collectors/sellers?

[pizzathehutt]

I had a thought earlier, as most of us on this forum are quite a nice bunch and really love this hobbie i thought that maybe a rule should be put in place perhaps? there seems to be a bit of a divide when buying on this forum, i take it most of us are collectors who are trying to put back together a childhood collection we once had and then if boxed or carded stuff takes your fancy then that too. but then there are also sellers on here too who like to buy low and sell high whether its next week or years to come.

I wouldve thought by helping eachother out on this forum that what the majority would like on here would be for other members to put together there collection, ofcourse the hunt is part of the fun and hobbie but it can be a real kick in the balls as its happened to me many a times on here, where ive missed out on buying a piece for my collection only for a seller to get in first who will only be moving it on for more money in future.

how about this rule mods?

collectors should be given first dibs on items for sale over sellers

has this been brought up before? i could be way off on this but its just an idea.

your thoughts?

 

[itfciain]

What is a collector and what is a seller. If you buy something for a collection and then chose to sell it because a) you don't want it anymore or b) you found a better one - does that make you a seller?

I would consider myself as both - I have a huge collection of loose and carded figures and yet probably sell the most on here. I built up my collection through buying and selling and I know thats others have done this too.

Everyone gets annoyed when they miss out on something, but I don't think anyone has a 'divine right' to a piece just because they want it for their collection.

 

[plantman]

I dont think you can moderate sales, its far too complex to put in place, buyers and sellers use their own judgement when giving priority to a collector if they will look after or are focusing on particular thing.

 

[pizzathehutt]

i'm guessing say 75% of people on here are only collectors, and the other 25% being sellers and collectors/sellers.

just an idea that would help the majority out i thought

 

[theforceuk]

I know what your saying but you have to be careful how much you doctor a forum like this. (Not that it's anything to do with me.) I have never sold a Star Wars item and never plan to although lack of space as collection grows may change this. But I have no problem with people buying stuff just to make a small profit after all it's what makes the world go around. Just my opinion. :roll:

 

[Fishtalk]

I can see where you're coming from, but such a rule would be unfeasible. It's not nice when someone buys an item then immediately flips it for much more, but what can you do? I'm not aware of anyone here who does that, and if anyone tried they would be met with hostility and zero sales. Just look how popular Erik was over on Rebelscum with his revolving sales thread, everyone soon wised up to him and finally banned him. ( Although not just for flipping, he was a total asshole).

 

[Mr-shifter]

I get what you are saying but you can't set any kind of rule here. Its too grey.

I could for example be a collector, and buy everything up for sale. Whats to then stop me flipping the lot on ebay in 12 months time. I know iain has a near complete collection but sometimes sells to give himself stuff to chase. Now if we put him down as a seller and something he needs to collect comes up, such as a tri logo luke hoth, he may then be prevented from buying it, which is not fair as I know it would go one step towards completing a tri logo moc run. There are quite a few like him who collect by buying whole collections and taking what they need, then piecing the rest out to try to fund there collecting. This is a good thing as I for one have picked up things from collections I wouldn't have got unless they had done what they had done.

Flipping purely for profit is part of the game. I don't like it but where there is money, there will be people to try to exploit it.

I had a recent conversation with a guy who is selling his collection, who i consider a friend. He has given me some good deals. Now I have assured him that all of what I have brought is for my collection, which it is. There is nothing but my word to stop me selling these pieces and I would be able to make some cash on them. He assured me that he wasn't worried about the pieces as he felt they were going to a good home. I am certain he has made money on them as he has had them for a long time and he has sold them for a price he is happy with, so if they ever come up for sale he is not disappointed.

Now I have no intention to sell my collection. I move bits when I get two of the same in some cases, but I will not sell bits to raise money. Thats only the case at the moment because I have a reasonably well paying job that looks after me. Who's to say that will always be the case. If I am flat broke and need to support my family, the collection goes. Simple as.

All I will say is have faith. It is frustrating when you feel you are missing out but there are a lot of people in this hobby who will help you out. There are still more good guys than not, especially on the forum.

 

[Michael Sith]

Very difficult to do, but a point I would make ( never having sold anything :!: )
If you really want something for your collection, you can put up a WTB thread.

There are also collectors that will buy, then sell further down the line to fund another buy ( once you complete a run, your next step is usually to upgrade) that's how they get their collection together.

To me selling would be a massive pain as you need to package and post and have the time and patience to do so.

I really think the buying and selling that goes on on this forum goes really well, with sellers ( who are collectors as well) discounting their prices as they are part of the community, even throwing in freebies, taking payment plans etc.

