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Post by JohnY on Mar 14, 2023 21:44:48 GMT
I know it's a topic that brings much gnashing of teeth, tears, tremors, the vapors, etc. but, hypothetically speaking, if you had a collection of 54mm WWII figures (Airfix, Britains, Conte, Matchbox, Toy Soldiers of San Diego, other brands), guns (Italeri 1/32 kits, some Britain howitzers), vehicles and armor (say a mix of Classic Toy Soldier, 21st Century, etc) would you: 1) Sell it locally in two lots - one for vehicles, one for figures. 2) Sell it in lots of lots locally - like by nationality or by manufacturer or painted vs unpainted, or ?). 3) Sell it as a single large lot locally. 4) Give it away piecemeal or in lots to local gamers. 5) Give away the whole lot to a single local gamer or group (if such a thing exists). You'll notice "locally" in my list - I hate going to the post office. Seriously. I'd rather pull out my own teeth (fortunately, the dentist has beaten me to it for quite a few of them). We don't really have any conventions in Atlanta for wargaming where there'd be a Bring and Buy or similar, that I know of but there are some Facebook groups and such.
At the moment, I just want the figures out of my way, so I've boxed them up and squeezed them into a closet while I think more on it. Space in our apartment is hard to come by (which is among several reasons I'm considering doing this) and so this is a temporary measure.
Most, if not all, of it must go to make room for other projects and to alleviate some of the psychological clutter.
Just curious how others might handle it, other than holding onto the collection. I suppose I could let go of some other projects instead, but frankly, they are more exciting to me(some are well underway and I want room to expand, some haven't begun because I don't have space for the figures once painted) and 54mm WWII is easily my collection with the most toys.
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Post by macscrooge on Apr 5, 2023 16:51:01 GMT
Sell in several lots is probably your best option. I’m downsizing other scales to make way for the 54s. I’ve sold some stuff and given away loads to friends.
Hope that helps!
Tim
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clive
Lance Corporal
Posts: 44
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Post by clive on Apr 6, 2023 13:49:03 GMT
Theres a tension between getting the most money and getting rid of it quickly.
You could get rid of it quickly by giving it all away in one lot, but selling in small batches you will make most money, but that will also take most time.
I would give away all the low value stuff - eg unpainted Airfix, but sell the higher value stuff in medium sized lots.
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Post by zuludon on Apr 6, 2023 15:47:00 GMT
Great topic! I am currently looking at selling my own 54mm WW2 collection, but, as I'm the only 54mm wargamer I know in all of northern California, the chances of hooking up with a local gamer who plays with 54mm are pretty slim. I did make a few sales with the help of the Swapmeet board of this forum. I guess I'm resigned to using eBay. I don't mind the post office, it's the packing that gets me down. I considered driving down to Anaheim for the Westcoaster in February, but it didn't make financial sense.
Good luck to you... and me.
Nick Stern
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Post by JohnY on Apr 6, 2023 16:46:14 GMT
Good luck, Nick!
I think I'm going to donate the unpainted Airfix and similar (which are actually mostly clones) to Goodwill. Some of the vehicles might go as well - the CTS tanks and such, which are more toy-like. I will probably bite the bullet and sell a few lots of the W. Britain figures online, but I am going to see if there are any local collectors who might not be wargamers (and who wouldn't mind having to some touch-ups).
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Post by rossmac on Apr 6, 2023 19:43:34 GMT
Having been there, lots of stuff to rehome and little or no local market, I still don't have good advice!
I managed to sell some of the better figures at bargain prices either on ebay or via my blog or direct contact with remote friends + shipping, managed to give some away to friends or in the case of my 54mm ACW, I was able to add them to the HAWKS armies for kids project one year.
(thrift type stores around here don't usually accept military related toys) but never did clear it all out.
( As an aside one remote chap bought or was given a number of figures, he then proceeded to touch up bases or scrapes and put them on his blog as his own original work and eventually sold them at a profit grrr)
But there are still more figures, largely unpainted or 25mm metal in the cupboard, taking up space.
Unless money is really tight, I wouldn't worry too much about getting your money back as long as the receiver pays the post. Adding a page to your blog and listing what you want to re-home and asking for postage and packing costs plus a freewill offering if the new owner is able and willing.
Ross
Good luck!
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