seller has listed several of these the past few days, so they may have more than one.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1311-Battlestar-Galactica-laser-torpedo-flying-model-rocket-1978-/141214054408?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20e1037808

[Newbomb Turk]

Gone now. I heard that seller has some great power converters.

[Earl]

Gone now. I heard that seller has some great power converters.
:chuckle:

Could be!

I do think they had several of those kits listed back to back ove the past week or so, all shrink wrapped, so they may list others if they have some more. Or, if you were interested in one you might could drop them a direct contact and check before they even list it on their ebay store.


Earl

[Earl]

....and presto! Another listing from them for the Battlestar Laser Torpedo!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1311-Battlestar-Galactica-laser-torpedo-flying-model-rocket-1978-/141215848654?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20e11ed8ce


Earl

[Earl]

....and presto! Another listing from them for the Battlestar Laser Torpedo!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1311-Battlestar-Galactica-laser-torpedo-flying-model-rocket-1978-/141215848654?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20e11ed8ce


Earl


Well, THAT one sold quick, to be replaced by yet another one.....but the price has gone up to $22 from $20. They must be recognizing that there is a bit of a demand for their stock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1311-Battlestar-Galactica-laser-torpedo-flying-model-rocket-1978-/141216012261?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20e12157e5


Earl

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Well, THAT one sold quick, to be replaced by yet another one.....but the price has gone up to $22 from $20. They must be recognizing that there is a bit of a demand for their stock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-1311-Battlestar-Galactica-laser-torpedo-flying-model-rocket-1978-/141216012261?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20e12157e5


Earl
Ironic, isn't it? :D

[Earl]

Ironic, isn't it? :D

Yeah, gosh, I guess they are in effect getting free exposure and I would assume some takers here from the YORF faithful. But for those so inclined, it is a good price for the kit.

Earl

[Earl]

I don't know how much a 'deal' this will turn out to be, but with this kit currently OOP on the Semroc site (and no idea when it it may return), this may be of some interest to those who might be looking to get this great kit.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEMROC-SATURN-1B-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-1-70-scale-model-/201049191920?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2ecf7735f0

[Newbomb Turk]

I have a BG "Laser" Torpedo from a large number of them offered at once last year, around $20 if memory serves. I really recommend it, as it flies very well. I've had a couple of nose cone strikes with it, though, even with a very long shock cord.

[Earl]

I don't know how much a 'deal' this will turn out to be, but with this kit currently OOP on the Semroc site (and no idea when it it may return), this may be of some interest to those who might be looking to get this great kit.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEMROC-SATURN-1B-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-1-70-scale-model-/201049191920?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2ecf7735f0


Well, the OOP bug is hitting pretty hard on some SEMROC kits already: this 1b is already up to $127 with some time to go.

Unless someone picks up the SEMROC line (and oh I hope they do) this may become the norm for some of the more sought after kits. I had recently gotten into a Centuri Mini Max 'kick' the past few months and had broken down and bought all the SEMROC Mini Max retro-repro kits. Gosh, glad I did now...along with some of the heavy walled tubing stock.

To be honest, I am REALLY bummed about all that has happened to SEMROC the past number of months now...the loss of Carl...so HARD to accept, Bruce's illness and the obvious stress on Sheryl....and now the closing of SEMROC itself. Seems like we've all lost 'family' and I guess that is about the closest analogy I can come up with.

I know that seems petty from the standpoint of being outside the SEMROC family proper.....they have suffered so much the past 10 months or so. All I can say (as so many have said in the various posts) I'm gonna miss them so much...words just really don't suffice.

Earl

[Earl]

Another SEMROC 1b listed. The one above has about a day left at $132 currently.

Here's the link to the latest one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Semroc-Saturn-1B-Flying-Model-Kit-NO-KS-1-/151253585659?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item23376a8efb


Earl

[Scott6060842]

"Louie" is back with more of his vintage Estes items he posts from time to time. I have bought a number of items from him the past year or more and he has a great reputation.

In general, these prices are not as much of a steal as some of his items have been, but there could be something here of interest.

Can't recall if I've posted it before, but his items were from a hobby shop in the Broken Arrow, OK area that closed around 1980 and the stock has been in storage ever since. He and his wife run a youth home and, as I understand it, this stock of items were given to him by someone who bought the materials out of storage (original owner must have died or unable to pay for storage any longer) and gave them to Louie to use for raising funds for the youth home.

Here's his current list:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/2010louie/m.html?item=281237956842&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item417b16a8ea&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562


Earl

I don't know what happened to our good friend Louie .... I hated to do it but I had to file an ebay claim against him. All I can think is something bad happened.

[Ltvscout]

I don't know what happened to our good friend Louie .... I hated to do it but I had to file an ebay claim against him. All I can think is something bad happened.
Don't leave us in suspense. Why did you need to file a claim?

[Scott6060842]

Don't leave us in suspense. Why did you need to file a claim?

I bought an item and did not receive it in almost a month. When you try to contact the seller ebay automatically opens a case. The seller has a certain number of days to respond before ebay requires the case to be escalated to customer service. Then ebay gets involved and gives the seller a certain number of days to respond to them. Ebay refunded my money because Louis did not respond to them.

Once the ball is rolling If you wait to long the money back policy is void.

[Earl]

I don't know what happened to our good friend Louie .... I hated to do it but I had to file an ebay claim against him. All I can think is something bad happened.

I have a couple items outstanding from him too from about a month ago. I contacted him here about a little over a week ago or so and he responded back that he had been out of town on travel but that he would be shipping the items out.

He and his wife run a youth home there in the Oklahoma area and as I recall, these rocketry items had been in storage by a hobby shop owner. The storage units were bought out and these particular contents were donated to Louie (Luis I think it is) to sell and raise money for the home.

Looks like I need to drop him another line again. He still has a few items listed on ebay...a couple launch pads a a kit or two.

He had some great stuff.....very nice condition, and I bought a number of items from him the past year with no problem.

Earl

[Scott6060842]

I'm glad he's OK and all but you really can't wait a month to ship something out. He accepted my best offer. If he was unable to ship for a month he should of sent an email.

[Earl]

I'm glad he's OK and all but you really can't wait a month to ship something out. He accepted my best offer. If he was unable to ship for a month he should of sent an email.

