Downsizing or Changing collections? (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

Lately I have been thinking of selling off many of my figures. My display cases are full of metal, models and plastic figures. I don't want to keep getting more cases but I still love buying figures. Besides my wife don't want a case in the kitchen.
I have sold stuff at shows and to hobby dealers but that becomes a hassell at times. I spent many hours ruining my time at shows trying to sell stuff. Last year at Chicago, dealers offered from $20..to $70 for mint boxes of pre-1950 Britains. I would melt them down first for twenty bucks.
I don't like e-bay or get involved with it. I have sold to dealers who are good and some are jerks. I probably will get rid of stuff (especially plastic) to a dealer and start over. With such new products the older stuff seems tiring or I don't notice it any more.I like FOV, K&C and new companies. What do fellow collectors do when they want to thin out their stuff? I tried sending lists years ago but it was also time consuming with lots of empty promises. Leadmen

 

[sirsydney]

Greetings. Since I just started collecting, I have plenty of room, so I'll be glad to take your excess off your hands and store it for you

 

[Currahee Chris]

Well, I am not at that point yet but here's my 2 cents for what it's worth:

1.) What is the hangup with EBay? If it seems unweildy or difficult to use, you might want to contact some professional auctioneers in your area- many of them have branched off into doing ebay sales of personal collections. The fees they charge are pretty steep - upwards of 30% of the sales so you may loose some money there but won't have to deal with the headaches of Ebay- just get your check and move on.

2.) Do you REALLY want to get rid of them? if not, maybe consider renting space at a storage facility- many of them are air conditioned and such so that they won't get damaged.

3.) Consider donating them to a Non Profit and letting them auction off the items and you take the donation deduction on your personal return.

4.) Consider trading the figures you have for some of the newer ones you want- some of that stuff is collected by many people.

5.) Contact some of the larger Toy Soldier companies and see if they will buy them.

6.) If you really have a lot of stuff, contact some of the auction houses in bigger cities like Christies or something (if you have a lot).

Well, that's my two cents- best of luck.

CC

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks for the advice Chris. I suspose I could try e-bay. I have bought but never sold. The e-bay people here want 40% or more to sell. I think maybe a good dealer and sell it in one shot. I did that at Chicago when I sold stuff a few years ago. Leadmen

 

[jazzeum]

I find ebay pretty easy and not much hassle and it's a good way to get a good price if you've got something that you think collectors might be interested in. I would never pay somebody thirty percent when it's something I can do myself.

I'm not really in the habit of thinning out my collection. However, I have thinned out my jazz collection, via ebay, to pay for some K & C.

Speaking of K & C John, you know I'm interested in your old glossy if you want to sell. I'll be in Chicago this year so maybe we can work something out.

 

[ROAN]

Last year at Chicago, dealers offered from $20..to $70 for mint boxes of pre-1950 Britains. I would melt them down first for twenty bucks.

Leadmen,

That's terrible!(what they offered you). I'm always on the lookout for pre-1950 Britains so if ever you seriously consider selling some of them, would appreciate if you'd send me a Private Message.

Geoff

 

[Currahee Chris]

Leadmen,

That's terrible!(what they offered you).

Geoff

Yeah, I definately agree there.

 

[maddadicus]

Thanks for the advice Chris. I suspose I could try e-bay. I have bought but never sold. The e-bay people here want 40% or more to sell. I think maybe a good dealer and sell it in one shot. I did that at Chicago when I sold stuff a few years ago. Leadmen

Dear John, you were one of those who got me back into old glossies again.....You could sell them here on the forum...make your list with your want price and offer to email photos to those who might be interested...or have Jazz post the pics for you...This way ,no fees and you offer forum friends a chance to fill in our collections...I ebay all the time ,but what you might get becomes a crap shoot......Michael

 

[kilted vampire]

Why not try an auction house? Or you can contact an ebay seller to do the sales for you. Maybe someone you have bought from will give you a better deal. Some of those guys can be expensive. You could give us a crack at them on the seling forum

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi John,

My two cents is put a few sets on ebay for what you consider a fair price and see what happens. I think you will be very surprised at the results. If you want send me a PM and I give a run down of what I have done on ebay. I would not go through a dealer or a pro seller unless you really dont care about what you get for the set and just want to be rid of it. Also I am always looking for certain mounted figures and sets so if you want send me a list and I see if I can make you an offer. I'm mainly interested in Lancers.

All the best

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Lately I have been thinking of selling off many of my figures. My display cases are full of metal, models and plastic figures. I don't want to keep getting more cases but I still love buying figures. Besides my wife don't want a case in the kitchen.
I have sold stuff at shows and to hobby dealers but that becomes a hassell at times. I spent many hours ruining my time at shows trying to sell stuff. Last year at Chicago, dealers offered from $20..to $70 for mint boxes of pre-1950 Britains. I would melt them down first for twenty bucks.
I don't like e-bay or get involved with it. I have sold to dealers who are good and some are jerks. I probably will get rid of stuff (especially plastic) to a dealer and start over. With such new products the older stuff seems tiring or I don't notice it any more.I like FOV, K&C and new companies. What do fellow collectors do when they want to thin out their stuff? I tried sending lists years ago but it was also time consuming with lots of empty promises. Leadmen

Hi John,

Are you sure you want to downsize? I understand the space problem, but, if you are like me, you and your figures have become old friends. However, if you are certain you want to thin your collection, I might well be interested in some of your vintage items.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[vandilay]

If you where selling of a fair few sets of old britains and you cant
be bothered with the hassle of E bay ,maybe try vectis in the uk,
with the strength of pound versus the US dollar it would eliminate
their fees and the cost of posting the stuff to them.
From what I have seen old britains seems to fetch a higher price in the uk
when you take exchange rates etc into acount although i,m no expert.