Selling to Online Toy Stores

Well-established online toy stores like BigBadToyStore, EntEarth, and Dorkside Toys are reliable outlets to sell newer Star Wars figures, vehicles, and playsets. These retailers cater specifically to collectors and are trusted vendors in the Star Wars community. 

They often pay wholesale rates to purchase toys directly from collectors looking to clear out collections. The benefits of selling to online toy shops are fast quotes, prompt payments, and reaching their built-in customer base.

To get the best offers, make sure items are 100% complete with all accessories, unopened in original packaging. Boxes should be in good shape with no major wear. Showcase the condition clearly in pictures. Research the average resale value on the items so you can assess if the offer is fair. 

Online toy stores need to profit on resale, so their offers will be 30-50% below the eBay prices collectors might pay. But you save on eBay fees and the risk of damaged items. For bulk lots or large collections, online toy retailers can make convenient one-stop purchases.

Utilizing Consignment Shops

For collectors looking to hand off the work of selling their Star Wars items, consignment shops can be a simple solution. The consignment store handles tasks like photographing, listing online, coordinating pickups, and mailing out orders. In exchange for this service, they take a percentage of the final sale price, usually around 40-50%.

Local toy, comic book, and hobby stores often have consignment programs. Larger consignment e-tailers like ToyWiz and Brian’s Toys accept shipped consignments nationwide.

When consigning, choose a store that caters to pop culture collectors, not general antique consignment which lack specialty knowledge. 

Send clear inventories and photos of items to confirm they accept them. Make sure to agree upfront on the split percentage and time period for sale. Consignment means you have to wait for items to sell before earning money back. But consignment frees you from actively having to market and ship toys yourself. For large or estate-level collections, reputable consignment simplifies liquidation.

Using Craigslist and Local Classifieds

For sellers looking for a quick, convenient local sale, Craigslist and newspaper classifieds can connect with nearby buyers. 

These traditional platforms remain popular options for buying and selling used items. Craigslist has an active toys and collectibles category in most metro areas. Local papers often include collectors looking to buy categories. 

The benefit of Craigslist and classified ads is leveraging your existing community. Buyers who can inspect toys in person are often more confident purchasing through these platforms.

When creating listings, note exactly which toys you are selling, their original release date, key features, franchise, and any defects. Add clear, well-lit photos to generate interest. Maintain a detailed inventory as pieces sell. Expect to receive very lowball offers that can likely be negotiated up.

Be extremely cautious meeting strangers through these platforms. Meet in daylight, in public, with others present. For rare high-dollar items, vet buyers thoroughly beforehand. Payment in cash is standard for local classified sales. Though slower than online sales, local ads can unlock value from toys sitting in your closet.

Attending Toy Shows and Conventions

Attending toy shows, conventions, and collecting events allows sellers to display Star Wars items to engaged audiences. The excitement and nostalgia of conventions makes buyers more inclined to indulge their fandoms. 

Setting up a booth or sales table at a reputable convention exposes collections to ideal demographics. Comic-Con, Star Wars Celebration, and ToyCon offer prime selling opportunities. Even smaller local sci-fi and toy shows draw enthusiastic crowds. The social interactions and bargaining create an old-school flea market feel.

Display pieces neatly and prominently with labels and prices. Bring business cards to easily exchange info with potential buyers. Prepare to negotiate and be flexible on pricing. High foot traffic raises visibility for rare items not often seen. 

Consider previewing prices online then offering 10% off at the event. Build rapport by sharing knowledge and discussing favorite characters and ships. Explain any scarcities or unique attributes that add value. 

Take payment in multiple secure forms. Gather guest list contacts to follow up afterwards on unsold pieces. Attending 2-3 conventions per year can liquidate large portions of collections.

Selling Directly to Toy Companies

On very rare occasions, collectors with highly valuable prototypes or pre-production items can reach out directly to toy companies like Hasbro. For significant pieces related to toy history, companies themselves may purchase toys for their archives.

 Very unique items can also be licensed for reproduction. Do extensive research ahead of time to properly identify ultra-rare items. Consult Hasbro and Lucasfilm historians first to authenticate origins before contacting the companies. Be transparent about how the prototypes or test samples were acquired.

