Sell Your Collection. Skip the Work.
We buy model train collections of all sizes. You get a fair offer and fast payment. We handle everything else.
You won't get eBay prices - no dealer can match months of individual selling. But you will get your time back and money in hand within days, not months.
Why Sell to a Dealer?
Let's be honest: selling on eBay yourself will almost always net you more money. After fees, you'll typically keep 70-85% of what items sell for, compared to the 25-35% a dealer pays. So why would anyone sell to a dealer?
Time. Selling a collection on eBay takes 15-30 minutes per item when you factor in identification, photography, writing listings, answering questions, packing, and shipping. A 100-piece collection means 50-60 hours of work spread over months. Some items sell in days; others sit for a year. You'll deal with lowball offers, returns, and the occasional shipping damage claim.
Meanwhile, selling to us means you snap some photos, we make an offer, and you're done. We write you a check and take the boxes.
Here's the math on a real example:
A 100-piece collection worth $2,000 at retail might net you $1,400-1,700 on eBay after fees - but cost you 50-60 hours of work. That's $23-28/hour for your time. We'd offer $500-700 for the same collection, but you'd spend maybe 2 hours total (photos, one meeting, done). The eBay route pays more. The question is whether those extra 55 hours are worth $700-1,000 to you.
Neither choice is wrong. It depends on your situation, how much free time you have, and whether you'd actually enjoy the process of selling piece by piece.
Is Selling to Us Right for You?
Selling to Us Makes Sense When...
- •You inherited a collection and don't know what you have
- •You're downsizing or moving and need it gone
- •You don't have time to learn eBay and photograph 200 items
- •You want certainty - a real offer, not "maybe it sells"
- •The collection has been sitting in boxes and you just want it handled
- •You're a dealer or shop liquidating overstock
You Might Prefer eBay When...
- •You have rare or high-value items (brass, limited runs)
- •You enjoy the selling process
- •You have months to wait for things to sell
- •You're comfortable with shipping and customer service
- •Maximizing dollars matters more than your time
What We Buy
Collections & Estates
- •Complete collections (any size)
- •Partial collections
- •Inherited/estate collections
- •"Grandpa's trains in the attic"
All Scales & Types
- •HO, N, O, G, Z, S - all scales
- •Locomotives, rolling stock
- •Track, switches, accessories
- •Buildings, scenery, figures
- •Vintage and modern
Also Buying
- •Dealer overstock
- •Shop liquidations
- •Duplicate collections
- •Non-working or project items
Not sure what you have? That's fine - send photos and we'll help identify it.
How It Works
Tell Us What You Have
- Fill out the form below with basic info
- Email us photos (phone photos are fine)
- Don't worry about identifying everything - that's our job
Takes about 15-20 minutes
Get an Offer
- We review your photos and description
- We send you a written offer within 48 hours
- Offer is good for 7 days
- No obligation - say no if it doesn't work
Get Paid
- Accept the offer and we arrange logistics
- Local: We pick up at your convenience
- Shipped: We reimburse reasonable costs
- Payment within 48 hours of receiving items
What We Don't Do
- Pressure you to decide
- Nickel and dime after seeing items
- Ghost you if we're not interested
What to Expect on Pricing
We believe in being upfront about dealer economics. Dealers typically pay 25-35% of retail or market value. This isn't because we're trying to lowball you - it's the reality of reselling. We have to account for eBay fees (around 15%), items that won't sell, storage, and the time we spend identifying, photographing, and listing each piece.
That said, not everything falls in that range. Rare or highly desirable items (brass locomotives, limited editions, sought-after vintage pieces) may command higher percentages because they sell quickly at good prices. Common items (basic rolling stock, generic track, well-used equipment) typically fall at the lower end because they're slow movers.
Condition matters too. Mint in box with all paperwork is worth more than loose and showing wear. We price based on what we can realistically sell things for, not what they cost new 20 years ago.
Example: If your collection would sell for $2,000 piece-by-piece on eBay over 6 months, expect an offer in the $500-$700 range from us. If that math doesn't work for you, no hard feelings - check out our eBay guide and do it yourself.
Why we're transparent: We'd rather lose a sale than have you feel ripped off later. Our reputation matters more than any single deal. If our offer doesn't work for you, we'll tell you honestly and even help you understand your other options.
Where We Buy
Local Pickup
Greenville, SC area and surrounding upstate South Carolina. We'll come to you for larger collections.
Regional
Within a few hours drive (Charlotte, Atlanta, Asheville, Columbia) for significant collections.
Nationwide
We buy shipped collections from anywhere in the US. You ship, we reimburse reasonable costs.
Include your location in the form so we can figure out the best approach.
Get Your Free Quote
No obligation. We'll respond within 48 hours with an honest assessment.
Questions before submitting? Email us at info@TheDogAndCaboose.com
Common Questions
Ready to Get an Offer?
No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest assessment of what your collection is worth to us.