Subject:
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E-Bay Experiment - The 5561 Dune Buggy Alternate Model Auction
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.market.theory
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Date:
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Mon, 17 Jan 2000 19:00:01 GMT
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Viewed:
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249 times
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Last night my auction for the 5561 alternate Dune Buggy Model ended. I had
put the brand new pieces necessary to build the alternate model from a brand
new 5561 (purchased from a local KB Toys for $40) up for auction with an
opening bid of $9.99. I did not put a reserve on it as I figured it would
probably go for about $20 and I would be happy with that.
Auction listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=234596275
The idea of auctioning off the alternate model occurred to me a few weeks
ago when I was mentally going through the stuff I had purchased recently and
trying to justify it to myself. Hmm ... I really should break some of this
stuff up and try and do some cost recovery. I decided to start with two
5561 sets, breaking them up into lots and auctioning off everything but the
train windows, train doors, chrome pieces, and tiles. I planned to use
E-Bay for two reasons: 1) Largest number of eyeballs and 2) easiest for
me as a seller - fire and forget.
Before finding the 5561 sets at KB I had one from a trade last year. My
original is still built on a shelf with my other Model Team sets. I decided
I would build the alternate model before dividing up the parts. Then it
occurred to me - why not auction off the alternate model. If this works, I
have a few 5542 sets I could do this with as well.
After posting the listing I got a number of e-mails congratulating me on a
clever idea and letting me know that they would be monitoring the auction to
see how it comes out. From Larry P: "Well that's ONE way to keep the
windows (and doors SIC). Hope you do well at it, DO POST to .theory with
your findings, eh?"
So my conclusion - it was a failure.
The auction ended with three bids and closed at $11.99. As I pointed out in
the auction listing the wheels alone cost $12 from LEGO S@H. The alternate
model uses what looks to be about two thirds of the parts in the box. All
but two of the chrome pieces are used in the model as well. I took a risk
and it didn't pay off and such is the life with auctions. I never expected
a UK World Cup Starter set to sell for $130 either[1].
To be honest, I am somewhat surprised at the closing price although there
does seem to be a large number of 5561 sets available right now. KBKids.com
dropping the price this past week will probably cause even more to be
availabe from E-Bay either as sets or lots of parts. Personally, I like the
model and will build up another one to go with the rest of my Model Team
sets. If I decide to try another auction, I will set a reserve (like $20 -
$25). I know a lot of people don't like reserve price auctions but there is
a price point where it is worth more to me to keep an item than simply move
stock (I'm not like Target).
Mike - mike_walsh@mindspring.com
http://members.tripod.com/mike_walsh
[1] While in Europe last summer on business I found six World Cup starter
sets. Three went to my brother-in-law (at cost) and I kept two. One I sold
on eBay for $130, far more than I expected it would ever fetch. It made my
efforts worth while as I had hauled all six sets (and some other stuff) from
London to LA to Las Vegas to Portland and then back to Raleigh (home). If
you have never seen a World Cup Starter set, imagine carrying six boxes the
size of a large pizza delivery box around with you along with enough luggage
to be away from home for 10 days!
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