Keep the boxes or not, what’s the answer? (1 Viewer)

[desk11desk12]

Well guys, I’ve run out of space for my WWII toy soldier collection and I really don’t want to sell anymore to free up more space. What’s next? Well, getting rid of my boxes, but which ones go first?

I collect to have fun first and investment is secondary. I collect King and Country, Figarti, Britains, ONWTC, Conte, FOV and TSSD (Painted). 98% of my collection is metal.

My initial plan is to keep all of my King and Country boxes than release boxes from selected sets I have with the rest of my collection (Figarti, Britains, ONWTC, Conte, FOV and TSSD) to free up space.

How much financial risk is involved with that strategy and is there a better way to accomplish my objective short of renting out storage?

Thanks,

Carlos

 

[Wraith]

Well guys, I’ve run out of space for my WWII toy soldier collection and I really don’t want to sell anymore to free up more space. What’s next? Well, getting rid of my boxes, but which ones go first?

I collect to have fun first and investment is secondary. I collect King and Country, Figarti, Britains, ONWTC, Conte, FOV and TSSD (Painted). 98% of my collection is metal.

My initial plan is to keep all of my King and Country boxes than release boxes from selected sets I have with the rest of my collection (Figarti, Britains, ONWTC, Conte, FOV and TSSD) to free up space.

How much financial risk is involved with that strategy and is there a better way to accomplish my objective short of renting out storage?

Thanks,

Carlos

Carlos

Personal opinion here, but you've asked several questions and answered your main one already I believe. I think there is little doubt that in terms of resale value, an unboxed set isn't going to get you as much as a boxed set. You only have to browse through ebay to looking at the end price difference.

But.

You quite clearly state that you collect for fun, first and foremost. You should (IMO) do what is right for you, and if that means getting rid of the boxes via one means or another, so as to free up space for more figures, then that is what I believe you should do. I know there are some strong opinions about splitting sets, boxes etc. but it's you're hobby and you've paid for 'em.

I presume, you've exhausted any attic / basement / garage space, and don't have any friends / relatives with space to store the boxes in their attics. I'm in a similar position, but luckily still have control over the attic (as she can't manage to climb up there ).

I can't imagine that the FOV boxes will lose you much, but I should imagine there is a market out there for Britains, Conte, ONWTC, Figarti and the likes, where to some, part of the appeal is in having the nice, sturdy and colourful boxes.

And, with the money you get, you can go and get more of what you really collect, i.e. figures.

My 2 pennies / cents / euros worth.

Cheers
Simon

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Carlos,

I too echo what has been said. However I will add that if you are going to get rid of the boxes dont just trash them put them on ebay and I think they will sell rather quickly. I see boxes for sale on a regular basis and they always seem to go for reasonable prices.

Have a good day

Dave

 

[Leadmen]

I really don't like saving the boxes but I do save the metal set boxes and vehicle boxes. No FOV boxes. I seem to have more boxes then ever but so far I still got some room to store them. I found out at Chicago when I sold some Britains sets in their boxes they sold better then loose figures. Boxes can, but not always add about 20% to selling value. Leadmen

 

[sceic2]

Rent a storeage space, ask a friend to store some for you, build a small shed, add on to the house, keep the boxes.

 

[jazzeum]

Can't really add much more than has been said but the only boxes I would throw out are FOV. You should definitely keep Britains and King and Country. The other companies, as far as I know, don't bring in what the latter two do so aside from Figarti, I wouldn't be that concerned about the boxes.

It is true that in K & C, it is better to have the box. However, unboxed, if it's rare, still sells and let's face it, if you're just collecting, when it's out of the box, that's probably the last time you'll see it.

 

[desk11desk12]

Sage advise Leadmen, DMNamiot, and Wraith,

BTW, I don't save FOV boxes and TSSD's don't come in boxes but I do save boxes for all my metal pieces.

Okay Michael, LOL....

Easy for you to say, you've already told me the space you have in your place. I could only dream of having that kind of space. LOL

Carlos

 

[Pierre]

Keep the boxes.

Pierre.

 

[Wraith]

Carlos,

I've been giving this some thought and think I've come up with the perfect solution.

Problem
1. You're short on space
2. You would prefer to keep the boxes

Given
Virtually any household I know, has essential items stored in containers

Solution
Store everyday items in your K&C / Britains / Conte / Figarti boxes, and continue to disply your figures in cabinets.

For instance, no one usually displays food items in their kitchen, but food stuffs are still stored in containers. So,

Single figure boxes: Store herbs + spices, grated parmasan cheese and so on.
3-4 figure boxes: Use to store biscuits, small iced cakes etc.
Vehicle boxes: Dried pasta, rice, cereal and other larger items.
And if you still have any left, the average FOV box holds a loaf of bread to perfection.

The same sort of process can be applied to almost any room in the house; soap dishes, pen holders, CD storage are all good examples.

