Are you thinking to yourself “where can I sell my Transformers toys for cash”? This is a more common question that you might believe. Whether you just inherited a Transformers toy collection, or need money, you should look for the best place to sell your toys at. Unfortunately, the search can be long and arduous, especially if this is your first time selling a toy collection.
However, you do not need to search for a place to sell your toys on your own. We here at Wheeljack’s Lab are glad to guide both new and experienced toy sellers in their search. We have been in business for over two decades and have seen how difficult it can be to get the best value for your toys. We have sold multiple toy lines like Transformers, GI Joe, ThunderCats, and many more. We have also tested many of the venues ourselves, discovering the benefits and pitfalls of each option. So, we are ready to shed light on the assorted options out there.
Thus, if you have also been thinking that where can I sell my Transformers toys, this guide will lead you in the right direction.
Before you are ready to sell your Transformers toys
Unfortunately, if you rush straight to selling your toys, you will lose out on a large chunk of potential value. So, there are some key points that you should look over before you set out selling your Transformers toys.
Were you the original owner of the toys?
If you are the original owner of the Transformers toys, you have the benefit of having an intimate knowledge of the toy collection. You will instantly recognize the characters and easily remember when the toys came out. So, you will be able to breeze by many of the following steps.
Unfortunately, not every seller of old and used toys originally owned the toys. Whether you bought the collection or inherited it, you now have a large task ahead of you. However, there are simple steps to make your job easier. So, you do not need to feel lost when looking at the toy collection.
If at any point you do feel overwhelmed, feel free to contact us to get expert advice on your collection.
How to identify and catalog the toys in your collection
Unfortunately, when you own a large Transformers collection, you will need to take time to organize the collection so that it is easier to identify the toys. This is even truer when you are not the original owner of these toys. However, without a firm understanding of the toy line, you might not know where how to start categorizing your toys.
First, group your toys by similar appearances. For instance, set aside all toys with the purple Decepticon symbol on one side while those with the red Autobot symbol will be set to the opposite. From there, you can break down the collection even further by grouping together similar appearances and characters. If you are familiar with the toy lines and release years, you can easily categorize your toys that way as well.
While you are grouping your toys, treat them with care, especially if they are older. Plastic becomes brittle with time, and you do not want to damage your toys before you sell them. Also, take the time to group the accessories with the proper toys.
Now that you have an organized collection, you may start identifying the toys that are in your collection.
How condition affects your sales price
Even though you have a vintage toy in your collection, you will not be able to sell that Transformers toy for much if it is in terrible condition. The average person does not want a toy that is falling apart or defective. This is even truer for collectors, who want their toys to be in prime shape for display. So, cleaning and evaluating the condition of your Transformers toys is a crucial step.
Environmental hazards that will damage your toys.
If your toys have been out in the open for years, they inevitably have collected dirt and dust. Even if you have stored your toys away in a box for years, dust will have gathered around them. Luckily, spending a few minutes cleaning your toys will improve your sale.
Unfortunately, there are greater threats to your toys than dust, depending on the environment. If your toys came from a smoker’s house, they would have traces of that smoke on them. This smoke will leave them with a distinct smell that you will want to clean off.
However, there is a greater threat that you may not have even thought about. Sunlight damages the plastic quality and coloration of toys. So, sun exposure is a real threat to the condition of your Transformers toys. No one wants a sun-bleached Ultra Magnus on their shelf.
Even if your toys have been in a secured storage box, there are still environmental hazards present. Be cautious if you have stored your toys in an area with extreme temperatures, like an attic. The heat will warp and distort your toys.
If your toys do exhibit signs of damage, like sun bleaching, do not lose out on hope. There are still ways to restore your Transformers toys and sell them. For expert advice, check out our article on how to restore your toys from sun exposure.
Animals and pests are a threat as well.
Even if your toys have no damage from their environment, there is another threat that you should check. No one wants to buy used toys that animals have chewed on. Worse still, if your toys have become victim to the gnawing of pests and vermin, your toys will be unsellable. So, take note of any damage or droppings so that your toys are in excellent condition.
What do collectors look for in their toys?
If you want the best price when you sell your Transformers toys, you will want to court the collector’s market. However, you should know that these buyers are very picky and will not jump at just any toy that comes their way. To improve your chances, you should know the key points that they look for in a toy.
Collectors love toys that are still in their factory packaging. So, with each step that you are closer to possessing a toy that looks like it came straight off the store shelf, the higher the sale price will be. Even if your toy has been out for display, just owning the box will improve your sales price.
Collectors also love buying toys that are complete with all the accessories. With each part that your toy is missing, the value of your toy will go down. Also, you should know that there are collectors that will not be content with reproduction parts and accessories.
Once again, collectors want their toys to be in prime condition. So, the less damage, paint flaking, and color fading the higher your final sales price will be.
All these factors will contribute to the mint quality of your toys. With a higher mint rating, you will sell your Transformers toys for a higher price.
Where can I sell my Transformers toys for the best value?
Now that you have a general idea of the value of your toys, you should begin looking for where you can sell your Transformers toys for the best value out there. There are multiple avenues available to you, some of which may tempt you with a high profit. However, you should consider all aspects of your sale when deciding where to sell your toys. Time is money, and if an option will require a lot of time and effort to sell your toys, you will not get the best value for your toys.
Luckily, you do not need to experiment to understand what each of your choices will offer you. Instead, we will give you a quick overview of the honest benefits and downsides of each available choice so that you may make an informed decision. With our guidance, you can get the best value when you sell your Transformers toys.
Local Auction Service
Local auction services are a convenient option for those who want to roll the dice and hope to score high. When you have one available in your area, you can easily access them by driving up to their doorstep. Once there, you will only need to fill out the paperwork and wait for your toys to sell.
