Thoughts on selling...

Hey this is great TB.  My sister-in-law is a nurse at a VA hospital here in MD.  I'll call her and send some kits.  

Hmm: Did someone say T.B.?

       If you want this here it goes: Need to thin your stash? Donate it to those who served . The Veterans Administration has a limited budget for hospitalized Vets, when it comes to Recreational Therapy! At least every four years i will buy a bunch of kits and send them to the Rec. Dept. at Audie Murphy in San antonio. I used to do it in Martinez, Ca too!

        In Martinez i also taught a class on said Hobby. Seeing them come out of their P.T.S.D. shells is very satisfying, too! I don't know of too many Vets that really get happy with beading and leather kits or birdhouse kits when the creative juices start to flow. We, even had boat races with the Lindberg P.T.s we got and the guys and gals built and we raced them in the Fountain. Boy, you shoulda seen the smiles and lasting results from that kind of interaction.

      Just contact your Local V.A. Hospital or In patient Recovery and Therapy hospital, and they will tell you what, when and where. If you belong to a Vets org. they will help too, if you are a member and make your wishes known and how much the Vets would appreciate it! I coined a phrase in My mind that goes like this. Every Vet's mind saved means a family rejoined! It's true! My org. at the time was the Brentwood, Ca. American Legion Post!

Rob Gronovius

I find it hard to turn down a really great deal

My trickster mind is saying, See! Don't worry... be happy. Lol

I hear you, Rob. I good deal WOULD be hard to I pass on.  

Bakster

Rob Gronovius

Yeah, everyone there is quick to exchange someone else's unbuilt stash for their own!

Shaking my head. LOL.  I think the lesson to myself is ... Self--don't buy what you are not ready to build. 

I find it hard to turn down a really great deal. A few years back, Hobby Lobby put the Tamiya Gama Goats on clearance for $7.50. I bought a few of them even though I only had the intention of building just one. It was normally like $44.99 there.

Bakster

 

 

Rob Gronovius

Yeah, everyone there is quick to exchange someone else's unbuilt stash for their own!

 

 

Shaking my head. LOL.  I think the lesson to myself is ... Self--don't buy what you are not ready to build. 

 

Rob Gronovius

Yeah, everyone there is quick to exchange someone else's unbuilt stash for their own!

Shaking my head. LOL.  I think the lesson to myself is ... Self--don't buy what you are not ready to build. 

plasticjunkie

eBay is not how it used to be.  I sold and bought many kits and never had a problem. I stopped selling on eBay once they required you to link a bank account and provide one's social security number and issue a 1099. 

HECK WITH THAT! Not gonna do that. For me that settles the issue. Ugh.

plasticjunkie

The problem is I keep looking at my stash and don't want to sell any of them.

Rob Gronovius

I'd also caution sellers that eBay greatly favors the buyer. You send something and the seller says it never arrives. They are getting their money back and you are now out the sold item, cost of shipping and the money you were paid.

Ship stateside (sorry overseas buyers who are on the up and up) and use priority mail with adequate insurance.

 

I'd also caution sellers that eBay greatly favors the buyer. You send something and the seller says it never arrives. They are getting their money back and you are now out the sold item, cost of shipping and the money you were paid.

Ship stateside (sorry overseas buyers who are on the up and up) and use priority mail with adequate insurance.

eBay is not how it used to be.  I sold and bought many kits and never had a problem. I stopped selling on eBay once they required you to link a bank account and provide one's social security number and issue a 1099. I have also read many complaints from sellers saying eBay doesn't  do much in cases like yours. 
I also have a stash I would like to reduce and will probably end up doing is renting a vendor table at the annual show. The problem is I keep looking at my stash and don't want to sell any of them. 

stikpusher

 

 

missileman2000

If there are contests/shows in your area, most provide tables for a flea market at nominal rates.  Lots of folks get rid of stuff that way.

 

 

You may not even need that. If there is a local IPMS, AMPS, or other model club in your area, contact them about offering up your kits for sale at a meeting sometime. Both of the clubs where I was a member back in Orange County had occasional non members show up at meetings with boxes of kits to sell. It's like putting road kill out for the crows... 

 

missileman2000

If there are contests/shows in your area, most provide tables for a flea market at nominal rates.  Lots of folks get rid of stuff that way.

You may not even need that. If there is a local IPMS, AMPS, or other model club in your area, contact them about offering up your kits for sale at a meeting sometime. Both of the clubs where I was a member back in Orange County had occasional non members show up at meetings with boxes of kits to sell. It's like putting road kill out for the crows... 

If there are contests/shows in your area, most provide tables for a flea market at nominal rates.  Lots of folks get rid of stuff that way.

Can't hurt.

