Just After Some Advice Regarding Selling Off Some Vintage Plastic Figures? (1 Viewer)

[Desertkiwi]

Hi Guy's, I have a small collection of "Britains Swoppet" figures that I picked up years ago, before I got into painted metal figures etc. They're nicely tucked away gathering dust in a wee cabinet. They're mostly cowboys & indians, plus a few Knights. I had great plans to collect them, find parts etc, but sadly over the years have lost interest.

My question is, should I hold on to them or take the plunge and try selling them? Part of the reason I ask, is the fact that they're getting really old now and seem almost too fragile to post if sold, especially the Knights.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers Toddy

 

[larso]

I'm quite fond of plastics too. If you're done with them, there's not much point hanging on to them, so you might as well make some money to spend elsewhere. The problem with hanging on to them too long means the potential number of buyers will steadily decline, as those who know and love them fade away. I believe I've already seen a bottoming out of prices for other classics, Timpo for instance, over the last decade. Good photos and describing them accurately should avert issues with prospective buyers.

 

[jazzeum]

Toddy,

As far as shipping, if you carefully wrap them in bubblewrap and surround them with plenty of packing peanuts (so that when you shake the box you can't feel anything move), they should survive the trip.

Brad

 

[Warrior]

Larso is spot on, sometimes the longer you hold onto something, the less it's worth as sadly, collectors who are interested in such items are passing away.

Those sort of items (vintage 60's and 70's plastic) appeal to a certain age group, I'd say 50-60 year olds, you need to find collectors in that age group who are still after those figures.

 

[Go for Broke]

Sounds like the value of my metal TS collection should go down the tube in about 20 years.{sm5}

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I have a huge Britains swoppet collection mainly ACW and AWI and some Britains swoppet knights. It seems to me that the Britains swoppet figures in particular still sell at a decent value compared to plastics in general including swoppets made by other companies such as Timpo of that time period in the 1960's. The Britains swoppet knights, ACW and AWI, in that order, seem to generate the most interest and higher prices. The swoppet cowboys and indians are not as popular but, it really is a matter of finding the right buyer at the right time... Good luck!

 

[Desertkiwi]

I have a huge Britains swoppet collection mainly ACW and AWI and some Britains swoppet knights. It seems to me that the Britains swoppet figures in particular still sell at a decent value compared to plastics in general including swoppets made by other companies such as Timpo of that time period in the 1960's. The Britains swoppet knights, ACW and AWI, in that order, seem to generate the most interest and higher prices. The swoppet cowboys and indians are not as popular but, it really is a matter of finding the right buyer at the right time... Good luck!

Thanks for all the feedback, Larso, Brad, Warrior, GoforBroke & History for all Ages.....its much appreciated guys.{sm4}

I'm probably no different from many TS collectors, I started collecting painted plastic's, mostly "Britains" figures back in the 90's having rediscovered the Hobby via the internet. With lots of nostalgia blowing through my veins off I went and I've had an absolute ball growing my collection ever since.

However like many before me I caught the painted metal figure bug a few years back and as a result my interest in plastic's has slowly diminshed. Now that I think about it, it's been a natural progression really, although my pocket's not too happy{sm5}

I'd previously sold off most of my plastic's some time ago to help finance my metal collection, but have held onto the Swoppets mainly because of what they cost me, the fact that I like them and the extremely small market for re-sale here in NZ. I've also discovered they don't travel to well either via the post, having had a couple of mishaps. I'm sure some postal workers must biff our parcels about like rugby balls?{sm2}

I've noticed too, that many vintage plastic's don't seem to fetch the same sorts of prices they used to, as some of you have already pointed out.

Anyway it's time for action, will take some pic's of them over the next few weeks and try auctioning them off or better still maybe offer them to fellow forum members at fair prices.

Once again many thanks to all those or took the time to post comments.:smile2:

Cheers Toddy

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Interesting... {sm2}

I would likely do the opposite. When it comes time for me to downsize my collection in later years, I am more inclined to sell-off my matte metal collection and keep my Britains swoppet collection as I have a more nostalgic connection with that series. I may also, choose to keep my Napoleonic glossy metal collection as well and a few of my favorite aeroart figures. {sm3}