The Energon Pub

Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think, I sold a loose G1 Soundwave and a loose mint condition G2 Blue Grimlock with no weapons too and still didn't get hardly anything. Back then I didn't know they were worth a lot or pretty much anything so I sold them for next to nothing. I regret doing it too and the worst part? They put everything I sold them up for sale for about 3-4 times what they gave me Now I have to start over.


Anyone else ever had this happen to them?

Absoulutly!

I just auctioned a Star Wars lot for the Power of The Force line.

It had an AT-AT Walker, Vader's Tie Intercepter, the electronic X-Wing, Millenium Falcon, and about 20 figures all in minty clean working condition.

I've taken care of these for years, but I've been looking to make shelf room and am not realy a Star Wars fan, so I figured whatever.

I didn't set a reserve figuring that they'd sell for a decent amount.

It barely broke $100, not only that, the buyer complained when her 7yr old son said it wasn't "NEW STAR WARS"

I know a part of my collection is now destroyed, and that kills me, I even put in the listing that these needed a good home!

I actualy wanted to pull the lot, but my job had me go away for the weekend it ended, and I do take my Ebay obligations seriously...

So yeah, all the way around, I was beat!

Now don't even get me statred on my sad tail of G1 Scorponok

Some things I have learned from selling collectables on eBay (I have over 1100 feedback and a Power Seller):

1) If you want to get the most out of a collection, take the time to list figures individually rather than a whole lot. Some exceptions might be for a Transformer combiner team or a lot of low value items. However, most eBay shoppers find your auction by typing in a few key words. Very few browse the category past the first few pages, so unless your auction is ending within the next few hours you will mostly be getting bids by people who have searched in a term that came up in your title. Chances are that when you list a lot of figures in one auction, you cannot put the name of each piece in the title.

2) Always provide a picture and a detailed, accurate description. Use the gallery option. Take multiple close up photos on valuable items. A fuzzy photo taken at a distance is worthless and frustrating. Use sights like Auctiva that will host multiple hi-res photos at no additional eBay charge.

3) Keep shipping charges realistic. Higher than expected shipping prices drive away bidders.

4) If there is an absolute minimum price you want to get, just start the auction at that price. Don't start the bidding low with a reserve. Most ebay buyers dislike reserve price auctions.

5) Avoid listing Buy-it-nows unless you need the money fast or have setup an eBay store. Start the auction at what you would have set the Buy-it-now price. Sometimes you get surprised and the item will get bid up higher than you anticipated.

6) Always be honest in your descriptions. If a part is broken, worn, or stickers are missing, state it up front. Satisfied buyers become repeat buyers.


eBay buying and selling can be hit or miss. I have had to undersell items as well as sold items for a helluva lot more than I anticpated. You win some and you lose some. Buying goes that way too. I remember scoring a reissue Ultra Magnus, reissue Megatron, and reissue Prime (TRU) for about $90 including shipping. Unfortunately, a month ago I went bid crazy on a mint G1 Snarl (I had been looking for weeks and needed him to complet my Dinobots). I foolishly eneded up paying $150 shiped to get him, only to find one pop up in C9 condition for half the price on http://www.transformerland.com a few days later.

Sylus wrote:Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think...

Hey! I live in Gainesville Florida! Is this place still open?

It Is Him wrote:

Sylus wrote:Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think...

Hey! I live in Gainesville Florida! Is this place still open?

Toy Consortium
(352) 264-0009
4211 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605

There's all the info you need. Let me know if you find anything good.

Sylus wrote:

It Is Him wrote:

Sylus wrote:Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think...

Hey! I live in Gainesville Florida! Is this place still open?

Toy Consortium
(352) 264-0009
4211 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605

There's all the info you need. Let me know if you find anything good.

Thanks! I'll check it out tomorrow. Amazing I had no idea it was there.

It Is Him wrote:Thanks! I'll check it out tomorrow. Amazing I had no idea it was there.