Just my two pennarth

 

[Robstyley]

I think you're treading dangerously here. It'll never work, as someone said, you can't police sales. It's almost telling people what they can and can't buy and would just cause disputes and accusations imo. You can't prove a buyers intention, to flip or not etc. If you only pay what you're happy to pay for something you can't go too far wrong and if someone's made a small profit because they bought in bulk or the value has increased over time good luck to them! I know it's frustrating when you miss out on pieces, it's happened to me loads but I don't think this is the answer :wink:

 

[edd_jedi]

It's a nice 'perfect world' idea but in reality would be impossible to enforce. As Iain says I think most people are a bit of both - I collect myself but will also pick up something cheap if I see it, and often sell things. I don't think that makes me or anybody else that does it a 'bad' forum member, it only gets ugly when you get people who either scavenge from newbies (which is why I encourage people to post in the value section if they don't know what they have) or deceive people. Otherwise it's fair game IMO.

Plus everyone can use their own discretion - I've given good deals to people I consider friends on here before because I know they really want something, and I'd like to think people would do the same for me too.

 

[jasdev999]

Agree a grey. I am a collector who hardly sells and I can see the point made, but I would think would be impossible to moderate. And what is stopping these "collectors" to become "sellers" in the future!

The trick is to check the sale section a lot, want to buy section and just be lucky!

 

[Chico]

Echo the comments above... missing out on items can be gutting but *sellers* are a necessary part of the hobby. Some of the most valued forum members must be buying at a good prices somewhere to be able to offer a lot of fantastic pieces at good prices on this forum.

With a wife and kids, i rely on selling the odd piece here and there to raise a bit of spare underground cash to fund my collection - when i say 'underground' i mean funds my wife doesn't know about :lol:

 

[PGowdy]

i'm guessing say 75% of people on here are only collectors, and the other 25% being sellers and collectors/sellers.

just an idea that would help the majority out i thought

I'd say about 3-5% are just sellers. about 10-15% just collectors and about 80% are both, one way or another. You can see by our sales threads here and the fact that most members buy and sell as lot of stuff on ebay too that buying and selling just comes with the hobby.
I do see your point and it comes from a good place but i'm afraid i agree with Andy, it's just not something you can police in any way.
Now should a seller want to limit his sales to someone who is going to keep the item that is up to him. However, it swings both ways; when it comes time to sell something, even a 'mostly collector' wants with as much as they can possibly get for an item and/or wants to get it all sold in one lump. This means not limiting the market so it's my guess that most sellers wouldn't take this option.

 

[Stuart Skinner]

This seems to be a topic that should just be ended here. Whether it's a good idea or not it is impossible to differentiate between sellers and collectors. As already stated above Iain is a huge seller (and to a lot of us our own personal dealer) but at the same time is a collector.

It's a rule that would be impossible to police and one i'm pretty sure the mods wouldn't want to take on. Hell, most have got full time jobs, this alone sounds like a full time job to me.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

I can only echo what others have said really.

I am a collector who sells very rarely. Only when I have doubles or have found a better condition example. I also pickup anything up thats "cheap" if I spot it

Does that make me a seller or a collector? I think a bit of both really as the majority are on here. As already stated buying and selling is part and parcel as unfortunately is just missing out on that "grail item

 

[Grant]

Most Collectors buy and sell. Collections evolve so collecting prioritys change hence stuff gets put up for sale sooner or later. Nobody has any real entitlement to stuff even if they focus on something or not. It's a tough world out there. Having friends help is about the most you can hope for over and above just keeping your eyes peeled.

 

[SublevelStudios]

Most Collectors buy and sell. Collections evolve so collecting prioritys change hence stuff gets put up for sale sooner or later. Nobody has any real entitlement to stuff even if they focus on something or not. It's a tough world out there. Having friends help is about the most you can hope for over and above just keeping your eyes peeled.

Absolutely spot on.

 

[pizzathehutt]

Thankyou for all your feedback everyone, like I said it was just an idea for the forum but I do see that it would be very difficult to control, glad to hear everyone's thoughts on the matter, happy hunting!

 

[plantman]

I think as a forum and a community most on here would offer their sales to specific collectors first if they know someone is a focus collector or has a current WTB thread.

 

[beginner]

I am a collector who sells from time to time, when I have doubles or have found a better condition or need some space.
In recent years i buy just what I'm looking for, it's much more easier :lol: than to buy everything.
I pay attention while collecting for best possible Quality most MISB or grading AFA / UKG