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Guys I've got a web store already made but it's not live, I'm still thinking of going ahead but doing just a second hand market only. So my question is to the floor, would you buy second hand models in various conditions (painted, not painted, stripped) etc and also second hand bitz in the same condition?

I'll also do a exchange basis, store credit (pay some money and I hold it in a account and you use it whenever) and loyalty points. Would this be a store you shop at? As another bonus, it's ran by a gamer too!

Thanks.

Yes

Sounds like a version of what ebay used to be like

There used to be an American based store on the web (Fat Ogre Minis http://www.fatogremini.com/) that used to do that same exact thing;

only problem was they changed into a painting service store.

But yes, I would buy from it (so long as shipping charges are reasonable ).

Yes!!!! It would be a massive task to under take but I would shop there!!

Thanks for the feedback guys. It seemed a shame to let the store go when I hadn't even start selling with it! Banks are just a pain in the arse it's one hoop after another hoop.

I'd sell normal stuff it would just be second hand stuff in various conditions and you're not bidding on stuff like Ebay, you just buy it.

Shipping would be to various countries as well

The big thing to look at would be initial investment (you have to have something stocked already, and maybe intake somethings) before a profit is made.

Figuring out what kind of allocation of cash to spend and how to value a miniature will be critical, in addition to being wary of miniatures that are hard to move or described poorly by the person trading/selling it to you.

Pictures!

Alas, I may also say an ebay store would be easier for selling the miniatures as well...

It sounds interesting, certainly.

WarOne wrote:The big thing to look at would be initial investment (you have to have something stocked already, and maybe intake somethings) before a profit is made.

Figuring out what kind of allocation of cash to spend and how to value a miniature will be critical, in addition to being wary of miniatures that are hard to move or described poorly by the person trading/selling it to you.

Pictures!

Alas, I may also say an ebay store would be easier for selling the miniatures as well...

Already thought of all that already . A Ebay store is something I'd add as well.

Hm... I am a bit worried for you mate at least your economical situation. But it could be down to me not really understanding your concept. Is the idea either:

a)
You buy everybodys old minis and resell them at a wee higher price

or

b)
You are a site where people can upload pictures of their armys and a price, and if the sale is made through your site you take a cut/live off the adds?

or

c)
A front for white washing drug money

Because if it's a) then I would imagine you ended up with a LOT of armies and no real buyers, thus leaving you empty pocketed pretty fast (but with a lot of armies on the plus side)...

Ah bummer it was C - you've just busted me

Basically the idea would be I've got some models and I sell them, people can trade models with the ones I have for sale, they will get loyalty points for purchases too and may have a savings club. There's some really good deals out there I can pick up on and then re-sell still making some money and be at a good price.

I would assuming you are honest about the quality of models. I've been interested since you mentioned it in another thread. I have a LOT of GW stuff in various conditions that I know I will never get to. I have severe gamer ADD .

There are some questions I have.
1) Would shipping to the USA be too much?
2) What happens if I send you an army/models, they get purchased, and you never get in anything I can use my credit for?
3) What happens if I send you an army/models and they do not get purchased?

Troll Trader is a fairly big one on Ebay and has been going for a good number of years.

Yeah,I think it is good idea.I have been thinking of doing the same thing myself.But i will be selling other goods and services not related to wargaming.In my area we have alot of potential gamers,but they lack the funds but what 12-15 year old have a 1000 dollars lying around to buy a army.But are willling to buy good used ones the only thing is that you should only charge around 25-35 percent of retail depending on the condition.Also you will then have a regular customer base.Which any smart bussineess man knows,except the gw president.As for your inventory only buy in auction lots or collection lots.That will be the only way you will be able to make money with out a high mark up.Use ebay for a price guideline on used stuff also here and bartertown.When selling on ebay remember to cut your competions throat.Also stay ahead of the new releases so that you can sell off your old inventory of the armies.Before the new ones hit.Then you are stuck with them or sell them at a loss.Only keep the limited pieces on the old armies.Example i sold off my Daemon hunters army.Almost have gotten full retail for them.Now when the new plastics are released they will not be worth crap.
Also the guy who said about a drug front sounds like a regular Hillbilly genius!Get it rite a yuppie one.They have money.
you may also want to check into selling other goods or services,Used video games,DVDs,Music,Inernet cafe video gaming.The skool kids love playing first person shooters on a network vs .their budddies with out the lag.If you have any questions send me a pm i can give you some really helpful advice.I have gotten alot of mine from friends who are in the bussiness themselves,manufacturer and shop owners.

col. krazy kenny wrote:The skool kids love playing first person shooters on a network vs .their budddies with out the lag.