Yes, I agree. He accepted my best offer as well on two kits as well. If he can't do something within a certain window, good business and manners would dictate you let the customer know things might be a little late.

I've sent him another message asking if he is going to ship and when I might expect it, or should I seek a refund.

Earl

[Earl]

First time I've seen a SPEV listed on ebay....not to say that I could have possibly missed seeing one in the past 5-6 years that I've kept decent tabs on ebay listings, especially since my primary targets are Centuri items.

Regardless, here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-K-59-UNITED-STATES-SPEV-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-new-in-package-/321352282761?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ad216b289


Earl

[Earl]

First time I've seen a SPEV listed on ebay....not to say that I could have possibly missed seeing one in the past 5-6 years that I've kept decent tabs on ebay listings, especially since my primary targets are Centuri items.

Regardless, here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-K-59-UNITED-STATES-SPEV-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-new-in-package-/321352282761?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ad216b289


Earl

Well, must indeed not show up too often......already up to $110 in just a few hours.

Earl

[Newbomb Turk]

$217.50 now...

[Earl]

I don't know how much a 'deal' this will turn out to be, but with this kit currently OOP on the Semroc site (and no idea when it it may return), this may be of some interest to those who might be looking to get this great kit.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEMROC-SATURN-1B-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-1-70-scale-model-/201049191920?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2ecf7735f0


Final selling price on this SEMROC Saturn 1b was $178.....about $100 above it's normal offered price when it was being actively sold by SEMROC.

Earl

[Jerry Irvine]

There's a U.S. Rockets Starlight 2.7 original batch (1.0) collectible kit on ebay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271427681589?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[Earl]

I'm glad he's OK and all but you really can't wait a month to ship something out. He accepted my best offer. If he was unable to ship for a month he should of sent an email.

I got my four kits from Luis today after my second email. Are yours still outstanding? If so, let me know and I'll drop him a line and see if I can shake them loose for you (let me know your name and the kits you had ordered).

Earl

[Jerry Irvine]

There's a U.S. Rockets Starlight 2.7 original batch (1.0) collectible kit on ebay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271427681589?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649If it doesn't sell this round the price will be increased. Thanks for the buys on the other kits guys.

Apogee has stock on all their USR line items right now.

[Gus]

I got my four kits from Luis today after my second email. Are yours still outstanding? If so, let me know and I'll drop him a line and see if I can shake them loose for you (let me know your name and the kits you had ordered).

Earl

I'm very disappointed. My kits finally arrived after I received no reply to emails and opened a PayPal case. Roughly half the kits I ordered were either severely damaged, bags completely falling apart, or simply didn't show up at all. Not at all the "mint", "sealed" kits that were advertised. I ordered from Louis before and had no problems, so this was very surprising. I've suggested to him that he needs to refund over half of what I've paid but we'll see where this goes. As I said I'm very surprised and disappointed.

[Earl]

I'm very disappointed. My kits finally arrived after I received no reply to emails and opened a PayPal case. Roughly half the kits I ordered were either severely damaged, bags completely falling apart, or simply didn't show up at all. Not at all the "mint", "sealed" kits that were advertised. I ordered from Louis before and had no problems, so this was very surprising. I've suggested to him that he needs to refund over half of what I've paid but we'll see where this goes. As I said I'm very surprised and disappointed.

Yes, that is surprising. He has generally been very reasonable to work with so hopefully you can reach some accord on what would be fair for those kits. I know some of the later kits he listed the bags were not in quite the good condition of some of the earlier kits, though those were listed as such.

Earl

[Scott6060842]

I got my four kits from Luis today after my second email. Are yours still outstanding? If so, let me know and I'll drop him a line and see if I can shake them loose for you (let me know your name and the kits you had ordered).

Earl

Glad you got your kits. Once I tried to contact Luis through e-bay, they automatically refunded my money when they did not get a response.

It was a rainbow hangtag x-ray. I bought an older x-ray kit (better) since then so I am good. This is one I have never built and I want to build from a vintage kit.

[Earl]

Glad you got your kits. Once I tried to contact Luis through e-bay, they automatically refunded my money when they did not get a response.

It was a rainbow hangtag x-ray. I bought an older x-ray kit (better) since then so I am good. This is one I have never built and I want to build from a vintage kit.

Ok, as long as you are 'square' with things. Glad you were able to get the refund and then actually find what you were looking for elsewhere.

Earl

[Neal Miller]

Yes, that is surprising. He has generally been very reasonable to work with so hopefully you can reach some accord on what would be fair for those kits. I know some of the later kits he listed the bags were not in quite the good condition of some of the earlier kits, though those were listed as such.

Earl

It seams that Louie has sold most of the pristine kits that he started with last Spring.
the first kits he was selling looked like they came right of a sealed case. the Honest John.
Constellation, Wolverine and Patriot that I bought from Louie where all in excellent condition.
I bought perhaps 10-12 Kits from Louie to save as collectibles and was only unhappy with one. that was a Mark II kit that I bought last fall. I had bought the kit to collect but did not receive a kit in the condition that Louie had listed, as I told Louie I have given kits in this shape away as builders. Louie apologized and send a refund and told me keep the kit.
I have bought some of the open Big Bertha kits from Louie scene that time, he was selling
these open kits for a real good price and the kits came with all of the parts to build a Classic
1970's version Big Bertha. I hate to see Louie go but a find like this does not last forever.

THANK YOU LOUIE.

[Earl]

It seams that Louie has sold most of the pristine kits that he started with last Spring.
the first kits he was selling looked like they came right of a sealed case. the Honest John.
Constellation, Wolverine and Patriot that I bought from Louie where all in excellent condition.
I bought perhaps 10-12 Kits from Louie to save as collectibles and was only unhappy with one. that was a Mark II kit that I bought last fall. I had bought the kit to collect but did not receive a kit in the condition that Louie had listed, as I told Louie I have given kits in this shape away as builders. Louie apologized and send a refund and told me keep the kit.
I have bought some of the open Big Bertha kits from Louie scene that time, he was selling
these open kits for a real good price and the kits came with all of the parts to build a Classic
1970's version Big Bertha. I hate to see Louie go but a find like this does not last forever.

THANK YOU LOUIE.

