To save or not, the boxes (1 Viewer)

4

45thdiv

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Mar 11, 2009
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Well,

I have been collecting since 2006. Over the years I have been storing the boxes in the garage. I am running out of storage space for the boxes. I don't sell my figures too often, so things are piling up.

What do all of you do who have large collections do? Where do you store the boxes? Or do you just toss the boxes?

Thanks,

Matthew
 
I never throw away the boxes as I feel it's part of the set.
Mark
 
I don't collect as an investment, so I don't look at whether or not to keep the box from that perspective. I consider rather the practical aspect of ever having to store or move figures. The easiest way to pack up a figure or a set is in the packaging it came in, generally speaking.

Prost!
Brad
 
As far as JJ models are concerned, I consider the boxes essential. The resin parts and bracing frankly won't take a whole lot of abuse. The JJ crates are well thought out and protect the models very well for shipping/transport purposes.

-Moe
 
I have boxes coming out of my ears...
to the point where they are a nuisance...
and while I have bought very few sets with the intention of reselling...
I save all the original boxes...

one day...
somebody...
maybe not you...
but somebody...
is going to have to sell your collection...
and mine would be a nightmare shipping without boxes...

first question I ask when buying a used set...

"is it in the original box?"

as a rule...
I would pay more for a set in a box...
and I'm also reluctant to buy any set without a box...
the set with the original box is much more attractive to me...
maybe 15-25% more valuable...

you do what you want...
but one day...
when it's time to sell...
somebody will regret not having those boxes...
maybe not you...
but somebody...
 
I do save the boxes and have a room in my basement with a dehumidifier running 24/7.
Collecting for over 50 years space has become a real issue for storage. I try to sell some
sets before I buy new ones but often times more comes in then goes out.
The original boxes do add value when selling and also make it easier to pack up when moving or selling.
 
Save them, as others have posted. Not having them affects value if you intend to re-sell them. On the other hand, if you have no intention to re-sell or are not concerned about the sale price you may realize and you simply don’t have the room for them, get rid of the boxes.
 
jazzeum said:
Save them, as others have posted. Not having them affects value if you intend to re-sell them. On the other hand, if you have no intention to re-sell or are not concerned about the sale price you may realize and you simply don’t have the room for them, get rid of the boxes.
Click to expand...

Seems every one is of the same mind .... "Save the boxes."
Mine go under the display table, in closets behind the clothes, under the beds, attic, basement or whatever.

Brad mentioned that if you NEVER will sell your collection than the boxes won't help you. BUT ... when you finally "pass on":redface2: .. think of the poor person who NOW has to sell your collection. They will have to deal with the issue of NO BOXES!!{sm2}

--- LaRRy
 
Larry, that is true re: thinking about your loved ones. However, I will bet that most spouses/children just want to get rid of it.
 
With over 12000 figures I have a real storage problem. I have a large garage with 50 shelving units filled to the brim with boxes. For all the reasons below I keep them. It is a problem though and as my collection grows it just gets worse. My solution is now to look to rent premises to display the collection and store those darn boxes.

Gary
 
jazzeum said:
Larry, that is true re: thinking about your loved ones. However, I will bet that most spouses/children just want to get rid of it.
Click to expand...

Good point, Brad.
I've been with George at shows or we talk/email about potential collections and most of the families are NOT looking for great financial rewards but more "moving" the collection to someone who will take it off their hands.

Still, the honest dealers, like my show partner here, do give a better settlement to families whose collections have the boxes. It makes it MUCH easier to handle and appraise the sets. Bin and bins of lose figures means a lot of work paring up 2/3/4 figures sets and safely getting the collection home and well as listing to their customers.

--- LaRRy
 
I keep all my boxes for the very reason that many have posted on this thread. The boxes are part of the set/item even if you have no intention of selling. If you do sell, then they add value to the set/item, protects them during shipping and for many brands such as K&C, the boxes are very nice and it would be a shame to throw them away. If you don't have much storage space then i'll admit the boxes can be a headache.

Tom
 
Keep the boxes! One day, for either you or someone else (your heirs) they will come in handy... When I began collecting many years ago, I couldn't care less of the boxes, and straight to the trash they went; after all I was young and never considered the possibility of selling anything I bought - after all if I bought it, it’s because I want it in my collection! Truth is, even if you keep collecting toy soldiers throughout your entire life, your taste and interest will vary with the passage of time, and you may want to sell or trade something, and believe me, without their original boxes, it’s much harder, either for value or safe shipping or both. Anyway, even if you do not sell in your lifetime, someone WILL sell after that {sm4}:wink2:
 
Ok,

I hear you all loud and clear.:salute:: I shall keep the boxes. Now, how do I get rid of my wife’s large shoe collection to store more boxes? :rolleyes2:

Wait, my wife doesn’t collect shoes. :(

Seriously, thank you all for your thoughts. It’s why I like to post here on the forums.

Matthew
 
I keep all boxes. I keep them for the wife.

As it has been sensibly mentioned. They form a part of my estate and dumping boxes means the wife would lose thousands of dollars she may well very well need.

The space is a pain in the arse but it’s worth it.
 
I agree with all the reasons to keep the boxes. But who here believes that if you were gone, anyone else would be able to match figues and empty boxes? I recently started to keep the boxes of airplane models, but not sure it makes any difference. The only person that could have helped my wife sort out all my stuff, was her brother who basically shared most of my hobbies. I always told her, he could help her out. We lost him to cancer in January, so there is no one that could decipher the madness. In the end I enjoy all my hobbies and when I'm gone, somehow everything will be sorted out, with or without boxes...
 
egonzinc said:
I agree with all the reasons to keep the boxes. But who here believes that if you were gone, anyone else would be able to match figues and empty boxes? I recently started to keep the boxes of airplane models, but not sure it makes any difference. The only person that could have helped my wife sort out all my stuff, was her brother who basically shared most of my hobbies. I always told her, he could help her out. We lost him to cancer in January, so there is no one that could decipher the madness. In the end I enjoy all my hobbies and when I'm gone, somehow everything will be sorted out, with or without boxes...
Click to expand...

I agree...when we're gone...someone who has zero knowledge of manufacturers and their products will struggle sorting out their collection too...even with the Internet and the boxes...

many times...I have seen long time collectors on here...who I consider extremely knowledgeable...start a thread for product identification...so if they don't know...what chance does a complete novice have in identifying them...

when my time comes...I have a friend in the business who has promised to help my remaining family sort it out...

I'm sure I have boxes for well more than 95% of my figures...but I have some off brand and older buildings/structures/trees/Hirst Art's molds...etc... that even a seasoned toy soldier collector would struggle with identifying...

as Vicknor said...these are a part of my estate...and even standing alone...they hold a significant dollar value that I would like to see my family members recoup a fair value on...

my immediate family is somewhat knowledgeable about what these cost...about what I spend on this hobby...and some day...somebody is going to have to sort this out and sell it...

I'm glad it's not me...it's gonna be a pain in the butt...
 
[Firstly no, too many figures over 20 years of collecting, but mainly I collect and enjoy to display not in it to sell soon after,
the box makes no difference as long as the figures are well looked after, mine are all in cabinets
 
egonzinc said:
But who here believes that if you were gone, anyone else would be able to match figues and empty boxes?
Click to expand...

When I log a purchase, I include a pic of the set and product code. If the kids wanna match up my planes and pilots with a carton, they can certainly do so.;)

-Moe
 
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