Kit Collection Buyers- your experience with them?

[mikemodeler]

I found myself unemployed Friday afternoon and have some model kits I was planning to sell later this year that I would like to sell now as cash is kinda tight. There is someone here in Charlotte who has been running an ad in the paper and I have sent him a list and see what his interest is. 

My question is this: Have any of you had a personal experience selling a collection to one of the noted collection buyers ? I am talking about Spotlight Hobbies, Deans Hobby Stop or Fred Sterns. Good or bad, I'd like to hear what your experience was like. 

I like the idea of selling locally as it eliminates the cost of shipping, which I would put at $125 or so as there are 67 kits in 5 large boxes.

Thanks in advance. 

[gtx6970]

IMO,

They value it about half what you value it, then offer maybe .50 on the dollar .

 

Ive done it once and will never do it again.

[1930fordpickup]

It has been posted on here before and I have been told at a show that they will offer 2-5 dollars a kit if they are the normal kits. they get fast sellers along with slow sellers. That is why the price is so cheap. 

[CometMan]

I wouldn't recommend selling a collection of anything to a dealer. Because of the necessity to make a profit to stay in business, and sometimes out-right greed, they will only offer you 25-50% (at best) of what they can sell it for. Better to find collectors in your area, then you can split the difference with them, maybe selling at 50-75% of market value. That way you can get more than a dealer would pay, and the buyer would get it for less than he would have to pay the dealer. Good luck.

[Eshaver]

I wouldn't recommend selling a collection of anything to a dealer. Because of the necessity to make a profit to stay in business, and sometimes out-right greed, they will only offer you 25-50% (at best) of what they can sell it for. Better to find collectors in your area, then you can split the difference with them, maybe selling at 50-75% of market value. That way you can get more than a dealer would pay, and the buyer would get it for less than he would have to pay the dealer. Good luck.

Craig make a lot of GREAT points ! I'm brokering a small collection of AMT Trophy kits and a smattering of annuals for a lady I wnt to the same HS with . I was straight up with her and told her what the kits were bringing and quite frankly, she was shocked . Yes,she has several pieces I want for my own self personally . I'm still not going to take advantage of a situation because one , I still sell Ford Flat head parts at shows . I have long been a Hemming's Motor news advertiser and I get around in small circles ....

[Xingu]

The only way to get close to what you think they are worth is to sell them yourself on eBay or someplace similar. Collection buyers MUST buy them cheap enough to resell and make a decent profit or it isn't worth it to them. If you don't sell them as lot, you will get left with the least valuable kits as others will cherry pick the good ones. So it will basically come down to what you are comfortable with in the end. More money = more work (hassle), less money = less work (hassle).

[mikemodeler]

All great points and I appreciate everyone's comments so far. I get the whole "They gotta make a profit" angle and I don't blame someone but I can hold off selling some kits if all someone is willing to pay is $3-5 a kit! The kits that are not complete is one thing, but a sealed kit that is on the shelf at any retailer or LHS for $25 is worth more than $3!

There is a show next month near Winston Salem that I will look into getting a table at. Even if the sealed kits go for $10 each, that is $400 and it would be worth the wait compared to taking half or less.

I do have them in a spreadsheet if anyone wants to look them over and make an offer. PM me and I will try to get the list to you, just need your email.

Thanks again.

[modelercarl]

I can tell you from personal experience that Dean's Hobby Stop is very fair to deal with.  I have sold parts of my stash to him on two occasions.  I email him a spreadsheet with the kits I am interested in selling and he replies with a price.  If you are satisfied the deal is done, if not reply with your comment(s) and he will respond.  Both times he was in the area where I felt that it was the best I could do for as timely sale.  None of the kits were "hard to find", all readily available on eBay so when I factored in ebay and paypal commissions, boxes, packing material, etc. I was very pleased with his offers.  I am not far from his shop so I delivered them (about 1 1/2 hrs round trip) so that also made his offer reasonable.

FYI:  I did this after trying ebay and not even getting a bid on most of the kits that I thought were priced on the low side to get rid of them.

[HomerS]

Do you have any toy or antique malls in the area?  A couple around here rent locked cases for $40-60/month.  I like the locked cases as it keep people from messing with them and damaging the package as they were more into looking than buying.

 

[Mike999]

There is a show next month near Winston Salem that I will look into getting a table at. Even if the sealed kits go for $10 each, that is $400 and it would be worth the wait compared to taking half or less.

Sorry to hear about the job loss.  That happened to me a few years ago with no warning, so I sympathize.

I don't have any experience selling to old-kit dealers. But I've sold at kit shows many times, when I lived in Southern Calif.  (I'm next door to you now, in SC.)  I also sell on eBay, though not for a while since I was busy moving, getting settled, etc.