Yes, apparently it was a pretty big stash of hobby shop kits in a storage unit since like 1980 (literally) that were donated to Luis and the youth home that he and his wife run there in Oklahoma. Like you, I got quite a few pristine kits from him at some great prices....$40 for mint Honest Johns, Farsides, LTV Scouts, etc. Got two of each in most cases, which is my collecting 'pattern': one for the collection, one for the build pile.

He did in fact seem to list the best stuff first, as would be normal I guess for anyone trying to sell off stuff like this. He does have a few items still listed.....plastic PortaPads, and some nice old-style wooden Tilta-Pads, though the bags have fallen apart on those. I did get one of the old wooden Tilta-Pads from him because I thought it would be hard to find an unused one anywhere, and though the bag had disintegrated, the pad parts were in great condition.

I'm surprised as many kits that I got were in pristine shape after 34 years or so in a storage unit. Great while it lasted.

Earl

[Earl]

First time I've seen a SPEV listed on ebay....not to say that I could have possibly missed seeing one in the past 5-6 years that I've kept decent tabs on ebay listings, especially since my primary targets are Centuri items.

Regardless, here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTES-K-59-UNITED-STATES-SPEV-FLYING-MODEL-ROCKET-KIT-new-in-package-/321352282761?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ad216b289


Earl

Well, if you've got a vintage SPEV or two in your collection, take heart. This one went for $371. Wow.


Earl

[Earl]

Like the title says......brand new 1977 vintage Estes TIE fighter kits for $14.99.

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKET-BRAND-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-/171276680187?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27e0e2bbfb


Looks like they have four left.


Earl

[SEL]

Like the title says......brand new 1977 vintage Estes TIE fighter kits for $14.99.

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKET-BRAND-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-/171276680187?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27e0e2bbfb


Looks like they have four left.


Earl

And free shipping - I bought one.

S.

[Scott6060842]

Got one for 14.99. Not a bad price on R2-D2's either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKET-BRAND-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-/171276674224?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27e0e2a4b0

Shipping added, not such a good deal now.

[Earl]

Got one for 14.99. Not a bad price on R2-D2's either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-1977-STAR-WARS-R2-D2-1301-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKET-BRAND-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-/171276674224?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27e0e2a4b0

They must have had a whole scad of these vintage Star Wars kits. I bought two of each 4-5 months ago when they were offering the TIE Fighter and R2D2 pair for $49.

And here they are still selling them at equal or better prices. Mint kits too. Must have been a long-stored distributor's stash or such to have this many of just two kits still in such nice shape. Either that or some huge Star Wars fan who just went completely nuts back in the day and bought dozens and dozens of each kit.

At any rate, good deal on some vintage kits.....the Force must be with us! :)

Earl

[mojo1986]

Like the title says......brand new 1977 vintage Estes TIE fighter kits for $14.99.

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-STAR-WARS-TIE-FIGHTER-1299-ESTES-MODEL-ROCKET-BRAND-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-/171276680187?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27e0e2bbfb


Looks like they have four left.


Earl

The trouble with the Star Wars stuff is that all of it was made in such HUGE quantities that IMHO none of it will ever be worth anything as a collectible, which is the reason that the database I kept for so many years and eventually passed on to Gerry Fortin didn't contain a single Star Wars entry.

joe

[Earl]

The trouble with the Star Wars stuff is that all of it was made in such HUGE quantities that IMHO none of it will ever be worth anything as a collectible, which is the reason that the database I kept for so many years and eventually passed on to Gerry Fortin didn't contain a single Star Wars entry.

joe

Yes, it would be interesting to know just what the production numbers were for those kits.....no doubt, as you say, HUGE numbers. At the time, Estes maybe did pretty good on them, though I do recall the original 1977 kits being closed out in the late Fall of 1980.....just three years later. During those closeout sales, I got the Maxi X-Wing and the X-Wing starter outfit with Big Foot launch pad at super cheap prices direct from Estes via mail order. Don't know whether sales had dropped off by then (The Empire Strikes Back had just been released that summer, so one would think the kits would still have had relevance), or possibly their licensing agreement was about ready to expire.....not sure which.

But I agree that these kits will likely never gain much in value. But like a lot of the kits from back in the day (and those many days before these kits came out), I collect now what I was not able to afford back in the day; not so much what may or may not gain in value. I won't ever be selling what I have in the collection bin or the build pile. My heirs, if any, will have that chore. ;)

Earl

[mojo1986]

Yes, it would be interesting to know just what the production numbers were for those kits.....no doubt, as you say, HUGE numbers. At the time, Estes maybe did pretty good on them, though I do recall the original 1977 kits being closed out in the late Fall of 1980.....just three years later. During those closeout sales, I got the Maxi X-Wing and the X-Wing starter outfit with Big Foot launch pad at super cheap prices direct from Estes via mail order. Don't know whether sales had dropped off by then (The Empire Strikes Back had just been released that summer, so one would think the kits would still have had relevance), or possibly their licensing agreement was about ready to expire.....not sure which.

But I agree that these kits will likely never gain much in value. But like a lot of the kits from back in the day (and those many days before these kits came out), I collect now what I was not able to afford back in the day; not so much what may or may not gain in value. I won't ever be selling what I have in the collection bin or the build pile. My heirs, if any, will have that chore. ;)

Earl

Yes, Earl, I'm sure Estes did VERY well on their Star Wars venture. The kits must have been very popular. When they finally let them go cheap three years later, it was probably due to market saturation as much as anything. By the way, you're lucky to be able to afford to give your kits to your heirs...........I already DID (two daughters at university). :(

[Scott6060842]

And free shipping - I bought one.

S.


Well, well, well ...

Dear,

I regret to inform you that this item contained a listing error and free shipping is not part of this auction. Please let me know if you are interested in paying for the necessary shipping costs of $11.34, or if you would like to cancel your transaction.

- atomicblondecollectibles

[jeffyjeep]

That's messed up. As an ebay seller myself, a few times I've accidentally left Free Shipping in a reused listing without catching it before a bid was cast. I felt it was my resonsibility to "eat" the shipping, not the bidder's.

[SEL]

Well, well, well ...

Dear,

I regret to inform you that this item contained a listing error and free shipping is not part of this auction. Please let me know if you are interested in paying for the necessary shipping costs of $11.34, or if you would like to cancel your transaction.

- atomicblondecollectibles


Yeah, I received the same message this morning so I canceled the order. The shipping cost was a bit less then yours , but still...


