Seeking sell-off advice, when / how, etc.
With each passing day I grow more and more tired of my collection and can't wait to part it out. The only problem is that sales are naturally down during the summer months so it's pointless for me to sell now, especially since there is no compelling reason other than boredom. I.e. I don't need the money, I don't need the space, I'm simply bored with it. Since I've put a good deal of time into this, I plan on putting in the required time to part out rather than offload it in a lump sum for cheap. This brings me to my questions, and proposed answers:
1) When to sell-off?
I've been told to wait until at least September, and the closer to Christmas the better. However, I'm attempting to buy a house before December 1st so I get a free 8k back next year come tax time so I'd really like to start a sell-off no later than October since it'll take time and I'll want close to market value for most of my games. Thoughts on this?
2) All at once or let it trickle out?
All at once would be a lot of work and hassle with pictures and questions and condition concerns, etc. I'm thinking about selling off a new "part" every week, like one week of Color Dreams, one week of my BB doubles (I plan on keeping some BBs), one week of 9.5/10 condition games, etc. That way it is much more manageable and organized. I also have 4 or 5 CIB Systems (all variants) that I need to move (keep one obviously), an Aladdin deck with games and all that jazz.
3) Commons in lots or individually?
Damn eBay fees rape you on individual listings, but there's also the phenomenon that occurs where individual games go above market value when someone lists hundreds of games ending around the same time. I know SmokinJoe has experience here, anyone else? Does the money make up for the extra time/pics/fees required with individual listings?
Just looking for some opinions, all are greatly appreciated.
1) When to sell-off?
I've been told to wait until at least September, and the closer to Christmas the better. However, I'm attempting to buy a house before December 1st so I get a free 8k back next year come tax time so I'd really like to start a sell-off no later than October since it'll take time and I'll want close to market value for most of my games. Thoughts on this?
2) All at once or let it trickle out?
All at once would be a lot of work and hassle with pictures and questions and condition concerns, etc. I'm thinking about selling off a new "part" every week, like one week of Color Dreams, one week of my BB doubles (I plan on keeping some BBs), one week of 9.5/10 condition games, etc. That way it is much more manageable and organized. I also have 4 or 5 CIB Systems (all variants) that I need to move (keep one obviously), an Aladdin deck with games and all that jazz.
3) Commons in lots or individually?
Damn eBay fees rape you on individual listings, but there's also the phenomenon that occurs where individual games go above market value when someone lists hundreds of games ending around the same time. I know SmokinJoe has experience here, anyone else? Does the money make up for the extra time/pics/fees required with individual listings?
Just looking for some opinions, all are greatly appreciated.
Comments
2.. Let it trickle out... Easier on you..
3.. Not sure on..
(2) Selling it in chunks sounds a lot easier to manage. That would be my approach.
(3) I've listed my commons individually on the forum at half the price of the guide. This moves them quickly and probably still beats the lot pricing (except for if you luck out and get a few senseless bidders competing). Whatever is left after a week or two is going in a large flat rate box and getting sold as a lot for whatever it can get.
Good luck.
(1) How much do you hope to get? I didn't think you had any of the ultra-rare stuff (> 3 figures). If that's the case, I doubt the collection value should factor into your home purchase since you should already have your down payment saved up in liquid accounts.
(3) I've listed my commons individually on the forum at half the price of the guide. This moves them quickly and probably still beats the lot pricing (except for if you luck out and get a few senseless bidders competing). Whatever is left after a week or two is going in a large flat rate box and getting sold as a lot for whatever it can get.
1) I'm sure I can get at least 5k+ or even 7-8k if I just say screw it and sell off almost everything entirely. As for my down payment, I have upwards of 20k saved up but if the collection value is still significant enough here (20-25%) of savings.
Edit: You're right, I don't have anything in my collection worth 400/500+. I still have plenty of great mid-levels though like the DW set, Sqoon, DK Math, Panic Rest, Bomberman II, Stack Up, etc. Not to mention all of the decent valued "sleepers" like Sword Master, Bandit Kings, Godzilla 2, so on and so forth... (Double Edit: FFFAW + FFF Pad too)
3) You know I'm a CIB collector and not cart-only right? I'm not selling CIBs at half the price of a cart-only, I'd take them with me to the grave before letting them go dirt cheap.