Selling at shows was sometimes hectic but a lot of fun.  In SoCal there were always kit dealers or wanna-be dealers making the rounds of the tables before the show opened.  So you might be able to unload a bunch of kits before the show even starts.  Or not, since they will offer bottom dollar.  And SOME of those guys can be pretty pushy and annoying while they try to grind you down.  

Ignore them, maybe start your prices a little on the high side.  Everybody expects to negotiate anyway.  You can always deal with the dealers at the end of the show. Usually by then, every seller is dropping prices.  And saying: "I'd rather sell it than take it back home with me."  Good luck! 

 

Edited July 4, 2017 by Mike999
Error

[espo]

I sold a large number of kits to a semi-local dealer a few years ago. I also was in a position where I needed money. As pointed out I was offered a low price per model but I did move a couple hundred kits at once and it was quick and clean. If you have any time at all I would recommend the E-Bay route and see if there is any model show/swap meets in you're area. I was at the Hartland Model Show in the Kansas City (Overland Park) area the first of June. I sold a couple hundred dollars worth and got more than I would if I had sold to a dealer. This may even give you some contacts that may want to buy something from you at a later time direct. I do hope this all works out for you both finding a new job and selling some of your kits that are duplicates or unwanted.

[Dave Van]

I sold two lots to a collection buyer in 2016.......about 1000 kits per lot. I got about $4 per kit....all kits were 100% complete....about 50% sealed.  When you look at how much work and fees selling on ebay.....I felt like a good deal. Good luck.......

BTW I lived in Charlotte for many years.......you every a Road Knights member?? 

[mikemodeler]

I sold two lots to a collection buyer in 2016.......about 1000 kits per lot. I got about $4 per kit....all kits were 100% complete....about 50% sealed.  When you look at how much work and fees selling on ebay.....I felt like a good deal. Good luck.......

BTW I lived in Charlotte for many years.......you every a Road Knights member?? 

Thanks Dave, appreciate the feedback. I have been offered $5 a kit by someone local, mulling it over as it would be a clean transaction and done at once versus taking them to a show at the end of August and hoping to sell them and make that much.

Never was a member of the Road Knights. They had one show here after I moved and then never heard another word about them again.They held their meetings at Accurate Miniatures in Concord, about 45 minutes away. There is a SCMA chapter in Rock Hill that is closer, joined for a couple of years but was never home for their meetings. 

[Dave Van]

Not to get to off topic.......

Road Knights started as a formal meeting that grew out of the Friday night model talk at a toy and hobby shop my buddy ran, Toy Circus at Park Road shopping center.  At one time we had about 100 members, hosted two national conventions 1990 and 1992.  A great club for many years.......

$5 each for modern common kits to a local would be a good deal I think.....as long as you don't have a bunch of 18 wheeler trucks or rare stuff. 

 

You tube of our 1990 convention.....https://youtu.be/Xvm8oOlJQOc

[vamach1]

I remember AMS and have some of the old magazines.  What year did it fold?  It's too bad there is not a current national organization dedicated to cars.  IPMS is too heavily dominated by military modelers.

[mikemodeler]

I did receive two offers so far, both below what I feel I can accept at this point. One was from a forum member here and the other from a local buyer. The local buyer's offer was much higher and would not involve having to ship them.

I might revisit the local buyers offer in a couple of days, money talks!

I do appreciate the feedback from everyone.

[gtx6970]

What kind of collection we talking about. 

 

Recent or old long of out production .?

[waynehulsey]

I remember AMS and have some of the old magazines.  What year did it fold?  It's too bad there is not a current national organization dedicated to cars.  IPMS is too heavily dominated by military modelers.

It went until Vol11, No1 that was the January-May 2001 issue. If I remember I think I got them mailed out around the 1st of May in 2001. We'd dropped to just over 200 members internationally at the time. We had to mail at least 200 in the US to keep our bulk mail permit. A good chunk of the members were up for renewal or within an issue or 2. I was out of a full time job at the time and had been doing too much out of my own pocket. So talked with the other founding members that were still active and a few of the long timers that were still in and we decided that wit as probably (past) time to pull the plug. It had been sort of the same situation with the IAAM also that I'd been a member of. So what pushed me to try and keep the thing going for too long. That's why Gregg gets a lot of sympathy from me when I see some of the threads here about the magazine even if he is trying to do it as a commercial project.

 

To get the thread back were it started. From having sold a bunch of kits and doing shows, etc. over the years with under a 100 kits if someone is giving you something you can live with at one shot I'd go for it. When you add in the time and hassle of doing all the other work, its worth it.

Edited July 6, 2017 by waynehulsey
adding another comment

[Dave Van]

Good luck Mike.....in collection sales and in general........

Wayne....pretty sure I have every issue of Scale Wheels....it was a good effort.  I was not a founding member as at the time I had 3 kids, house and two cars and only I worked......$5 was a lot of cash at the time!!! But Bruce P. Scott A. and many other folks were fellow Charlotte modelers. Thanks

[Mike999]

...To get the thread back were it started. From having sold a bunch of kits and doing shows, etc. over the years with under a 100 kits if someone is giving you something you can live with at one shot I'd go for it. When you add in the time and hassle of doing all the other work, its worth it.

