The toy world is a vibrant and multifaceted market, involving vendors, sellers, dealers, and distributors. Vendors are those who participate in toy shows, conventions, and have online or in-person stores. Sellers, like yourself, provide a significant portion of a vendor's inventory. Dealers facilitate transactions between vendors and sellers, while distributors acquire products wholesale directly from manufacturers. Each participant strives to secure the best deals and generate profits from their efforts.

When vendors need to replenish their stock, they may turn to distributors, the public, or both. However, not all vendors buy from individuals year-round, and their interest in specific items can vary. As a seller, your goal aligns with that of the vendor—to maximize profits. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to successfully navigate the selling process.

Step 1. Inventory: Learning About Which Items You Have

Identifying Valuable Items

The first step in selling your collection is to identify which items hold what value. Focus on collectibles that are rare, in high demand, or part of popular franchises. Items like Star Wars figures, Barbies, Pokémon cards, and vintage action figures can fetch premium prices.

Assessing Condition and Rarity

The condition and rarity of your items play a key role in determining their value. Collectibles in mint or near-mint condition, with original packaging and documentation, are highly sought after. Additionally, limited editions, exclusive releases, and items with unique features or historical significance can command higher prices.

Item Classification

High-End Items:

These are going to be the prized gem that everyone is going to want, because not everyone has them. They are what makes a collection unique, respectable, and worth lots of money. They are the rarest of rare, and are typically in pristine condition. They are what people brag about, because they're items that are worth showing off.

Examples of High-End Items:

Uncommon Items:

These items are going to be impressive, and will still draw much attention. It might be a common item, but it might be in superior condition than what is typically found. These items may also just be interesting, because they aren't seen everyday, and aren't a part of many collector's inventory. Uncommon items will still command a respectable price as well.

Examples of Uncommon Items:

Common Items:

Common items are exactly what it sounds like: abundant availability therefore easy to find, and thus not as coveted and lacks a high demand. Someone can still make a decent amount of money with these items, but it is mostly going to be because they have a sizeable collection with many, many, many items.

Examples of Common Items:

The first step is to inventory what you have and decide what you want to sell. Regardless of the actual monetary value of your items, decide which ones you're comfortable parting with and which ones hold sentimental value. If you have any hesitation, it's best to keep the item until you're ready to sell. Remember, once it's gone, it's gone.

Step 2. Conduct Research

Knowing what you have is crucial for learning the value of your items. Conducting thorough market research will help you understand the potential worth and demand for your collectibles.

Once you've decided on the items to sell, start doing market research to determine their availability, condition, and sales history. Make sure to confirm that you have the exact same item, not a variant, as this will impact its value.

Beware the Variants!

A very important point when learning what you have, is also to know if this item has a variant. This is going to be critical in determining the actual value of the item.

Variant Examples:

Variant by Manufacturers:

Some Star Wars figures were produced by different manufacturers, such as Kenner and Palitoy, resulting in slight differences in design and packaging.

Variant by Toy Line

Certain action figures may have been released in different toy lines with varying accessories or packaging. E.g. 12-Back, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi Figures.

Variant by Cardback

Collectibles like action figures may have different cardbacks, indicating their release wave or special editions.

Research Tools

Price Guides and Catalogs

Price guides and catalogs are essential tools for determining the value of your collectibles. Publications like the "Official Price Guide to Action Figures" and "Antique Trader's Vintage Toys Price Guide" provide comprehensive listings and market values for a wide range of items.

Online Resources and Communities

Online resources such as collector forums, social media groups, and websites like WorthPoint and Heritage Auctions offer valuable insights and real-time market data. Engage with fellow collectors and industry experts to stay informed about trends and pricing.

Auction Results

Reviewing auction results from reputable auction houses can provide a benchmark for valuing your items. Websites like eBay, Sotheby's, and Christie's archive past auction results, allowing you to see what similar items have sold for and gauge market interest

Recommended Research Tools

Star Wars Tracker: This website offers detailed information and a free trial for researching vintage Star Wars items. It includes sales data, price trends, and variant information. Don't forget to mention that we sent you!

Action Figure 411: This site covers a broader range of items and is free to use. While it may lack detailed variant information, it provides valuable insights into general market trends.

eBay: Use eBay to research actual sold items. Type the item's details in the search bar (e.g., "YYYY Manufacturer Franchise Toy Line Character Variant") and filter by sold items. This will give you an understanding of recent sales and availability.

1984 Kenner Star Wars Droids R2-D2 Canadian

1982 Palitoy Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Variant B

Ebay is going to be able to offer you the specifics on items that were actually sold. Both of the websites I mentioned above incorporate ebay sales into their calculations, and will actually archive data that you can still access, well beyond how long ebay will have readily accessible for you to inspect. I can't guarantee, though, that the websites above will always account for every sale that occurs. I just know that they do their best to account for each and every relevant one.

Regardless of the site you use, you'll gain valuable insights into the product's availability and sales history. Understanding supply and demand can help you negotiate better with buyers.

Supply and Demand Analysis

When determining an item's availability, you're analyzing supply and demand. For example, if there have been 100 sales in the last 24 hours but no current listings, there's lower supply than demand, indicating higher value. Conversely, if there are 100 items for sale with zero recent sales, supply exceeds demand, indicating lower value.

This information isn't always necessary, but it can be valuable when contacting buyers. Not all buyers or vendors will have specific data on every item, so providing insights into the item's desirability and sales history can help you negotiate effectively.

Step 3: Finding Buyers

Finding buyers can be one of the most challenging steps in the process. Depending on your expectations and situation, you have different sources. Many people choose eBay, but be aware of potential issues.

The Problem with Ebay

There are numerous problems with selling through Ebay. I've done it, and I would strongly encourage people to really be aware of what they are getting themselves into.

