Need advice on selling a collection

[Lyn]

Hi Everyone. While searching for answers to my many questions I found this forum.

We have a collection of models that was my fathers, when he passed away in 1996 we boxed them all up and put them in storage, he did have a company name MPH Model Cars, that is why I am useing it. I have finally talked my mother into allowing me to sell them.. Now this is where I have run into some problems. I have sold a few of my personal models from his collection on ebay, they sold well, however it is different trying to sell 1,000 of them vs 10. I was wondering of anyone knows where I can find a book or magazine on the worth of models these days. It is almost mind numbing trying to figure out where to start here, most of them are 1/24th or 1/24 scale platic kits, there are big boxes of bodies, tires, engins, misc parts, stickers you name it he had it. I believe I am going to break up the collection and possibly sell them in groups auction style, but with out knowing how much they are worth I am stuck. Any advice would help me out greatly.

Thank you,

Lyn Hillyer

[Modelmartin]

Wow! You will be getting a lot of advice and a lot of conflicting advice and probably a few offers!

My advice is to sell on Ebay because everything will rise to to it's actual value before it is sold. I don't think you need to know the values yourself beforehand. Older kits (manufactured before 1980 or so, NOT pre-1980 cars) should be sold individually if possible because typically they are more valuable. Newer kits can be grouped by type of car. Don't try to sell "variety packs". Race cars with racecars, hot rods with hotrods, Fords, Chevies, etc.

Some people will sell an entire collection on Ebay but you wil not get as much for it, but it would save time.

Ebay will be the easiest and best way to sell, in my opinion. Good luck!

Edited May 24, 2009 by Modelmartin

[Lyn]

Hi, Thanks for getting back with me.. Every one of them is before 1996, that is the year he passed away.. The few I did sell on ebay last year sold well, a KISS one sold for $100. I hadn't thought about keeping the types together that is a great idea, I probably would have put Fords and Chevy's together, maybe have even put a di-cast or promo in the mix haha, see told you I need advice. My brother had mentioned something about (re-pops) I guess thats what you mean by after 1980. I have been posting his model car magazines on ebay over the last few weeks, alot of very happy people to get things that have been just sitting in storage for 12 plus years. Thank you again for the Advice!

Wow! You will be getting a lot of advice and a lot of conflicting advice and probably a few offers!

My advice is to sell on Ebay because everything will rise to to it's actual value before it is sold. I don't think you need to know the values yourself beforehand. Older kits (manufactured before 1980 or so, NOT pre-1980 cars) should be sold individually if possible because typically they are more valuable. Newer kits can be grouped by type of car. Don't try to sell "variety packs". Race cars with racecars, hot rods with hotrods, Fords, Chevies, etc.

Some people will sell an entire collection on Ebay but you wil not get as much for it, but it would save time.

Ebay will be the easiest and best way to sell, in my opinion. Good luck!

[Karmodeler2]

Hey Lyn,

Bob Sheldon and Bill Coulter have written a book that is just perfect for you. It list the kits by vehicle name, and tells you what each one should cost in today's market. I know the info is a little dated, but it will give you an idea on what to ask. Andy is right in that the price will seek itself out on Ebay. As they say, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay. If you want, email me and I will put you in touch with Bill or Bob and you can get a copy of the book. I'm sure someone in your model club (if you are in one) already has a copy.

David Morton

[Lyn]

Hi, David

Thank you for the reply. I did send you a note.

Lyn Hillyer

[crispy]

Lyn, ebay is of course the best place and will probably yield the most dollar wise.

I would like for you to check out:

http://www.emodelcars.com/index.php

This is a site run by Greg(Model Cars magazine owner/editor/website guy). You incur no fees for listing unless you want the added premiums he offers. And even those are cheap at $1.00.

It is a auction site similar to ebay but designed for the modeler's by the modeler's.

In any event whatever you do I would like to urge you to list a few things there so that you could at least test the waters. Just my opinion. I just wanted to give you another place to sell without fees and payment requirements.

Lastly, when do sell them on ebay would you mind letting the gang here know your selling I.D.? I'm sure you'd drum up a little more business this way too.

Good Luck.

