Selling our stuff.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I ran into an acquaintance at an antique mall the other day. I was buying a diecast car and we talked outside about diecast and model cars and I mentioned to him that I had a pretty big collection dating back to the 1958 AMT 3-in-1 (1/25 scale).

He expressed an interest so the next day I hauled 300+ kits up from the basement and loaded four swap tables in the house garage. He came over the next day with a younger brother (both guys in their 50's) and asked me how much..I told them how I determined my price...and they nodded at each other and said, "Sounds Fair" and counted out the cash in large bills and loaded the in pickup and SUV and were on their way.

I hadn't built a model in 50 years at leas,t although I had bought them every so often. Currently new ones are $25-30 each at Hobby Lobby for instance. I didn't get near that but I was very happy. And then I sold a pair of Halibrand style sprint wheels this morning.

Slowly thinning the collections.

Next thing I am going to work on selling is a pretty serious HO scale railroad collection which includes early 1900's Brass steam locomotives, hand built rolling stock, premium kits, building and a small portable switching layout.Last touched in the late 70's. If you know of someone with that addiction put them in touch. I'm working on a list and pictures.

[WZ JUNK]

Next thing I am going to work on selling is a pretty serious HO scale railroad collection which includes early 1900's Brass steam locomotives, hand built rolling stock, premium kits, building and a small portable switching layout.Last touched in the late 70's. If you know of someone with that addiction put them in touch. I'm working on a list and pictures.

You should check in with Sumner.  He is big into model railroading these days.  He is doing some real interesting stuff.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I could wrangle a delivery trip in the Spring and get a guided hike in an old ruin somewhere right outside of Blanding. That's worth doing again anyway.

[kb426]

I've been doing the same thing for several years. If you don't have a display area and all the stuff is hidden, I didn't see the purpose of keeping the stuff forever. I'm also simplifying my life so if I die 1st, there's way less mess.

[papastoyss]

I hear you, I have an antique metal toy collection collecting dust, know I need to move it but just can't get in the mood.

[kb426]

I want to ad that some people don't want to sell some items,especially untouched or unfinished projects as it could mean that they have given up. I don't look at it that way. I try to be realistic in my expectations of what I'm going to do and what my capabilities are. If a project is larger than my shop, the frustration of trying to do it can outweigh the satisfaction of it. I want to work until I die but I don't expect the projects to stay the same size as I age. Being realistic means you have to shut off your imagination and rely on your history of accomplishments sometimes. I apologize if this is derailing the intent of the thread.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

All good responses. I've seen a lot of whining over the years about old guys that won't sell anything...gonna fix it up someday, etc.my response is that the whiners need to step up now and start buying. Not pointing at the RRT but often on the HAMB.

My selling the model cars was the result of happenstance but truthfully it was on my list for this year. As I said next is the trains. Next year will be The '4o Ford Deluxe coupe, some more wheels and project stuff.

I'm not sad about it...I fully recognize the need and reality. Less stuff, a little more work room...still living the dream as long as possible.

[58 Yeoman]

Ah yes, the hamb. A few years ago, when I was selling my 41 Pontiac, I practically gave it away.  I had it posted over there, and one member finally bought it dirt cheap.   When they post pix of rusted out hulks that don't have enough metal to make a soda can, they all say that it has to be saved. Yeah, right. All talk.

I told them once that I was going to scrap it. OH, no, you can't do that. You have to save it. I just wanted it to go to someone who would maybe finish it. The buyer works on it once in while, but it's not his first in line project; he's doing a Cameo PU.

I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff after the Poncho moved out, stuff that would've been used for it. No longer needed it. I've got a couple dozen die cast cars, and one model that was my first. I fiddle around making diorama's in the winter when it's cold outside. They'll probably be sold in a few more years.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Ya.. been there with people and  old stuff and old cars.

back in the late 1980s we were moving. I called a couple of guys weeks before I had to be gone.  I told them come get the stuff, pay me what you feel it is worth , likely I would just give it to them...  Just come get it NOW.

Nothing happened........ in a couple weeks  I called them again  , told them come get it.  Phree , come get it.

many weeks after the move the guys ask me about the stuff. I had scrapped it all. They acted all puzzled and PO'd ..        

No swap meets around here, I have parts to sell, 2 cars to get rid of.  Good Guys is happening in November here. That is a giant cluster of crowed parts and people.  I decided to stay home.

[Ohio Blue Tip]

Ya, what Charlie said.
In the last few years I have sold my Beer making set up, my Ice fishing stuff, my Coleman collection, my Cast Bank collection, most of my Model Plane collection, and I took 3000 pounds of rod magazines to the recycler, magazines from 1948 to 2019, (nobody wanted them!)
More to go so I won't leave to large a mess.

[rumrumm]

I have about 150 feet of Revell slot racing track and nowhere to set it up anymore. I should probably get rid of it to someone who would like to use it. My wife complains about it taking up space in one of the bedroom closets. She needs more room for her junk.

[chimp koose]

I have 4 4drawer filing cabinets full of car magazines. I do not want to part with them , I spend idle time in winter going through a pile now and then . I told my wife that when I am gone just have a big bonfire and save yourself the trouble of finding them a new home . I do not want my kids hanging on to them just because 'they were dads'

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I have 4 4drawer filing cabinets full of car magazines. I do not want to part with them , I spend idle time in winter going through a pile now and then . I told my wife that when I am gone just have a big bonfire and save yourself the trouble of finding them a new home . I do not want my kids hanging on to them just because 'they were dads'

LOL...try this on for size. 18' x 7' basement wall with shelves floor to ceiling completely FULL of magazines (top edge to the wall) and probably 25% more stacked freely here and there. I hauled a few loads up a few years ago and took them to recycle (4'x4'x2-3') in the back of the Jeep Trailhawk...didn't make a noticeable dent. That is a 65+ year collection. The hard cover car books aren't a short stack either. I'm looking for a YOUNG & Tough guy to donate them to.

[WZ JUNK]

A friend, who recently died from complications of the virus, had over 7,000 model car kits in there original boxes, unopened.

I unloaded my collection of Street Rodder Magazine at a car show a couple of years ago.  I put them out on the grass with a sign that said, Free, Take All.  The kid and his dad that took them thought they had struck gold, and I felt like I had found the right home for them.

[kb426]

You guys have me beat on the magazines. I started thinning about 15 years ago. I was a weak beginner compared to Charlie.