Last nights Pawn Stars (Transformers)

[Mikey]

Dealers always say priceguides are worthless when they buy --- But when they sell the priceguide is right there -- to justify to their customer's how much the item is worth.

I've been collecting about 28 years now and have seen it millions of times.

[mitchedwards]

I finally saw the episode last night and I think the Old Man hit the nail on the head to the guy selling the Mickey Mouse phones.

He told the guy that was the collector price, but he's not a collector. He's there to make money.

I also saw Rick offered the guy 10K for the transformers. Not a bad deal, and Rick did mention he would spend up to 5,000 having someone catalog and package each item. (Of course if Chumley did it he would have to add in break loss :-) ) So thats a fair offer, for someone whos sole intention is to re-sell them at a profit. He didn't hold a gun to the guys head, and the guy politely declined the offer.

[Adam West]

I finally saw the episode last night and I think the Old Man hit the nail on the head to the guy selling the Mickey Mouse phones.

He told the guy that was the collector price, but he's not a collector. He's there to make money.

I also saw Rick offered the guy 10K for the transformers. Not a bad deal, and Rick did mention he would spend up to 5,000 having someone catalog and package each item. (Of course if Chumley did it he would have to add in break loss :-) ) So thats a fair offer, for someone whos sole intention is to re-sell them at a profit. He didn't hold a gun to the guys head, and the guy politely declined the offer.

Do you think that some of these supposed experts really are ready and willing buyers for these items? In the transformers episode, I have to think they took some photos of the collection to the "Vintage Toy Expert" because I can't believe he would have been able to assess a value so quickly. I was thinking that maybe he gave Rick an offer for the collection for a quick flip and the whole $5,000 of packaging and cataloging was just justifying the offer. Buy it for $10,000, sell it to the toy shop owner for $12-$13K and pocket an easy $2-$3K for setting up the deal.

[samurainoir]

Do you think that some of these supposed experts really are ready and willing buyers for these items? In the transformers episode, I have to think they took some photos of the collection to the "Vintage Toy Expert" because I can't believe he would have been able to assess a value so quickly. I was thinking that maybe he gave Rick an offer for the collection for a quick flip and the whole $5,000 of packaging and cataloging was just justifying the offer. Buy it for $10,000, sell it to the toy shop owner for $12-$13K and pocket an easy $2-$3K for setting up the deal.

Are there many vintage toy shop owners that are liquid enough to drop $10,000 for the lot?

I think the most ideal off camera-situation is for the vintage toy shop owner to sell the Transformer fan's collection on consignment/commission.

I have seen comparable selections of Transformers at shows (Toronto's Botcon is this weekend BTW), and though they sell well, I don't see them selling briskly enough at full price in time to make room for that baby.

[Doc]

How would I deal?.... Hmm Well if I knew the true value of something and the person made a fair offer I would be happy to take it, not wear them down ever more.

And yes I have payed more then what people were asking when I found a particular item I knew was worth alot more.

And there have been times I advised people before dealing with me or if indeed they were going somewhere else that their item was worth such and such.

Guess its just a matter of personal ethics vrs greed.

[samurainoir]

How would I deal?.... Hmm Well if I knew the true value of something and the person made a fair offer I would be happy to take it, not wear them down ever more.

And yes I have payed more then what people were asking when I found a particular item I knew was worth alot more.

And there have been times I advised people before dealing with me or if indeed they were going somewhere else that their item was worth such and such.

Guess its just a matter of personal ethics vrs greed.

So how much do you want to pay me for my $20,000 worth of Transformers?

And how are you going to turn the Transformers into cash profit? Where are you going to find the buyers?

[bondtoddbond]

Did anyone find it odd that nothing was on a shelf? The whole carpeted area of the room was covered except for a walkway. If he had boxes for some or all, why didn't he box them up to try to sell them, instead of having them displayed loose on the floor? Just seemed a bit unusual. I still wonder what the setup is for the show. They make it look like these transactions happen in 1 or 2 days, this could be a couple week process until they put it all on tv.

[samurainoir]

I just assumed that he emptied the room to make room for the upcoming baby furniture, and he had spread it out to show buyers (and for the TV cameras).

[mitchedwards]

How would I deal?.... Hmm Well if I knew the true value of something and the person made a fair offer I would be happy to take it, not wear them down ever more.

And yes I have payed more then what people were asking when I found a particular item I knew was worth alot more.

And there have been times I advised people before dealing with me or if indeed they were going somewhere else that their item was worth such and such.

Guess its just a matter of personal ethics vrs greed.

Not to beat a dead horse, but are you buying for your own collection, or are you buying to make a profit? Makes all the difference in the world how much you will pay

[Hector]

If you don't believe in making profit...don't open a business of any kind...unless your dream is to go bankrupt...and lose all your money.

[Zemo]

I didn't see it, but if you go to a pawn shop and get an offer for half the estimated value and it's huge lot like that to piece out and may take good amount of time to unload, I think that would be an offer I could live with and expect.

[Adam West]

That's basically Pawn Stars basic rule of thumb. Buy everything for 50% of what they think they can sell it for knowing they are taking a risk of tying up cash, not being able to resell quickly, etc. I do see them offer more than 50% on items that it appears they can flip really fast especially if it is a high ticket item and they can make thousands of dollars fast. I just don't think they really want to be involved in big collections that are $50 here and there and takes a year to unload. They want a $5,000 item that they can flip for $7,500 and probably already have a buyer lined up. If you think about it; they probably have a list of potential buyers just from the show. If I were a Civil War sword collector for example; I'd simply call them up and tell them to contact me if any show up. If some cherry piece comes in, chances are they are going to call me ask me how much I'd be willing to pay for it and then offer accordingly. Obviously, if they have a known buyer, they're going to offer a better price. If it's something they probably are going to sit on, then a lower price. The one item that kills me is that Kiss pinball machine. That has always been one of my holy grail wants. I don't collect Kiss items or pinball machines but always wanted one. That one looked mint and was working perfect. I think they got it for $2,500 and I would gladly have paid $2,500 for one in that condition.

[lepage]

that was a sweet collection!