I refuse to go to game stores that have this. I *hate* the kind of people this service attracts.

People will absolutely buy, if your prices are right.
It's what they've been doing on feebay, Bartertown, BoardGameGeek and the Dakka Swap Shop for years.


Eric

They would have to be solid deals though- less than what people can find on the net new.

Some places offer up to 25% off and that is NIB! Would you be able to contend with those prices with old and used models and still make it worth your time?

flaim wrote:I would assuming you are honest about the quality of models. I've been interested since you mentioned it in another thread. I have a LOT of GW stuff in various conditions that I know I will never get to. I have severe gamer ADD .

There are some questions I have.
1) Would shipping to the USA be too much?
2) What happens if I send you an army/models, they get purchased, and you never get in anything I can use my credit for?
3) What happens if I send you an army/models and they do not get purchased?

1. USA and other countries would be fine.
2. Store credit is on agreement, it's my job to sell them - if you don't use the credit within X amount of time it will be offered as cash.
3. If you mean I don't purchase them I will only agree to purchase before shipping, if they're not purchased from me then that's no concern to yourself - hope that doesn't sound too awkard and I hope you know what I mean

MunkeyKungFu wrote:Troll Trader is a fairly big one on Ebay and has been going for a good number of years.

Yes I've seen it I used to buy some stuff from there myself but prices are very expensive these days.

col. krazy kenny wrote:Yeah,I think it is good idea.I have been thinking of doing the same thing myself.But i will be selling other goods and services not related to wargaming.In my area we have alot of potential gamers,but they lack the funds but what 12-15 year old have a 1000 dollars lying around to buy a army.But are willling to buy good used ones the only thing is that you should only charge around 25-35 percent of retail depending on the condition.Also you will then have a regular customer base.Which any smart bussineess man knows,except the gw president.As for your inventory only buy in auction lots or collection lots.That will be the only way you will be able to make money with out a high mark up.Use ebay for a price guideline on used stuff also here and bartertown.When selling on ebay remember to cut your competions throat.Also stay ahead of the new releases so that you can sell off your old inventory of the armies.Before the new ones hit.Then you are stuck with them or sell them at a loss.Only keep the limited pieces on the old armies.Example i sold off my Daemon hunters army.Almost have gotten full retail for them.Now when the new plastics are released they will not be worth crap.
Also the guy who said about a drug front sounds like a regular Hillbilly genius!Get it rite a yuppie one.They have money.
you may also want to check into selling other goods or services,Used video games,DVDs,Music,Inernet cafe video gaming.The skool kids love playing first person shooters on a network vs .their budddies with out the lag.If you have any questions send me a pm i can give you some really helpful advice.I have gotten alot of mine from friends who are in the bussiness themselves,manufacturer and shop owners.

Without replying to all your points I totally agree and yes I have/will do I'll keep your name as a mental note and I'll drop you line if I need any help, thanks a bunch

MagickalMemories wrote:People will absolutely buy, if your prices are right.
It's what they've been doing on feebay, Bartertown, BoardGameGeek and the Dakka Swap Shop for years.


Eric

Exactly! And I see a gap in the market as a e-store instead of using forums and waiting for someone to buy.

NobleSeven wrote:They would have to be solid deals though- less than what people can find on the net new.

Some places offer up to 25% off and that is NIB! Would you be able to contend with those prices with old and used models and still make it worth your time?

I'm sure they will as they will be second hand products, probably be 40% off retail at the least.

I would love a service like this, especially if it's affordable and reliable to use internationally. I'd second the warnings of people trying to off-load armies on you, leaving you strapped, though.

You may want to do a hybrid of what you're proposing and what sites like Bartertown already provide. Sell bits, sprues, and models yourself, but offer posting space for others looking to sell their own stuff. Alternately, a consignment service may be a model to look at, where someone gives you the army to sell and after you flip it, they get paid and you get a percentage. One of the local game shops offered this service which helped me move a few models.

With not so good condition items I'll be giving lower prices which either will dsicourage the person trying to off load or at least if I'm stuck with it it hasn't cost a huge amount, but seomthing definately to consider.

Will be selling bitz, sprues etc all of it just will be second hand etc.

Troll Trader is OK but most of the stuff is overpriced in the main (at least IMHO). If you offered similar but cheaper I would be very interested.

I actually planned on doing this about a year or so back, and even stockpiled a number of items for it. The annoying business laws in the UK though convinced me this was something to do after uni and my studies are out of the way.

I'd love the exchange basis!

Gavin Thorne wrote:I would love a service like this, especially if it's affordable and reliable to use internationally. I'd second the warnings of people trying to off-load armies on you, leaving you strapped, though.

