Need advice regarding selling my MIB collection

pulcherstella · 07-26-2010, 07:03 PM

I'm moving hundreds of miles away soon, and I haven't collected ponies in a few years. However, I have such a huuuge G3 collection. It's mainly MIB, but I do have between 60-100 loose ponies as well. They are beautiful and I had the greatest time collecting, but I feel like someone else would appreciate them more right now than I would. Plus, the physical act of moving a Mars-sized pile of ponies makes me want to cry.

I have so much that I hardly know where to begin. If you guys don't mind taking a few moments to get me going in the right direction, I would be so, so grateful.

Would it be best to sell them in a lot or individually? I have sets, rares, exclusives, holidays, babies, ponyville, blah blah blah. While I want to sell them to collectors who are looking for an item and allow them to have what they want at a fair bargain, it would be nice to get some of the money back that I've spent on MLPs over the years.

What is the most fair/standard shipping price for a MIB G3 pony? I feel like looking up sales on eBay leads me to auctions where the prices are constantly fluctuating and I can't ever get a clear picture of a fair price. I tried looking up shipping prices before I sold a pony a few years ago, settled on one, then ended up paying something ridiculous like $13 to ship one! Ouch. If any sellers have tips on how to keep it as inexpensive as possible for the seller and buyer, I would be very appreciative.

If I sold them in a lot, how would I estimate shipping? Mainly since there's a trillion and I would hate to ask someone for too much or too little as far as shipping is concerned.

Thank you for reading this and I really hope it was clearly written. It's way too hot in Alabama right now. Phew.

Pikabubba · 07-27-2010, 10:16 AM

Hi there! Always sad to see a collection go, but you gotta do what you have to do right?

Would it be best to sell them in a lot or individually? I have sets, rares, exclusives, holidays, babies, ponyville, blah blah blah. While I want to sell them to collectors who are looking for an item and allow them to have what they want at a fair bargain, it would be nice to get some of the money back that I've spent on MLPs over the years. Individually is always the way to go if you want to make more money. You can sell the more HTF's individually and sell commons in lots. Strawberry Reef has a great site for G3s and you can get a good idea on costs/rarity. You can of course head on over to General discussion and ask for price checks as well.

What is the most fair/standard shipping price for a MIB G3 pony? I feel like looking up sales on eBay leads me to auctions where the prices are constantly fluctuating and I can't ever get a clear picture of a fair price. I tried looking up shipping prices before I sold a pony a few years ago, settled on one, then ended up paying something ridiculous like $13 to ship one! Ouch. If any sellers have tips on how to keep it as inexpensive as possible for the seller and buyer, I would be very appreciative.

Oh never go by ebay's rates! It's crazy! Many sellers make money off the price of shipping. If you are in the US you can use www.usps.com to estimate shipping cost of a few. Remember though- big boxes you send will cost more if it's over their size limits. Many people like to save money also if you offer to debox the pony first to save on the cost of shipping. It does save a lot of money that way.

If I sold them in a lot, how would I estimate shipping? Mainly since there's a trillion and I would hate to ask someone for too much or too little as far as shipping is concerned. Again- MIB ponies will cost a ton to ship if it's in a big lot. Sometimes when shipping in us, UPS is a better way to go if you ship ground. Also again- if you are willing to debox, it will bring the price down. I am sure more people will come along and help you with estimates on costs of shipping ponies. I haven't shipped much lately so I don't want to give you the wrong (not most recent) prices.

Good luck with your sales!

Bella Luna · 07-28-2010, 09:15 AM

One pony in a bubble mailer is normally 2-3 in the U.s.

For bigger sized lots, and MIB i would ship in flat rate a medium size up to 70 lbs (i believe) is 10.60, and the large is like 14 or 13 can remember off hand.

LadyM · 07-28-2010, 05:15 PM

I think it'll be hard to get rid of MIB G3s at the flat rate of $10. What about regular priority boxes? Do they still make those?

If you want to sell by first class (or need plain boxes for international buyers), go to grocery stores and ask if they have any boxes they're getting rid of.

Selling them in lots is more efficient, but it might be hard to sell G3s MIBs in lots. They're in a real downturn lately.

You might also mention that you're willing to debox them and send them in bubble mailers upon request . . . Cheaper shipping and people who were going to debox them anyway might be interested.

pulcherstella · 07-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Thank you so much for the responses! This has definitely helped a lot. I think I'm going to offer to debox them for people, use First Class package mail if it's with in the weight range and if I don't sell them all, I'll donate to a charity somewhere nearby.

I appreciate it, guys!