| Discussion Forum: Thread 328108 |
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| | | Author: | belokan  | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 09:57 | | Subject: | Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 191 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Hello,
After a few month with close to zero sales (mostly parted out new sets priced
at new 6mo avg) I finally understood that my store's items were ridiculously
common and overpriced considering it offers less than 2000 lots.
I lowered all my new items to 6mo avg -10/15% and gathered a bunch of used parts
and mostly minifigs with the money I had left for investing in my store.
I am now in the process of listing all these. I have to admit that it's way
more fun than parting out boring sets! But I don't really now what pricing
strategy I should go for. I mostly source 80/90's figs and parts particularly
from the castle theme.
My store is still a small store so I decided to go for the used 6mo avg -10/15%.
But most of the vintage figs I've listed so far are in really great condition,
and some of them, I'm holding them in my hand searching for a flaw and I
can't see one, they genuinely look like they just came out of the box. I'm
struggling to price them below the used 6 mo avg when I compare with the new
6 mo avg... I feel like my price is lower than the value of the fig. But in the
meantime I don't really get how in the world would someone pay more for a
fig listed as new when you can find the same one listed as used in absolute mint
condition for less money.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not willing to list my used figs as new! I'm
just a bit lost with pricing and hope you guys can help me understand better
how it works!
Thanks in advance!
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| | | | | Author: | Biglesdug | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 10:04 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| If they are in really good condition list slightly above the average, noting
condition and offering pictures upon request. If you have a bunch of good vintage
figures you should get some sales. And the more of a similar theme or time
period the more someone is likely to pay more for them.
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| | | | | Author: | rab1234 | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 10:09 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Unfortunately some stores (even larger ones) list their used figures as new and
I'm not sure why they're still allowed to sell here as they hurt Bricklink's
reputation.
Getting that out of the way, of course you should not do this as you may end
up with enough complaints that you get your store suspended and it's just
a dishonest and terrible thing to do.
Now, as for how to describe, I will generally comment that my best vintage figures
are "good condition" because I know that there are far more discerning buyers
with far better eyesight who will look at the figure under a microscope to find
flaws. Bricklink discourages the use of "like new" to describe a figure because
"new" does not have anything to do with the condition as has been mentioned in
hundreds of threads.
I would recommend almost never using terms like: new, mint, flawless, pristine,
perfect, etc. as they will only come back to bite you. The furthest I would
typically go is saying "excellent condition. No defects noted." or something
to that effect.
As for pricing, I generally try to price around the lowest for my country (US)
and the relative condition of other figures for sale. If it's a generic
90's city fig, I just list around the lowest without looking into it. If
it's a $10 castle fig or something, I'll do a bit more looking into what
other people are pricing theirs at and I'll go right around the lowest in
the same condition. As your store gets bigger (or if you get too busy packing
orders), you can always raise your prices closer to 6 month average or above.
Good luck and I agree, 80s/90s used figs and bulk is the most fun!
In Selling, belokan writes:
| | Hello,
After a few month with close to zero sales (mostly parted out new sets priced
at new 6mo avg) I finally understood that my store's items were ridiculously
common and overpriced considering it offers less than 2000 lots.
I lowered all my new items to 6mo avg -10/15% and gathered a bunch of used parts
and mostly minifigs with the money I had left for investing in my store.
I am now in the process of listing all these. I have to admit that it's way
more fun than parting out boring sets! But I don't really now what pricing
strategy I should go for. I mostly source 80/90's figs and parts particularly
from the castle theme.
My store is still a small store so I decided to go for the used 6mo avg -10/15%.
But most of the vintage figs I've listed so far are in really great condition,
and some of them, I'm holding them in my hand searching for a flaw and I
can't see one, they genuinely look like they just came out of the box. I'm
struggling to price them below the used 6 mo avg when I compare with the new
6 mo avg... I feel like my price is lower than the value of the fig. But in the
meantime I don't really get how in the world would someone pay more for a
fig listed as new when you can find the same one listed as used in absolute mint
condition for less money.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not willing to list my used figs as new! I'm
just a bit lost with pricing and hope you guys can help me understand better
how it works!
Thanks in advance!
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| | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 10:30 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I wouldn't worry about our store size when pricing reasonably hard to find
minifigs. I frequently get orders for a few or just one minifig. If there aren't
many of that figure for sale in France (or maybe the wider EU) then store size
doesn't matter too much. People will buy because you have the figures they
want. This is different to stocks of general common parts where people tend to
order many at once.
France has a decent market size, so aim to sell nationally. Dont worry too much
about international orders (yet). Look at what other people in France are charging,
and aim somewhere near that. If yours are great condition, then note that and
charge a little more. If nobody in France has them, look at EU sellers and go
a little above that.
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| | | | | Author: | EmblaRonja | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 13:28 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I sell a lot of vintage figs, and have some policy’s that might help:
If the figure aren’t good condition - don’t sell the fig part out instead and
describe the parts correctly.
Always describe the condition of all your listed figs - no expectation!
Fair condition: Absolute the lowest quality you should sell and only if it’s
a rare fig! Write “Fair condition and a proper follow up as example: Scratchy
torso, crack back of one arm, etc.
Good condition: Is actually not enough quality for a mini fig collector but will
do all right for them who is about to complete a set to sell. No mayor flaws
are accepted, no cracks, no yellowing.
Very good condition: With exception of the pettiest collectors - make sure everyone
else also would say the fig is very good.
Excellent condition: Is the same as New condition but for a used fig.
Also - learn what the buyer/collector looks for: Torso with gold print (some
castle for example), describe the printing: ex: “Great condition shiny gold”
for a like new fig or “very good all print visible but not as shiny as new”.
Pricing: remember that 6 months average is ALL figs - also a lot of “very good”
and “good” and “fair” figs. So make sure - if you list a great condition fig
- that you price it well up in the higher end of the price range.
Good luck!
/Niclas
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| | | | | Author: | belokan | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 15:31 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Thank you all!
It seems that I can raise my prices a bit on the vintage figs, I'll give
it a try when I'll have a bit more inventory.
I'll also add some details in my terms about used parts condition policy,
which is quite similar to Niclas'. But I'm afraid a lot of buyers don't
read the terms. Anyway most of my used parts have a comment about their condition,
except the cheap ones that are in good to excellent conditon.
I really appreciate that you all took some time to answer, it's really helpful!
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| | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 15:38 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 53 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| | I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to get my order from you! |
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | belokan | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 18:50 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I was so hyped when I saw your message with the order!
Thank you so much, this is really kind of you!
In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to get my order from you!
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Oct 6, 2022 19:00 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| | Glad I could help! |
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| | | | | Author: | Sadler_Bricks | | Posted: | Oct 7, 2022 03:18 | | Subject: | Re: Struggling with pricing vintage minifigs | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| It can be tricky at times. I deal in a high volume of new parts so I learned
as time allowed and what I found is dont have super low prices and always change
when needed. If people need or want the part they will buy it. Especially if
you have a good amount.
Variety is also a nice thing people want variety. Regardless good luck and much
success in building your store.
Sadler_bricks
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France, Bretagne
USA, Connecticut
United Kingdom, England
Sweden, Västra Götaland
Canada, Ontario