best way to sell built kits online?

[LeesKeys]

Not sure if this is the correct category for posting, but I need to clear some space for newly built models. Years ago, I had good luck selling from my collection using eBay. But the fees have just gotten exorbitant. Have you sold any built models and are there online alternatives which are better than eBay (I live in the US).

 

[TimM63]

Depending on genre you can donate them to a local group. Military builds can go to Veterns groups like your local VFW. Just as an alternative to selling them

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

I don't sell my built kits. Never will.

 

[greyphantom1000]

i see some ppl selling on etsy. nots sure about their fees though

 

[TimM63]

I never understood why someone would buy a kit already put together. For me the fun is building it.

 

[the Baron]

I never understood why someone would buy a kit already put together. For me the fun is building it.

De gustibus non disputandem est. I wouldn't sell mine, either, for sentiment and for the hassle of posting the sale, dealing with collecting the payment, packing up and shipping. But some folks don't mind it. I wouldn't collect kits, either-and a stash doesn't count!-but some do.

As far as places to sell online are concerned, if not eBay, then perhaps through forums, or through other social media like Facebook, Etsy, etc. Personally, I can't speak for any of the social media because I haven't sold anything online, I've only bought, and apart from buying through an online shop, like Sprue Brothers, HobbyLink Japan, etc, etc, I've only bought through eBay (since '96). I did see something on Facebook's market page once-locally-collected honey-and bought it, but since the seller was local, we carried out the sale live, rather than through the webpage and with shipping.

 

[the Baron]

Depending on genre you can donate them to a local group. Military builds can go to Veterns groups like your local VFW. Just as an alternative to selling them

Yeah, that's a good suggestion, too-the VFW, American Legion. Also libraries, historical societies, and so on.
And before anyone scoffs, "Oh, that won't work, they won't want them", I'll say, it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Jon Mopar]

I never understood why someone would buy a kit already put together. For me the fun is building it.

Some like buying vintage glue bombs…the thrill is in the challenge of restoring them

 

[airdave]

I never understood why someone would buy a kit already put together. For me the fun is building it.

I understand your point, but as a designer I've had requests for completed models
from those who can't build for themselves because of health or skill reasons,
and from Museums and the like, because they too don't want to build.
While these are in reality "commissions", is it really any different than selling a completed model?

I am putting up many of my prototype models for sale because I have no where else for them to go when I finally retire for good.
They often require display cabinets that Museums don't wish to pay for, or give up valuable floor space.
Its just not that easy to give stuff away locally.

One of my commission requests was from a guy whose health was an issue. (The IXS Enterprise)
-the final model as was delivered shown below.
Another example is the request by the Nova Scotia Citadel Army Museum for an Autocar Armoured Car model.
-the final display in the Museum is shown below.
I ended up having a local builder take care of the model because shipping would have been an issue.
Regardless, my name is displayed on the plaque in the case! So chuffed about that.
I just had a request from a Museum in Ireland, for a Ford Artillery Tractor, just after the model went public.
-I've since reached out to them to see if they wish to purchase the prototype. or at least pay to ship it from canada.

 

[Edbert]

I'm having a hard time coming to a conclusion here. I mean, one person enjoys the building, one enjoys the painting, another enjoys showing them off, and some enjoy the ornamental aspect.

I see stuff like this:
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...&ved=0ahUKEwjklL6luOOFAxUW4skDHddbC4QQ9pwGCA4

Appears to be made with skill and love and investment, but $500 with zero of the enjoyment of building/painting/fixing/modding? It makes no sense to me, none at all. I just decide I do not need to understand. But on the other side of the coin, I have less than $500 into most items in the display case, ya know? If someone wants to pay that much, hmmmm.

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

I'm having a hard time coming to a conclusion here. I mean, one person enjoys the building, one enjoys the painting, another enjoys showing them off, and some enjoy the ornamental aspect.

I see stuff like this:
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...&ved=0ahUKEwjklL6luOOFAxUW4skDHddbC4QQ9pwGCA4

Appears to be made with skill and love and investment, but $500 with zero of the enjoyment of building/painting/fixing/modding? It makes no sense to me, none at all. I just decide I do not need to understand. But on the other side of the coin, I have less than $500 into most items in the display case, ya know? If someone wants to pay that much, hmmmm.

I agree and I'll never understand. It gives me the impression that the builder wants to exploit his work for monetary gain/greed rather than for his own enjoyment.

 

[TimM63]

I understand your point, but as a designer I've had requests for completed models
from those who can't build for themselves because of health or skill reasons,
and from Museums and the like, because they too don't want to build.
While these are in reality "commissions", is it really any different than selling a completed model?

I am putting up many of my prototype models for sale because I have no where else for them to go when I finally retire for good.
They often require display cabinets that Museums don't wish to pay for, or give up valuable floor space.
Its just not that easy to give stuff away locally.

One of my commission requests was from a guy whose health was an issue. (The IXS Enterprise)
-the final model as was delivered shown below.
Another example is the request by the Nova Scotia Citadel Army Museum for an Autocar Armoured Car model.
-the final display in the Museum is shown below.
I ended up having a local builder take care of the model because shipping would have been an issue.
Regardless, my name is displayed on the plaque in the case! So chuffed about that.
I just had a request from a Museum in Ireland, for a Ford Artillery Tractor, just after the model went public.
-I've since reached out to them to see if they wish to purchase the prototype. or at least pay to ship it from canada.

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I'm not saying I wouldn't build and sell/give away a model if it was a request or a commission build. That is different.
But to build kits just for the sake of selling them, I don't get it.