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Post by lordsimon on May 13, 2007 20:18:31 GMT
Buying a secondhand car? To protect yourself you might ask the AA or RAC to check over the vehicle.
So why risk £thousands on a seemingly desirable piece of model engineering which may need work that you don’t know about
I can, on your behalf, check over any model steam engine to make sure that it is as described and ready for the track.
This will include a full check from bearings to boiler, including a steam up, if it has a boiler certificate. If it doesn't I will perform a basic hydraulic test to make sure the boiler is at least sound.
You will receive a written report noting what I have found which you could use to bargain with the customer. Alternatively I can help find something else suitable for your needs so that you don’t waste time or money.
If we have travelled together to see the locomotive I can help you negotiate the right price for the engine, outlining time and likely costs for any remedial work necessary.
Please leave your thoughts thanks
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Post by spurley on May 14, 2007 12:50:15 GMT
Hi Simon
My thoughts remain much the same as those I posted for your previous enquiry; on the face of it this should be a service that certain people might want to avail themselves of. However, the majority of the people who post on this site would probably be capable of or will know someone, from their club maybe, who can provide the same service (possibly for nowt, or maybe a pint!).
I see you are also promoting the other servicing option on ebaY and have some takers, maybe that's a better 'shop window' for this?
Best of luck with your endeavours.
Cheers
Brian
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Post by andrewtoplis on May 14, 2007 12:53:30 GMT
Simon, Speaking as the sort of beginner who might use such a service, you might run into the problem that people don’t know you or your qualifications. I think people looking to buy a loco would rather take someone they know and feel comfortable with, their local club boiler inspector for example, as going to look at an unseen loco with both a seller you don’t know and an ‘expert’ you don’t know either might be difficult, especially when it comes to negotiating a price. I think that most beginners would prefer to buy from an established dealer than be in this situation.
It’s a good idea though, not sure where you could advertise as I think you will need to look further than just this board. Perhaps setting yourself up as a small ME business would be a logical step? It think its a hard market to get into. My girlfriend is trying to find an opening into a niche area of alternative health and she has learned that the key is to be adaptable and offer a wide range of services, I would think it is very similar for model engineering.
Best of Luck; Andy
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