EDIT: Proven true with MichiganMike (is that the name?) when he sold off his collection the same way.
Since you're only talking about $5k, I wouldn't even factor that into planning for a down payment. You'll need more than that in reserve, anyway, (lots of unforseen expenses with houses), and can simply "borrow" from your emergency reserve, to be made up with after your sale.
So what I'm saying is, if you can put the time in (take a week off work even) to organize and ship it all, sell all at once. Just my opinion though.
That way you could list all 500 at once, but not have to list 500 in 1 day
3. Justabum listed all his at once, and sold individually. Alot of the CIBs (commons at that) went for WAY more than normal.
EDIT: Proven true with MichiganMike (is that the name?) when he sold off his collection the same way.
I agree with this and have seen it many times. When someone onloads a lot at once it tends to sell for more than average.
October-January is when prices tend to be the highest.
Individually will also net you much more than lots.
you can space them out
how? i apparently can't do that with what im trying to use. do you have to have a store for that?
you can space them out
how? i apparently can't do that with what im trying to use. do you have to have a store for that?
It says fee applies? Not sure how much probably 10 cents, but well worth it for a big run
I'd personally sell it all individually at once, or in 2 lump sums. bigger the better as proven before. Late january is also a sweet time to sell out.
you can space them out
how? i apparently can't do that with what im trying to use. do you have to have a store for that?
It says fee applies? Not sure how much probably 10 cents, but well worth it for a big run
ahh i found it
so, 10c a listing times 500 games = $50 listing fees. yickidy yuck
If you decide to sell it anyway, list like 50 auctions a week, 2-3 mins apart in alphabetical order. start everything at like $5.99 with combined shipping. advertise in your auctions that you'll be listing 50 more the next week and so on, and let it roll. you'll be surprised how much you'll end up bringing in.
If
you're just bored with you collection atm, and don't need the money, I
say just take a break. Most collector experience some form of burnout
from time to time. You'll just end up buying it all back.
If you decide to sell it anyway, list like 50 auctions a week, 2-3
mins apart in alphabetical order. start everything at like $5.99 with
combined shipping. advertise in your auctions that you'll be listing 50
more the next week and so on, and let it roll. you'll be surprised how
much you'll end up bringing in.
You may be right about me starting another collection down the road, but right now money is more important than a bookcase of games. While I don't need the money, I don't need the games either. I think I'll be more than happy with a select few games from each of my favorite systems rather than being a completionist for one or two.
Just make sure that your listings are solid, and I don't think the starting price will be relevant.
Just do a small sample to start.
Throw Jimmy Conners on there for what you want to get and see what happens. It's FREE to try. I agree with Udisi though that auction on the chuck are still a little risky for certain items that don't draw a big audience. And just be patient if it doesn't sell.
He'll still get higher prices on ebay. granted higher fees. I wouldn't risk a low starting price on ctcw yet. I would still do ebay if I were selling a collection 1 at a time, even with as much as I hate them.
Probably. But there are many ways to negate this. As tuxedocivic said he can do free BIN listings with best offers and all he has to lose is the time to list them if they dont sell. Or reserves, or start them at a high price... all free.
He'll still get higher prices on ebay. granted higher fees. I wouldn't risk a low starting price on ctcw yet. I would still do ebay if I were selling a collection 1 at a time, even with as much as I hate them.
Probably. But there are many ways to negate this. As tuxedocivic said he can do free BIN listings with best offers and all he has to lose is the time to list them if they dont sell. Or reserves, or start them at a high price... all free.
Reserves aren't free on CTCW, I think they are 0.50 per listing if I remember right.
Irregardless then start it at $25 instead of doing a $25 reserve. No difference in my opinion.
Im not really interested in anything, as my personal collection is almost complete (not a complete NTSC, just a personal collection). I just wish people that come here, and become a part of the community, would offer their stuff up to the community, at the communities prices, and not right to ebay. Theres nothing wrong with what your doing Jone, its your stuff. It just sucks to see someone come into the community as a collector, grow a personality here (wether loved or hated, always remembered), then leave, refering to a collection as an "investment".
