Selling

- First off, it depends on the value of these cars (are they mostly high-end replicas or low-end models? )

- Then, you must decide what's more important, "money"  or "time?"

- You can sell a cheap collection fast for no money, or a valuable collection slowly for more money.

- But you should NEVER sell a valuable collection for no money NOR waste time selling a cheap collection slowly.

- If you can, post some pics, so we know what we're dealing with. 

- Thanks.

Bruce, if you're looking for input, we can certainly help with advice. I'll be happy to give you some individual guidance. You can email me at kuvakas@gmail.com. I'm sure there are others willing to help as well. As far as the possibility of selling on the forums is concerned, here's what I posted on Forum 24 last week, 

"The forums have never been a place to sell individual models, and I don't think we're prepared to begin that practice now. This venue is a safe place for us to share our passion for the hobby and hopefully encourage others to do so. We don't want it cluttered with endless streams of ads and posts from sellers and dealers. Add to this the fact that we are graciously funded by Legacy and Mint Models, who are not looking for competition from a free service they offer.

Third, all that being said, we realize the auctions are not functional leaving options limited for our longstanding members. So, I think it would be OK for someone to post that they are selling off their collection while providing their contact information for anyone who may be interested. I would ask that you refrain from posting an inventory list or discussing individual models. Let all that happen offline. If you would like to make a contribution to the Zone for using their site, any amount would be appreciated, but we would have to rely solely on your integrity for that."

Posted by: @chris

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- First off, it depends on the value of these cars (are they mostly high-end replicas or low-end models? )

- Then, you must decide what's more important, "money"  or "time?"

- You can sell a cheap collection fast for no money, or a valuable collection slowly for more money.

- But you should NEVER sell a valuable collection for no money NOR waste time selling a cheap collection slowly.

- If you can, post some pics, so we know what we're dealing with. 

- Thanks.

Here some pics of my entire collection as of 2017. total price I paid for the 96 cars $5925. Plus the 96 cases which cost me $8+ each

.

Thanks for the pics. I must say, your average price of $62 was money well spent.  Note: Include a showcase with the sale of each model - if possible.

- I spotted several models that would easily fetch north of $200: AA '59 Cadillac, all your GMP '70 RRs, some HW61 cars & conversions, that orange SS '56 Merc.

- Most of the rest of your collection would effortlessly generate $100 - $200 each.  Of course, any of those Ertls will be your "low dollar cars." 

- The question now becomes: How to sell off for maximum profits? 

- To do this, you must liquidate these pieces individually with the most inexpensive "selling fees"  possible.  Facebook, Craigslist, Garage sales, and print advertising are the cheapest ways to go, but then you become you own broker and in effect a slave  to your collection.... always responding to questions, waiting for buyers to arrive, having strangers in your house.

- eBay would be a nice way to generate high selling prices, but of course it's not free. eBay will take their 9% -15% cut AND you'll be doing all the leg work.

- Selling at trade shows is another option, but then of course, YOU have to transport everything SAFELY, then "haggle"  with jokers on every sale.

- Professional auction firms will gladly take YOUR collection (there's money to be made ) but their cut is substantial. 

- Estate Sale guys will also be GLAD to take your collection but be prepared for low-ball offers.

- Then of course, you can use THIS SITE as John K. outlined....  lots of legwork but LOW selling fees.  Email John K. directly as he noted.

- Some hobby shops offer consignments - reasonable fees AND your items are safe until they're sold.   

- Other hobby shops my quote you an offer for your entire collection....  I believe Toy Car Geek  does this (John K.'s friend )

- There's always donations (a museum, church, charity organization, etc... )  tax write-offs can be a wonderful thing if that's something that could benefit you.

- YOU must decide, will it be "time or money"  that guides this journey.    YOU have a very fine collection; I wish you the BEST of luck!  Hopefully something I said can help you.

- Chris 

Love your collection. Wishing you the best of luck with the sale.

