eBay My World: burktoys( 1485)

I suppose I would sell most anything but under the my burktoys name my choice is to sell various train items. I have also begun to occasionally sell general items under the name JenkintownAuctions as I move toward opening an eBay store. However, at the end of the day I am a train guy so selling anything from Z to G gauge interests me.

I tend to buy standard gauge items, when possible American Flyer wide gauge but I also have a strong interest in earlier era products from HO scale manufacturers like Penn Line, Varney, and Mantua Metal Products. Additionally I purchase American Flyer S gauge items for my son who collects Flyer.

I can not help myself, I tend to collect all things trains. While my main focus is standard gauge and in particular American Flyer who could ever turn away a beautiful Lionel or Ives or for that matter Electoy standard gauge piece. I also really enjoy earlier era HO scale equipment and accessories. So I am as likely to purchase a Penn Line T-1 as an Ideal cardboard building looking toward putting together an HO layout similar to something my dad might have done for my brother and me in the 50's.

Collecting standard gauge, modeling in HO scale, collecting early era HO pieces and perhaps, sadly, following politics are my main hobbies.

I don't know that it is possible to identify favorite books. I do like all of Kurt Vonnegut's books and enjoy anything about current political and social issues from American Gospel to a variety of books on Iraq, politics in America and complex social issues.

News, Hardball, Meet the Press, This Week, and I will watch The Honeymooners anywhere I can find it. Oh and Red Skelton too.

In the late 30's my dad, who had already some Lionel trains, went out at Christmas to buy a gift for his grandmother and came home with a set of American Flyer HO trains. Apparently the apple did not fall from the tree. I have always had a strong, and strongly encouraged interest in trains. I had the good fortune of being able to share a common interest, perhaps love or all things trains with my dad. He was my first employee when I bought a hobby store where we worked together, laughed together and I was blessed to be in his presence every day for almost 10 years. I was however equally bless to have my son dropped off at the store every day after school and he has developed an intense interest in Flyer S gauge and was my first employee working with me at a toy store I had in downtown Philly for several years. My love of trains remains, shared with my son. Sadly my dad has passed on, but I think of him each time I touch, play with or even here on eBay sell something. I'm very lucky!

After graduation from F&M, my first position was in sales with Republic Steel Corp. It was a really great company headquartered in Cleveland. After they merged with LTV Corp. I moved to a smaller steel company out of Pittsburgh and then bought Broadbents Hobbies where I had worked since my 16th birthday. We signed the papers on my 32nd birthday and had the store for 9 years, until the building was sold. During that period I partnered with a customer and friend to form Eastern Car Works that purchased the line of P-70 passenger cars from Alco Models and then bought the tooling and inventory of E&B Valley. We also worked with Patal Engraving and Engineering on developing a wonderful line of HO scale structures. Unfortunately circumstances dictated that I move on, but I have also had the opportunity to work for various hobby distributors and had a toy store in downtown Philly for a while. eBay is the next phase now that I am in my mid 50's, and I am having fun!

I prefer PayPal but also except money orders. Additionally, I will accept personal checks from fellow TCA members.

I almost always ship via USPS Priority Mail. I charge $1-2.00 handling charge. I believe once I put something up for auction it is no longer mine and that I need to care for, pack and ship it the way I would want my own possessions handled. If you check my feedback you will see folks are happy with how I package their items. It does not come cheaply and I do not profit on it. I just want it right!

Since I am selling used items I sell them as is. Having said that I feel strongly that if you feel you have a problem we should talk. Of course I do this to make money, but I also do it for fun and because I like trains and am assuming if you are purchasing from me it is because you do too. I want you to be happy with your purchase and encourage you to contact me if you feel you have not received what you thought you were bidding on. I am sure we can work it out.

Questions or concerns? Contact me at dontrains@comcast.net.