How to thin out stash? Maybe downsizing

I've been selling on eBay for many years and it was good but now they want your bank account to sell so I don't sell anymore 

If you're computer friendly and have the time, eBay can work well. Before you actually start listing your kits, I would advise you to see what they are currently selling for; go to eBay and search for a kit that's identical and filter by Sold Listings in the left hand column. You'll see what the kit actually brought in recent sales - then deduct 12.5% which is what you net assuming that you don't have to purchase a box or packing materials to ship it.

Also be aware that selling on eBay can be pretty time consuming.You photograph the kits, list them one at a time, and if they sell, you pack and ship them. I recently sold a dozen or so that I knew I would never build and while I like having some "breathing room" in the stash, I wouldn't want to make selling on the Bay a regular thing.

I've bought several kits from other Forum members who made a list available here by PM (personal message) request, which the moderators don't seem to view as a problem. This might be a way for you to thin your stash without the hassle of eBay, if you're willing to trust other Forum members to honor their end of the deal. My experiences have all been good.

Are there any hobby shops near you that sell consignment kits? Kit collector shows/swap meets? How about a local IPMS, AMPS, or other model club that meets in person (yeah I know that the COVID situation has quashed those for over a year now) where you can bring your items for sale? These are all alternatives to eBay.

I have sold a handful on Ebay recently and am by no means an expert, but the hassle wasn't that big and the learning curve not that steep.  Hardest thing I have been running into is finding inexpensive boxes for some of the larger kits.

Yes, they require a bank account now for direct deposit now, but I had opened a separate checking account with my local credit union specifically for the purpose of online selling.  Not that big a deal.

Easiest way to thin your collection..?put them in a box addressed to me 

At shows in this area the is usually a raffle. The organizers usually seek donation of unstarted kits in the weeks before the events.  I have taken a number of kits from my stash for that purpose.

Some other modeling sites have a buy/sell area

Also sold some kits on Offerup

eBay is incredibly easy and intuitive. I've sold a couple hundred kits from my stash without any issues at all. 

Wilbur Wright

I've never had a huge stash. Maybe 15-20 favorites.  Most are bigger kits that would sell for over $100. Some OOP.

If I were looking to get rid of 15 or so of these, what would you guys recommend?

I've never sold on Ebay, and don't know how much of a hassle plus the fees, that may be for a boomer.

Any ideas?  Other forums that allow selling. 

Also I'm in the market for a Revell 1/24 Cityliner bus (2008)  to build.  If anyone has one in their stash. 

Thanks, Hope everyone is well.

There are some other options that will become more available as we emerge from lockdown.  If there is a club or clubs near you, you could go to a meeting and offer them there.  Or if there is a show, you could see about taking a table.  Depending on the cost of the table, it might be worth it, especially if you want to move the collection quickly.

eBay is an option, but it depends on your tolerance for the effort involved, and how much of a return you want for the kits.  Personally, if I wanted to dispose of my stash, it's too much hassle for me to go through eBay, post the auctions, manage payments, pack up each kit or kits, go to the post office, deal with complaints as necessary, etc.  i'd take them to my club meetings or to shows (MosquitoCon is close for me, as is JerseyFest).

If you don't care about getting your money back, you could contact local veterans' organizations, or local offices of the armed forces, and ask about programs to donate kits to send to personnel stationed overseas.  There's at least one thread here in the forum about that option, too, with more info about contacts, etc.

Best regards,

Brad

Like many, I have sold several items on eBay but not lately. There are some selling sites on Facebook but I've pretty much not used Facebook for some time now either. Shows and local clubs are good places. It seems we modlers find it very difficult to walk away from a table without something.

I might have to thin the stash at our next show myself  I'm sure my wife would be more than happy to help in that regard.

Hi There!

 Thinning a Stash-101!- Go to your stash room. Find that which you know you would've had fun building. Pile kits in an open top box. Go to the local V.A.Hospital Recreation Department! Check in with them and donate the kits! The vets will love you for it. Also if you are a veteran, some of the leaders in Rec.Therapy will sometimes let you swap one of yours for one of theirs. It's not common, But it happens.

 Now here's something else about that. If you have started a kit, But haven't gotten far they will accept that too. Once in a while I even go the local H.L and buy some Vallejo Paint kits and give them those too. They don't know that much about model paints. Most of theirs is geared for paint by number acrylics and stuff like that.

That's a great idea tanker.