Might not be there anymore, you should call to check and see if it still is.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:Some things I have learned from selling collectables on eBay (I have over 1100 feedback and a Power Seller):
.....

Excellent eBay selling tutorial post, thanks for sharing your valuable & informative input with us LoR!

Cheers,
Coolpop

Thanks for the tips Lapse Of Reason!

Sylus wrote:Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think, I sold a loose G1 Soundwave and a loose mint condition G2 Blue Grimlock with no weapons too and still didn't get hardly anything. Back then I didn't know they were worth a lot or pretty much anything so I sold them for next to nothing. I regret doing it too and the worst part? They put everything I sold them up for sale for about 3-4 times what they gave me Now I have to start over.


Anyone else ever had this happen to them?

You know what?

I bought most of that stuff from them. I think I bought your Beast Wars collection...wild. I remember that all of a sudden they had a huge influx of Beast Wars stuff.

That's right folks, ole' CP is a Florida Gator and damn proud of it.

Toy Consortium was a frickin wack-job of a place. Thankfully, they were out of business last I checked. There were like three people running that place, a skinny guy in an army jacket, a fat woman, and a fat dispondent guy.

I just got another message from this lady who bought my Star Wars set saying her son wasn't happy with these, broke them, and would like a refund!

As a side note, I listed these items to a T!

This kills me on so many friggin levels

Counterpunch wrote:

Sylus wrote:Ever had to part with a collection of TFs for less than what they are worth?

A few years ago I sold my entire BW Collection to the Toy Consortium in Gainesville Florida for less than $70 I think, I sold a loose G1 Soundwave and a loose mint condition G2 Blue Grimlock with no weapons too and still didn't get hardly anything. Back then I didn't know they were worth a lot or pretty much anything so I sold them for next to nothing. I regret doing it too and the worst part? They put everything I sold them up for sale for about 3-4 times what they gave me Now I have to start over.


Anyone else ever had this happen to them?

You know what?

I bought most of that stuff from them. I think I bought your Beast Wars collection...wild. I remember that all of a sudden they had a huge influx of Beast Wars stuff.

That's right folks, ole' CP is a Florida Gator and damn proud of it.

Toy Consortium was a frickin wack-job of a place. Thankfully, they were out of business last I checked. There were like three people running that place, a skinny guy in an army jacket, a fat woman, and a fat dispondent guy.

That would be awesome if you did buy them, then at least I'd know they were being taken care of. It was Optimus Primal Gorilla, Optimus Primal Transmetals though I think he had a few scratches on his chest, rhinox, quickstrike, airrazor, tm rattrap, transmetals 2 cheetor, cheetor, transmetals megatron, depthcharge, transmetals 2 dinobot, rampage, beast machines optimus primal, bm rattrap and a few others I can't think of.

I remember those people, the guy ALWAYS wore that army jacket, that fat guy never did anything but sit there and that lady was always in the backroom. They gave me the creeps, they'd watch their customers like they were crooks which doesn't exactly scream "welcome". They did have a huge selection of G1 stuff though, all overpriced for what it was.

Also: The Gators are my team

Liege Evilmus wrote:I just got another message from this lady who bought my Star Wars set saying her son wasn't happy with these, broke them, and would like a refund!

As a side note, I listed these items to a T!

This kills me on so many friggin levels

Tell her no. If her son was so unhappy then maybe he should have not let him break them. Make sure you save the emails from her for any paypal dispute.

People like that need to be kicked in the face with a steel toe boot.

Wow. First of all. Much love to my alma mater UF. Go Gators

Toy Consortium is definitely gone. Some friends of mine warned me years ago that the store sucked a huge one and was not worth bothering with, which is why this post surprised me, because I completely put it out of my head until I drove by the old location today. Oddly enough, there's still a billboard sign that says "TOYS" in the shopping plaza.