Well, maybe it can as Rob pointed out. I also wish PM was working here. This stinks we can't take discussions off the main board.

Glamdring

I have successfully sold 25 or 30 kits over the last year and a half on Ebay, I just throw the listings out there as a buy it now and let them revolve until they sell at the price I want or I get a fair offer.  From my recollection, one must have a score at a certain threshold to qualify for the buy it now ability, but it is score as either a buyer or seller.  I don't think it is a very high number either.

 

I have only had one issue to date which was actually my last sale.  It was partially my fault for not paying attention, and something went off with their system.  One of my original listings from way back when some how had the box dimensions and shipping weight reset from what I had measured out when the listing recycled automatically...I ended up having to eat the extra 16 bucks in shipping cost since the Airfix Wasa definitely does not fit in a 7x7x5 box.  

It was a decent lesson in that I shouldn't completely trust the Ebay system.

My real qualm is in their fees.  Getting a little pricy for the privilege of unloading things I can do without.  

 

I wish I could get access to the buy now function. The whole bidding thing is beyond me. Maybe I will post another model and see what happens. Can't hurt.

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Bakster

Rob-- yeah-- that is what I was afraid of. What a shame that a person can't reliably and safely sell things to recoup a little. And at the same time-- another person gets what they want. All that you noted plus what I have already experienced makes it not worth the effort. 

Thanks for sharing that.  Good info!

 

 

 

I'm just saying, use some caution. There are plenty of up and up people. I would just suggest sticking to stateside before venturing into overseas sales. And beware when entering into a deal with someone who doesn't throw out where they are located before you even contact them.

Overseas always means multiple trips to the post office to determine shipping, get the forms and then to mail it out. Whereas stateside, you can grab a priority mail flat rate box, stick it in and send it off in one trip.

 

Got it. Thanks, Rob.

Bakster

Rob-- yeah-- that is what I was afraid of. What a shame that a person can't reliably and safely sell things to recoup a little. And at the same time-- another person gets what they want. All that you noted plus what I have already experienced makes it not worth the effort. 

Thanks for sharing that.  Good info!

I'm just saying, use some caution. There are plenty of up and up people. I would just suggest sticking to stateside before venturing into overseas sales. And beware when entering into a deal with someone who doesn't throw out where they are located before you even contact them.

Overseas always means multiple trips to the post office to determine shipping, get the forms and then to mail it out. Whereas stateside, you can grab a priority mail flat rate box, stick it in and send it off in one trip.

I have successfully sold 25 or 30 kits over the last year and a half on Ebay, I just throw the listings out there as a buy it now and let them revolve until they sell at the price I want or I get a fair offer.  From my recollection, one must have a score at a certain threshold to qualify for the buy it now ability, but it is score as either a buyer or seller.  I don't think it is a very high number either.

I have only had one issue to date which was actually my last sale.  It was partially my fault for not paying attention, and something went off with their system.  One of my original listings from way back when some how had the box dimensions and shipping weight reset from what I had measured out when the listing recycled automatically...I ended up having to eat the extra 16 bucks in shipping cost since the Airfix Wasa definitely does not fit in a 7x7x5 box.  

It was a decent lesson in that I shouldn't completely trust the Ebay system.

My real qualm is in their fees.  Getting a little pricy for the privilege of unloading things I can do without.  

Omni Yomni

 

 

Bakster

The post regarding stashes has me thinking. I have 30 or so kits I'd like move out. If I could sell them-- great. I would also donate some as long as they go to a good cause -- and not to someone that will turn them around for a profit on my dime.

Recently, I attempted to sell a kit on Ebay-- to get my feet wet. My experience was not good. I had a bidder willing to buy, only to have another bidder offer much more. When time came to buy it (the higher bidder) -- it was complete silence. The guy stiffed me. I reposted it-- again-- a person offered way more than my asking price. I write the guy if this is a serious bid and it was again ... complete silence. I tell ya. I suspect the guy had the same kit for sale and he was doing all he could to torpedo my sale. I am not savvay with the games played there and I basically just let my sale expire. 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

That does sound shady. I've never sold anything on ebay, and I'm not really into it. With my few experiences buying on ebay, I'm doing good just to get what I actually ordered. I'd be leery of selling overseas too, for the costs. There's always the local route, you could get a vendor table at a show. But I reckon it depends on the size/location of the show and the time involved. 

 

Shady is a good way to put it. I must say, I have had very good luck buying things off Ebay. I have not been disappointed, yet. 

Bakster

The post regarding stashes has me thinking. I have 30 or so kits I'd like move out. If I could sell them-- great. I would also donate some as long as they go to a good cause -- and not to someone that will turn them around for a profit on my dime.