S.

[the mole]

Anybody know anything about this 1/32 scale Saturn 1B on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Production-reservation-for-Saturn-1B-1-32-scale-rocket-kit-7-ft-high-8-diam-/181358682279?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a39d1e0a7

[Gus]

Anybody know anything about this 1/32 scale Saturn 1B on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Production-reservation-for-Saturn-1B-1-32-scale-rocket-kit-7-ft-high-8-diam-/181358682279?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a39d1e0a7Total Scam artist. Read this thread. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=13668) Same guy, new name, and a couple of new fake items.

[Ltvscout]

Anybody know anything about this 1/32 scale Saturn 1B on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Production-reservation-for-Saturn-1B-1-32-scale-rocket-kit-7-ft-high-8-diam-/181358682279?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item2a39d1e0a7
Bogus vaporware.

Read this thread. It's the same goof:

http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=13668

[Earl]

That's messed up. As an ebay seller myself, a few times I've accidentally left Free Shipping in a reused listing without catching it before a bid was cast. I felt it was my resonsibility to "eat" the shipping, not the bidder's.

I agree with your approach, and that would be the better 'business' way to handle it. Honest mistake on their part probably but that error should not fall on the customer.


Earl

[the mole]

A big thanks to all. I will not give this guy another thought. :chuckle:
Thanks again.

[harsas]

That's messed up. As an ebay seller myself, a few times I've accidentally left Free Shipping in a reused listing without catching it before a bid was cast. I felt it was my resonsibility to "eat" the shipping, not the bidder's.


I agree, and have done the same thing myself. If one makes a mistake it is wrong to lay that mistake off on another.

[jadebox]

Here's another great deal:

http://www.rocketreviews.com/spacex-falcon-9-and-dragon-flying-model-rocket-kit--nasa--collectable--offers.html

Just $89 for a rare collectible SpaceX flying model rocket kit (that you can buy new straight from SpaceX for $29).

-- Roger

[Jerry Irvine]

I put a few Banshee kits up for sale on Ebay. This is one of U.S. Rockets most popular rockets over the years. 2.25" OD 29mm with 24mm conversion and through the wall ply fins. Great rocket and easily modded for dual deploy. It flies great on H640 and I150 as well as D12-3. I suspect about the only thing that would shred it is some of the newer super high thrust and power CTI motors. About a M1.5 speed limit I would say.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271436854019?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

The USR Starlight 2.7 first batch kit with sheet and pattern fins is looking for its final resting place as well. 38mm and 29mm.

Jerry

[jeffyjeep]

Here's another great deal:

http://www.rocketreviews.com/spacex-falcon-9-and-dragon-flying-model-rocket-kit--nasa--collectable--offers.html

Just $89 for a rare collectible SpaceX flying model rocket kit (that you can buy new straight from SpaceX for $29).

-- Roger
I wouldn't want a CURRENT generation F9 kit even if you gave it to me. Unless it's been corrected the pre-printed body tube is (regretfully) too wrinkled, lumpy, and thick -walled. The first generation F9 kit with the peel-n-stick BT wrap was very good.

[BEC]

I couldn't resist - I asked the seller why his kit was worth 3x the cost of the current one (and I send the link to SpaceX's site). His response was "because it's not made in China". I then found the docs on my V2 kit (which is heavy, but flies nicely) and found it was of US origin. After passing that info along he basically stopped responding.....

I don't think he knows which version he has.

Added: now that he's cut the price by $30 he's also posted more images. It is clearly the second version with the thick pre-wrapped body tube. So he's still asking double what it costs to get it directly from SpaceX. Lovely.....

[Earl]

Here's a Centuri Cub Scout 8 pack of rockets like the ones I distributed to YORF members about 2 years ago or so.

Set looks complete with tubes, nosecones, decals, etc.

Earl

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CENTURI-CUB-SCOUTS-OFFICIAL-MODEL-ROCKET-DERBY-8-PAK-MINT-IN-BOX-/281301007990?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item417ed8be76

[Earl]

In the event Matt does not make a mention here, he's listing some hard to get North Coast Rocketry kits, some from the 'Estes years' and some issued prior to that.

Looks like some popular kits so far. Not sure how many there will be, but take a glance while you can....

Link:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/zapmaster/m.html?item=251496548818&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3a8e5cc9d2&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562


Earl

[Ltvscout]

In the event Matt does not make a mention here, he's listing some hard to get North Coast Rocketry kits, some from the 'Estes years' and some issued prior to that.

Looks like some popular kits so far. Not sure how many there will be, but take a glance while you can....

Link:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/zapmaster/m.html?item=251496548818&pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3a8e5cc9d2&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562


Earl
He also has kits from the "new" NCR listed.

[Jerry Irvine]

Speaking of popular kits I have some Banshee's listed which are 2.25" through the wall ply fin rockets ready to mod for dual deploy and fly with 29mm motors of ANY LENGTH or thrust.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271445067492?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Only $35.95 plus $8 flat shipping. Up to three rockets within that shipping charge.

Other rockets here:

http://v-serv.com/usr/instaship-visual.htm

Jerry

[SEL]

Does anyone have more information on this?




< http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIRST-EVER-1948-model-rocket-Boost-Glider-Used-black-powder-motors-lit-w-fuse-/390814250248?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160 >




S.

[Earl]

Does anyone have more information on this?




< http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIRST-EVER-1948-model-rocket-Boost-Glider-Used-black-powder-motors-lit-w-fuse-/390814250248?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160 >




S.

Saw that one the other day....first I've ever seen of one, but have no info on it myself at all. I'd certainly like to hear more about it too, if someone knows.

Earl

[dlazarus6660]

December 1948 Popular Mechanics page 97. No plans, just article.

http://books.google.com/books?id=NtkDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=dec+1948+popular+mechanics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ycxFU7ygHqeC2QWa84GIDA&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dec%201948%20popular%20mechanics&f=false

[DeanHFox]

Based on that cover image, I'm thinking "that young man would have some burns...probably to both hands!".

Of course, I'm not so sure anyone at that time had considered the idea of "electrical ignition of black powder motors at a safe distance". :D

[luke strawwalker]

Based on that cover image, I'm thinking "that young man would have some burns...probably to both hands!".

