Searching for the best place to sell your old and used Transformers toys is not a straightforward task. Several hidden costs are not clear when looking over the options. Luckily, Wheeljack’s Lab is ready to share our experience with you to help guide you to the best place for your sale.
For over 20 years, Wheeljack’s Lab has been helping customers cash in their vintage Transformers action figures. Your collection may include Hasbro transformers, Optimus Prime transformers, Megatron transformers, Soundwave transformers, Jazz transformers, or Starscream transformers—you name it, we have bought it. Wheeljack’s Lab has the tools and ability needed to accurately assess the value of your vintage collection and is the best place to sell Transformers toys online!
Steps You will Need to Take to Sell Your Transformers Collection
Step One: Determine the Original Owner
This step is easy if you are the original owner of the collection. With that said, if you own a collection of vintage toys that you got second (or third) hand, things begin to get much more complicated. Additionally, if your collection is large and includes multiple toy lines, the complexities of ownership are only compounded. If you are having difficulties moving on to step two in the selling process, please send us an email—we can provide you with specialized advice!
Step Two: Organize Your Transformers Toy Collection
A note of warning before starting this process: the value of certain collectibles can be unclear and because some toys are quite fragile, it is important to carefully handle your items. The best way to start is to organize your collection by the brand. Occasionally, this process can be tricky, but brands are very distinct from each other. We would suggest starting with what you are most familiar with and then going from there!
Step Three: Assess the Value of Your Transformers
First things first, you need to make sure you know the names of each toy in your collection. The best way to figure out the value of a toy is by finding the sold price of an item like it. It is important to make sure that you evaluate the sold prices and not active listings because an asking price can be dramatically different from an item’s actual value. eBay is a wonderful place to start this process.
Additionally, when completing this research, it is also important to get a full picture of each completed sale. Vintage toys do not have a fixed price point and there are many reasons one might sell for a higher or lower price—even when it looks the same. As a rule of thumb, the better condition of a toy, the higher its value. Here are a couple of factors to consider when deciding the condition of your Transformers:
- What is the general wear and tear?
- Is the toy complete with all accessories?
- What is the overall cleanliness of the toy?
- Is the box included and unopened?
The answers to these questions can make a huge price difference. With that said, knowing the condition of an item can be tricky, but you can still get a general idea of your collection’s value by using price comparison.
Step Four: Taking Care of Your Transformers Collection
As we mentioned before, the condition is paramount to successfully sell old Transformers toys. Several factors can damage the condition of a vintage action figure including, insects, rodents, pets, and other animals. When items have this type of damage, they are often difficult to sell because most buyers do not want them.
Cleanliness is the other crucial factor to consider when caring for your collection. There are a couple of proactive steps you can take to protect the value of a vintage toy:
- Covered Bin: This may seem obvious but when stored in an uncovered bin or on a shelf for several years, toys become very dusty/dirty.
- Smoke-Free Area: Smoke can discolor a toy, which significantly decreases its value.
- Direct Sunlight: Like smoke, exposure to sunlight for extended periods can discolor a toy. For tips and tricks on how to get rid of discoloration, please see our article “How to Restore Yellowed Transformers Action Figures.”
Other factors that can damage your collection include high heat and high humidity, which can make plastic fragile or misshapen. If you live in a climate where this is an issue, we recommend storing your items in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment.
The Best Places to Sell Transformers Action Figures
There are lots of people out there buying vintage Transformers toys, and there are a couple of ways that you can connect with these potential buyers. There is no “right” approach to selling vintage toys— you simply need to do what makes the most sense for you. The number one consideration when deciding the best place to sell your old Transformers is time. The amount of time this process takes can vary from days to years. If you have multiple toys you would like to sell, then the process is naturally more time-consuming.
If you are looking for the best place to sell your Transformers collection, we are here to help! Here are some pros and cons to a couple of different routes available to you:
Local Auction Service
Pros: The two main benefits of using a local auction service to sell your collection is that it is easy and, well, local.
Cons: There are quite a few cons to this method. First, there is typically an awfully slow turnaround time, which high fees accompany. On top of that, the sales price will be unknown and will depend on who decides to bid that day. Unless you have an exceptionally enormous collection and are working with a specialist, we would not recommend this route because the results are often less than ideal.
Pawn Shop
Pros: This method is also relatively easy, relies on local services, and results in instant cash. If you feel most comfortable completing transactions in-person, then this route may be the best way for you to sell your vintage Transformers collection.
Cons: It is important to know that you cannot get the full value of your collection using this method of sale—that’s simply how pawn shops work. Pawnshops understand that you are looking for quick cash and do not know the value of vintage toys, which means they are going to give low-ball offers.
Local Toy Dealer
Pros: This method also has several advantages. It will save you a significant amount of time, it typically has a fast turnaround, you can check the dealer’s authenticity by looking them up with the Better Business Bureau, there are no fees, and it is local.
Cons: Like pawn shops, local toy dealers rarely offer the full value of an item. For example, if you were to show up with say 10 boxes of toys, you will not get anywhere near their value because they know you do not want to box them back up.
Online Auctions (Like eBay)
Pros: The two main advantages of this method of selling are access to a large client base and the potential for soaring prices!
Cons: Unfortunately, the cons of this method are a lengthy list. For starters, it is typically slow going. A few reasons are selling on online auctions is very time-consuming: these types of platforms are hardly ever user-friendly, you are bound to accept returns, and you are responsible for shipping. That is not to mention the fraud concerns, high fees, and uncertainty in the final bid price. This is not a method we would recommend for most, but it is certainly a workable way.
Online Swap Pages (Like Facebook & Craigslist)
Pros: There are quite a few pros to using an online swap page. First, you have access to a large client base and the potential to set a decent price for your vintage action figures. There are no fees, and these types of platforms are typically quite easy to use.
Cons: At the same time, there are quite a few cons to using an online swap page. The process tends to be slow and very time-consuming—sellers must weed through a lot of communication with “tire-kickers” (window shoppers with no intent to buy). These platforms also have serious fraud concerns, privacy concerns, and no customer support.
Online Toy Dealer
Pros: There are a lot of advantages to this method. Not only does it minimize the time you need to spend, but it also has an incredibly fast turnaround time. Wheeljack’s Lab takes less than a week to complete a transaction. Additionally, you can check out a business’s credibility online by visiting Better Business Bureau. Lastly, there are no additional fees—Wheeljack’s Lab even pays for shipping!
Cons: There is only one downside to this method—you cannot get the full value of your collection. Time equals money, which means saving time will come at a cost.
Wheeljack’s Lab is the Best Place to Sell Vintage Transformers Toys
The process of selling vintage Transformers action figures is super involved—the cleaning, the set-up, the organizing, and the actual selling—it can take up a lot of time. If you are looking for an option that will simplify the process and give you a fair deal, then Wheeljack’s Lab is here to help! We can take care of each step involved in selling your old toys or collection. Call us at 888-946-2895 or send us an email.
As a recognized vintage toy dealer, Wheeljack’s Lab is a family-run business that has been buying and selling toys for three generations. With over 20 years of experience, we know the business inside and out and are sure to get you the best possible price. Our services include same-day toy quotes, prompt communication, instant payment, and prepaid shipping. Additionally, we can pick up your collection if necessary!
We would love to find new homes for your old toys. We are in the business of finding people who will appreciate your collection as much as you do.
Do you have old and used Galvatron 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 Galvatron 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.
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!
Are you ready to sell your Transformers to the best place available?
With over three decades of experience, Wheeljack’s Lab has the experience and knowledge to get you the best price for your used toys. Just look at only a small sample of the Transformers that have been sold and bought through our services:
