Any suggestions on how to unload model kits?

[Hotrod 97]

I have some model kits that I’m looking to pass on. Some are still factory sealed, some are open and complete, and some are missing some parts. I’m not really looking to trade them, I’m more looking to sell them. Since there is no selling on these forums, any suggestions on how to unload these kits?

 

Thanks in advance

[Straightliner59]

I just got rid of a bunch of old parts kits on Ebay. I did better with them, than I expected. I know a lot of folks don't like them, but, they make shipping pretty easy.

[cobraman]

I second ebay.

[TarheelRick]

I am in pretty much the same situation as Tyler.  I have a good size collection, but aging past getting them all built.  The issue I have with EBay is the payment process, they pretty much force you into using PayPal, which I do not want to get involved with.  Any other suggestions?

[slusher]

Some of the sellers on eBay buy collections like model car mountain and there is Craigslist...

[Erik Smith]

This topic comes up quite a bit. It depends on what you expect to get, how much work you want to put in, and what kits you have. 
If you have readily available kits, such as new or recently released, you can sell them on eBay. However, it will be a lot of work, you won’t make much, and you will not be able to build models you have left because you will be photographing, listing, answering questions, packing, and shipping models. I don’t know a good way to unload easy to find models other than as combined “lots” on eBay or low prices on local markets such as Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Or just sell them all to one reseller. 
If you have rare and/or valuable kits, sell them on eBay. Largest market, period. Yes there are fees and annoyances, but there is nothing else like it. As I’ve said before, stealing from Churchill, “eBay is the worst way to sell models, except for all the other ways”.  
 

 

Edited December 7, 2020 by Erik Smith

[mikemodeler]

24 minutes ago, slusher said:

Some of the sellers on eBay buy collections like model car mountain and there is Craigslist...

Depending on your goal (getting rid of them or getting top dollar) this could be the way to go. 

eBay- worldwide marketplace with people purposely looking for model kits. Potential for top dollar but could be time consuming if you have a lot of kits to get rid of. Fees and rules might not be to your liking but best exposure to sell them.

Craigslist- limited to the area in which you live, have to hope that like minded people are looking and deal with people in person who might try to beat you up on price. But you deal in cash and no shipping hassles like eBay or FB.

Facebook- Multiple groups on FB allow selling and have some rules. Still have the potential for being ripped off but if you ship with tracking, you should be safe. No fees, but do have to ship and conduct business via PM. Usually have nationwide exposure and broader customer base than Craigslist.

Collection buyers- Great way to off load large group of kits but be prepared to sell cheaply. There is a guy here in Charlotte that buys collections (I have sold him some kits at shows) and his target acquisition price is $8-10 per kit. Most are likely at that price or even below.

Hobby shows- best way to sell, deal with people directly and no shipping. Given the current environment, might be six months before they resume but be on the lookout and get a table. 

Best bet is to organize your collection, inventory it and make notes - sealed, open but complete, parts kit, etc- and determine what you want to do. If you deal with a collection buyer they are going to want to know what you have and what condition its in. Some might want to buy certain parts of it- truck, muscle car, sealed , etc. and having it in a spreadsheet so you can sort it accordingly will only make it easier for everyone.

Good luck, I have done several purges over the years and selling at a show netted me the most money, but that was before I became active with FB groups. More money to be made on FB, more work though. 

[ewetwo]

I just started selling some kits on Ebay. Doesn't seem very difficult so far. I take plenty of pictures if they are rebuilders or if the kit has been opened. I purchase mailing boxes to put the kit in and they cost about a $1 a box. And I use Pirsateship.com to mail them. And I have used PayPal for years with no problems at this point. 

[OldNYJim]

2 hours ago, ewetwo said:

I just started selling some kits on Ebay. Doesn't seem very difficult so far. I take plenty of pictures if they are rebuilders or if the kit has been opened. I purchase mailing boxes to put the kit in and they cost about a $1 a box. And I use Pirsateship.com to mail them. And I have used PayPal for years with no problems at this point. 

You can order USPS boxes for free from their website to ship in (assuming Pirateship lets you use USPS packaging)

[Luc Janssens]

I'm letting a dealer sell some 300 kit of mine...

[Sledsel]

There are some selling and auction pages on Facebook I use to buy and sell

I like Model Kits and Bits Auction page

[DRIPTROIT 71]

5 hours ago, slusher said:

Some of the sellers on eBay buy collections like model car mountain and there is Craigslist...

I second Model Car Mountain. When I quit building a little over 15 years ago I sold most of my truck collection to him. I’m not sure if it was Model Car Mountain then but it is the same guy. I named what I thought was a reasonable price for us both at the time and he paid cash. No hassle of shipping or checking in on EBay. Yes, I have now purchased more kits than I had when I sold out. So much for giving up model building.