Of course, I'm not so sure anyone at that time had considered the idea of "electrical ignition of black powder motors at a safe distance". :D

Is that thing Jetex?? Some variant thereof??

Jetex has been around a LONG time... that was the principal difference between jetex and model rocket motors-- jetex burned long and slow, couldn't lift it's own weight (Thrust/weight<1) and relied on wings for lift, model rocket motors had T/W>1, could lift its own weight (and considerable airframe/payload), and was packaged to do different jobs at different times (fast burning powder slug for thrust, slow burning powder slug for delay, loose powder ejection charge), unlike the Jetex pellets that simply burned and produced hot gas for thrust out a nozzle...

Interesting stuff to be sure...

Later! OL JR :)

[Earl]

Here's a Centuri Cub Scout 8 pack of rockets like the ones I distributed to YORF members about 2 years ago or so.

Set looks complete with tubes, nosecones, decals, etc.

Earl

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CENTURI-CUB-SCOUTS-OFFICIAL-MODEL-ROCKET-DERBY-8-PAK-MINT-IN-BOX-/281301007990?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item417ed8be76

Here's another Cub Scout set.....one shrink wrapped box complete and a partial open box. No bids yet....starts at $9.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CUB-SCOUTS-SEALED-MODEL-ROCKET-DERBY-8-PAK-w-extra-parts-kit-/321375071343?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ad3726c6f


Earl

[Scott6060842]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-Scissor-Wing-Transport-NIB-Use-Buy-It-Now-Get-A-Free-Rocket-/201077522309?nma=true&si=dga1piJ9WlJcgdgyp22JsQ0QZ5k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_0wt_0

Woohoo I get a free rocket ... I wonder what it is? :cool:

[mojo1986]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estes-Scissor-Wing-Transport-NIB-Use-Buy-It-Now-Get-A-Free-Rocket-/201077522309?nma=true&si=dga1piJ9WlJcgdgyp22JsQ0QZ5k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_0wt_0

Woohoo I get a free rocket ... I wonder what it is? :cool:

Dunno...........but at $16.99 for both rockets it had to be a pretty good deal. Were you the buyer?

[Scott6060842]

Dunno...........but at $16.99 for both rockets it had to be a pretty good deal. Were you the buyer?

Yes I am the buyer.
I bought one a couple of weeks ago for $40 and before it shipped the seller realized it had a crushed main tube ... so I had him refund my money.
He relisted it with a replacement tube and got $70 :eek:

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centuri-Rocket-vintage-Fireflash-Groovy-Groove-Tube-Apollo-Little-Joe-1975-lot-/221422274100?&_trksid=p2056016.m2516.l5255#ht_198wt_1050

Interesting. Overpriced, but how often do you get the chance to restore a Centuri Little Joe? :cool:

[Earl]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centuri-Rocket-vintage-Fireflash-Groovy-Groove-Tube-Apollo-Little-Joe-1975-lot-/221422274100?&_trksid=p2056016.m2516.l5255#ht_198wt_1050

Interesting. Overpriced, but how often do you get the chance to restore a Centuri Little Joe? :cool:

Yeah, that little ol' Little Joe II doesn't show up on ebay very often at all, either in kit form or built like this one. But yeah, overpriced for sure.

Matter of fact, the larger 1/45th scale Centuri Little Joe II actually shows up on ebay much more frequently than this smaller one. Both turn out great scale rockets. Centuri really put a strong effort to doing scale right back in the day.

Earl

[Gus]

I'm very disappointed. My kits(from 2010Louie) finally arrived after I received no reply to emails and opened a PayPal case. Roughly half the kits I ordered were either severely damaged, bags completely falling apart, or simply didn't show up at all. Not at all the "mint", "sealed" kits that were advertised. I ordered from Louis before and had no problems, so this was very surprising. I've suggested to him that he needs to refund over half of what I've paid but we'll see where this goes. As I said I'm very surprised and disappointed.Update: Louis was very poorly communicative but eventually agreed to refund everything that wasn't as advertised. But then he said he couldn't figure out how to do the refund so I had to file a second case with Paypal. After a lot more hassle I got back a little over half of what I paid, which was what I asked for.

In spite of it all I still tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he's dishonest, just out of his element on eBay and overwhelmed. Bottom line, I got some really nice deals and I wish him and the kids he cares for well. I'm glad what I paid went for a good cause.

Steve

[Ltvscout]

Update: Louis was very poorly communicative but eventually agreed to refund everything that wasn't as advertised. But then he said he couldn't figure out how to do the refund so I had to file a second case with Paypal. After a lot more hassle I got back a little over half of what I paid, which was what I asked for.
How long of an ordeal was this from the time you received the kits till the money was finally back in your account?

[Gus]

How long of an ordeal was this from the time you received the kits till the money was finally back in your account?
Scott,

Original deal (ebay auction close) was 2.5 months ago. It took a little over 5 weeks for the kits to arrive, then another 5 weeks for all the finance stuff to be sorted out.

Steve

[Ltvscout]

Scott,

Original deal (ebay auction close) was 2.5 months ago. It took a little over 5 weeks for the kits to arrive, then another 5 weeks for all the finance stuff to be sorted out.
You're a very patient man. I'd have flipped out about 1.5 to 2 months ago. ;)

[Gus]

You're a very patient man. I'd have flipped out about 1.5 to 2 months ago. ;)Scott,

Thanks. But, like I said, I never got the feeling that Louis was out to cheat me. Initially when things didn't get shipped it was because he was out of town with problems and he sent me a couple of explanatory emails. I only filed the original Paypal claim because I was getting close to the time limit for filing. When the items arrived they were not what he had advertised but he had clearly taken care to individually wrap the open kits so nothing would be lost. My problem was that I thought I was buying new, unopened kits and many of these were far from that.

Initially Louis responded to my emails, and then to Paypal's, but this last go-round was decided in my favor because he never responded to Paypal's last requests for info. My hope is that he wasn't responding out of embarassment, rather than that something is preventing him from responding (like illness).

As surprised as I was at the downturn in Louis's service, I was even more surprised at how helpful Paypal was. I did most of the filing on the phone, talking to actual live human beings at Paypal. They were easy to contact on the phone (using their online "contact us" number) and the three different folks I dealt with were each bright, efficient, and helpful. It was a huge surprise since Paypal (years ago) used to be virtually impossible to contact and hideous to deal with.