Sadly, these locations come with several downsides that will affect your sale. Most prominently, auction houses stay afloat by charging high fees for their services. So, even if your toy sells for a high price, you will not receive the full value for that sale. Worse, these options take a long time to close a sale, even if your toy manages to sell quickly. Selling your toys at all may be a struggle at a local auction house without the assistance of toy specialists, who are few and far between. Without a specialist, the auction house is unlikely to understand how to promote your toys to prospective buyers.
Pawnshop
Pawnshops are an easy option that quickly comes to mind to anyone looking to sell their valuables. What can be simpler than driving up to a pawnshop and speaking to the clerk in charge? They certainly offer an easy option when you want to sell your Transformer toys. These places will also not charge any fees for the sale of your toys.
While pawnshops will not charge you any fees to sell to them, they will never offer you the full retail value for your old and used toys. These locations must make a profit off every item that they buy, so they will offer you the lowest price so that they can make the highest profit. Worse yet, most pawn shops do not understand the value of used toys, so they will offer a lowball price with an assumption that the toy does not have much value. Pawnshops are acutely aware that their customers want quick cash, so they will treat you as a captive audience and pressured to take their prices.
Local Toy Dealer
The final option available to you within driving distance is a local toy dealer. Like pawnshops, these stores will speedily process the sale of your toys and provide you with your payment during your visit. Since they are a toy dealer, they will have a deep understanding of the value of your toys. They will also not charge any fees to buy your toys. If you are uncertain about the toy dealer, you may verify their standings at the Better Business Bureau.
If you are looking to get the best value for your toys, a local toy dealer is not the place to visit. These locations will never offer the full retail value for your Transformers toys. They will also pressure you to take the prices that they offer since they know you are unlikely to walk away without cash. If you show up with multiple boxes filled with toys, they will give you even more pressure since they know that you will not want to pack up your toys to try elsewhere.
Online Auctions like eBay
If you are looking to sell your toys to the largest audience available, you can do no better than an online auction house like eBay, which is known across the globe. Your chances for profit will rise with thousands browsing through your selection. So, you will have a high chance of ending your auction with a profit.
With thousands looking through your listings, you will also have to spend time responding to hundreds of questions about your collection. Even if no one communicates with you, auctions take time to finalize. The standard time for even finding a buyer on eBay is a week if you sell your toy on the first listing. This time investment will only grow if you need to list your Transformers toy more than once to sell it. Then, once you do sell your toys, you will have to set aside time to run to the post office and ship them off. If you are selling an extensive collection piece by piece, expect to make daily trips to the post office.
Past the time investment that online auctions demand, you will have to pay hefty fees once your toys have sold. For instance, eBay charges over ten percent of the closing price in fees. When you sell your toys on online auctions, you will also open yourself to fraudulent buyers. Also, these sites require that you accept returns of your toys, even if the fault is out of your control.
If you are not familiar with these sites, or computers in general, you will have a challenging time setting up the auction so that you can sell your Transformers toys.
Online Swap Pages Facebook and Craigslist
Another popular online option is swap pages like Craigslist or Facebook trade groups. You will once again be able to advertise your sale to a large audience when you use these sites. Since you will be the sole entity in charge of your sale, you will receive the full value when you sell your Transformers toys with no fees attached.
In this case, with no fees also means no regulation or protection. These forums may permit you to create posts to sell your toys on them, but they will take no responsibility for what happens after you make the post. If you need to deal with a fraudulent case or issue, you will be your only source of customer support. These sites are also rampant with fraud and privacy concerns, so take care when selling your toys. Even if you set up local meetups, take precautions to protect yourself and your privacy.
Online swap pages will require a lot of time to sell your Transformers toys. You are highly unlikely to make a single post and instantly find a buyer for your toy collection. Instead, you should expect to bump your post to the front page often, especially on busy sites. Also, plan to deal with the questions from your prospective buyers. You should also expect to receive many questions from those who will never actually buy your toys and instead waste your time.
Online Toy Dealer
If you are looking for a quick and painless way to sell your Transformers toys, one of your best options is an online toy dealer. These dealers make it their goal to make your sale as quick and painless as possible. For instance, we at Wheeljack’s Lab will respond to your inquiry within a day and send your money within a week of closing the sale of your toys. Online toy dealers will not charge any fees for the sale of your toys. We will even pay for the shipping of your collection to us, which will leave more money in your pocket.
If you have any concerns about the authenticity of an online toy dealer, you may look them up at the Better Business Bureau.
Unfortunately, an online toy dealer will never offer you the full value of your toys. While their prices will be competitive, you will not receive the full retail price.
Wheeljack’s Lab is where you can sell your Transformers toys for the best value.
When you are looking for where to sell your Transformers toy collection, you can do no better than Wheeljack’s Lab. We offer the greatest value for your toys at service and price. Moreover, we will not charge any fees when you sell your toys to us, and we will cover your shipping expenses.
Wheeljack’s Lab is a family-owned business that has been selling and buying toys for over two decades. We know the value of old and used Transformers toys and will help you get the best value for your toys. Also, we will offer expert advice to guide you during the sale of your toys. We offer rapid payments and quick turnarounds.
If you have a collection of Transformers toys that you want to sell, contact us today or call us at 888-946-2895. We will respond with a quote for your Transformers toys within 24 hours.
Do you have old and used Transformers toys?
If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Transformers toy collection.
Our professional, friendly, and expert staff have decades of experience as collectible toy buyers. If you are ready to sell your collection today, fill out the form below or call us at 888-946-2895.
About the author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!
Not certain about where to sell your Transformers toys?
If you are not yet convinced that we offer the best value when you sell your Transformers toys to us, just check out only a small sampling of the toys that have been sold and bought through us!
