Taking them out of the box

[cromez]

hey everone..ive been collecting cars for a while now and ive always wondered, how much value (if any) does a model actually lose if you take it out of the box.

Because i was hoping to make a display case for my cars but i dont know if i should take them out of the box.

if anyone has an answer to my question i would really appreciate it.

thx

[Ryan Quantz]

What does it matter? Do they mean more to you displayed in your case, or as padding in your wallet? Either way, they are only worth what someone will pay for them. With or without the packaging. I personally don't know a single sould who ever made millions from stashed model kits or even HotWheels cars. You should do it for the enjoyment of what you collect, not the value. But... to answer the question... Generally, once you remove something from the packaging the "value" drops quite a bit, except for in certain circumstances. Are we talking Diecast or plastic models? Cause it would be kinda silly displaying a bunch of trees of model kit parts.

Just my Opinion.

And, this is your first post?!?! Please, oh PLEASE, don't tell me that you signed up just to ask how much your stuff is worth...

Edited May 14, 2009 by Ryan Quantz

[Harry P.]

I'm not sure what you mean, exactly, by "taking it out of the box"?

Do you mean breaking the shrinkwrap? If so, be aware that shrinkwrapping machines are pretty common. It's easy to break the shrinkwrap, open up the kit, and then "rewrap" it again... so bottom line, a shrinkwrapped kit doesn't necessarily mean it's never been opened.

[cromez]

oh im talking about 1:18 diecast cars - pre-built. and no lol i didnt mean to get a reply about how much my cars are worth. i just wanted to know generally about model cars. but i understand your point about the personal issue and taking them out.

thx

[Guest Gassersgarage]

I say take them out and BUILD THEM!!!! In my opinion you would have to save an unopen kit for 200 years for it to be "worth" a fortune. Why collect something if you can't "take it out" and enjoy it?

Diecast? take em out and MOD them.....

Thats my story and I ain't changing it

[Ryan Quantz]

I agree. Take them out and enjoy them. Sorry about the poke too man. I have just been a member on too many-a-forum where guys would ONLY join and post when they wanted to know what something was worth. Ya know... Not meant to offend you. Take them out of the boxes carefully and if you have room, store the boxes for a move or when you might want to sell them, atleast you still have the box. Personally, I don't give a Hoot whether it's sealed, it just having the original box and packaging would be enough for me. That's if I was buying something, that is....

[Zoom Zoom]

If it's got a barcode it's never going to be worth much, if anything, more than you paid, and quite likely it will end up worth much less. The days of collector value for stuff like that is gone, too many people buy models and keep them packaged.

Take them out and enjoy them. They're a lousy investment if you think they're going to make you any money.

[cromez]

ok thx for the feedback. well i have to make a display case for my art class but it has to be out of found objects (garbage) so its not gonna be legit. but when i get a job im going to build a sick one out of plexiglass with lights for like 30 of my cars!!

[old low&slo]

I was at someones house once that had a bunch of 1/18 diecast cars displayed

still in their boxes and I thought it looked kinda cheesy. ( just my opinion )

I thought they would look so much better out where you could really see the the whole car. keep them in a nice glass display case and they would look good and you would get more enjoyment out of them !!!

[Rick Schmidt]

Speakin on the subject or diecasts I pull every one I get out of its box I toss the box in the trash never to be seen again I buy em for me to enjoy and look at.

[jbwelda]

well possibly contrary to popular opinion, what i would do if you had the space is take them out of the box, but be careful opening the box and save all the packing material, just put it in the box. then stick the box up in the attic or wherever and enjoy the diecast out on the shelf! if or when you end up with a rare treasure, you got the box and can put it back in there!

Edited May 15, 2009 by jbwelda

[roadhawg]

If it's got a barcode it's never going to be worth much, if anything, more than you paid, and quite likely it will end up worth much less. The days of collector value for stuff like that is gone, too many people buy models and keep them packaged.

Also, if it says "collectable" or "collectible" anywhere on the box......it'll never be worth more than you paid. Take 'em out!!!

[Guest]

Yep, take em out and enjoy the. Same with plastic kits, and I dont care if they are actually from the 60's and 70's, they were meant to be built!

[rocketrider]

Depends on whether you are a collector or a builder. If you are a collector, then yes they will lose value, according to that market. If you are a builder, then they are not doing you any good in the boxes. As for diecast, you can take them out and stash the boxes if you wish to put them back together later.

besides, if you cant play with them, why have them.

[Eshaver]

You know , this is starting to sound too much like Shoptalk @ old gas ,com , a gasolone pump and collectables forum I belong to Instead lf rebuilding gas pumps and enjoying the darn things al I see are the same whiney crybaby Speculators whom back in the 80's were bidding up Muscle cars ! What has happened to us having a hobby ? Hey Greg if this is where the forum is headed , please delete my name , cancel the account , I'm gonna go fishin !

Ed Shaver

[beefheart22]

As an avid collector of many things, I've learned that its all based on supply and demand. If these are high-detailed, limited run diecast, keep all of the original packaging. If they are not limited, they are not collectible at all. You may have to do some research, but they key is very limited runs.

Bottom line, as long as your diecast is kept dust/sunlight free, you can display it out of the box. Keep the original packaging in good condition in storage. I've still managed to sell limited runs for top dollar with the diecast displayed out of the box.

I have tons of 1/24 and 1/64 Racing Champions still in new condition, original packaging from 15+ years ago, but not worth a penny because there is so much surplus inventory that is still in freight pallets, cluttering wear houses world wide. On the other hand my 1:400 airliners can fetch double the retail value within a year based on productions of 1000 units or less.

Hope this helps. Careful with collecting, each little trinket is like a hit of crack..

[FujimiLover]

I'm a member of Mini-ZRacer.com forum. This is a forum based on Kyosho's 1/28 scale RC cars and over the past five years I've been collecting/selling, collecting/selling, the AutoScale bodies. AutoScale is a name Kyosho has given their highly detailed, highly collectible plastic bodies that come on a dumby chassis and in a beautiful display case. Many of us racers enjoy collecting as many bodies as we can find and we get very excited when we get our hands on rare ones and later on sell it off for a profit. Sometimes we dont' make a profit at all, but that's part of the game.

I have learned over the years, I dont' know if this is true with die-cast models as it is with the Kyosho AutoScale bodies, but the AutoScale bodies definetly maintane their value if left in their box. Some of us do take the bodies out of the box for display, but we tend to keep all the papers, packaging and extra's.

These AutoScale bodies usually cost around 20-50 dollars. When the Lamborghini Murcielago first came out, they came out in three colors, yellow, green, and limited edition black. These were the most popular highly sought-after bodies as they were very popular for racing and collecting. These day's, I've seen a mint condition NIB Murcielago AutoScale go for as high as 200 dollars on ebay! That's the cost of a ready-set Mini-Z!

So to answer your question, if your planning on investing in hopes to make a profit in the future, keep'em in the box, or at least keep the box and try and keep all the packaging in mint condition. This way, you can take the model out and enjoy theme, but when time to let it go, you can put it back in it's original packaging.

Hope this helps!