So Happy to Have Found This Group.... (1 Viewer)

[GTH114]

My name is Genevieve, I am a new member on this site. I have come to own a rather large collection of miniature metal soldiers all of which will be sold....problem is....wow this hobby is overwhelming and I do not want to misrepresent or wrongfully claim facts as my sale listings matter a great deal to me .

This is what I've done so far....

Separated boxed sets from loose figures

Took inventory of boxed sets being labeled correctly and checked for missing pieces

Separated loose figures into what seems to be three collections:

Napoleonic
Crusades (knights)
Roman

From there I have organized each collection into:

Marked/Signed
Unmarked/Unsigned

Then further into:

100% intact
Missing weapon/shield/flag or other small part
Broken

As well as separated loose parts, horses, cannons into respective collections.....

My question now is what is the next step to take? There is no way to list them all separately so should I...

Try to sell the whole lot? How and where should I look for buyers as the whole lot cannot be shipped easily.

List branded figures individually then group remaining into lots or group them all into lots?

How do collectors like to purchase these figures?

Should they be grouped by brand, by type, by era, ???

Oh boy, then I have the maker issue.... especially Russian makers...so many say St. Petersburg but symbols are different, some just have a flag painted on, some just initials, some markings are hard to make out.

Thank you for reading...any suggestions and sharing of ypur knowledge would be appreciated. I will try to upload a couple photos.

Genevieve

 

[bromhead]

thats quite a photo an collection,,good luck

 

[The Major]

My name is Genevieve, I am a new member on this site. I have come to own a rather large collection of miniature metal soldiers all of which will be sold....problem is....wow this hobby is overwhelming and I do not want to misrepresent or wrongfully claim facts as my sale listings matter a great deal to me .

This is what I've done so far....

Separated boxed sets from loose figures

Took inventory of boxed sets being labeled correctly and checked for missing pieces

Separated loose figures into what seems to be three collections:

Napoleonic
Crusades (knights)
Roman

From there I have organized each collection into:

Marked/Signed
Unmarked/Unsigned

Then further into:

100% intact
Missing weapon/shield/flag or other small part
Broken

As well as separated loose parts, horses, cannons into respective collections.....

My question now is what is the next step to take? There is no way to list them all separately so should I...

Try to sell the whole lot? How and where should I look for buyers as the whole lot cannot be shipped easily.

List branded figures individually then group remaining into lots or group them all into lots?

How do collectors like to purchase these figures?

Should they be grouped by brand, by type, by era, ???

Oh boy, then I have the maker issue.... especially Russian makers...so many say St. Petersburg but symbols are different, some just have a flag painted on, some just initials, some markings are hard to make out.

Thank you for reading...any suggestions and sharing of ypur knowledge would be appreciated. I will try to upload a couple photos.

GenevieveView attachment 339772View attachment 339773

Hi Genevieve. It generaly depends on their Age, Condition, Manufacturer maker, and Scarcity of Sets. And if you have "Original Packaging Boxes" etc. It is likely going to yeild you more income if you photograph each set and try selling separately. BEWARE "Collectors" who in reality are DEALERS and offer a low price "for the lot".

 

[The Major]

Figures with no Boxes can be advertised as "Loose" or "Incomplete Set " if once part of a set. If Painting is to a High quality then you may use the term "Professionaly painted". From your one Photo looks as if most are 54MM or 1/32 Scale figures.

 

[The Major]

You might try grouping alll the "same" Manufacturer name makers together, and sell "unknown" makers separately. Buyers buy them if they find the subject interesting, a rare make or a hard to find figure. Others Buy because of Nostalgia or to finish a "hole" in their collection Cupboard. If items are "rare" they command high prices. Beware of fast "low priced" offers !!!

 

[GTH114]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have been doing rather well on eBay, but I still have hundreds it has definitely been an interesting and very educational experience. I've gotten so much good advice, help and even buyers from this forum. One gentleman who has an amazing amount of knowledge on the Russian painted figures has just gone above and beyond for me. What a great group of people this forum has introduced me to.

Honestly as far as pricing goes I am listing moderately and accepting most offers as my goal is to liquidate as fast as possible. For a handful of repeat customers I am selling far under the asking price of other sellers on ebay, a few have spent several hundreds with me and it's nice to return the kindness.

Id love to sell the lot but shipping safely and affordably seems near impossible and I have yet to find many buyers here in Southern California.

Thank you for your advice, it is really appreciated. If you are interested in checking out my listings, even just for your opinion of them here is a link to my page.

coastalvintagefinds on eBay

Follow coastalvintagefinds on eBay. Buying, Selling, Collecting on eBay has never been more exciting!

www.ebay.com

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge with me.

Genevieve