You're right about the Old=$$ syndrome at flea markets, MG. What one needs to achieve is a hobbyist marketplace disconnect--showing interest in an object is certain to keep the price high, but being able to pick it up and look at it and decide if it will work is desirable. eBay has a lot of things for sale, but it does take research to be sure the vendor knows what they're offering since I find the photos, especially of small objects, are sometimes useless.

I started buying over eBay this summer, and have had luck with some categories and not with others. Apparently train accoutrement is one of the more successful categories for the online auction (or do you go straight to the "Buy It Now" store?)

SRS