Good advice, and I'd second it.  Renting a table will probably cost you somewhere between $20-$40, so you have to deduct that expense from any profit right off the top. 

There's a guy on the regional Craigslist buying old models. I think he's in NC, so I wondered if he's your local contact.  His ad has a photo of rare AMT/Jo-Han kits and the warning:  "NO NASCAR!" repeated 3 times. 

That made me LOL. I went to a flea market yesterday.  The only kits I saw were a table full of NASCAR kits, AMT, Revell, Monogram etc., some pretty old.  They were $5 each, $10 for  double kits like the Earnhardt Wrangler Combo.  I walked by his table when I first got to the flea market, and again as I left.  Looked like he hadn't sold a single one.

[mikemodeler]

Good advice, and I'd second it.  Renting a table will probably cost you somewhere between $20-$40, so you have to deduct that expense from any profit right off the top. 

There's a guy on the regional Craigslist buying old models. I think he's in NC, so I wondered if he's your local contact.  His ad has a photo of rare AMT/Jo-Han kits and the warning:  "NO NASCAR!" repeated 3 times. 

That made me LOL. I went to a flea market yesterday.  The only kits I saw were a table full of NASCAR kits, AMT, Revell, Monogram etc., some pretty old.  They were $5 each, $10 for  double kits like the Earnhardt Wrangler Combo.  I walked by his table when I first got to the flea market, and again as I left.  Looked like he hadn't sold a single one.

I think that is the same guy, because his ad clearly states "NO NASCAR" ! 

I understand that my list is not full of old sealed kits from the 70's, because if it was they would be on eBay ! I do have some old kits but they are holy grails and I am not planning on selling them yet. 

I may have found a buyer who is offering a very reasonable price, I will have to pay shipping but it will give the same result- cash and a clean transaction.

[Dave Van]

My two lots I sold were NO NASCAR too!!! 

A little insight. The NASCAR kits are great kits. The Monogram kits are some of the best of the era. BUT...the kits  were produced by the millions. When I ran a hobby shop in Charlotte every Monday we would order 3-4 cases of Monogram #2900.....DE Sr Monte Carlo kits.  Model builders alone were not buying this many kits.....EVERYONE was buying kits.  After a good race Sunday.....mom's and grandma's would come in and buy a few kits. Closets were filled with NASCAR sealed kits. It's just supply and demand. I was involved in the NASCAR plastic kit biz during the boom era.  And thus want to have a mint sample of all the kits made. I found I needed 3 sealed kits to fill in the collection....all three were found for $5 each....and I was happy!! I still like these kits and they represent a great time in my life.....but there are just too many to make them valuable. 

[mikemodeler]

My two lots I sold were NO NASCAR too!!! 

A little insight. The NASCAR kits are great kits. The Monogram kits are some of the best of the era. BUT...the kits  were produced by the millions. When I ran a hobby shop in Charlotte every Monday we would order 3-4 cases of Monogram #2900.....DE Sr Monte Carlo kits.  Model builders alone were not buying this many kits.....EVERYONE was buying kits.  After a good race Sunday.....mom's and grandma's would come in and buy a few kits. Closets were filled with NASCAR sealed kits. It's just supply and demand. I was involved in the NASCAR plastic kit biz during the boom era.  And thus want to have a mint sample of all the kits made. I found I needed 3 sealed kits to fill in the collection....all three were found for $5 each....and I was happy!! I still like these kits and they represent a great time in my life.....but there are just too many to make them valuable. 

I have thrown away more NASCAR kits than I was able to sell! Back in 2001 I remember Dale Sr. kits selling out after his death and people putting them on eBay trying to make a quick buck in the aftermath of his death. I have been a fan of NASCAR for 40 years but have yet to assemble one kit, don't know what it is about building a NASCAR that doesn't appeal to me.

[Dave Van]

Our hobby shop was open on Sunday's back during the boom as we had good sales during races.  When JD McDuffie was killed at Watkins Glen I was working......I went and pulled all the JNJ decals and the two built up kits we had for sale along with a few die cast.......within minutes we had a stream of customers looking for JD stuff........it got so bad we started calling these customers 'Dead Guy Stuff Hunters' ......

I am working on three Cup kits right now filling holes in the collection of cars important to me.......

[mikemodeler]

Just an update, I have found a buyer ( not the local guy) who offered me a very reasonable price for the whole lot. While I could have waited 6 weeks until the next model show around here and MAYBE made as much, I am accomplishing a much needed task more easily and cleanly.

Going forward, I will be really thinking through any model kit purchase as I realized buying up that many kits only to never even opening most of them was foolish and costly. I will only buy what I will truly build and not have kits for the sake of having kits.