 I have also sold on EBay without issue too other than the time it takes. 

[Erik Smith]

33 minutes ago, Luc Janssens said:

I'm letting a dealer sell some 300 kit of mine...

Ah, that’s an idea I forgot about. Is it a consignment deal? Does the dealer sell on eBay or just wherever? 

[Luc Janssens]

12 minutes ago, Erik Smith said:

Ah, that’s an idea I forgot about. Is it a consignment deal? Does the dealer sell on eBay or just wherever? 

a consignment deal, he get's a percentage from each sale, and the price setting is done with mutual consent and he has his own website plus does an open house once a month.

 

Edited December 7, 2020 by Luc Janssens

[Bob Ellis]

Ebay is the best way but ebay commisions and paypal cost can be high(12% total) but powersellers pay less. 200 sales or $20000 will get IRS interested in you.

[Daddyfink]

ebay, local kit show or model club

[Oldcarfan27]

I can't stand to see you suffer, unload them to me! ?

[Tom Geiger]

On 12/7/2020 at 7:07 PM, Bob Ellis said:

Ebay is the best way but ebay commisions and paypal cost can be high(12% total) 

It’s more like... in auction you can sometimes realize several times what you wanted for the kit on their platform... and people still complain about paying a sliver of their profit as a fee!

[bobthehobbyguy]

All methods have tradeoffs. If you do a show  you have to consider table cost, if its a model show and vendor event you will be spending most of the time at your table. 

[dimaxion]

I tried for 3 Years to sell a collection for a close friend qith a very ill wife . I did go to a fb model sales page . The Aircraft , I still have and he changed his mind . He wants them back . I am good with this . I sold 25 + Car Kits to a Re-seller . I did get a decent price and he will make money ,  I was made offers of an outstanding $2 each to someone :"starting out building Model CARS" . This included NOS Sealed in Box kits . I responded sure , I'll remove the Shrink Wrap . He went ballistic . He did not agree I should protect my friend's interest and give them away . I pointed out I know , in a quick turn around he would sell these at Max Fair Market Value and beyond. While a Close to Fair Market Value with discount . That was all I was seeking . The concept was lost on him . I do take less as I am a builder / collector myself  . I did not seek Top Dollar . My retirement funding is a joke ! Getting Rid of , I don't do . Share the Wealth , I am in .. Thanx 

[ewetwo]

As I stated earlier. I'm selling kits on ebay because I found that the few Facebook model sites for selling. I was running into most people not following through with the sale. Either they really didn't have the money. Or just never replied. Now on Ebay. My 3rd sale. 2 days and nothing from the buyer. I thought dealing through ebay would weed out the no shows. But I'm wrong.  So I don't know what to tell you for unloading your kits. Seems nothing is legit anymore. 

[cobraman]

I have had some folks take  days to reply. You can always report him as a non paying bidder so you don't get charged for something that you did not get paid for. How was their feedback ?

[Erik Smith]

I’ve had people wait a week to pay. Annoying, but whatever. I’ve never had a non paying buyer. 
ALL selling - whether you’re in a store, at a swap meet, selling on eBay - has annoying customers. There is no way to take the “people” aspect out of it. 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Erik Smith

[Ironman63]

2 hours ago, Erik Smith said:

I’ve had people wait a week to pay. Annoying, but whatever. I’ve never had a non paying buyer. 
ALL selling - whether you’re in a store, at a swap meet, selling on eBay - has annoying customers. There is no way to take the “people” aspect out of it. 

I did this back at the end of November.  The difference is I asked if he would wait until I got paid before I bid(6 days from the end of the auction).  I have bought from him several times and he had no problem doing this for me.  I buy and sell a little on the 'bay and I am willing to work with someone who wants something.  Unfortunately I have had to have Ebay step in to not have to pay the fees because of nonpayment.  You have good buyers and bad.  The bad ones are the ones that get blocked.  Fool me once etc.

[Erik Smith]

13 minutes ago, Ironman63 said:

I did this back at the end of November.  The difference is I asked if he would wait until I got paid before I bid(6 days from the end of the auction).  I have bought from him several times and he had no problem doing this for me.  I buy and sell a little on the 'bay and I am willing to work with someone who wants something.  Unfortunately I have had to have Ebay step in to not have to pay the fees because of nonpayment.  You have good buyers and bad.  The bad ones are the ones that get blocked.  Fool me once etc.

Communication is the key. If somebody asks if I can wait for them to pay, no biggie. 
If somebody ghosts you, annoying.