The reg wheel collection is sold - thoughts on values

[66alfa_gtv]

Last week, my final eBay auctions for 3/4 of my regular wheel collection ended.
All the models were mint in their original boxes spanning from the 1a to the 75b. The photos were clear and carefully created. Stannard codes were included, and the feedback has so far been 100 percent positive.

So, how's the regular market doing, then?

I'll come out and say it - from my point of view, largely disappointing. 15 years ago, when eBay was new and exciting, I sold a similar collection. Models like the #37a Coke truck with uneven load could be expected to bring $250 or more, particularly if they were truly mint. In 2014, my MIB Coke truck brought $98.
Most other models followed suit, bringing about half of what they might have sold for a decade ago.
There were some happy surprises in the lot. My 22b Cresta sold for $350. Caterpillar tractors and race cars like the 19c Aston Martin did very well too.
Still, despite my advertising on several diecast websites (this one included) and Facebook, the final hammer prices left me wondering if I parted with the collection too soon (due to a recovering economy), or too late (do to collector interest).

From experience, the winter months of January through March are the best time to sell. People seem to spend more time indoors online while the weather is cold and wet. I chose this season to part with my models to get the most exposure.

Here are a few things I observed:

The more I listed, the more people took notice and bid. I listed 25 models every Saturday and Sunday for 7 weeks. Every week there was a good mix of rare and common models. Sales for the final two weekends were best of all.

Kings and Majors were strong sellers. My auctions for these models were 20 percent better than I anticipated.

Americans won the most auctions. In the past, there were many more parcels heading out to other countries. Shipping rates are truly up, but was that enough to scare away these bidders?

Australians, it seems, love King Size models.

Common black wheel models from the mid to late 1960s have held there values. Grey wheels have largely lost value. This could be due to an aging collector base. I'm not really sure how to explain it. My Kennel trucks, 20c Taxis and other common black wheels did fine, closing typically between 25-45 dollars.

So, in the end, am I bitter?
Not really. I lost money on the collection, but managed to scrape together $20k from the sale of 300 toy cars. This money will go towards the purchase of my next fun car, be it Lotus Exige or Jag E-type. And, I was able to keep over 150 of my favorite models, including a clutch of really rare pieces like my red-hubbed D-type and the Lambo Miura with white interior. Funny, the display cases still look completely full, despite the big reduction.
The best part of it all is that life seems a little more manageable. Should I part from this world before the wife, she wont have to deal with all the little cars. I'm done collecting, yet I still have a collection.
Not a bad thing.

[tjlglass]

From my point of view I stopped buying from the U.S. About a year ago due to the stupid postal prices. I don't even look over the pond anymore for this reason. I think prices in general are down but think this is for one of two reasons, firstly the recession has hit hard here in the UK and secondly a lot of good collectors have been selling out on eBay of late, flooding the market with many good models but because the choice has been so good prices have suffered. Do I think they will recover ? Yes I do but it might take a while as collecting is like a drug to some people and although you might have sold up for now my money is on you buying certain models again in a few years time and starting the circle all over again.

[Dr Jazz]

Yes Alfa selling is not good at the moment. I never buy from US due to shipping and stupid danish custom. But I had to bid on your Cresta that was so nice, I dont know why I did not get it (besides bidding to low, I really wanted it but forgot it at the ending day) Well 20K to a Lotus or Jag is awesome !!

[kwakers]

I agree with Tim on a lot of old collections effecting market prices the last 6 months Alfa. The demand for later 1960s Lesneys has to do with SF collectors going back a bit, while the prices on early version pieces are all over the board as you have found. I am not finding the bargains I did 2 years ago, even with you Brits not using your strong Pounds over here. This time of year IS best for selling as you have also reasoned correctly Alfa. You did well, so that is good. You will now buy these back one day at 1/2 of what yours brought, only if you are smart and patient as you start re-collecting again as Tim and I both predict.....Cheers, kwakers

[kay]

I'm from Germany, and I have been buying about 20 of your Regular Wheel models.
Regular Wheels are generally sold cheaper in the US than in Germany, so the US is a great source for me - but I'm using a US shipping address, where I pick up the models whenever I travel to the US. But even with using the US address, I only buy models from buyers who offer more than just a handfull of models, just to save on shipping.
If I would not have that address, I would not buy in the US because of the shipping costs and the long way (and time) of shipping.
I rather carry the models myself!

I'm pretty sure, if you would not have named the Stannard codes in your lots, the results would have been even lower (some of them would have been seriously lower)!
At the moment, there seems to be a lot of larger collections coming to the (ebay) market - this certainly has also an effect to the results (especially when sellers have a lot of late 60's models in their offer).

Kay

[matchboxtom]

You will have to show us a picture of your new toy when you get it. Remember the pre 75 Seattle Toy Show is in may.

Tom

[SMS88]

Its not just shipping rates that takes away the cost saving buying outside the EU,in Danish kronor,its the minimum £25 customs administration + import duty fee on any item with customs value over £20 that makes it cheaper to source items locally -other EU countries have similar charges now.
The investment side of collecting no longer applies to common models, only vhtf desirable variations such as numi collects are investment quality now.
Great that you have unloaded toys that you wont miss,got rid of the completist tapeworm and can focus on a real car that warms your heart more -wish I was motivated to do the same,i feel it coming as I discover I have more and more cars that I dont remember buying!

[Dr Jazz]

Mick promis me I can see that collection soon, before you sell

[66alfa_gtv]

Remember the pre 75 Seattle Toy Show is in may

Ha! Tom, you cant lure me back into the fold that quickly!

[johnboy]

Remember the pre 75 Seattle Toy Show is in may

Ha! Tom, you cant lure me back into the fold that quickly!

But the force is strong