Overall, the experience was a hassle but I ended up with a number of nice kits at very reasonable prices, and the money went to a good cause. In dealing with Louis I always felt he was doing something he had limited experience with and was doing the best he could. Kind of like my dad using the computer, LOL. I think that's why I never really got mad at him.

Steve

[Earl]

Scott,

Thanks. But, like I said, I never got the feeling that Louis was out to cheat me. Initially when things didn't get shipped it was because he was out of town with problems and he sent me a couple of explanatory emails. I only filed the original Paypal claim because I was getting close to the time limit for filing. When the items arrived they were not what he had advertised but he had clearly taken care to individually wrap the open kits so nothing would be lost. My problem was that I thought I was buying new, unopened kits and many of these were far from that.

Initially Louis responded to my emails, and then to Paypal's, but this last go-round was decided in my favor because he never responded to Paypal's last requests for info. My hope is that he wasn't responding out of embarassment, rather than that something is preventing him from responding (like illness).

As surprised as I was at the downturn in Louis's service, I was even more surprised at how helpful Paypal was. I did most of the filing on the phone, talking to actual live human beings at Paypal. They were easy to contact on the phone (using their online "contact us" number) and the three different folks I dealt with were each bright, efficient, and helpful. It was a huge surprise since Paypal (years ago) used to be virtually impossible to contact and hideous to deal with.

Overall, the experience was a hassle but I ended up with a number of nice kits at very reasonable prices, and the money went to a good cause. In dealing with Louis I always felt he was doing something he had limited experience with and was doing the best he could. Kind of like my dad using the computer, LOL. I think that's why I never really got mad at him.

Steve

Yes, as commented before, Louis got all these vintage kits as a donation to the kids home from someone who bought out some storage units where they had been in storage for over 30 years. Louis was just trying to sell them (probably his first ebay experience) to raise funds for the home.

As you say Gus, most all his sales went very well and most all the kits offered were in mint shape at some great prices.

It was only at the very end when he was selling what were probably the kits that were not in the best shape from 30 years of storage (brittle plastic bags, etc) that his service got slow. My last order of four kits (two Black Brants and two Cobra 1500s at $30 for each one.....and all in mint shape) took about two months to arrive, but like Gus said, he had been on travel and, I think, dealing with other things. He was always polite and 99% of the time very timely. The wait I had for the final order was no real problem compared to the many, many great kits I was able to get from him at rock bottom prices. And, the money was going to a very good cause.

Earl

[Jerry Irvine]

U.S. Rockets has some stuff on ebay. Notably a stocking dealer has lots of choices:

http://www.nwtrainsntreasure.com/servlet/the-Model-Rockets-cln-U.S.-Rockets/Categories

Needed: 24mm 80F, 120G, 160G

Jerry

[dlazarus6660]

Gentlemen, bottom line this. Will you deal with Louis in the future?

[Earl]

Gentlemen, bottom line this. Will you deal with Louis in the future?

Well, I think the lot of vintage stuff he was selling is about gone. I think he has a couple items left still listed like some vintage Estes wooden Tilt-A-Pads and plastic Port-A-Pads, but that is about it.

I'm pretty sure his eBay venture was strictly to sell those vintage kits that had been donated to the children's home, not as an on-going entrepreneurial effort.

Earl

[Gus]

Gentlemen, bottom line this. Will you deal with Louis in the future?No.

[Earl]

Not sure how much of a final 'deal' this will be, but since these don't come up too often I thought it would be good to post it here.

Actually, the Buy It Now price of $300 is not all that bad historically for this kit.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-CENTURI-LITTLE-JOE-II-MODEL-ROCKET-1-45-SCALE-/221436214224?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338ea07bd0


Earl

[Earl]

Not sure how much of a final 'deal' this will be, but since these don't come up too often I thought it would be good to post it here.

Actually, the Buy It Now price of $300 is not all that bad historically for this kit.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-CENTURI-LITTLE-JOE-II-MODEL-ROCKET-1-45-SCALE-/221436214224?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338ea07bd0


Earl

This is a short-run auction looks like. Down to about 1 hour left with bids at $227. Someone will probably pull the BIN at $300 before the auction officially ends is my guess.

Earl

[mojo1986]

This is a short-run auction looks like. Down to about 1 hour left with bids at $227. Someone will probably pull the BIN at $300 before the auction officially ends is my guess.

Earl

Good call, Earl!

[dcastle]

Good call, Earl!

Snagged it! :-)

[Earl]

Snagged it! :-)

Ah, good! Glad someone here was able to get it. I've got my 'share' of that particular kit and didn't need another. But it was a pretty decent price at $300, especially for that kit.

Earl

[mojo1986]

Louie's back with more rocket kits..............

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTES-VINTAGE-DELTA-STAR-SEALED-1322-/281336468277?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4180f5d335

[Earl]

Louie's back with more rocket kits..............

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTES-VINTAGE-DELTA-STAR-SEALED-1322-/281336468277?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4180f5d335

Noticed that earlier today.....looks like this time he has more plastic hobby (cars, etc.) kits listed as well.

I did get another couple items from him the past few weeks....another of the wooden Estes Tilt-A-Pads and a vintage original style Port-A-Pad for use in launching the Cineroc. He accepted my 'offer' of half of what he had them listed for (good deals on both). Shipping time was decent...didn't burn up the road, but not slow either. Looks like from his current listings that all those vintage pads are gone now. Earlier I had gotten a couple of the vintage Solar Launch Controllers for use with the pads as well.

Doesn't look like he is offering any Buy-It-Now options on anything.

Earl

[UMRS]

Estes NCR Bomarc up for auction.

Bomarc Auction (http://www.ebay.com/itm/351068065702?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649)

[dcastle]

Ah, good! Glad someone here was able to get it. I've got my 'share' of that particular kit and didn't need another. But it was a pretty decent price at $300, especially for that kit.

Earl

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is actually shipped. I hadn't heard anything from the seller so far so I sent a message. I did get a reply that the storage facility where he stores this had a fire and, while it didn't touch his unit at all, the place will be closed for a few days for an arson investigation. He said he could probably ship it in 5 days which is the 21st. I'll be patient for now.

