"Collection sold question?" Topic

Has anyone successfully sold a full collection.

As an example: I have several hundred Ral Partha Sudan war figures. Fully painted and table ready. Other than breaking them up and selling unit by unit, what are my options?

I have sold collections. Some took a while to sell. My Napoleon's took 3 years and I sold them for a little over a dollar for a painted figure. The buyer got a great deal. I've also sold several other collections. If you really want to sell them you usually have to be realistic about your bottom line price, because when there are few offers and they are lower than you wish you may not get another offer for a long time.

Good luck!

I have bought and sold full collections. You need to be reasonable about price expectations, and you need to be aware of shipping costs. Another option is to sell them by lots. For the Sudan, maybe naval brigade, camel corps (or all mounted), Egyptians and Sudanese, British infantry…

Lots or individual units can help maximize your money, or someone may buy multiple lots, so offer combined shipping. Do you just want it gone, or do you want every penny that you can get, or somewhere in between?

In the scheme of buying and selling armies, 200 figures is on the smaller side of things.

It's doable. "Several hundred" 25mm may be a full collection, but it's not particularly large. I've sold maybe a dozen larger, and bought one. Dadster's right, of course. Sell them priced low in one batch or be prepared to spend years.

Best option is close by. Who knows and has played with those troops?

Second best is a major or a specialized convention. Painted units by the footlocker depart the big HMGS (formerly East) and SYWA convention flea markets. Be sure people know you're coming, and what you have for sale. Get at least a sample out where they can be seen by passers-by.

Third best is eBay or Noble Knight. Get the best possible photos, and list exactly what's for sale. But remember at this stage postage and handling come into the picture. Noble Knight pays this, but economically, it has to come out of what they can offer for the figures. And anyone buying on eBay has to keep shipping costs in mind when considering your price.

And don't neglect to list them here.

Good luck,

R

I've had good luck in the past two years selling in person at Wally's Basement during HMGS conventions. I have sold about 1000 15mm ACW painted and based figures, and about 300 WW2 20mm figures and some 100 vehicles. I sold them by units of about 10 bases for ACW and about 10-12 20mm figures (squad size). I was able to sell the ACW for $2 USD-3 per base of 3 figures, and the 20mm for about $1 USD/figure ($10 for 12 figures) and $5 USD-$10 per painted vehicle. I sold my entire collections of both, as I was moving to 28mm, but broke them up into smaller units. I sold at 3-4 sessions of Wally's basement. Lots of repeat customers coming back for more.

I'll second Milgame's response. I've had great luck selling collections at Historicon. But, I've also priced them to sell. I take the attitude that I don't want to carry things back to the car. Once folks realize you're dealing, it goes fairly easily.

I usually start by pricing the figures at 1 1/2 times what I paid for them. I don't recall having to break up any collections, they are never that large. Always advertise postpaid as well. Generally end up doing price reductions.

I think it's worth noting a difference in terminology. When you write "selling a collection," I, and I suspect others, get the idea that you're talking about everything the guy had, soup to nuts. This puts people off as I/they think there's bound to be stuff I'll have no interest in.

What you've written about doing is better described as "selling an army." This is a very different animal. Selling an army isn't too difficult. My first impulse would be to offer it to his local gaming buddies. There is a good chance someone would love to have it. My second impulse would be to list it in here under Marketplace, preferably with pictures, and offer to bring it to one of the upcoming cons to complete the sale. (This also provides an excuse to actually go to a con.)

Failing these you could take it to a con and hope for the best or go with ebay or Noble Knight.

A couple of years ago, I advertised my entire 20mm Vietnam war collection, (painted and unpainted figures, terrain, scenics, templates, etc), here on TMP.
I listed everything and took pics of it all.
Negotiated a price within a week and it was done.

Yes I have sold two AWI 40mm armies. Took awhile as it is a very limited market but both sold with the last 12 months.

Yes, several large collections. Just be realistic about the asking price….then half it.

Does your Ral Partha Sudan war figures include both sides? If not there may be very few folks who are interested sine RP are "small" 25s.

I moved a massive one several years ago, and recently brokered another. I can't echo CamelCase's response enough.
Advertise with plenty of pictures. If able, attend a convention and set up a flea market table.

I've sold painted fleets both naval and scifi here on TMP and been happy with the results. I did not shoot for top dollar, merely what I thought would sell at a price point I believed would satisfy both myself and the buyer.

I agree with what has been said above. For me, the best (and, actually only option) is flea markets at gaming conventions. Have stuff packed for easy distribution, but also for quick display. Have manufacturer (if known), era, scale, and prices written Large and Clean, so someone can see stuff walking by (GLANCING). Price fairly, but also be prepared to negotiate if someone buys in volume.

Good luck! Your stuff WILL sell, I promise.