discussion To sell or not to sell......

[spanner570]

Rather than clutter up Scottie's excellent build and as there is a good deal of interest, I thought it a good idea to open up a thread so folks can air their views on this subject.

To sell a model or to keep it?

For my point of view, and if ever I was lucky enough, I would rather have some dosh than have my stuff put in a box, then taken into the loft never to be seen again. Which is what happens to the majority of my builds.

Because no one in my family has any interest in my models, I wouldn't consider selling any of them a business, just common sense.

But my situation is probably different to other members of S.M.

Any thoughts chaps?

 

[peterairfix]

I very rarely sell any as I give mine to the charity shop that I once volunteered for they always go down a storm as they are always gone within the day of them going on sale.

 

[scottie3158]

Ron,
Good idea with the thread as it does raise some interesting thoughts. I made a quick mention of it on my thread, but I look at the builds and the prices they command on ebay and wonder if they do sell. There are some excellent modellers on here who build some fine work and put it in a box never to be seen again. Which I know is a personal choice but I think its a waste. I decided not to sell on this occasion (also the first time I have been asked) but maybe another time who knows. I look forward to reading the responses.

 

[Guest]

I think selling after you've enjoyed building the model is fair game, and very different from building to order/commission work.

If the completed build is only going to gather dust in a cupboard or never see the light of day in a box in the loft then I think selling it on to raise funds for future builds or beer tokens is a cracking idea. A sentimental piece may be a different story.

 

[Guest]

Top idea 570 .

I can see the attraction of selling and also the pitfalls. You yourself know that doing a job you love is great, and I felt the same. When you do commission work your working to a price, and time constraints This can take the enjoyment out of producing a piece of work.
As you say most models go into the loft, never to be seen, so if you were offered money for something that you had already built and would put into the loft why not ?
Personally can't see anyone wanting to buy a model of mine, burnt out and smashed up.

 

[boatman]

Well Scottie I have sold all my big ships models as had to make room for the next model an ive got a collector that wants my hms Norfolk now an they have asked about wanting MY HMS TIGER also but I tell them im still building her an will be for a few yrs yet but it don't seem to faze them they say they will wait but im not hurryin my builds as I want to enjoy the hobby
chris


This is my opinion only as this is why I asked on the thread what do you do with your models when you finish them as ive seen some wonderfull models on here an you may be surpised John

 

[stillp]

As you say most models go into the loft, never to be seen, so if you were offered money for something that you had already built and would put into the loft why not ?

Exactly John. I made a little over the cost of the kits I sold, which is fine by me. I'd already had all the fun I was going to have out of them so getting a few quid, plus saving the attic space, was a bonus. The downside was packing them for posting, which was a bit of a pain, especially since I hadn't prepared any packing until after they'd sold, so my advice would be to fins a suitable box and packaging material before you list them.
Pete

 

[spanner570]

I suppose the defining moment is the difference being selling a finished model and building something on a commission.

The latter I would suggest has loads of pitfalls - Mainly, the fun would go out of it for a start. Then one would have deadlines and I would presume the stress that goes with the time factor.

But an already made model festering in the loft is quiet another matter.

 

[Guest]

I suppose the defining moment is the difference being selling a finished model and building something on a commission.

The latter I would suggest has loads of pitfalls - Mainly, the fun would go out of it for a start. Then one would have deadlines and I would presume the stress that goes with the time factor.

But an already made model festering in the loft is quiet another matter.

Precisely

 

[Guest]

I would have to pay someone to take my / models away oh I do the dustman :smiling5:.
Pete.

 

[scottie3158]

I would have to pay someone to take my / models away oh I do the dustman :smiling5:.
Pete.

You do yourself a great diss service my friend

 

[Guest]

I would have no problem selling completed models, though I'd rather give them away than charge someone for my meagre efforts. A fellow member did once ask to buy some busts from me, but I turned him down as I'd only done a few at the time, and felt the need to keep them for reference - ie to see if I was improving.

I've also painted stuff for some of my site friends as a thank you for their support of my threads.

Commissions are a different thing. While I have been flattered and grateful to have been asked to do box art, I found the process becoming increasingly stressful over time, to the point where I decided to give it up. I felt an enormous responsibility to do the best job possible, and as someone who is never happy with his work, it was very hard to send off the finished thing in a state where I felt it could be improved. When I started this hobby, it took me all of my strength to conquer a trait of perfectionism which had me binning everything as soon as it was finished. This still returns occasionally, but when I realise that I've only got myself to please (and of course you lot) then I can control it.

 

[stillp]

I would have to pay someone to take my / models away oh I do the dustman :smiling5:.
Pete.

Pete, you do talk nonsense at times! :tongue-out:
Pete

 

[SimonT]

Have seen some right crap for sale on ebay - have to wonder if, and why, anyone would buy them

 

[Guest]

Pete, you do talk nonsense at times! :tongue-out:
Pete

Hi Pete, when you can't even give them away, I offered a certain collection of three Toon tanks which I have just finished to someone on this forum and guess what ???
You call it nonsense I call it reality. The little boy over the road enjoyed them anyway so evryone was happy.
Pete.

 

[Mickc1440]

The only thing I've ever sold are gaming figures I paint, anything I do make goes back into my collecting.

 

[stillp]

Hi Pete, when you can't even give them away, I offered a certain collection of three Toon tanks which I have just finished to someone on this forum and guess what ???
You call it nonsense I call it reality. The little boy over the road enjoyed them anyway so evryone was happy.
Pete.

I wouldn't say you couldn't even give them away Pete after offering them to one person - if you'd put them on ebay I'm sure someone would have bid on them. The trouble with trying to give stuff away is that prospective owners think it's worthless. I've advertised a few household things locally and had no interest when they were listed for nothing, but asked a couple of quid and had quite a few replies.
Pete

 

[wonwinglo]

Believe me built up models sell really well,there are many out there that are unable to build things but like having models to enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to purchase them.
When I split up the worlds largest model aircraft collection in 2013 I sold 16,000 models in job lots,the collection took up three shipping containers to store them,the models went all over the world as far as Russia,packing them was a pain,some are now in museums especially the hand built wooden ones so they continue to give pleasure.

 

[Guest]

Hi Pete, when you can't even give them away, I offered a certain collection of three Toon tanks which I have just finished to someone on this forum and guess what ???
You call it nonsense I call it reality. The little boy over the road enjoyed them anyway so evryone was happy.
Pete.

Bugger it wasn't me was it :flushed::surprised::surprised::surprised::surprised:

 

[Guest]

Bugger it wasn't me was it :flushed::surprised::surprised::surprised::surprised:

Hi John the answer you are looking for might be found here, see JR/T34/85 Toon Tank Destroyer post #36.

Sorry Pete.