GBS Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 Firstly, this is not a valuation or sales thread. Please do not suggest a value or this thread is likely to be deleted, again! I am looking for suggestions of any places to sell my vintage 1980s Lego train set, or is eBay the best bet? I suspect I am going to have to spend a few evenings making up the individual sets to see if they are complete. This is no hardship! All advice appreciated. Thanks, GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 Do you have any local auction rooms near you? They maybe able to put it on a set day so that you make the most out of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 (edited) There is an auction house that specialises in toys and the like. When my friend Colin died they took his extensive model railway collection and sold it for the family. I don't know who it was but it shouldn't be too hard to find them Actually, I have just search 'toy auctions' on Google and there are quite a few Edited September 2 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 those toy auctions are on TV now and again..............some of the going prices are bloody eyewatering....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 Whichever gives the widest audience of genuine buyers will always give the best outlet. I sold some of my son's Lord of the Rings stuff a decade plus ago on eBay and some stuff went for staggeringly large a amounts of money. The only "tip" I'd offer is do not use "Buy It Now" in the listing and do not be tempted by what seem to be attractive offers to end the listing early. Lastly do make sure that if you anticipate items selling at over the basic compensation limits for Royal Mail that you have priced in postage costs covering that higher level of compensation you need. And that eBay's commission fees are now charged to you, the seller, on those postage charges so you need to include a reasonable amount "for packaging materials" to offset that otherwise you will be out of pocket in postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 Contact VECTIS they are the ones shown on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 Ebay you will then know what people are prepared to pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Bigbob said: Ebay you will then know what people are prepared to pay This. As, alas, despite the best efforts to stop it the practice of "ringing" still goes on in many a saleroom. The live online auction has reduced its prevalence but it does still exist. Edited September 2 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 1 hour ago, Bigbob said: Ebay you will then know what people are prepared to pay I used to sell a lot of stuff on ebay at one time but had a lot of silly problems towards the end with people saying things like it never arrived, doesnt work, broken, not as advertised etc. Ebay would never take your side which was annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted September 2 Report Share Posted September 2 50 minutes ago, Vince Green said: I used to sell a lot of stuff on ebay at one time but had a lot of silly problems towards the end with people saying things like it never arrived, doesnt work, broken, not as advertised etc. Ebay would never take your side which was annoying. This^^^ plus problems with Paypal so will not use either now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted September 3 Author Report Share Posted September 3 Thank you all. I remain sceptical of auction houses as I don't feel they are really interested in selling for the highest price and would rather just ensure it sells and they get their commission. I also suspect that eBay may actually give greater coverage/exposure to collectors. I'll make up the sets and see if they are complete or if anything has gone AWOL since 1990! Thank you, GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 I would try just one complete set on Ebay and see what response you get , yes you do get some dodgy people on Ebay but you get them wherever you look for selling something , I sold a lot of my late wife stuff on Ebay and when I mentioned all the proceeds were going to the Norfolk branch of the Air Ambulance I got some very nice people who got in touch , alright you do get some that want something for next to nothing but you also get genuine honest people as well , so it's a case of being sensible and get a price you would like to get after the postage and fees are taken out , apply plenty of photos and honest wording on the listing and then put a starting price you would be happy with , if you got a lot of interest you can use that to your advantage on your next listing , and then on the other hand you might have to lower the starting price through lack of interest , try it and see how it go , All the best MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 Another vote for ebay i think... Collectors for anything will always search the bay for what they want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 Hello, I would be inclined to first do searches on what Vintage Lego has sold for in the Past , That can be private or Auctions , I would not use Auctions at 25% deductions, and from what i read Ebay either, There is Etsy ?? Maybe contact Lego UK ?? Or wait until Real Deal and take the cash or Antique Road show comes your way , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted September 3 Author Report Share Posted September 3 2 hours ago, marsh man said: I would try just one complete set on Ebay and see what response you get , yes you do get some dodgy people on Ebay but you get them wherever you look for selling something , I sold a lot of my late wife stuff on Ebay and when I mentioned all the proceeds were going to the Norfolk branch of the Air Ambulance I got some very nice people who got in touch , alright you do get some that want something