"Painted Miniatures Are Not Collectible Because..." Topic

You were asked – TMP link

Given how much time and skill we put into our armies, why don't secondhand painted armies sell for higher prices? Why doesn't the value grow, like fine art or fine wine?

15% of the votes: "people would rather paint their own figures"

12%: "too many bargain hunters"

10% [TIE]: "too much supply" OR "there aren't enough gamers/buyers"

8%: "individual artists aren't recognized or valued"

Why would they be?

Ever tried to resell a diamond? Almost impossible to get what it is supposedly worth; expect a 90% markdown if you can sell it at all. Of course the jewelers don't tell you that beforehand.

So my miniatures are like diamonds, an interesting thought… lol!

Diamonds and Rust.

I think it is so often because we collect "armies" or "units" particular to a rules system, and figures sold by someone else usually don't match our exiting collections. I have not bid on figures many, many times because the sculpts or the paint jobs or the number of figures is incompatible with those I already have.

I need 64 Old Guard infantry, the guy on EBay is selling 42. That means I have to go out and buy 22 figures and get them painted to match. It is just as easy to buy 64 bare lead sculpts and paint them all to match myself or by pro painter.

For better or worse, I would rather paint my own. Painting them is my hobby.

Again the strange disconnect between title and question. Nothing still in production in whatever numbers demand dictates is "collectable." Ever.

As for why prices for painted armies aren't higher, does it strike anyone else that "too much supply" and "not enough gamers/buyers [demand]" is the same answer? Price--any price in a free market--is the balance struck between supply and demand.

As for "too many bargain hunters" are there people out there who knowingly pay more than they need to for anything? (And when the time comes to sell my house, can you connect me with those people?)

Again the strange disconnect between title and question.

Agree. The minis sold as "collectible miniature games" are mostly pre-painted minis.

Nothing still in production in whatever numbers demand dictates is "collectable." Ever.

Disagree. Again, CMG's. Or, at least, they used to be. I think most now do only one run because they can accurately predict demand.

re there people out there who knowingly pay more than they need to for anything?

Tons.

And when the time comes to sell my house, can you connect me with those people?

Do you have a "collectable" house?

MC Hammer paid way more for his mansion than it was "worth" by comprable standards. When he went bankrupt, the bank sold it for more than it was worh. I believe, more than his debt.

That's a one-off, but there are tons of properties that sell based on "prestige of ownership" as a value item. And cars. And books. The books discussion is probably it's own thread or two on this forum…