Nice collection beautifully displayed. Too bad it is being disbanded.

Posted by: @brush

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How do I go about selling a 1:18, 96 car collection?

Reading your inquiry and the many well-intended responses from our friends here on the Forum's, I wish you luck. 

Selling our collections, raises the common question for all of us, being "What happens to my collection when I die?".  It's a subject that many of us have broached many times here. 

For me, I've resolved that while I'm here on the planet, my collection is in tact and won't be sold.  However, once I pass, it is not my intent to burden my wife and daughters with the taxing proposition of having to try and liquidate/sell the collection. 

And so, my personal decision has been that when I do pass, or when a such a time comes that I'm no longer of my facilities to have concern for the collection any longer, I've instructed my wife and daughters to DONATE the collection to a car museum or just except a reasonable offer from someone to buy the collection as a whole. 

For me, the very thought of attempting to sell each car individually is a task I am not the least interested in undertaking.  The other side of this is that if someone were to make a reasonable offer to just buy my collection, I'd consider that option in a heartbeat right now. 

All of this said, while I'm here I enjoy my collection daily, but the cold facts are that when I pass, what happens to my collection will no longer be my concern.  I'm reminded of the old saying, "One man's treasure is another man's junk" and the reverse, "One man's junk is another man's treasure".  Keeping those two sayings in mind, it sums it all up perfectly for me.  

@georgeschire I think the whole trick here is to not die.....the whole concept is overrated IMHO.  Plus...who would our wives and relatives have to groan and roll their eyes about every day if we croaked?

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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@georgeschire I think the whole trick here is to not die.....the whole concept is overrated IMHO.  Plus...who would our wives and relatives have to groan and roll their eyes about every day if we croaked?

Well Jack, I always silently chuckle when people say, "If I die".  When reality is, there is no "If" about it, and correctly said it's, "When I die".  Bottom line is, we all will die, some sooner than others and then some of us will be around longer than others, but WE WILL DIE. 

I honestly do feel sad for those folks that can't/don't come to grasp with this fact.  Many years ago as a teenager, I came to the rational that "It's not dying I'm afraid of, it's getting old".  Now I've no personal intention to check out anytime soon, but I do know that I'm not in control of the decision of when it's my time. 

All said and done, I'm not afraid to die, whether it be today, tomorrow, next week, next month, etc.  But it's still the getting older (and more fragile as time goes on) that is the scarier of the two for me.  As I type this, I'm 73 years old, and the highway in front of me, is many miles shorter than the highway in my review mirror.  I've accepted I will die.   

@georgeschire OMG.....I'm sorry to dwell on this subject in that case George; I didn't realize you were that ancient....I'm only 72. 

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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@georgeschire OMG.....I'm sorry to dwell on this subject in that case George; I didn't realize you were that ancient....I'm only 72. 

I envy you being so much younger than me.  It's not fair!   

Notice how Jack so graciously and unselfishly glossed over his elevated IQ? We are sitting at the feet of a master!

@jkuvakas Well.......I remain considerably humbled by the genius of my fellow countryman from Ontario in easily eclipsing my pathetic showing during our recent "Buckingham Palace/Stonehenge" brain strain puzzle.

Thank you gentlemen for your excellent advice. Let me explain the details, 10 +- years ago i down sized and sold on E-bay 90 + cars and gave away 90 + so I know the work involved of selling individual cars.  

35 years of very heavy work has left me with muscles & joints that are worn out and full of arthritis and add neuropathy. I can do nothing without pain.  Hence, i am looking to sell the entire 96 cars at once. I'm alone away from everybody therefore no help.  I will play hell trying to make my hands work to wrap & ship them if I am even capable to put them back in their boxes [I will drop every screw a couple of times and clumsy enough to break parts off many cars]. 

I can keep them BUT, I would prefer to see someone that likes & enjoys them get them rather than the dump. I'll be gone so I guess I shouldn't care.

Am I wishing & dreaming?