Chris

[Lyn]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for that link I will check it out! The ebay name I use now is turtle_rancher (long story) I have some of my dad's magazines listed on there now.

I went to my mothers today and got the list from her, also the CD the list is on. I am WAY over my head haha.

I picked up a few things while there and can only seem to find one on Ebay, that one is a Revell '51 Drag Coupe. I also brought home some resin parts he bought I'll have to ask my brother what these body's are I have no clue. one box does list corvair on the side. one box has 10 '70 camaro bumper+grill there is a tag in that box.

Do you know anything about Yodel Supermachine lotis wing, Gunze Sangyo 1956 volkswagon or Airfix monty's humber? also have something that looks like Y-El Products, 1955 pontiac 2dr bolero and 3 1/48 scale renwal models, in a paper bag, jaguar xke, 1965 corvette stingray and 1957 ford T bird..

Once I figure out what these models are I brought home today I'll try to list them on Gregg's site, ya'll have been so nice to me.

Thankyou, Lyn

[Abell82]

Are you wanting to sell the whole collection at once? Have you tried Tom Carter @ Spotlight hobbies?

Spotlight hobbies

[jimnohio]

I have sold plenty on ebay, and I can tell you for sure to keep the vintage stock in single listings, as many people may want to bid, but if there are 3-4 kits...the bidding gets too high for most. One at a time.

The more recent kits, post 1980 for example, put in lots of 5, 10 most. I have seen lots of 50 for $400 including shipping, and have seen lots of 10 go for $150. 50 kits is just too many for the average bidder to afford.

As a dealer....I wish I had your problem! :-)

By the way...let us know when you start listing.

[Lyn]

Well I asked my brother about a few of the models I brought home and he laughed when I said I couldn't find a 1955 Bolero anywhere, evidently that is a color not a type of car.

So I figure my Father helped me find this site to amuse himself and each of you with my asking silly questions like that haha.

boy oh boy. I did laugh when he told me.

Lyn Hillyer

[Lyn]

Jim I am sure alot of modelers wished they had my problem, of course they have to deal with the cause before they can get the problem.

Thanks for the advice, it sounds very reasonable. I don't think selling the whole collection to one person is a way I want to go, I think I am meant to share it with alot of people and of course make a few bucks while doing it.

I am laughing now remembering what my brother said to me about the name being a color not a car type, I am so infor some fun haha

Thank you again,

Lyn

[beefheart22]

I have to agree with everybody else: ebay is probably your best bet. If you have that many items, it will be a full time job, even if you do sell multiple items per listing. Do a search on ebay to see how similar items are selling. If your searches come up with few listings with high bids for a particular item, it is a good indication that it is in high demand, will sell well and should be sold on its own.

If you have that many items, it will take a months to auction them off. You should list only as many items as you can ship on a weekly basis. I made the mistake of selling 20 items at once and nearly went made trying to sort out who bought what, combined items to one address and waiting for payment from others let alone packing and mailing the items. With that said, it may be better to sell your collection a little bit at a time to keep from going crazy!

[Gregg]

Lyn, if you want to sell them one by one, I would be most grateful if you did so on eModelCars.

I sure could use the publicity, and this would certainly get a lot of traffic to the site.

And, like Chris said, IT'S FREE!!!!

I, like Tom Carter, Dean Milano, and others, do buy collections in full, so that's always another possibility.

Let me know if you have any questions.

There is a bulk lister on eModelCars, but it's PC-based, and silly me is on a Mac.

I know, go figure....

[diymirage]

you can always post it here and us all a hige favour

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showforum=10

[jimnohio]

By the way...get your Paypal set up (if you don't have it already) and also find a local box company. You'll need many boxes of the right size. I would suggest buying boxes for 1-2 models (10 x 10 x 8) and also boxes for 3, 4, 5 kits (about 16 x 10 x 8). There are box manufacturers in most cities, so you should be able to get them local...but they are not that expensive even online (use google and find a company at least your state...to keep shipping cost down).

You'll also need shipping peanuts and bubble wrap...which you should also buy bulk. Peanuts come in huge bags (as tall as you) and bubble comes in huge rolls (about 3' diameter). Google for local company if possible. one company usually distributes both.

