1982-84 GI Joe - looking for advice about selling collection

[Myoldtoys]

I literally have almost every figure and vehicle from the GI Joe line for 1982 and 1983. I also have a couple of the hotter figures from 1984. 1983 Hq, Skystriker, and APC are even in boxes. The figures all have weapons and filecards. Most vehicles have blueprints and are 100% complete. I've researched eBay sold prices for the items sold separately, and that could be around $900. I don't have the time or patience to sell these individually.

I'm guessing that folks here have had experience selling off collections. I am looking for recommendations on the best way to do this. By "best" way, I mean selling all the pieces and not feeling like I'm giving the stuff away. What would be realistic for selling this as one lot? Half of what it's worth individually? At what point should i say I'd rather keep it in my closet.

I really need your input before I decide how to sell this collection. Thanks everyone!

[evangelon]

I've been collecting and selling Joes for along time. As it stands right now with the crap economy I would hold onto them for a few more years. Right now Joes are in a buyers market. I saw a Ninja-Ku sell on ebay this week for 50.00 a few years ago that same figure would have been closer to 200.00 If anything at least wait until after the release of the second movie to bump up the interest in the line. Hands down the most money you could make would be on ebay. I would take the time to do the research. Keep the rarest of figures or sell those individually then group the common finds into lots of 5 - 10. Sell the vehicles separate. Sell any carded or bagged figures individually.

[toys2cool]

I've been collecting and selling Joes for along time. As it stands right now with the crap economy I would hold onto them for a few more years. Right now Joes are in a buyers market. I saw a Ninja-Ku sell on ebay this week for 50.00 a few years ago that same figure would have been closer to 200.00 If anything at least wait until after the release of the second movie to bump up the interest in the line. Hands down the most money you could make would be on ebay. I would take the time to do the research. Keep the rarest of figures or sell those individually then group the common finds into lots of 5 - 10. Sell the vehicles separate. Sell any carded or bagged figures individually.

I agree, i've been dealing with Joes on and off for years and the market is down a bit

[Myoldtoys]

Thanks for the advice. I have been watching the eBay prices for about 6 months. It seems really hit or miss. I've seen the same item in the same condition go for $60 to around $10 within a couple days. I guess it's a matter of finding the right buyers at the right time, and hoping a bidding war breaks out. I averaged out the sold prices of all the items I have to come up with the $900 value. I realize that will be difficult to achieve, but it helps me get an idea of what is just too little to accept. Like if someone offered me $200 for all of it, I would have to laugh at them. I may try to sell a couple of the items with a reserve price just to test the waters.

I'm in the same boat with my original SMDM stuff, Mattel Battlestar Gallactica, the Mattel Flash Gordon guys (tried to sell those here. didn't work) and some of my unwanted Star Wars items. The stuff has been in my closet for years, and it's finally time to pass it on.

[evangelon]

I'm thinking of the value you have listed. 82-83 figures. High value on mail away Duke, Major Blood, Mickey mouse Commader-30-50 mint loose. Snake Eyes, Stalker, Cobra glider pilot, Tan Grunt for standard release-20-40. Silver pads Grand Slam- depending on his paint- 50-90. 84- Firefly, Stormshadow- 25-40. Most of the other figures loose will only sell for around 20.00 each if complete and c8+ condition. Uncut mint filecards could bump the price up 5 bucks or so. If your figures are more or less played with condition I can't see them go for much more than 15.00 each.

[Myoldtoys]

Your numbers are very close to the averages I came up with. Averages on the 1982 figures were between $12 and $25 depending on the figure. The 1982 figures and vehicles came to $320. The 1983s Total came out to $530. About $320 of that is the vehicles and hq. I have all that you listed accept the Cobra glider pilot. Grand Slam with silver pads like new. By 1983, I was buying figures to just have them all. I never liked grand slam. The jump pad is complete with cable and blueprints. I only have 3 items from 1984. Firefly, Stormshadow and the manta mail away sailboard. Firefly and Stormshadow vary greatly in sale price but average around $45 each. I may try to sell the hq and skystriker separately for a test. Seems like they sell in the $80 each range. They take up the most room.