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Topic starter
28/12/2024 9:53 pm
A lot of this was due to various auction houses selling collections, with many items going for far less than prices realized even 2 years ago. I got these in one shipment from Vectis:
I got four of the PC Pontiacs to fill out my collection for $38 each, and the US Model Mint Crosley van for a mere $30. Some of the more interesting bargains are the ARC 01 Holland Coachcraft Collars Ltd. van, 61x 1960 Chevy Mel's Drive In (for the SFBBCC), 16X Dodge pickup with cable trailer (again for the SFBBCC), both 1930 GMC taxis, and the lavender DeSoto ambulance. Here's a few more pics.
But all these bargains come at a price sometimes. One model was missing a part (it was there on the website, so it escaped during packing). Another arrived with missing accessories and a broken bumper. In both these cases, Mo Brown had the parts and they should arrive soon. The white taxi arrived with a broken bumper, but Mo had no parts for this one; I repaired it as best I could. I seem to have bad luck with T-Birds - I was supposed to get the Marylin Monroe pink car but instead it was the coral one from the 1994 CTCI set. Worse yet, it was packed in a box intended for an EWA T-bird. And one they called 'near mint' had chipped paint on both front fenders. But the most unconscionable thing was a BML Terraplane convertible that was displayed disconnected from the base on the website, but then was packed with the base on top of the car, allowing the base screws to damage the model on its trip across the ocean. If they had just spent three minutes screwing the model back on it would have arrived OK. Vectis has promised to refund 15%, but I think a bit more would be fairer. Still to be settled.
28/12/2024 10:46 pm
What a nice haul at excellent prices,Harv. Sorry about your frustrations with careless packaging and shipping damage. I have a few dozen articles in my collection not quite perfect due to similar issues. Luckily with Brooklin, I have had a good replacement part track record. Not the same with Milestone, Western Models and several other white metal producers.
29/12/2024 3:05 am
I also bought some models from that auction but they have not arrived in Italy yet, I hope they are not lost in some post office somewhere. I agree with you, the prices were very convenient, but from what you say I am worried about the conditions in which thet will arrive, if they arrive. It is the first time I buy from Vectis, while I bought a few times from Collectoys in France and never had problems with them ... apart the prices! I hope I can post photos of those models...
29/12/2024 7:14 am
Very nice, collectable models Harv', I'm particularly envious of your Collars Ltd. van which I've long thought was just perfect! It seems extraordinary that Vectis would be so careless with the packing - no matter what pressure they may be under - as the quality of these items, on arrival, is as much 'the product' as the item itself. They are supposed to be an auction house and auction is traditionally associated with high-end, non-replaceable sales, and low prices on the day should not affect that fact.
29/12/2024 10:36 am
I got one item from that Vectis auction which was a 'real deal' until you added 27% PREMIUM - THEN JUST A 'GOOD DEAL'!
Just arrived and it was well packed - luckily!
29/12/2024 9:29 pm
My 7 Vectis items arrived in good shape and well packed in original Brooklin boxes. The 1948 Oldsmobile convertible, Hoagy Carmichael version, did not come with him but he was not pictured on the auction site either. No bother to me I was after the car not the man. Photos of these will follow, they are being opened every other day for delayed gratification for the Christmas season.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
30/12/2024 8:28 am
@mg-harv. I've had similar problems with Vectis and accordingly, I have stopped dealing with them. On my last purchase a BRK '57 Chev 2 dr htp, they charged me VAT and then I was charged tax at Canada Customs.I had a difficult time getting the VAT back from them. They charged me 40 pounds sterling ($70.63 CDN) to ship this one model that I won. Note that BM Outlet ships from the UK for 18 pounds sterling (about $32 CDN) for one model. By the time I was done with commission, exchange, shipping, taxes, duty and Canada Post handling fees it ended up costing $271 CDN. When you factor in all the costs to Canada, Vectis purchases are not the deals that they appear to be on the surface.
Topic starter
31/12/2024 5:12 pm
Here's pics of the BRK 16X Dodge with cable trailer, a SFBBCC model from 1995. While perhaps a fictitious replica, I've always liked its look and what says San Francisco better than hauling cable car cable.
31/12/2024 5:34 pm
Every concept needs a 'vehicle', so to speak. Fiction or not, it's a great story. Happy New Year Harv'.
Harv Goranson and John Kuvakas reacted
31/12/2024 5:41 pm
@kenspear I remain convinced that with serious collections that are being gathered together, the only way of selling in future times, will be through online, private networks. These 'auction houses', e-bay, the international postal cartel that ignores statutory law, are all a con that bleeds our collections of their value.
Christopher Moroni reacted
01/01/2025 9:12 am
These 'auction houses', e-bay, the international postal cartel that ignores statutory law, are all a con that bleeds our collections of their value.
Charles, could you expand on your comment just a bit; I'm unclear about exactly what it is you're claiming. Do you mean to infer that because of commissions, fees, and shipping rates the "only ones" benefitting from the liquidation of scale collections is everyone but the sellers? Also, could you explain what you mean by the term "statutory law."
John Kuvakas reacted