What's the real market value of Kato train (10-481)?

[TedG]

I have one set and was wondering shoould I keep it or let it go....Some online retailers sell it for $400+!

[Claude_Dreyfus]

The 'Kato Train' 205 EMU is a very nice model, and does seem to be very hard to get hold of. I would, however, be a little wary of certain retailers who seem to list everything at way above the normal rate...I suspect the dealer you have in mind is charging $429.00 for this 'very rare and limited edition set'.

 

Others may well see things differently on here, but I tend to find that Japanese stuff looses value pretty steeply, with the result that second-hand models don't always fetch good prices...unless it is rocking horse s**t or someone really wants it.

 

To be honest, I would be extremely surprised if you get anywhere near $400.00 for this set, but it is still a really nice and desirable model....I'd keep it if I were you!

[David]

No, it is not overly valuable. I think everyone here can assume you are looking at NewHallStation - everything there is very overpriced and most items that are commonly available are misrepresented as "rare". US customers don't even get a break on shipping (NewHall charges EMS comparable rates for domestic shipping).

 

The set in question is not even "out of production" in the Japanese sense.

 

Available from your regular Japanese train channels for $202-209

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10083420

http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT51126.aspx

 

Available from ace_of_bicycle for $269 (ace's prices are higher, usually starting at MSRP and then increasing mostly in relation to the items actual availability - if you want something no longer available and don't want to get into proxy bidding on Yahoo JP auctions its a good place to start as long as you know the original price and how much of a premium you're will to pay)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kato-10-481-JR-Series-205-Saikyo-Line-Color-Kato-Train-/370385565741?pt=Model_RR_Train

 

My suggestion if you want to buy (or sell) something: Go to Hobby Search (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/), type your product in the search and uncheck "Don't show sold out item". Since HS doesn't delete sold out items from their catalogue, they serve as a great research tool for availability, pricing and product information. It can even show you if a rerun has been announced (meaning more are being manufactured in a few months).

[Claude_Dreyfus]

The 'Kato Train' 205 EMU is a very nice model, and does seem to be very hard to get hold of. I would, however, be a little wary of certain retailers who seem to list everything at way above the normal rate...I suspect the dealer you have in mind is charging $429.00 for this 'very rare and limited edition set'.

 

Others may well see things differently on here, but I tend to find that Japanese stuff looses value pretty steeply, with the result that second-hand models don't always fetch good prices...unless it is rocking horse s**t or someone really wants it.

 

To be honest, I would be extremely surprised if you get anywhere near $400.00 for this set, but it is still a really nice and desirable model....I'd keep it if I were you!

 

 

Ha! Shows how much I know! 

[Martijn Meerts]

I actually thought it was sold out pretty much everywhere as well, did Kato do a re-run of it recently-ish?

[clem24]

You can sell your set for as much as the next guy willing pay. There's no harm, other than paying ad or listing fees, to list your item at your asking price. But I don't think selling a set should necessarily be based on it's worth alone... Otherwise I'd probably be letting go of many sets that I have.

 

Also, you won't make any money selling Japanese trains, especially rare ones, in the North America. North Americans love their North American trains and nothing else. If you have a rare or highly desirable mass produced set (say Max E1 new color or Tomix 200 series 2 car add-on set), you'll get top dollar in Japan only.