Lets talk about play worn and beater models!

[Brad Pittiful]

sometimes we have to buy a lot of cars to get that one we want...some lots have play worn models and sometimes the lot has lots of beaters...some play worn models are too nice to repaint and are displayable...some models are really beaten up...parts missing...paint missing...wheels missing...you know what i mean...other then a total restoration these arent really worth do anything with

so some of us have big displays...some have small displays...or no displays at all...but the displayed ones or the ones that cant be displayed are you keepers and then you have the ones you cant or wont display

what do you do with them? you cant throw then in the trash...no matter what condition they need to be kept...so what do you do with them?...keep em in a junk box?...keep em organised in a box with dividers?

im at the point where the bronner cases i have are full and the sewing thread organizer cases that are perfect for diecast are full...need money to buy more...but the remaining models i have to put in a regular box...divided with bubble wrap to protect them...even the beaters...do you catalog these models?...if they can be cataloged...some missing parts make it impossible to catalog...i dont know if i should catalog them or not

so what do you do with your extras?

[kwakers]

I never bought too many lots up until the last couple of years, so I can't answer your question as it applies to my situation. I had bought a couple of 'box lots' from other Sellers that were just that, Lesney used Toys thrown in a large box. They were not cataloged, they were just extra castoffs from which I managed to quickly find 4 or 5 beaters with casting variations I still needed.
It seems to me the best way to store these Lesneys would have been in 75 smaller boxes by their numbers. That way when someone needs a casting or a part, the search is brief and by it's number. To code beaters seems like a waste unless they are uncommon castings to be traded or sold to kwakers cheap . Also, when Nick's lists are updated, or a new variation is shown on the Forum, it is a very simple job to try and find the same pre-pro that Jason has just pictured for us this week....LOL
If storage space is a problem, re-listing groups of them on E Bay for sale is a possibility, but they need to be organized and interesting to command even bargain prices as a lot.
Those ideas, and giving some away to a devoted modeler like Tinman are my best ideas tonight. I am still enjoying the boxes I bought a year ago, but I have not taken any of my own advice in organizing them at all...... kwakers

[Taniwha]

Hi Dan,

In terms of scale, I probably don't have the same problem as you. I attempt to catalogue every Lesney that comes into my hands regardless of condition. If a model is a code I do not already possess, into the collection it goes until a better one comes along. Beaters of variations I already have or upgrade, or items that cannot be catalogued due to condition go either into a big box of toys I have for the kids to play with here, or into a couple of boxes of different grades to be sold or given away at swapmeets. You'd be amazed what I can sell for 50 cents or even a buck at our local swapmeets.

The only Lesney I've ever thrown away was a fake.

Cheers,
Gavin

[kerbside]

Hello Dan no ideas from me as I never buy bulk lots, when I find a model I need it always seems to be s old singely., thank goodness for me. George T.

[Moyboy]

Mine all go into several beater boxes, no bubble wrap, just thrown in. Someone pops round and wants a spare part - no problem, browse the beater box.

[Malibu]

Hi Brad,

In my collection are models in a condition which you would not put in your show case.
For me this models are ok because I don´t want to spend to much money on my collection.

Why don´t you show us pictures of your beaters so if some of us are interseted for restauration, conversions or even for spareparts could send you a offer to buy them.

Stephan

[johnboy]

Unless the models can't be coded, I check everyone whether they're beaters or minty. Many interesting finds have come from beaters. I have boxes of beaters because I tend to buy job lots to secure one or two that I want. They can be useful for spare parts but if they build up too much I tend to donate them to the local children's hospice charity or sell them on ebay for spares/repair. I've never thrown a model away, no matter how bad. It seems like sacrilege to me when they can be useful to someone. As well as beater boxes, I keep some in matchbox trays/cases and some time back I bought a cheap job lot of boxes (pizza style) and added some card dividers and they're great for storing 30/40 models a box. They're stackable and quite slim so they take up minimal room.

[mbox2000]

Hi Brad, I usually have to buy lots also. No toy shows in my neck of the woods. So lots of beaters. I have a large box for the grand kids to play with and have also given them case loads to take home and play with ( decent shape ones). I generally check for oddities & variations as time allows but I never toss them unless they are broken/dangerous . Just can't bring myself to throw them away. I am sure my wife thinks I'm a bit addled. But rather crazy for matchbox than just plain crazy.

[matchbox_n_molars]

A good question Dan. I have a good many models on the shelves that are missing paint and or parts but they represent a different variation so on the shelf it goes. A couple of years back I had accumulated a significant pile of "beaters". I ended up dividing/giving them to two different friends that I knew did a good bit of model restoration and/or customization. But I'm with you. I've never been able to bring myself to toss a vintage MATCHBOX Toy in the trash. There is a genuine sense of stewardship that haunts me with regard to these crazy little toys. I words of Ralph, the "Matchbox Grizzly" at the time he was auctioning off his toys. Like him, I've never really thought of myself as the owner of the toys I have but rather as a temporary steward entrusted with proper care and respect for a chapter in their existence. The toys will outlast me for sure.

[Bob/Ohio]

As most of you have said, I won't throw away any beaters,or broken ones either. These are my Matchbox "junkyard", kept for parts or future repaint, or whatever. I try to buy any beaters, especially King size I can that have tires on them. Just the tires are worth the price of most of them.

Bob