You may want to do a hybrid of what you're proposing and what sites like Bartertown already provide. Sell bits, sprues, and models yourself, but offer posting space for others looking to sell their own stuff.

[emphasis mine]

Oh. I've got to disagree with this.
In my experience, allowing others to trade on your forum/site is the LAST thing you want.

For those who don't know, I'm an Admin at bartertown. This is from experience:
Our combined staff spends hundreds of hours a week -A THOUSAND or more, probably- monitoring the site. I'd say that we spend about a quarter of that time dealing with "issues." This can be anything from someone scamming, someone thinking they were scammed, someone complaining that what they received wasn't what they were promised, etc. The list goes *on.*
Now, we don't have a problem with that, mind you. That's not my point. That's why we volunteer to staff the site; because we want to help. My point is that it takes a LOT of hours to regulate that stuff, not to mention a lot of RULES... which you have to ENFORCE. It's quite trying at times, and I do not suggest ANYONE try it, unless they're jumpin in with both feet and have plenty of other people there to help them manage the place.

Gavin Thorne wrote:Alternately, a consignment service may be a model to look at, where someone gives you the army to sell and after you flip it, they get paid and you get a percentage. One of the local game shops offered this service which helped me move a few models

This idea has potential. I cannot stress enough, however, that you seriously consider the following advice:

1) Seller sends the models to YOU, where YOU photograph and accurately describe them before listing them on your site.
1a) Make sure you have a decent camera and know how to use it properly.
2) You are not responsible for damage done to models in transit TO you.
3) You take a substantial cut (25%) of the sale price if cash and smaller cut (10 to 15%) if the seller takes store trade.
4) The seller is only paid AFTER their items sell.
5) BEFORE the seller sends you his models, he sends you pictures. You ESTIMATE the price (in $, not % of MSRP) you will sell them for. He must agree to that price and must agree that he understands it is an ESTIMATE. Your final price may be higher or lower.
5a) Be sure that you and the seller agree on how mis models will be listed (individually, by squad, as a whole army, etc) BEFORE he sends them.
6) After you receive the models and decide on a price, if it's lower than your estimate, the seller may decide not to sell the models, but HE is responsible for return shipping costs.

I'm sure there's more. This just popped off the top of my head.

Eric

I;d be cheaper than Troll Trader and looking at it I wouldn't let users trade there stuff on there; that's what a forum is for. I would either buy it off them, give them store credit or exchange it with existing stock.

Eric, thanks for the tips

I would be interested mostly to get rid of some stuff I have. I refuse to use feebay as I think it is too neutersome to sellers. I am close to listing some stuff on Bartertown. But would be interested in an alternative. Just have too many armies and too many army fragments.

I've been selling used Warhammer and Warmachine stuff through my store and ebay for a couple of years.

Like all retail, it depends on a)buying correctly b) presentation of the product c) setting the correct price, and d) customer service. Knowing how much to pay for used merchandise becomes a specialized skill as you gain experience. I was helped by a couple of decades of buying back issue comics and other collectibles. Presentation in this case means cleaning some things up, selling models as units, possible some repainting or stripping, and displaying them correctly in the store, or good pictures for the internet. Setting the price is tricky. You want the highest price that will guarantee the item sells in a certain amount of time. Too high and the item sits, maybe forever. Too low and you dip into your profit and can't keep things going. Fast sales means better cash flow. Slower sales may mean higher profits. Customer service means fixing problems and making the customer happy. Take a look at what GW or Neal at the Warstore do. It may cost you money to fix a problem, but saves money in the long run.

I sell 3 ways:

-On ebay by consignment. I handle all the work. Customer gets either 60% of the selling price in cash, or 90% in store credit.
-By live auctions each quarter, taking in a ton of items, selling them off at no minimum bid to a hungry crowd. Customer recieves an amount of store credit equal to what the item sells for.
-I purchase items from customers, usually armies, boxes of bits, or big collections of games, and pay either cash, or a larger amount in store credit. It might be less than what you get by the other two methods, but it also means you get instant gratification, no waiting, and know exactly what you get, while ebay and the auctions can be quite variable.

Whatever you end up doing. Keep it simple, and make a profit. Too much work or too little profit means it's not going to continue in the long term.

Right the web site is going over a change to accept just paypal as payment type as everyone has it. Plus I've already got a bank account with paypal already so that saves a job.

I've got a Marine army already for stock, not huge army but it's a start plus I've got my own bitz too.

I'll be buying armies/models from people, or do a commission deal like sell your army/models and get 60/40 back or something.

Sounds like a pretty cool idea to me. I would buy from a store like that if the prices were fair.