The main reason to avoid eBay is the difficulty in actually getting your money. It's not easy, simple, consistent, or friendly. This is why many people prefer to sell directly to vendors, letting them deal with the headaches.

Where to Find Buyers

Toy Shows and Conventions

Toy shows and conventions are excellent venues to connect with vendors and buyers. These events attract collectors, enthusiasts, and industry professionals, providing ample opportunities to showcase and sell your items. Look for events in your area and consider setting up a booth or networking with attendees.

Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, and specialized collectible websites offer a vast audience for your items. Create detailed listings with high-quality photos and accurate descriptions to attract potential buyers. Monitor market trends and adjust your prices accordingly to stay competitive.

Local Collectible Stores

Local collectible stores can serve as valuable partners in selling your collection. Build relationships with store owners and managers, and inquire about their buying policies. Some stores may offer consignment options, allowing you to showcase your items in their retail space while sharing a portion of the profits.

You may also just do a quick Google Search or look in Apple Maps for local toy shop, collectible store near me, or find other e-commerce wesites or retail stores nationwide that buy, sell, and trade vintage toys, collectibles, action figures, comics, vehicles, playsets, creatures, etc.

Step 4: Contacting Buyers

The next step is to contact your desired buyer. A helpful list of things to have prepared when you're ready to contact your buyer is:

Buyers and venders are going to be using language and terms that may be unfamiliar to you. Common ones include:

Carded Figures

Carded figures are typically action figures that come on a 9" by 6" piece cardboard with printed decals. Most carded figures have the 3.75" character factory sealed inside of a bubble. The card may or may not have 3rd party tags or stickers, which were placed there by, perhaps, K-B Toys, Toys-R-US, JC Penny, etc.

Loose, Mint, Sealed

All factory sealed items, whether it be a bubble or box, will have the item in mint condition. All that is sealed will also be mint. We use the acronyms MOC and MISB, which means Mint on Card or Mint in Sealed Box, respectively. We know that it is mint, because we know that it has never been opened, hence it being "sealed".

When something is opened, we call that thing a "loose" item. This can be a loose figure, a loose vehicle, a loose playset, a loose creature, etc. Loose items still hold significant value, and can even be more valuable than sealed items! Why? Well, for whatever reason, if an item is in mint condition sealed behind a horrific bubble on a card in terrible condition, it sometimes is seen as less valuable than a loose item that is in mint condition. The ugliness of the surrounding elements, can sometimes lower the sale total.

PLEASE NOTE! DO NOT EVER OPEN A FACTORY SEALED ITEM!

Step 5: Negotiations

At the very start of this article/guide, I mentioned that on both sides of the register, everyone is going to want to have their profit be high and their costs low. Therefore, many of the venders out there will offer what I will call complete bullshit and patently offensive amounts for your valuable. It's even more disheartening, when they turn around and sell this item for more than twice what they gave you for it. This is because it at some point became acceptable and common practice to offer the seller (you) 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, or 35% of what the actual value of the item is. They will try and justify it, but my advice to you is walk away. Do not part with your item for such a low amount. Do not accept anything less than 50% for what your item is valued at.

Give 50%, Get 50%

In my personal and professional opinion, the amount should be split 50/50. Without your item, the store would have nothing to sell, and therefore needs your item. Having said that, do not ever expect to get more than 50% for your item, because this is the breaking point where the store will still need to see a profit, for it to be worth their time, energy, resources, and money

If 50% sounds low for you, remember that these places have a lot of overhead, and a lot of fees, charges, and headache to deal with. They pay rent for their shops, they pay subscriptions for online existence, they pay employees, they pay for spaces to sell at toy shows, they pay for transportation, u-hauls, business licenses, taxes, shipping, packaging, labels, graphic designers, website developers, the list goes on and on. It just isn't financially intelligent or a smart business move to buy something at more than 50%.

Having said that, selling to a vender at 50% can still be a smart move-it can still be your best move. Why? Well, because you get your money almost instantly. Once your item has been received, inspected, authenticated, and assessed, your appraised offer can be transferred and deposited within minutes. Saving you time, money, and hassle. It's the quickest, most consistent, and most reliable method of selling off your items.

This is why at The Collectable we offer up to 50% the value of your item. Conditions that apply include availability, desirability, condition, and type of item you have. We believe in creating and building the deepest level of trust with our audience. We believe that 50% is fair. To split it right down the middle, if you will. By doing this, we believe we can guarantee establishing a healthy, transparent, and productive relationship with anyone who becomes part of our family and team. No where else are you going to find will offer such a high amount for your item.

We know what is out there, and we will see you again soon.

Ready to Sell your items to us?

Step 6: Getting Paid

The final step is to accept your offer and to get paid. Once you have decided which items to sell, have done market research, have your attributes and details list ready, then you're ready to contact us to set up a Notice of Arrival (NOA) form. At the top of the form will be a place to enter your unique Customer ID Number (CID), a place for the unique Submission Identification Number (SID) and a place to list the items you will be sending to us. Please do not send anything to us without having both your CID and your SID. Items that are received that do not contain both the CID and the SID will be returned.

Learn how to safely pack and securely ship your items in our detailed article

Once your items have been received and inspected by our inventory specialist, expect to receive a call AND and email with detailed information on the next steps. We will contact you about our final offer amount, and will gather the necessary information needed in order to send your payment. If you decide to decline our offer, we will simply repackage and ship your returned items to you, no questions asked.

Learn more about the complete process of selling to us.

We at The Collectable sincerely hope that you enjoyed this article and found its contents to be both informative and helpful. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, we invite you to reach out and we will be happy to answer. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response before resubmitting your inquiry.