Assuming it comes through and all is well and all the parts are there - it looks like they are from the picture but I can't see the vac formed pieces which are probably in the plastic bag, and I also can't see the command module and escape tower wraps but they are also likely in the bag (and if not, maybe Sandman can come up with an alternative decal) -- well, I'll post a build thread. Never done one before and I figure that a Centuri 1/45th Little Joe would be a good topic :-)

[tbzep]

It's odd that he would take it out of storage to take photos of it and then take it back to the storage facility knowing he'd be shipping it in a day or two. Also, we've never held an arson scene for more than a day, though other cities might. Sounds like he's just making excuses because he doesn't want to make an extra trip to the post office. He's probably waiting until his other items are sold and ready to ship.

[SEL]

< http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Estes-Model-Test-Rocket-Nose-Cone-19-Inches-Tall-9-1-2-in-Diameter/291154075826?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003150253%26meid%3D7152950777870285425%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D20131003150253%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D151305935481 >

[jetlag]

< http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Estes-Model-Test-Rocket-Nose-Cone-19-Inches-Tall-9-1-2-in-Diameter/291154075826?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003150253%26meid%3D7152950777870285425%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D20131003150253%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D151305935481 >


See:

http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=13981

[Earl]

Good price on a Centuri Buck Rogers Laser Lance kit....produced only for a couple years. At $20, about as cheap as I have ever seen. Probably won't last long.

Fearures the Centuri Skylab kit plastic nosecone and some very nice metallic paper type decals. Also has the same fiber fins from the Centuri Arrow 300 three satge kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-CENTURI-BUCK-ROGERS-LASER-LANCE-Flying-Model-Rocket-Kit-Mint-Sealed-/111371854877?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19ee47a41d


Earl

P.S. - Successful discectomy (disc herniation) surgery on May 22... I get my staples out tomorrow! :) Still a ways to go in my overall recovery, but severe pain down right leg from herniated disc is GREATLY reduced. Still have numbness in right foot, but it could be weeks or months (or never) before that resolves. Be glad to be able to drive again. Neurosurgeon worked miracles in my book.

[mojo1986]

Good price on a Centuri Buck Rogers Laser Lance kit....produced only for a couple years. At $20, about as cheap as I have ever seen. Probably won't last long.

Fearures the Centuri Skylab kit plastic nosecone and some very nice metallic paper type decals. Also has the same fiber fins from the Centuri Arrow 300 three satge kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-CENTURI-BUCK-ROGERS-LASER-LANCE-Flying-Model-Rocket-Kit-Mint-Sealed-/111371854877?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19ee47a41d


Earl

P.S. - Successful discectomy (disc herniation) surgery on May 22... I get my staples out tomorrow! :) Still a ways to go in my overall recovery, but severe pain down right leg from herniated disc is GREATLY reduced. Still have numbness in right foot, but it could be weeks or months (or never) before that resolves. Be glad to be able to drive again. Neurosurgeon worked miracles in my book.

Hey, Earl...........that's great news! Hope your recovery is swift and complete!

Joe

[dcastle]

It's odd that he would take it out of storage to take photos of it and then take it back to the storage facility knowing he'd be shipping it in a day or two. Also, we've never held an arson scene for more than a day, though other cities might. Sounds like he's just making excuses because he doesn't want to make an extra trip to the post office. He's probably waiting until his other items are sold and ready to ship.


Sad to say, it looks like I won't posting a build thread on the Centuri Little Joe that I bought on ebay. I was pretty patient with the seller; first he said he had to go get it from his storage unit but there would be a delay because of a fire. Nothing heard for a while so I messaged him...no response. Then I opened a case with ebay, made it clear I definitely prefer the kit to a refund. He responded quickly, said now that the fire damaged his unit and the LJ kit was unusable. But his brother in NY had one and he'd be back to me in a few days to let me know. Those days go by...nothing. In the meantime I see that he's still selling kits and odds and ends on ebay.

I check the internet for news of storage unit fires in Oberlin, Ohio...nothing. Perhaps he is storing things in a different area from where he lists as his location.

I message him again...then a second time. No response. So, today, 40 days after the sale and my same day payment, I escalated the case with ebay. It took them all of a couple hours to decide in my favor and the $315 was immediately refunded to my paypal account.

I'd rather have the kit, I was really looking forward to that one but enough is enough. Of course if it turns out he shipped it without a notification to me and it shows up, I'll pay him the refunded money. I doubt it though.

Still looking for the Centuri Little Joe though...ideally one that's opened or perhaps has a dinged box so that there's no reason not to build it.

[tbzep]

Dang. :(

Hopefully another will surface soon.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

P.S. - Successful discectomy (disc herniation) surgery on May 22... I get my staples out tomorrow! :) Still a ways to go in my overall recovery, but severe pain down right leg from herniated disc is GREATLY reduced. Still have numbness in right foot, but it could be weeks or months (or never) before that resolves. Be glad to be able to drive again. Neurosurgeon worked miracles in my book.
:cool:

[ghrocketman]

So what is the user ID of this ebay ripoff-artist so we can avoid ?

[dcastle]

So what is the user ID of this ebay ripoff-artist so we can avoid ?


THe seller's user name is "f4wayne". He has sold a large number of vintage kits with positive feedback but some comments about slow delivery times. I hated going for a refund on this because I was giving him the benefit of the doubt plus he'd communicated with me at first but after a while I guess there's not much else you can do.

Here's the original listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-CENTURI-LITTLE-JOE-II-MODEL-ROCKET-1-45-SCALE-/221436214224?nma=true&si=%252F7CH2G3jZ7E7VfcF%252BwRiZFX4ndA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[dcastle]

My hunch is that he was holding it for as long as he could in hopes he could get more for it locally with some other buyer since I bought it for his buy it now price.

[tbzep]

He's relisted it already....and ended early because of an "error".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221471055801&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:US:1123

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

What a tool. :mad:

[Earl]

My hunch is that he was holding it for as long as he could in hopes he could get more for it locally with some other buyer since I bought it for his buy it now price.

Dan-

Sorry you had the runaround with this guy on a kit that you had understandably high hopes for. It is a nice kit and I plan to build one of mine hopefully sometime later this year.

Take heart though: these come up on eBay a couple times a year or so, and I do my best to post the listings I find for them in this thread so interested buyers can take note of them. The $315 price you paid was a good price for this kit. I'd say anything $350 or under is a good price for this kit, though some who are not Centuri/Little Joe II collectors might blanch a bit at paying a figure like that for ANY kit.