Now the only dillema you'll be faced with is throwing out empty plastic rice bags and plastic food containers or some item of Ikea furniture that was 'oh, so last years fashion'.

Sometimes, my moments of clarity amaze me....

Simon

 

[CannonFodder1971]

Carlos,

I've been giving this some thought and think I've come up with the perfect solution.

Problem
1. You're short on space
2. You would prefer to keep the boxes

Given
Virtually any household I know, has essential items stored in containers

Solution
Store everyday items in your K&C / Britains / Conte / Figarti boxes, and continue to disply your figures in cabinets.

For instance, no one usually displays food items in their kitchen, but food stuffs are still stored in containers. So,

Single figure boxes: Store herbs + spices, grated parmasan cheese and so on.
3-4 figure boxes: Use to store biscuits, small iced cakes etc.
Vehicle boxes: Dried pasta, rice, cereal and other larger items.
And if you still have any left, the average FOV box holds a loaf of bread to perfection.

The same sort of process can be applied to almost any room in the house; soap dishes, pen holders, CD storage are all good examples.

Now the only dillema you'll be faced with is throwing out empty plastic rice bags and plastic food containers or some item of Ikea furniture that was 'oh, so last years fashion'.

Sometimes, my moments of clarity amaze me....

Simon

But the boxes can taste better than certain brands of pasta and rice

 

[noli-poli]

My solution:

I wrap empty boxes in old bed sheets (to protect from moisture) then wrap in plastic garbage bags (protect from dust ans insects), seal with tape and store them in the attic (rafter access or regular walk-up attic space).

N-P

 

[OzDigger]

Don't bother keeping FOV boxes. You will find that some empty boxes will fit inside others and this cuts down storage space. I keep the more expensive empty boxes on the top shelf of our various built in wardrobes robes. The remainder are stored on old (retired) bookshelves etc in our garage.

 

[Chuck Harris]

Rent a storeage space, ask a friend to store some for you, build a small shed, add on to the house, keep the boxes.

Yes Rent Climate controled storage Space. You can hide many things from your wife and then bring they into the house and say I'VE HAD THAT FOR MONTHS.
But I don't have to do that my wife collects shoes and she's winning
Her shoe collection is outstanding. How many of your wifes collect shoes.

 

[noli-poli]

Yes Rent Climate controled storage Space. You can hide many things from your wife and then bring they into the house and say I'VE HAD THAT FOR MONTHS.
But I don't have to do that my wife collects shoes and she's winning
Her shoe collection is outstanding. How many of your wifes collect shoes.

Is your wife Imelda Marcos? Just kidding...couldn't help it.
N-P

 

[Chuck Harris]

Is your wife Imelda Marcos? Just kidding...couldn't help it.
N-P

She could give her a run for for # 1 in shoe collecting. I don't understand it, but she doe not understand Toy Soldiers. Shes also very fond of jewelery.
I bet there are others out there that have wife's that collect shoes.

 

[noli-poli]

She could give her a run for for # 1 in shoe collecting. I don't understand it, but she doe not understand Toy Soldiers. Shes also very fond of jewelery.
I bet there are others out there that have wife's that collect shoes.

She had 2,000+ shoes in her collection...but as the wife of the infamous dictator, she "played" with real soldiers and tanks.

Hope your in fine health.

Best regards
N-P

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

My 2 cents. If your paying for storage to keep empty boxes, I'm pretty sure that the cost of the storage unit in the long run will out weight any financial gain of selling your troops with the box. I usually toss all Conte, Britain's, Honour Bound (nice figures & armor, but very crappy boxes), FOV, and Old Northwest Trading Company boxes.

I have tossed a few K&C boxes, and have been debating tossing about 90% of the ones I have. The space is worth more then the boxes to me.

 

[desk11desk12]

Toy Soldier Brigade,

Good advice. I'm thinking very seriously of doing exactly that with few exceptions.

Carlos

 

[jazzeum]

I can't see tossing K & C boxes, just can't. All the boxes tell a story, from the oldest to the newest. Even if you don't want them, they're very sturdy boxes that will protect what you put away. They're meant to be kept. Look at Old Britain's boxes. The boxes themselves are worth something. I remember seeing at Chicago last year people just selling those boxes. At the very least, if you're not going to keep them, sell them on ebay. Someone could use them. In September of 2005, someone sold 35 K & C boxes for $147. Not bad. That'll pay for a set.

 

[desk11desk12]

I can't see tossing K & C boxes, just can't. All the boxes tell a story, from the oldest to the newest. Even if you don't want them, they're very sturdy boxes that will protect what you put away. They're meant to be kept. Look at Old Britain's boxes. The boxes themselves are worth something. I remember seeing at Chicago last year people just selling those boxes. At the very least, if you're not going to keep them, sell them on ebay. Someone could use them. In September of 2005, someone sold 35 K & C boxes for $147. Not bad. That'll pay for a set.

I'm keeping the KC boxes, I meant I'm likely to throw the others out. Gees, LOL.

Carlos