It's just as well though, I don't need another TF specialty shop near me now that I'm aware that Transformersland.com is based in Gainesville too. I spend waaaaaaaaay too much there as it is...

It Is Him wrote:Wow. First of all. Much love to my alma mater UF. Go Gators

Toy Consortium is definitely gone. Some friends of mine warned me years ago that the store sucked a huge one and was not worth bothering with, which is why this post surprised me, because I completely put it out of my head until I drove by the old location today. Oddly enough, there's still a billboard sign that says "TOYS" in the shopping plaza.

It's just as well though, I don't need another TF specialty shop near me now that I'm aware that Transformersland.com is based in Gainesville too. I spend waaaaaaaaay too much there as it is...

Wow, I need to live in Gainesville. Uptown Village does look like a nice place to live. Ever eaten at the Red Onion? I really need to visit Gainesville more often, it's only 36 miles away.

JBrock wrote:

Liege Evilmus wrote:I just got another message from this lady who bought my Star Wars set saying her son wasn't happy with these, broke them, and would like a refund!

As a side note, I listed these items to a T!

This kills me on so many friggin levels

Tell her no. If her son was so unhappy then maybe he should have not let him break them. Make sure you save the emails from her for any paypal dispute.

Oh I stayed professional. I told here that each item was photographed and listed individualy with any flaws specified, and that it was an "AS IS" auction.

I also informed her that since her son did open the box and break these items on his own and it was not due to shipping, I have no inclination to offer her any type of rebate or refund on these items.

I also mentioned that I do have a copy of her statment saying this is how these damages occured.

She sent me a message back saying that she was still unhappy with the shipping time(she didn't opt for express), and that I am a very unfair person to deal with, and should be banned from Ebay, and that I was out to do nothing more than steal her money(!?!).

She went on alittle more, but I shouldn't mention it on a PG13 site.

Now I believe there was a mention of a steeltoe boot to the face, I see no reason as to why I should be so kind in this matter.

Were you all aware that the Legendary Alvin Prime also resides in Gainesville?

Damn it would be good to be back there...

The only serious TF collector I met there was a very scary anti-social chap who was honestly so odd I couldn't bear being around him...

Don't know any TF collectors down here. I'm mostly into PCs more than Transformers and don't even have anyone with those interests in my area . Such a lonely life in my fortress of black titanium and neon circuitry.

Counterpunch wrote:Were you all aware that the Legendary Alvin Prime also resides in Gainesville?

Damn it would be good to be back there...

The only serious TF collector I met there was a very scary anti-social chap who was honestly so odd I couldn't bear being around him...

Are you the guy I met on Friday?

But realy, near me, there are no TF collectors, I'm it.

Actualy thats a lie, once in a blue moon I'll run into some in the isles.

If it's a TF couple(aww) they're always real happy to run into another collector. At first it's fun to talk shop, then it gets annoying cause they won't let you go. I've been followed!

Then you have the real mousy type that are so unuse to human contact that they run off. Whatever?

Then there's me, I'm hittin on moms, winkin at grandma, telling clerks how to do their jobs by helping customers for them. Just having a good time enjoying what I enjoy.

Not alot of cats like me in my part of Jersey.

Counterpunch wrote:Were you all aware that the Legendary Alvin Prime also resides in Gainesville?

Damn it would be good to be back there...

The only serious TF collector I met there was a very scary anti-social chap who was honestly so odd I couldn't bear being around him...

Nope. Who? I'm hoping Legendary is part of his name, just as "It" is a part of mine. I should start calling myself the INCREDIBLE It Is Him. (Hey Mod, can someone change that? Thanks!)

Also the Red Onion rings a bell. Don't think I've eaten there.

It Is Him wrote:Also the Red Onion rings a bell. Don't think I've eaten there.

It's near, well in, Uptown Village. I've never eaten there but we passed it once and the entire community looks nice. The apartments at Uptown Village look immaculate, wouldn't mind living there myself.