Resale market collapse (1 Viewer)

[Mike97]

Can't agree with you on this. Scarcity determines price not necessarily the seller. If a seller asks for an exorbitant price that no one wants to pay, it won't sell and either the seller won't sell it or he/she will have to lower the price.

As far as a person not wanting to pay $800 for a retired collectible, no one says you have to. We all came into this hobby at different points. There are probably certain things you want that I was able to pay at the retail price and which costs a lot now just as there are certain things (such as one of the old 88s) that were retired by the time I came into the hobby and which I would love to have but don't want to necessarily pay current market value. Those are just the breaks. If I want a 88 either I ante up or I don't. That's a decision we all have to make. However, if a seller can make $800 I don't begrudge him that.

I agree. While I personally wouldn't pay $800 for any toy soldier, I won't fault the guy who sold one-nor would I tease the guy who bought one...a rare item found a good home at a price that someone thought was fair. Works for me.

 

[Vezzolf]

If someone is OK with getting "fleeced" that's their business....Most of us are not.....Guys that purchase in multiples for the intent of price gouging latter on e-bay ruin the hobby....But we do have a "defense"....BOYCOTT THEM

 

[Kurt]

I think the sellers of some of these high priced items are fishing for wealthy collectors. Looking at what some things sell for, you know they are definitely out there.

My frustration with ebay is how consistently unlucky I am whether buying or selling. Not too long ago I listed something in mint condition a day before somebody else listed the same thing with minor damaged and his sold for considerably more than mine.

 

[storch]

I think it comes down to this: If you have a lot old and not-so-old valuable pieces you want the prices to skyrocket; if you are new to the game, you get frustrated by the astronomical prices. I started collecting in 1999 and remember how frustrated I was because I just missed probably what was the last metal/resin Panther Jagdpanzer from Tradewind in Hong Kong. Eleven years later I find myself in possession of several prized items like the the winter kubelwagen or the original Hitler staff car. Even though I did not buy those figures as an investment, it is a thrill to see prices going through the roof.

I did buy an extra Greif as investment, and I have it there if I ever see something that I really want to get (or in these rough times, if I need the money). Should I just give it away because J. Sparrow thinks that toy soldier collecting should be a socialist brotherhood? Give me a break. Most people in the toy soldier collecting world are not in it for speculation. Believe, me that are for efficient and better method to make money. Do you really think some people say " I am going to spend $125.00 on a tank so that 7 years from now I can sell it for $300.00? The whole premise is mindless.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I have to agree with Pfeil. While I have never sold anything, I am thrilled that the old K&C wood, metal and resin vehicles I bought back in the mid-1990's are valuable now, because I use duplicates I bought back then (when dealers could not move them off the shelves, because they were between $250 and $360 retail, and matt WWII was not yet a popular subject in the hobby - I once bought 5 wood, resin and metal K&C vehicles for $1,000 from a dealer who just wanted to get rid of them) to trade to get very expensive items I would be hard pressed to afford today, like the Figarti Shock and Awe pieces.

 

[gi546]

Kaiser staff car goes for 75.00 on ebay.

Resale market in full collapse

retired stuff now worth less than original price

yikes!

i think thats a good thing.

well,at least for me.

 

[Mike97]

i think thats a good thing.

well,at least for me.

It sure seems to be a buyers market (except for some extra rare items) these days.

 

[MarkeytMaker]

Cmon, one piece from a not as popular series as WW2? Recent pieces are not going up in value like their predecessors, but I bet you 10 grand I can sell every piece of my retired Normandy village for at least $200 per piece buy it now in about 12 hours?>?? That equates to a huge investment gain from original retail, that doesn't sound like a market collapse to me.

Taker?



Tom

There you have it...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350332302153&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:US:1123

 

[glossman]

Said it before and I'll say it again. I don't buy TS as an investment. I buy because I love them. The future value makes no difference to me. I do not buy to make moneyand I don't worry about a market collapse. Future value is of no consequence. I just love the hobby.

-- Al

Al,

Your post very accurately reflects my approach to and position on collecting.

Very well stated.

Thanks, Raymond.

*************

 

[jazzeum]

There you have it...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350332302153&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:US:1123

I remember when this item was retired and you could still get them around $60 each.

 

[MarkeytMaker]

I remember when this item was retired and you could still get them around $60 each.

I paid over $200 each for the set mint in the box...You feel my pain?

 

[tdubel]

I remember when this item was retired and you could still get them around $60 each.

Yup, those are the breaks.

I agree with Louis, PFeil, Brad, the lot of you really. It is the breaks and thrill of the hobby, you can't get every piece, but chasing them is half the fun. Bide your time, most of the time I get mine at the price I want to pay.

You can't begrudge capitalism, if I list a $89 item from 2003 for $89 and it ends up selling for $800, why on earth would I be considered a speculator or a price gouger, I would just consider myself lucky.