Dont forget all the people that helped you with your collection. I know this is a big time in your life, and you probly need the money.. But maybe you could just give a few people some cracks at your stuff first. You probly wont even sell %5 of your collection here, so you wont be losing much.
I hope anything I sell here that is being bought by a collector, will be resold here before going to ebay. If your buying something strictly as a reseller to sell on Ebay, thats completely understandable. By if you are buying as a collector. PLease release it back to the collectors community.
Sorry if I thread crapped
Im not really interested in anything, as my personal collection is almost complete (not a complete NTSC, just a personal collection). I just wish people that come here, and become a part of the community, would offer their stuff up to the community, at the communities prices, and not right to ebay. Theres nothing wrong with what your doing Jone, its your stuff. It just sucks to see someone come into the community as a collector, grow a personality here (wether loved or hated, always remembered), then leave, refering to a collection as an "investment".
Dont forget all the people that helped you with your collection. I know this is a big time in your life, and you probly need the money.. But maybe you could just give a few people some cracks at your stuff first. You probly wont even sell %5 of your collection here, so you wont be losing much.
Sorry if I thread crapped
First off, I'm not getting rid of my entire collection, I'm just getting rid of what I consider worthless, i.e. games that I'll never play (90%). Mega Mans, Marios, Zeldas, TMNTs, etc aren't going anywhere and will remain on my shelves. Basically all I did was go from completionist to a personal collector, exactly what you are.
Two, who said anything about leaving? I still have down time at work, I still know the going rate of games, and I'll still be posting here and surfing eBay occasionally for deals. Selling out doesn't mean disappearing into thin air.
Third, what's the "community price?" It's not like people just give away CIB DK Maths for $100 on here, items of value are regarded as such and sell at market value. All I'm looking for is close to market values, and obviously I'll remember who hooked me up previously. Scratch my back I'll scratch yours.
Fourth, selling out a collection doesn't make you a bad guy. I wrote an article for an eZine, I donated $25 to MTIPP even though I never played it and never will, and I've made lots of trades in the process. Simply losing interest in the hobby doesn't magically turn you into a money-hungry individual. It's just that having a house is more important that a bookcase full of games and I'm looking to be compensated for all of the time I've invested in compiling this collection.
First off, I'm not getting rid of my entire collection, I'm just getting rid of what I consider worthless, i.e. games that I'll never play (90%). Mega Mans, Marios, Zeldas, TMNTs, etc aren't going anywhere and will remain on my shelves. Basically all I did was go from completionist to a personal collector, exactly what you are.
Two, who said anything about leaving? I still have down time at work, I still know the going rate of games, and I'll still be posting here and surfing eBay occasionally for deals. Selling out doesn't mean disappearing into thin air.
Third, what's the "community price?" It's not like people just give away CIB DK Maths for $100 on here, items of value are regarded as such and sell at market value. All I'm looking for is close to market values, and obviously I'll remember who hooked me up previously. Scratch my back I'll scratch yours.
Fourth, selling out a collection doesn't make you a bad guy. I wrote an article for an eZine, I donated $25 to MTIPP even though I never played it and never will, and I've made lots of trades in the process. Simply losing interest in the hobby doesn't magically turn you into a money-hungry individual. It's just that having a house is more important that a bookcase full of games and I'm looking to be compensated for all of the time I've invested in compiling this collection.
Awe man thats good to here your gonna stick around and still keep part of your collection. I think youll enjoy your collection more, keeping only the game you play, I know I do.
There is no community prices really. But everyone here hooks each other up form time to time. But mainly, when your not hooking up someone you know in the community, you list your prices below ebay costs. $5 games tend to go for $2-$3 here. $100 games tend to go for $80.
I dont think selling out makes you a bad guy. I just dont like to hear collector and investment in the same sentence, to me they are polar opposites. I just think its way cooler, when people sell out, if they release the stuff back into the community, rather then worrying about what the market value of their game is. Or give discounts to community members through ebay. Even if you dont, I dont think your bad, I just think it sucks.
I dont think your money hungry. Im not concerned about the money at all. Just wish the games would stay here with us. If you sell out on ebay. there is nothing evil about it. I just dont like it, doesnt mean its wrong or bad.