I got one for an even $300 through a private sale and my second for about $325 Buy It Now on an ebay listing 5-6 years ago about five minutes after it was listed (just happened to be looking at ebay at the right time) before anyone else saw it. It was complete and mint and featured the original balsa bulkheads for the main motor tube....they were switched to a laminated cardboard/foam core like the Centuri Saturn V kit at some point in the very early 70s.....maybe around '71 or so so. The first Little Joe II I got has the newer foam core bulkheads and that will be my 'builder' kit.

Invaribly however, another will come up and you'll get another chance. Hang in there!

Earl

[Earl]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Earl
P.S. - Successful discectomy (disc herniation) surgery on May 22... I get my staples out tomorrow! Still a ways to go in my overall recovery, but severe pain down right leg from herniated disc is GREATLY reduced. Still have numbness in right foot, but it could be weeks or months (or never) before that resolves. Be glad to be able to drive again. Neurosurgeon worked miracles in my book.
:cool:

Good to be back in recovery mode. Doc said the herniation was one of the worst he'd seen in 20 years. Said he pulled all kinds of material out of my spinal column during the surgery. Getting my walking up to close to two miles a day now. Before surgery, with the pain down my right leg, I had a terrible limp and couldn't walk 30 yards without having to stop and sit down. Still some random residual pain here and there, but Doc says that's normal as the nerves in the spine decompress, heal, and settle down. Still holding out hope the numbness in the foot will go away, but could be a considerably wait on that. Being largely pain free has been a wonderful improvement all it's own.

Earl

[ghrocketman]

This seller must be a total POS.

I don't think I would ever pay anywhere near even $300 for this kit.
They made tons of these 1/45 LJII's and the price is artificially high in my opinion.
About the ONLY vintage kit I would pay anywhere near $300 for is a MINT vintage BOXED (not later bagged) Enerjet Athena kit. They probably made less than 1 Athena for every 10 LJII's made.

[tmacklin]

This seller must be a total POS.

I don't think I would ever pay anywhere near even $300 for this kit.
They made tons of these 1/45 LJII's and the price is artificially high in my opinion.
About the ONLY vintage kit I would pay anywhere near $300 for is a MINT vintage BOXED (not later bagged) Enerjet Athena kit. They probably made less than 1 Athena for every 10 LJII's made.

Would you pay $300 for the Original GHturdlofter, complete with a complimentary Baby Ruth? :D

[dcastle]

He's relisted it already....and ended early because of an "error".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221471055801&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:US:1123


Consistent with what he told me, this is the replacement he said his brother had. Maybe I should have waited longer but he wouldn't respond to my messages, which were very polite and spaced out over a few weeks. He told me that the original was damaged in a fire (although earlier he'd said the fire didn't affect his storage unit) and his brother had one to replace that...on June 3rd. He said he'd know by June 5th and would let me know. He never messaged me and when I asked him, twice, the status, he didn't respond at all.

I think he didn't feel that $300 was enough for the kit and was trying to figure out a way to sell it for more.

Here's the last couple of messages -

This is his from June 3rd, when I opened a case with ebay :

"I apologize for the delay on this.
I had to clean out and fill out claim
paperwork on damaged contents,
along with a move to another place to live.
Sorry to say the little joe kit is unusable.
My brother in New York is looking for
his little joe kit,and I will let you know by thursday
Again I apologize for the delay.Its been a crappy
month for may.
Wayne"

I replied on June 10th :

"Sorry to hear that the storage unit fire damaged that unit as well as the others. Any luck with the brother's kit?"


On June 13th I followed up since there was no reply :

"Wayne - In your June 3rd message, you indicated that the item was damaged and you were going to check to see if your brother had the same item. You would be letting me know by Thursday, June 5. I still haven't heard anything as of today, June 13. Have you been able to make any progress? Was the storage unit that was caught fire in Oberlin, Ohio, too? Didn't see any news on one there, maybe it was somewhere else. Please advise ASAP. I'd love to have this kit but if you can't provide then I'll need to be refunded. Thank you."

There was no reply to that. So on June 19th I escalated to customer service and they decided in my favor.

Then next day he relists it, saying it was his brother's kit that he didn't get in time before he had to refund the previous seller...

Well, if he'd responded to me he wouldn't have had to refund me.

I think I handled this properly, do you guys agree?

[Earl]

Dan-

You gave him plenty of time and opportunity to make this right...he just dragged his feet too long, giving you no choice but to open the case for a refund.

Most all of us would have done the same.

Earl

[Space Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbzep

He's relisted it already....and ended early because of an "error".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...B:WNARL:US:1123

Consistent with what he told me, this is the replacement he said his brother had.........

Then next day he relists it, saying it was his brother's kit that he didn't get in time before he had to refund the previous seller...

.......

It appears that the listing picture used for the replacement item obtained from his brother looks very similar to the picture used in the original item, that was damaged in the fire.
Maybe that is the "error"......

[tbzep]

Consistent with what he told me, this is the replacement he said his brother had.
Yes, but the "replacement" has already been pulled too.

[ghrocketman]

#1 No I would not pay $300 for the GHturdlofter. MAYBE 10% of that....

#2 This clown needs to be left NEGATIVE ebay feedback

#3 We need a 'sticky' listing POS ebay ID's that should be avoided and NEGATIVELY referred to publicly and repeatedly

[tmacklin]

#1 No I would not pay $300 for the GHturdlofter. MAYBE 10% of that....

You can "buy it now" for $100.00. I'll even sweeten the deal with a REAL TURD! (Shipping and Handling not included!)

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Hey, great job bringing this thread down, guys!

[ghrocketman]

U better believe it.
We aim ta pleez.

[Earl]

Hey, great job bringing this thread down, guys!

Uh, yeah. :(

Let's see if we can redirect on-topic. :)

[Earl]

Here's a listing for a new Cineroc along with a partially started Omega. Starting bid price is a bit steep at $250, but then again you probably are not going to get a Cineroc for much less than $150 to $200 and an Omega will probably set you back close to a $100 or so too, though this one, as mentioned, has had some minor construction work started.

Earl


http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTES-Cineroc-Model-Rocket-Movie-Camera-and-Omega-2-Stage-Model-Rocket-Kit-/111387752120?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19ef3a36b8