Best Forum for Selling Pricey Toys?

If they are in original boxes maybe you can get something recouped. Let's face it Thomas trains are a dime a dozen.

I just got rid of a train table and a bucket full of trains and tracks for $15. Honestly, I wanted it out of my house. No way would someone spend $4000 or even half of that for used toys. Sorry to not have better news, but I'd not pay more than $100 probably for everything you have. Let's face it, it's all used toys.

The way to get the most money is individually listing the items on ebay.

I prefer my time and would create lots (groupings of the items). If you are not into ebay, then craigslist would work (just a smaller demographic, so not reaching as many potential buyers who may really want that $40 cranky the crane for $30).

I doubt you will find anyone willing to spend half or even $1000 on all the stuff in one purchase. Once things are over $100 (maybe $50 for toys) the buyer wants a really good deal.

In no market will you recoup what you spent. That's just fact. Don't expect to get 1/2 back.

We have a very nice set/collection of Thomas and I have it all boxed in the original containers and put away for potential future grandchildren.

In the event we don't have grandchildren, I'll probably donate it to a women's shelter or done children's center.

If you are still bent on selling, try eBay . Our HOA has a Facebook page and some ppl advertise items there or in a closed online local sale.

The most you can expect is 25% of original cost.

Honestly, I would do ebay. With craigslist, and that amount of stuff, your house will be a revolving door. Most people won't buy everything at once. Just pieces here or there.
We have about that much Thomas stuff. Since I did spend that much on the sets and pieces, I'm boxing it away for my grandkids (one day). Toys like that have long term appeal, and I know I'm not going to get nearly a fraction in resale of what I paid.

Ebay is where the collectors hang out. If you still have the original packaging, that will help.

But if it is just the typical versions and not collectables. You will do best to sell the items in small groups on ebay.

Craigslist is not for people trying to make a bunch of money unless it is a vehicle., it is for people that want or need to get rid of stuff.

I agree to see if there are any consignment shops that will sell it for you, Again sell it in groups of items. Try to remember how the sets came and recreate them.

It will take some work and time, but at least you will get something for them.

We have people that hold consignment sales several times a year where hundreds of people consign with her and make 65% of their sales. We price it, drop it off and she does the rest

I've listed with craigs list but it's too much work and time/meetings/ phone calls for my liking. But I have bought off craigs list and it may be the best avenue for this kind of stuff.

I'd sell it on Ebay.

While Craigslist is just fine for selling, and I've sold a ton of stuff there, it's not good for recouping money. You'll get insane, lowball, almost disrespectful offers. Asking $2000 for your $4000 worth of stuff? Don't be surprised to get offers for $100, and outrage if you refuse. People want stuff for free and have no respect for the fact that you paid for and cared for those items.

As for the comments about CL murders and such, quite simply, don't put your personal information out there. Only accept cash or PayPal (no cashier's checks). Don't meet anyone at your home. And don't meet anyone alone. Read the warning page on Craigslist, they outline safe conduct. Common sense. If the lady below had used it, perhaps she'd still be alive. It's not Craigslist's fault someone didn't use the sense God gave them.

There was a young lady from my best friends home town who was killed by the person who came to look at her car for sale on craigslist. He kidnapped her and took her for a ride that lasted days. They finally found her body and then later on the car abandoned.

My friend was devastated because everyone knew her.

Please, don't ever use craigslist or any other form of sales place where you have to give out an address, mailing information, or private email/phone numbers.

Using something where your name is anonymous is best.

You're not going to recoup very much, I'm sorry to say. Toys are like automobiles - once you take them out, they lose most of their cash value, unless you hold onto them until they become antiques....

You could get on eBay and investigate. See who else is selling Thomas things, how they're selling them (whole collection? Broken into small lots and sold individually?), and how many of the listings are getting bids.

Since you have to ship things with eBay, you'll want to work out the best way for you to ship *before* you list. (I sold a huge lot of doll house furniture for a tidy sum - not nearly what I paid, though - and after I took pictures for the listing, I wrapped and packed everything right then and there, in order to know what size box I needed and how much the box would weigh.)

My daughter gets very good toys for her little boy at the Just Between Friends sale twice a year. You might check that out, if it's in your area.

P.S. Gamma G: YIKES! I agree - a businesslike anonymity is better.

Got that shirt a few years ago...
I ended up doing a garage sale & promoting the Thomas items.
O. or two buyers scooped up most of it.
Like you, we had thousands of dollars into the collection.
I wasn't willing to invest the time or money to list each O. on eBay & deal with the orders and shipping, resisting, prove adjusting, etc.
We probably recouped a quarter of the original cost.
We put that into his college account.

Craigslist is a great way to sell or buy things. Just because there are a few incidence of crimes being commited by people using it doesn't mean it is dangerous. There are many millions of positive transactions to any scary ones. You'd be more likely to be hurt walking to your corner market in most cities.

That being said I would sell your toys on Ebay in a few big lots. Lay it all out take pictures and price it very competitively. Factor in time to ship, it's a pain. You won't get much so giving it all away might be a better choice. It just depends on how much time you want to spend.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=thomas+the+tank+engi...

$4000 for Thomas trains? Seriously?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Thomas is not going for what it once was, especially on craigslist. I just took a post down from there last week. I had a HUGE collection train track sets. Lots of cars. Complete instructions. It was in impeccable condition. Asked for $175 on it (hoped to get $150) and the closest I came was a email offer of $50. Fortunately, I found someone with a son who would appreciate it and I just gave it to them.

Ebay may be another option. It's where collectors look. But I have heard that Ebay takes such a percentage, it is difficult to make money that way.

If you are on Facebook, look for some tag sale groups or mom sales groups in your area and post there. If there is a very high end neighborhood near you, try to see if they have a moms sales group there.

I have my sons entire Thomas set stored for him. I guess because it cost so much, I don't want to rebuy it all for grandkids. Lol. Good luck.

Craigslist is just fine for selling or buying, just use common sense when looking or having someone come to look (I realize that not everyone uses their own common sense), like meeting in a public place and bringing someone with you.

Since they are more like collectables I would use eBay to sell them. If you think they may be worth something more in the future then clean and pack them to give to your children when they are grown. They can either use for their own children or sell them then.