TD

 

[J.Sparrow]

Should I just give it away because J. Sparrow thinks that toy soldier collecting should be a socialist brotherhood? Give me a break. Most people in the toy soldier collecting world are not in it for speculation. Believe, me that are for efficient and better method to make money. Do you really think some people say " I am going to spend $125.00 on a tank so that 7 years from now I can sell it for $300.00? The whole premise is mindless.

Socialist brotherhood?????
Show me where I asked anyone to give away an item? As a former DRILL SERGEANT with the U.S. Army, show me where I stated I wished the Toy Soldier industry to be a socialist network and/or brotherhood? And if you don't think that there are people out there with deep pockets with the intent of selling some of these items at a higher price down the road, than maybe YOU should give me a break. I've met these exact people up and down the East Coast at different Soldier shows over the years.
Your Answer to your last question is YES. An no, the premise is not MINDLESS because it's practised as we speak

 

[tdubel]

Socialist brotherhood?????
Show me where I asked anyone to give away an item? As a former DRILL SERGEANT with the U.S. Army, show me where I stated I wished the Toy Soldier industry to be a socialist network and/or brotherhood? And if you don't think that there are people out there with deep pockets with the intent of selling some of these items at a higher price down the road, than maybe YOU should give me a break. I've met these exact people up and down the East Coast at different Soldier shows over the years.
Your Answer to your last question is YES. An no, the premise is not MINDLESS because it's practised as we speak

I understand the pain, but I just go with it, I figure I can try to collect it all, but in the end, there are pieces I have and can't get too.

Seriously, I can't debate any longer with someone who has my favorite character as their screen name and avitar! Very cool!

TD

 

[Udo Kar]

I'm still amazed my Smurf collection is decreasing in value...maybe its because Smurfs are socialists...

 

[Warrior]

I'm still amazed my Smurf collection is decreasing in value...maybe its because Smurfs are socialists...

Do you have a papa Smurf as I really, REALLY need one for a smurf diorama I am doing and I don't have one of him, so I'd appreciate it if you could help out a fellow forum member and sell me one for short money..........

 

[nasirkasmani]

Do you have a papa Smurf as I really, REALLY need one for a smurf diorama I am doing and I don't have one of him, so I'd appreciate it if you could help out a fellow forum member and sell me one for short money..........

i've always wondered why there are so many Smurfs but only 1 Smurfette...

 

[Gideon]

Do you have a papa Smurf as I really, REALLY need one for a smurf diorama I am doing and I don't have one of him, so I'd appreciate it if you could help out a fellow forum member and sell me one for short money..........

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! I love the cries to "help a fellow collector".

I list stuff at 99 cents. Sometimes I take it on the chin but usually I do pretty well with my listings.

My response is always to bid what the person asking the question is willing to spend on the item and get some skin in the game before contacting me about anything other than a general question about shipping or condition.

It's like they don't want to bid unless you agree to kill the auction for them once they do and then sell it for the lowest price. Right. I get those a little to frequently. And then when I say "sorry, no" I get insanity... "You are just in it for the money, you don't care about the hobby or any other collectors out there who really want this..." Blah, blah, blah.

This isn't unique to toy soldiers by the way. This runs across all collecting paths.

And to the original poster, there are several things which will lower prices - 1. Tax season, 2. Lack of interest in a particular item, 3. Fewer new people coming into the hobby or collecting a certain type of thing so that demand for discontinued items is generally satisfied, 4. Economic factors like we're dealing with right now, 5. etc

To say that a complete crash in a market is upon us because a few discontinued items haven't sold for a large sum or even at retail doesn't indicate anything.

Do you have a large collection you were planning to use for your retirement?

 

[kilted vampire]

Speculators take a chance that some things are going up in value and also that some items are going to tank! I sometimes buy an extra one or two in the hopes that after awhile I can sell one to pay for both. In other words making my hobby pay for itself. Multiples hardly ever. I usually break even at worst. Sometimes I do make a profit. Once in a long while I double my money if I can wait long enough. I am never going to get rich selling K&C. I would like to but it isn't going to happen.

I have always advocated buying what you like. I hardly ever buy anything that does not appeal to me.

As for having to pay ludicrous prices? Hey that is the breaks. I never bought a wooden tank and you do not hear me crying about how much they cost. I buy what I can afford. Back in the old days Lionel was hugely expensive when it came to post war Lionel. Now the market bottom has dropped. Only the pristine gets good prices but not what they used to. I had a field day buying good usable post war trains for awhile.

I love this hobby and have too much stuff as it is. So now I buy what I can afford in a couple of series. The Halls have told me ,"You can't buy everything." Now I believe them.

Prices fluctuate so hang on and kwitcherbeelyakin!

 

[jbonzo1]

I remember reading the interview with Andy in the Hong Kong (?) newspaper where he described his customers as older professional men. This base would seem to be less affected by the current economy compared to other buyers. I have seen K&C sets go for ridiculous prices one day and bargain basement another day. There appears to be a limited number of collectors who will pay top dollar for a particular set. I have bought sets for much less by simply waiting. When a certain set sells for big dollars, others show up right away.