Some Insight and Advice, Please (1 Viewer)

[Neilfsmith]

I have collected toy soldiers for 30 years, but retirement is upon me and I must downsize...or so I wife instructs me. I have only ever purchased you soldiers, but have never sold them.

Virtually all that I own today are no longer made. I wondered aside from worthpoint if people could advise me on the value of my sets. I am not out for a profit, just fair market. I have: a large collection of Trophy of Wales to include Rorke's Drift and La Haye Sainte sets. I also have a Somerset Death of Gordon Diorama set as well as Mulberry Miniatures, Banners Forward knights, and some K & Country. Most interestingly, to me at least, are some Jacques Cuypers and Bob Hornung knights as well as a Trojan Horse set and Death of Leonidas set.

Please I would appreciate any insight and advice the sages on this forum may provide.

Thank you all

Neil

 

[jazzeum]

I have collected toy soldiers for 30 years, but retirement is upon me and I must downsize...or so I wife instructs me. I have only ever purchased you soldiers, but have never sold them.

Virtually all that I own today are no longer made. I wondered aside from worthpoint if people could advise me on the value of my sets. I am not out for a profit, just fair market. I have: a large collection of Trophy of Wales to include Rorke's Drift and La Haye Sainte sets. I also have a Somerset Death of Gordon Diorama set as well as Mulberry Miniatures, Banners Forward knights, and some K & Country. Most interestingly, to me at least, are some Jacques Cuypers and Bob Hornung knights as well as a Trojan Horse set and Death of Leonidas set.

Please I would appreciate any insight and advice the sages on this forum may provide.

Thank you all

Neil

Neil,

The value of your sets will depend on how you sell them. If you sell them yourself (such as through the Forum or eBay), you will realize close to current market value. However, if you sell your collection to a dealer, you may only realize 25-33% of their market value as a dealer needs to be able to turn a profit on resale.

The disadvantage of selling it yourself is that it can be time consuming (listing it, shipping it, etc.) whereas selling your collection to a dealer allows you to get rid of it in one shot. Each approach has pluses and minuses.

Brad

 

[Neilfsmith]

Brad,

Thank you for reconstructive a.d quick reply. I have the time so I will try the "do it yourself" route. I will try try to remember what I paid for the soldiers and sets over the years. Some are easy like the trophy sets, but the dioramas like Rorke's Drift and La Hate Sainte are really hard find. I will make the attempt.

Gaian, thank you.

Best Regards

Nei

 

[jazzeum]

Neil,

If you’re going to try to sell them on eBay, try looking at the Completed Auctions section. That will help give you an idea on the sale price of a particular item.

Brad

 

[Malcolm Britain]

It might be worth posting some good photos on this site and inviting expressions of interest. I am sure of the of the treefroggers would be interested and you could negotiate and agree a fair price. There is a "for sale" section somwhere!

 

[Neilfsmith]

Malcolm, Thank you for the advice. Here are some of the photos of the more interesting parts of my collection. I am unsure how this will work since I am a neophyte.

Thank you!

Best Regards,

Neil

 

[marco55]

Put a few sets on at the price point you want and see if there is any interest which I'm sure there will be.Also Treefrog sells people's collection on consignment.You could contact Julie about how that works.Good luck.
All the best,
Mark

 

[zblang]

I’ve sold through Julie at treefrog and it’s always been a good experience.

On eBay. If you’re not sure about pricing, list it a few times at higher price and see what happens. You can always reduce the prices as you go. Test the market.

 

[jazzeum]

Neil,

If you’re going to sell through this Forum, you need to list the items here, https://forum.treefrogtreasures.com/forumdisplay.php?6-Collector-Classifieds-For-Sale-Trade

There are pluses and minuses to selling here or eBay. If you sell here, you’ll avoid paying eBay’s fees but you may not attract as many buyers and you’ll get the price you list (or possibly less). On eBay, you’ll have to pay fees but if you have some rare items you may attract more buyers and multiple bids, possibly giving you a good sale price.

Brad

 

[Neilfsmith]

Hi Brad,

I apologize if I went off track. I posted pictures on previous advice. I have contacted Julie as others have advised and see if consignment will work. Thank you for intense well.

Best Regards

Neil

 

[jazzeum]

Neil,

None needed although I think Malcolm was suggesting using the Classified section. You may want to take a look at that section as to how others list their figures.

Brad

 

[Neilfsmith]

Brad,

Ultimately, I will need a price for which I should sell these sets as I am clueless. I bought them so long ago, I am unsure what I even paid.

Thanks for all

Neil

 

[jazzeum]

Brad,

Ultimately, I will need a price for which I should sell these sets as I am clueless. I bought them so long ago, I am unsure what I even paid.

Thanks for all

Neil

Neil, that’s why I suggest looking at the Completed Auctions section of eBay. Provided the item has sold in the last few months, you will be able to see the sale price.

Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Neil

Those are some great sets! If you do some research on eBay you will probable see a wide variety of prices. Based on what I know you would be better served if you contact one of the bigger auction houses like Old Toy Soldier Auctions or James Opie in the U K. this is the information I have for James:James Opie - C&T Auctioneers and Valuers <enquiries@candtauctions.co.uk

Julie at Treefrog would also be a better alternative to trying to sell them on your own.

Hope this helps

Dave

 

[Neilfsmith]

Dave,

Thank you. Very helpful!

Best Regards

Neil