for next to nothing but you also get genuine honest people as well , so it's a case of being sensible and get a price you would like to get after the postage and fees are taken out , apply plenty of photos and honest wording on the listing and then put a starting price you would be happy with , if you got a lot of interest you can use that to your advantage on your next listing , and then on the other hand you might have to lower the starting price through lack of interest , try it and see how it go , All the best MM Yes, this is where I am leaning. I would quite like to try and sell it all as a job lot. I appreciate that this may sell for less that individual lots but I don't really want to make up 10 packages and go to the PO 10 times. Or to string the process out and be left with just a few bits. 1 hour ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, I would be inclined to first do searches on what Vintage Lego has sold for in the Past , That can be private or Auctions , I would not use Auctions at 25% deductions, and from what i read Ebay either, There is Etsy ?? Maybe contact Lego UK ?? Or wait until Real Deal and take the cash or Antique Road show comes your way , I've had a look but its tricky to work out what things actually sell for vs their advertised price and if they do ever sell. I'll put up an ebay add and see what happens. 2 hours ago, BobbyH said: Another vote for ebay i think... Collectors for anything will always search the bay for what they want! Yes, agree, it is a global marketplace. Thanks, GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 1 hour ago, GBS said: Yes, agree, it is a global marketplace. Thanks, GBS That is another advantage on Ebay , I am linked to Global Shipping on Ebay and have very often sold items abroad that haven't sold in the UK , I have sold a few pairs of shoes and it must have cost more for shipping than what the shoes were worth and all I pay for is the normal delivery to the UK depot and then the Global shipping program do the rest . I agree the auction houses are also global by the internet bidding , the main difference is that it would pay you to put a reserve on at the auction , the only problem is , if it didn't sell you have got to go back and pick it up and have no doubt got to pay a entry fee even if it didn't sell where with Ebay I do get a certain amount of listings free of charge and if they don't sell then it cost me nothing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 (edited) 6 hours ago, marsh man said: That is another advantage on Ebay , I am linked to Global Shipping on Ebay and have very often sold items abroad that haven't sold in the UK , I have sold a few pairs of shoes and it must have cost more for shipping than what the shoes were worth and all I pay for is the normal delivery to the UK depot and then the Global shipping program do the rest . Thank you for that insight. I stopped selling at all outside of UK as the eBay charges against tracked international postage where eye watering. I had long before that stopped selling to Italy as their postal service is appalling and things are delivered but without a signature obtained. Then you get a claim back from the buyer. Clearly some sort of malpractice going on. I'd also stopped selling to Canada as stuff sits with Canada Customs for weeks and months and, again, the buyer posts a claim back. I might now indeed look at eBay's Global Shipping given what you've said. Edited September 3 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 (edited) 13 hours ago, enfieldspares said: Thank you for that insight. I stopped selling at all outside of UK as the eBay charges against tracked international postage where eye watering. I had long before that stopped selling to Italy as their postal service is appalling and things are delivered but without a signature obtained. Then you get a claim back from the buyer. Clearly some sort of malpractice going on. I'd also stopped selling to Canada as stuff sits with Canada Customs for weeks and months and, again, the buyer posts a claim back. I might now indeed look at eBay's Global Shipping given what you've said. I have sold empty cartridge boxes to New Zealand , these go by weight and I have put a couple of free ones in the package to make the weight up as it doesn't cost any more , the only thing you need to watch that you don't go over the weight which is normally to the nearest 100 gms Being linked to the Global Shipping Program is dead easy as they collect the money off the buyer and then let you know when they have paid , once paid they let you know that payment have been made and you get the buyers name , a Ref number and then the UK postal address which is WS138 UR postcode , they then let you know when they receive it and again when it have been delivered , the only problem I ever had was when I sent two small parcels of China dogs to Italy , the buyer got in touch to say the contents of one box was fine and the other one the dogs were in need of some serious medical help as they were in pieces , the trouble is who do you claim off as the Royal Mail delivered it the G S P and then they delivered it to Italy and possibly a courier to the buyers address , I told him to get in touch with G S P and if no joy then get back to me , touch wood I never heard from the buyer again , no doubt you would be able to claim off someone but there might be restrictions when it come to breakages , so be aware of what you send , but overall I have found it a very good service . MM Edited September 4 by marsh man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discobob Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 Do some research on www.bricklink.com they have a commiunity feature where you can ask questions and they have a marker place as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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