Since my father died, I am left to sell his collection. I know jack all about his collection, the value, or how to sell it. I don't know the market. Over the years he told me this and that. I did not pay close attention or memorize what he said. Now I sit here trying to sort it all out and get Mom the most out of it's sale.
In an effort to save my family from the circus the Great Sell Off. I don't want my kid or my wife to have to deal with the massive amount of soldiers I have. They know a few mates in passing. They don't know what anything is, it's value, or where to find buyers. I will be selling off everything I have never used, sat in a box since the NY days, and those treasures I snatched up, opened the box, and they remain in that same box.
I have put up all my Forge World original Epic buildings. I doubt they will sell. I am asking more than most people's hobby budget. I will need a collector to move the lot.
47 odd Epic pieces sold.
More importantly, Jack the Marine called. A guy within his gaming group died. His widow was trying to unload his stuff. Because I am closer to her, Jack asked if I would help. It took about a week to get it scheduled. By then serval others had stopped by. His WWII gamers took all the Flames of War, Bolt Action, and terrain. They gave her 500. His best friend took his Star Wars and left her with 100. Another took the GW stuff. One gentleman gave her 400 for his paints, Testors.
So what was left when I got there. Next to nothing of value to me. Mostly 1/72 plastic, kits,and 15mm Tanks out the ass. I priced everything else. There were serval nuggets left. She had a shoe box full of Star Wars Micro armor figures. I valued it pieced out at over a grand. There were some resin buildings and 1/72 Nam kits at 50. A bunch of train buildings at 90.
I bought the flock, 1/72 Sioux and 7th Cav, and FoW INF bases.
Lesson
I would never tell you not to buy shit. Don't stock pile kits. Don't shell kits from their boxes. If there is shit you have not touched in years, sell it. Assume your wife will know nothing. When you die, she will be eaten with grief and overwhelmed with all the shit you bought.
Your gaming bros will circle like sharks. They will cheat your wife. Your best mate will be the first to cherry pick. None will not be much of any help. If anything like this wife's experience, your gaming mate will try to smash.
The dude had 11 shoe boxes of 15mm WWII tank kits out of the boxes. Some bagged, some not. He had 1/72 plastic dudes out of the box in plastic boxes, all labeled. There were 18 of those. 1/35 airplane kits and tank kits out of the plastic wrap, but in the box. Boxes and boxes of half broken, missing parts of WWII armor. Collectable cars from NiB to half smashed. None of it with the value of please make me an offer.
Label all your stuff.
Be organized and neat.
Somewhere leave instructions on selling.
Try to put a value on your armies
Do not count on your mate helping out.
THE MOUNTAIN
Bought = 95 + 5 armies
Sold = 445 + 8 armies, 42 terrain
Painted = 222
28mm = 126
20mm = 0
15mm = 0
10mm = 0
Epic = 17
Terrain bought = 46
Terrain painted = 45
Printed Terrain = 30
Minis Printed = 0
Games
Played = 14
Games hosted = 1
Bought = 739, 2 armies
Sold = 553, 29 detachments, 7 armies, box set
