News and an update from Brooklin

Interesting subject. For those who want to donate their models to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, perhaps you can consider giving them to a trusted dealer and asking him to donate part of the proceeds to your favorite charity. I know this sounds unconventional, but Goodwill or the Salvation Army will just sell them and get, literally, a few pennies on the dollar. A dealer will keep them in their packages and keep them circulating in the hobby. 

@david-knight I started the downsizing process about 15 years ago when I was planning my retirement out of state. I sold my collection of about 650 models in 3 stages. The last stage was 10 years ago when I finally moved and sold my estate in Las Vegas.

I never collected for investment and I was already prepared for a substantial write-off. 

Now, I live in a smaller house that better suits my needs for my 70's. i started again collecting 1/43 resin 3 years ago and  I am very selective about what I buy. I don't want again to be the addicted slave of the hobby. I even consider the 60 or so models I now have are even too much and I already am loosing interest in some of them.

The other factor is my only son living far away has no interest in my toys and to create an additional burden to sell my estate when time will come would be inconsiderate. So, my Last Will is very specific of what to do with my toys: Simply destroy them. 

@nickies 

Not everyone will like that solution, but it is simple.

@ed-davis Of course..........but this is when you have to draw the bottom line: Is this "really" an asset or a money pit to try to preserve a few pieces and for who?  

The  last few big auctions I saw have been polarized because of a renowned former collector. All were nice models. I would be surprised if the final cash sale value would have been 30K.

Destroying them seems self centered to me but then they're yours to do with as you please.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

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Interesting subject. For those who want to donate their models to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, perhaps you can consider giving them to a trusted dealer and asking him to donate part of the proceeds to your favorite charity. I know this sounds unconventional, but Goodwill or the Salvation Army will just sell them and get, literally, a few pennies on the dollar. A dealer will keep them in their packages and keep them circulating in the hobby. 

We should make a list of potential dealers/auction houses, for that very purpose.  Many of us will have that same question.

@karl, that's a good idea. There are a lot of good guys out there who could use a boost in sales, and it seems a shame to see some truly desirable models go into a toy bin or worse. For those who don't want to donate, there are several dealers who will sell the collection for the heirs. They charge a respectable commission, and the models stay in the hobby.

Like some of you, I started to downsize back in 2016 by sharing a table with Jeff Lane at Countyside. Started small with a about 18 models ranging from old Brooklins to middle tier models. Since then I've sold over 100 models and kits. Starting a few years ago I brought models to both Jeff's Automobilia and the Countryside Collectors Show. I've also sold over a dozen models based on photos of what I was going to bring that I emailed before the shows to my collector friends.  From my estimates, to date I've recovered about 40% of the total that I have spent. That beats a generally considered good recovery rate of 35% and I still have many nice models that I enjoy. I did "cheat" a bit and bought about two dozen new models, mostly WMCE, CON, and MAD from Buz Kirkel. If they make you feel good, why not? 

@fmr Frank, I always enjoy a great buying experience when buying from you. The models are always in excellent condition and the prices are fair.

I look forward to seeing the models you will be selling next year.

Dave Gilbert at ToyCarGeek has been selling pre-owned 1/43 on eBay. I don't know if they're on consignment or if he buys outright. It might be worth a shot asking him.