It's time to part with a collection of 200 model buses
Discussion
My late Father was a lifelong collector of Model buses and, when he died in 2005 left them all to me. Since then they've sat in neat rows in boxes tucked away. My Dad always said he would leave them to me and he would allow me to do as I wish with them, I always thought I'd keep them but if I'm honest it's the sentimental reasons I want to do this and I think the time has come to get them properly valued and sold in a manner he would approve of.
The models date back to the 1960's and are mostly Corgi, EFE and some Dinky. 95% of them are mint in unopened boxes - some still have cellophane intact.
If I'm honest, I don't know where to start. I want to understand the value of them better so I'm not just 'giving them away' - however, I am not under the impression I am sat on £000's of pounds worth. Any advice would be appreciated as Google is proving to drive me mad with the options available to me.
The models date back to the 1960's and are mostly Corgi, EFE and some Dinky. 95% of them are mint in unopened boxes - some still have cellophane intact.
If I'm honest, I don't know where to start. I want to understand the value of them better so I'm not just 'giving them away' - however, I am not under the impression I am sat on £000's of pounds worth. Any advice would be appreciated as Google is proving to drive me mad with the options available to me.
That's a good call. I've alreay got 2 Tag's and one of them was a 21st birthday present from my parents. I'm thinking of keeping a few models back so my Son can have them when he is older and with the proceeds from the rest a private plate for my Son, although at 6 I don't know if he'd want one at 17 on his first car.
Fun Bus said:
Can't recall any Volvo buses but when I'm next looking through them (my 6 year old likes doing this) I'll try and remember to pay attention.
The EFE stuff is mint and never out of the box.
If you do I've got a friend who collects Volvo trucks, buses and plant etc. He may take a few of you if he dosn't already have them.The EFE stuff is mint and never out of the box.
Fun Bus said:
I want to understand the value of them better so I'm not just 'giving them away' - however, I am not under the impression I am sat on £000's of pounds worth.
I think you clearly are sat on several thousands. 200 x £10 = £2,000 and I'd bet you'd get an average of more than £10/bus.I would study e-bay to see what they are going for and then list them all in one go (so that all the auctions finish at 10.00pm on a Sunday evening) and also list first (so that it finishes a day earlier) an auction for the whole collection with a buy it now price of £6,000. If someone goes for the buy it now price you win, if not you let the individual auctions run through and see what you make on a bus by bus basis.
Fun Bus said:
PaulHogan said:
I think you clearly are sat on several thousands. 200 x £10 = £2,000 and I'd bet you'd get an average of more than £10/bus.
Holy s
t. Of course I am - it's obvious really, just not looked at it that way.Get them sold, and get a Rolex Submariner with your Dad's name engraved on it.
Give this to your son when he is 21.
Well, I've catalogued and photographed all 216 models and have submitted details to a large toy auctioneers in the North. They've estimated the value as being £800-£1,200 at auction but it's their charges which amaze me. 17.5% + 1% insurance + VAT. I think this is a good starting point and will see what else I get back.
MoleyRUFC - thanks for the offer you made; it's something I will consider.
MoleyRUFC - thanks for the offer you made; it's something I will consider.
also if you are going to Fleabay them, don't dump them all on at once - you'd just devalue your market ! Check what they are actually selling for - the ones that don't come to much sell in small lots, but put in the effort to sell the valuable ones individually, with good photos, and then sell a few every month 
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