If you are able, buy boxes 100 ata time...you will need MANY!

Paypal allows you to ship VIA USPS or UPS, and you can print the label from there also. Shipping will be the biggest part of the job. It takes some time. Your payments will come in at different times, so its hard to set one day for shipping.

Over all...you will enjoy the selling experience, but only if you have the time.

Like everyone has said...try a few out on this message board auction, and post here again once you have them listed!

[Lyn]

By the way...get your Paypal set up (if you don't have it already) and also find a local box company. You'll need many boxes of the right size. I would suggest buying boxes for 1-2 models (10 x 10 x 8) and also boxes for 3, 4, 5 kits (about 16 x 10 x 8). There are box manufacturers in most cities, so you should be able to get them local...but they are not that expensive even online (use google and find a company at least your state...to keep shipping cost down).

Like everyone has said...try a few out on this message board auction, and post here again once you have them listed!

[Lyn]

Hi everyone,

After talking with my brother and reading all the kind and useful advice/tips everyone has provided for me either through email or on the board I believe I have decided on a basic plan of action. And thanks Jim, I thought about boxes today, I have a buddy in town that sells random stuff on ebay I am going to see if he wants to go in with me on them. I also am going to take some of the models he has many duplicats of and donate some of them to a childrens charity of some sort, which I'll figure out later when I have all of this down pat

I am going to start out today by posting the few random models and parts I took yesterday on Ebay and then this weekend once I figure out your posting system I will put a few on here as well.. I have already sold on ebay so I know how to use that one.. my user name is turtle_rancher

I haven't had a chance to go through the list there is around 100 pages on a steno pad to go through. The major problem I am facing now is there are 70+ extra large moving boxes full of packed models in storage all at least 3 high, though the boxes are numbered and I do have a list of what is in each box, moving them around to dig out an item will take time and probably a few beers haha.

Today's ebay posting will be some europien brand models and a few resin parts. If anyone thinks I am starting my auctions out to expensive PLEASE feel free to tell me.

Thank you all again,

Lyn

Edited May 27, 2009 by Lyn@MPH Model Cars

[FujimiLover]

When you sell on ebay, don't forget to pay for your ebay fee's. I forgot about mine from something I sold back in January and for a while I was suspended from ebay and couldn't even ask a seller a question. Fortunetly, I sold an item yesterday and was able to pay those darn fee's and now my account is good again.

What kind of model kit's do you have? Have you got any classic Fujimi models? I'm hunting for an 89 Honda CRX Mugen Pro.2 model.

[crazyjim]

What you could really do is just ship everything to me. Kidding - gotta go check ebay.

[Lyn]

When you sell on ebay, don't forget to pay for your ebay fee's. I forgot about mine from something I sold back in January and for a while I was suspended from ebay and couldn't even ask a seller a question. Fortunetly, I sold an item yesterday and was able to pay those darn fee's and now my account is good again.

What kind of model kit's do you have? Have you got any classic Fujimi models? I'm hunting for an 89 Honda CRX Mugen Pro.2 model.

Hi, yes after 15 min of looking and a headache LOL it does show that I have 26 different kind of Fujimi models but I do not see an 89 Honda CRX. If you give me the model # of any you are looking for I can see if they are listed there, might have to remind me that I have the Fujimi Models listed as they are in box # 62

Thanks for the ebay advice, I have it set up where my fee's come out of my paypal account and I leave money in there incase I want to buy something

[Chris guthro]

Do you have any Big Rigs Or AMT Chevrolet C1500 or C3500???

[Lyn]

Do you have any Big Rigs Or AMT Chevrolet C1500 or C3500???

I don't know, do you mean big rigs as in Semi's? Honestly Chris I don't know about the C type trucks. I am more then slightly overwhelmed by all of this. I will ask my brother tomorrow, he seems to have a photo memory of our dad's collection.

[Chris guthro]

yea, i mean semi trucks....

[Lyn]

Hi Everyone, ]

I listed 6 models on the eModelCars auciton site today and of course more on ebay as well.

[Lyn]

Hi Chris,

My brother said there may be some in there, but they would be early year models. I honestly won't know for sure until I can get into some more boxes. I am right now working out of 7, there are 70 in storage.