Lead with your most impressive, rarest examples when querying companies, like unreleased figures or scrapped vehicle concepts. Prepare a professional pitch highlighting importance to Star Wars toy history. Be ready to have pieces analyzed in person by studio archivists. 

Be flexible on time frames as studios move slowly on acquisitions. Don’t expect to earn collector market value. But for certain pieces, placement in official archives can be worthwhile. Having a toy immortalized and displayed at Lucasfilm or Hasbro is the ultimate honor for Star Wars collectors.

Considering Toy Buyback and Liquidation Companies

For giant Star Wars toy collections valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, specialty toy liquidation companies like The Toy Scout, Toy Shark, and Toy Monetizer offer direct bulk purchases. 

These businesses buy out entire massive toy estates and storage units to resell at a profit. Sellers can expect to earn about 30-50% of overall secondary market value by selling collections in their entirety. While not top dollar, liquidators simplify offloading hefty investments accrued over decades in one transaction.

Be transparent about any condition issues or missing pieces when presenting collections for liquidation. Expect extensive verification of rarities. Take time to systematically organize and inventory pieces rather than dumping containers.

Highlight unique prototypes and pre-production samples that could have historical significance. The more effort you put into organizing, the easier it is for buyers to assess value. While emotional at first, liquidating entire accumulations allows you to see your beloved pieces go to fellow fans who cherish them.

Maximizing Value Through Hybrid Approaches

Savvy Star Wars toy sellers use hybrid approaches to maximize profits on collections of all sizes. Key pieces with high price tags can be individually consigned at top auction houses. Bulk lots of common figures work well for quick sale on Facebook Marketplace locally. Rare high-end items might be directly brokered to avid collectors. 

Damaged or incomplete toys get grouped for fair rates to online toy stores. Taking time to categorize based on value and rarity allows choosing the best platforms that yield premium prices for those specific items. 

A mix of options reduces risk while still capturing maximum return across your collection. Patience also pays off when gradually liquidating a collection over months and years to find each toy’s perfect buyer. Just like a balanced Jedi uses all abilities, combining selling strategies leads to the most success selling off valuable Star Wars collections.

Conclusion

Selling Star Wars toys and collectibles can be extremely lucrative, especially for rare and coveted items. Finding the right marketplace brings fair prices or even premium valuations for the most prized pieces. 

Specialty auction houses handle ultra-rare finds at high commissions. Collector forums and marketplaces efficiently connect sellers with engaged buyers for fair value. Local comic shops provide quick cash at a discount for collections. Broad online platforms like eBay provide enormous exposure despite fierce competition.

 Facebook Marketplace allows sellers to connect with local buyers. Each venue has advantages and trade-offs. But choosing the marketplace that aligns with your collection’s value and rarity remains the key factor for Star Wars collectors looking to sell their pieces and profit from their passion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors increase a Star Wars toy’s value and sales price?

Rarity, age/vintage status, production errors, mint in box condition, unopened packaging, limited runs, prototypes, and unique merchandise history can greatly increase value for Star Wars toys. Popular characters like Boba Fett also command higher prices.

Should I get my Star Wars toys professionally appraised before selling?

For exceptionally rare items or large collections worth over $10,000, professional appraisals can verify authenticity and provide fair value estimates. For common toys, researching completed listings gives a good price benchmark.

What information should I include when listing Star Wars toys for sale?

Detailed descriptions of the item, character names, manufacturer, year, any defects, original packaging status, photos from all angles, and clear pricing/shipping costs help buyers make informed decisions.

How should I package and ship fragile Star Wars collectibles?

Carefully wrap figures in bubble wrap and packing paper to avoid any movement inside the box. Use strong corrugated boxes, not soft envelopes. Add padding on all sides and mark the box “Fragile.”

Is it safe to meet Facebook Marketplace or local buyers in person when selling toys?

Take reasonable safety precautions like meeting in daylight in public spaces like police stations. Do not invite strangers into your home. Consider bringing someone with you. Trust your instincts.