Recently, I attempted to sell a kit on Ebay-- to get my feet wet. My experience was not good. I had a bidder willing to buy, only to have another bidder offer much more. When time came to buy it (the higher bidder) -- it was complete silence. The guy stiffed me. I reposted it-- again-- a person offered way more than my asking price. I write the guy if this is a serious bid and it was again ... complete silence. I tell ya. I suspect the guy had the same kit for sale and he was doing all he could to torpedo my sale. I am not savvay with the games played there and I basically just let my sale expire. 

Thoughts?

 

 

That does sound shady. I've never sold anything on ebay, and I'm not really into it. With my few experiences buying on ebay, I'm doing good just to get what I actually ordered. I'd be leery of selling overseas too, for the costs. There's always the local route, you could get a vendor table at a show. But I reckon it depends on the size/location of the show and the time involved. 

Humper

Hi Bakster, I'm surprised TB hasn't responded yet LOL. Far as donating goes, I'm sure he can help with that. I'll probably talk to him tonight/tomorrow, if he hasn't seen this today I'll bring it to his attention.

 

Oh boy... 

I need to review what I have. Might not be worth the effort to even donate.

Rob Gronovius

I sell on eBay, FaceBook and model forums.

A great deal can become a bad deal. Recently, someone on a model site was looking for a tank kit I had. They probably go for $40, I said I'd sell it for $30 and tossed in photoetch I had for the kit.

He's getting a deal and I'm getting rid of a kit I'll never get to...if the buyer was in the US.

Shipping to Canada is $22 for no insurance and $43 with insurance.

So, now it's $52 or $73 for a kit worth $40 with a $6 PE set. That's not a deal.

Beware of folks who don't list their state or country.

And if they don't want insurance. Once it leaves our borders, it's out of the post offices' hands. If they say they didn't get it, you've lost the kit and the cost of shipping and the money paid.

You'd be better off throwing it in the garbage than sometimes trying to ship overseas. You'd still be out the kit, but you wouldn't have wasted time and money mailing it.

 

Rob-- yeah-- that is what I was afraid of. What a shame that a person can't reliably and safely sell things to recoup a little. And at the same time-- another person gets what they want. All that you noted plus what I have already experienced makes it not worth the effort. 

Thanks for sharing that.  Good info!

I sell on eBay, FaceBook and model forums.

A great deal can become a bad deal. Recently, someone on a model site was looking for a tank kit I had. They probably go for $40, I said I'd sell it for $30 and tossed in photoetch I had for the kit.

He's getting a deal and I'm getting rid of a kit I'll never get to...if the buyer was in the US.

Shipping to Canada is $22 for no insurance and $43 with insurance.

So, now it's $52 or $73 for a kit worth $40 with a $6 PE set. That's not a deal.

Beware of folks who don't list their state or country.

And if they don't want insurance. Once it leaves our borders, it's out of the post offices' hands. If they say they didn't get it, you've lost the kit and the cost of shipping and the money paid.

You'd be better off throwing it in the garbage than sometimes trying to ship overseas. You'd still be out the kit, but you wouldn't have wasted time and money mailing it.

Hi Bakster, I'm surprised TB hasn't responded yet LOL. Far as donating goes, I'm sure he can help with that. I'll probably talk to him tonight/tomorrow, if he hasn't seen this today I'll bring it to his attention.

Bakster, 

I'm like you, trying to downsize my stash to help with the cost of college for two kids.I haven't tried any on-line sites like ebay or others.  I've sold a lot of kits as a vendor at local contests and by word of mouth.  If you're thinking of donating kits, there is an organization that accepts kits for service men and women overseas and for vets who are home recovering from injuries that would gladly accept your kits too.

tjs

I sent planes and subs, but being a hobby club I'm sure the students would like cars as well.

keavdog

Tal Afar Dave who is on here off and on is a teacher at a military school for boys and does model building with his students.  I donated a dozen or so kits a while back.

I've had success on ebay selling kits, but I rarely do it.

 

Tal Afar Dave who is on here off and on is a teacher at a military school for boys and does model building with his students.  I donated a dozen or so kits a while back.

I've had success on ebay selling kits, but I rarely do it.

Hey Stik, thanks for responding. If I had known better, I would have accepted the first offer. He seemed legit. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. I went against my instincts.

I did report the guy to EBay. I heard boo back from eBay. Maybe they acted on him, maybe not. I will never know.

Buy Now is exactly what I hoped and tried to do. That would have made this so much easier. Here is the thing. The eBay system would not allow me to post it as such. It forced me into the bidding game. I did some searches on that and from what I gathered, eBay will not allow you to use that option until you estblish a selling track record. Shaking my head. 

I will consider your other sell options.