If you have been in the collectibles game for any amount of time at all, you know that the value of any piece is subjective and is actually determined by the active buyers and sellers in that particular market. The buying and selling venue can also play a major role in the determination of a buying and selling price. Think about the varying prices you see when you are shopping on line compared to an antique mall, or even BreyerFest.

Whether it is Ebay auctions or hobby classifieds, in these venues the buyers, sellers and inventory (typically) are plenty. If you aren’t selling something considerably rare, there is a good chance that others are selling the same thing. You would need to be price competitive if you wanted your item to sell. Same goes for BreyerFest. Again, if you aren’t selling something rare, chances are your neighbor is selling the same thing. This can put the buyer in a good position to be able to negotiate with sellers. Now, if you are selling something special – a variation, a model in show quality condition, or a limited run model, you can often be successful in asking a higher price, and getting it. IF you can show that the value of the model is worth the price.

Here is a quick breakdown of common selling venues and how their differences can affect prices:

The Internet

• Hobby classifieds, Ebay, Facebook, Instagram…
• There is a lot of competition in buying and selling
• Common models pull lower prices (unless it stands out above the rest)
• Hard to find models will get the best exposure and potentially more bidders

BreyerFest

• Tons of competition, whether you are a buyer or seller!
• You must be price competitive if you are selling, the person in the next room is probably selling the same stuff!
• You must be smart if you are buying and able to make a decision quickly – because if you pass up a deal, the next person who finds it won’t!

Antique Malls

• Not much competition – prices tend to be higher.
• If you are a seller, patience is a virtue. I’ve seen models that won’t sell on-line sell for a decent price at antique malls.
• Most antique mall shoppers will buy because they like it and it is right there in front of them.
• We’ve all searched antique stores for that $40 vintage decorator… so in that sense there is some competition among buyers!!

Just like everything else today – demand and availability play key roles no matter where you are buying or selling. This is where the Breyer Value Guide can come into play. By knowing the current values you can make the decision to snag a bargain when you find it or pay up for that truly unique item. With this guide you will no longer stress about leaving a good deal behind or paying too much. Honestly, there is no hard and fast rule, but if you understand the things that affect value it can help you navigate the secondary market.

So, were we able to answer the question? What is a value really worth?

We can look at the variables, venues and variations all day long. I believe it comes down to the person who owns the item of value to determine it’s worth. If this person wants to sell this item, it is up to them to find a buyer who agrees on the item’s worth (selling price.) If you are valuing the piece for your own records, it is good to know at what price they are selling on the market as a reference, but it’s personal worth to you may be even greater (sentimental value.)