Be sure to check with them first.  Our area VA hospitals and VA homes tell us that their residents and patients aren't really up to doing builds.

Also watch the paints, glues and thinners you provide. Some will have restrictions on what they can accept and allow to be used.  Non toxic materials are preferred.

One more option for donations is those check with your local VFW or American Legion Chapter and see if they take donations of such items for troops overseas. Another way is to check with the closest military base, active duty or reserve, for donating to their MWR program of troops deployed.

stikpusher

One more option for donations is those check with your local VFW or American Legion Chapter and see if they take donations of such items for troops overseas. Another way is to check with the closest military base, active duty or reserve, for donating to their MWR program of troops deployed.

 

I have a problem with display space at home- it is completely maxed out with built models, so I have to get rid of a built model every time I buy a new one now.  I have given a couple to recruiting offices.  Do you think VFW or AL halls would be interested in built military models for decor?

Don Stauffer

 

stikpusher

One more option for donations is those check with your local VFW or American Legion Chapter and see if they take donations of such items for troops overseas. Another way is to check with the closest military base, active duty or reserve, for donating to their MWR program of troops deployed. 

I have a problem with display space at home- it is completely maxed out with built models, so I have to get rid of a built model every time I buy a new one now.  I have given a couple to recruiting offices.  Do you think VFW or AL halls would be interested in built military models for decor? 

Hi, Don, I would certainly ask.  Before the lockdown, we were talking with both a local VFW and a Legion post about giving them some finished models to display in their halls.

Don Stauffer

 

 

stikpusher

One more option for donations is those check with your local VFW or American Legion Chapter and see if they take donations of such items for troops overseas. Another way is to check with the closest military base, active duty or reserve, for donating to their MWR program of troops deployed.

 

 

 

 

I have a problem with display space at home- it is completely maxed out with built models, so I have to get rid of a built model every time I buy a new one now.  I have given a couple to recruiting offices.  Do you think VFW or AL halls would be interested in built military models for decor?

 

 

They might be. It won't hurt to ask. Most halls usually have areas or spaces for military memorabilia related to members' service. You can check and see if they would be interested. US subjects of course, they're likely not going to want stuff from other militaries. At worst, their display space like yours will be full, and they'll have to decline your offer.

EBay WAS the easiest and best way to at minimum get most or even more of your $ back from both built and unbuilt model. Unfortunally now they changed their silly rules to be even sillier and their high fees have killed it for the occasional seller. 

I refuse to give them my SS number and link my bank account. Time for me to look for other selling platforms.

I was worried about that, too. Especially when they abruptly changed the rules right in the middle of my selling spree!

I gave them my empty sidekick account I have not been using for a gazillion of years, and they only required the last 4 digits of the SSN. After that they made 2 tiny deposits and asked the exact amounts for verification. Problem free after that, they deposit funds next day after each day of transactions. The fees seems to be lower now, with PayPal out of the picture, yet I have not looked by how much yet.

I am still using PayPal to purchase eBay shipping labels, though, as I have funds accumulated there and they still let seller use it.

Scaler, they ask for the last 4 but eventually will require the full number. I have not checked the new fees but someone told me they were more. If you buy they don’t require any of the aforementioned garbage. Now your selling limit went from $20K down to $600 . Freaking rip to get taxed on something you already paid taxes on. 

plasticjunkie

Scaler, they ask for the last 4 but eventually will require the full number. I have not checked the new fees but someone told me they were more. If you buy they don’t require any of the aforementioned garbage. Now your selling limit went from $20K down to $600 . Freaking rip to get taxed on something you already paid taxes on. 

scaler

 

 

plasticjunkie

Scaler, they ask for the last 4 but eventually will require the full number. I have not checked the new fees but someone told me they were more. If you buy they don’t require any of the aforementioned garbage. Now your selling limit went from $20K down to $600 . Freaking rip to get taxed on something you already paid taxes on. 

 

 

 

 

?? I did not see my limit being affected at all.

As of my SSN, what makes you think they will require it eventually?

 

The whole $600 thing is not something they introduced:

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/26/its-going-to-get-harder-to-avoid-telling-the-irs-about-income-from-online-sales.html

 

I forgot where I read it but the poster said it’s in the contract about the full SS number. Same with the selling limit. I stopped selling on ebay a while back so I haven’t checked the new rules. The limit thing I heard was part of the last Covid Relief Bill that made the tax change done in a very sneaky way not having to do nothing with the virus.