That's it, I'm doing it.

[bladespark]

I did a spreadsheet. If I sell the Windstone collection, keeping back the Emerald Old Warrior (my most valuable) and the fledgelings (my favorite) and the bookends (they're holding up books, so I might as well keep them!) and one candle holder (currently holding a candle!) assuming ideal prices, that is I get full retail value for everything that's still being produced, and the high end of past ebay prices for everything retired, I'd get $4,892. Whee. Of course I'm unlikely to move the entire collection at ideal prices. So assuming worst case, which is slightly less than retail for current pieces, and low end of past ebay prices for retired stuff, I'd be netting $2,836. The reality is going to be somewhere in the middle.

That's a lot of security blanket, and in the ideal case I could get a $3k CD or something similar, still have some security in savings, AND buy plane tickets AND pay for hotel, AND get a Xenopeltis or a rainbow boa! AND in either case I still have a very tidy little collection remaining. Even in the worst case I could still sock away $1500 or so, and leave enough left for the plane tickets and a few month's rent.

So... time to take photos, compile lists of flaws, figure out what still has original packaging, set prices, and see about selling. I'll be posting a for sale post on the forums, which I'll link to from here if any of you want to buy something, and then whatever doesn't sell at the ideal prices there, I'll be listing on ebay, with a reserve for the less than ideal price. Anything that doesn't sell there will go back on the forums at the less than ideal price, and if I have anything left after that, well... we'll see. But I don't think I will. I've deliberately set the low end awfully low for most things.

Oh, and I'm selling the ponies too. I'm going to collect the mountain boys, that's it, and go back to just doing customs. I've got a for sale thread up on the pony arena right now: http://www.mlparena.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=137355.html

Comments

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a great plan. A little something for every concern (maybe even a LOT of something for some, if you're lucky!), and something to keep for yourself. It's amazing how even the little things add up to a lot of potential cash. Better still when it's bigger and valuable things.

What's great about deciding to do just customs for ponies is you'll still get to buy (or receive) and handle and oggle ponies, and then give them away or sell them, and do it all over again. No long-term accumulation; something to satisfy that transient need to 'acquire.'

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Exactly! The process of finding just the right bait pony is an experience in and of itself, and I can occasionally scout for Mountain Boys, shake my head at how much they go for, and maybe buy one if I find a stunning deal, so I still feel like a collector. Likewise, keeping the feldgelings, I can buy the new colors as they come out, once every year or so mostly, and thus keep myself occupied with Windstones, without breaking the bank. And I'll have something in the bank, which will be very good!