Do Your Research.

It’s a sellers’ market out there. Doesn’t matter if you are selling collectible plastic horses, real estate or vehicles. It’s a sellers’ market. What’s driving it? In regards to model horses, I suppose it could be driven by the pandemic – people not spending money on things we used to, pre-COVID. Since we aren’t going out so much, or not commuting to work, maybe we have some extra money burning a hole in our pockets. Or maybe we need retail therapy – model horses are good for that too! Everyone has their own reasons, and that is a discussion for another day. But, from what I have seen over the past 12 months in the hobby,  a lot of moderately – and very – rare models have come on the market. And sold. I can’t tell you how many times this past year I have seen a model I want for my collection come up for sale, with a price I thought may be a bit on the rich side. But as soon as I pass it over… you know, I’ll think about it… it’s sold. He who hesitates, right? That is definitely the case in the hobby right now.

As collectors I think we are all a little surprised at the prices some models have sold for. “Deep pocket collectors driving up prices…” I hear it all the time too. But if people are willing to spend an amount, and I use “people” as plural, it drives up the market. I don’t care what market you are dealing in, that’s what happens. And I think the driving forces are bigger than the people in the hobby, who think they can control the market by not selling high, or buying high. But a discussion on the driving forces and how long this sellers’ market will last is for another day and probably another venue. Maybe I should bring in an economist to help us with this one!

But I am not writing this to debate the issue, but to implore everyone reading to DO YOUR RESEARCH.

If you are buying and/or selling, do your research so you don’t get burned. Don’t find out too late that you sold a treasured model for half of it’s current going rate. It is all fine and dandy if you want to give your buyer a deal – but make an educated choice to do so! I’m not advocating that you sell everything for top dollar – because there is a threshold. It just seems that today that threshold is quite a bit higher than it used to be. So, if your buying and selling reputation in the hobby is important to you, be smart about it. Avoid being ridiculed on social media for asking too much (no one will tell you when you ask too little.) Don’t be “lighted” on transactions boards if you back out of a deal because you did your research a little too late. This is a great, close-knit hobby, but it can still be dog-eat-dog out there!

Protect yourself and your reputation by doing your research. I’ve put a lot of time and effort to do the research for you on the Breyer Value Guide. And honestly, I have been scrambling to keep up in this market! But that’s what I have signed on to do for you. I know it costs $14 a month, but it could have you hundreds on your next model horse deal. Whether you do your research here or elsewhere, just make sure you do it!