Thinking of selling a huge army, need help

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**Voodoo Boyz**

I'm considering selling my Ultramarine army. Partially because I have a lot of 40k, and I would like to free up funds to build a Fantasy force and I've already got 3 40k armies. Plus I've about played myself out of using the Marines. I don't like their tournament lists, and their friendly forces are "fun", but I'd probably rather be playing my Orks or Necrons.

Here's my problem. It's really, really big. It's about 90% painted with only a few stragglers left to be done. It's modularized to do almost anything you want with it, with magnetized Tanks and all that jazz. Adding it up, if I tried to sell it in one shot it'd come over 1k-ish. I know it won't fetch that kind of price and to be honest I don't even know what's fair to charge. The army is nicely painted with squad markings and transfers, but I don't know how much it's worth. I'm not a studio painter, but it's painted to a pretty nice standard and it's consistent across the army.

I'm just 90% there on deciding to just sell the army, but I need advice on what to do in selling it. I'm pretty new to the process and I have no idea what squads are worth when painted to a decent standard.

**Delephont**

Very tricky subject! Most people tend to buy individual painted squads as opposed to complete armies, simply because of the price!

At 1k ($ or £)? I imagine it'll be hard to clear, especially if its not top notch! (Photos required to judge).....your biggest problem now and your biggest plus, is Apocolypse!!!

**theblklotus**

If you are looking into getting a fantasy army... really your best bet is to trade. That way both parties are happy.

Pictures and ebay works well too. Use the Buy Now and dont use the bid option that way its like putting it on a store shelf. Take lots of quality pics... that way you nor your purchaser are surprised upon arrival of the models.

You USUALLY will not get much more than cost these days... if that... of the models you put up for sale. If the army was published in a white dwarf or has a 8+ on coolmini you will do better than retail... however, most armies are not of that caliber and will sell fast at about 60% of retail.

Again... seriously think about trading. You will end up with ALOT more models.

**Tacobake**

Easy answer: break it into three pieces and sell the really good stuff individually.

**akira5665**

I just would not sell it. No one can pay you what it's worth to YOU. I say put them safely away for a while and look at it in 2 years. Who knows? Maybe an Uber-cheezy Ultra Codex may come out and sway you back one day?

**Delephont**

Well painted miniatures sell for (in some cases) 4x original retail price, if not more!

But the catch word here is "well"...the miniatures have to be hot, not your usual slap and finish! Thats how you make the money.

If the miniatures are slap dash you will pick up a lot less, cause its gonna cost the buyer time and money to repaint what you've done!

**Wehrkind**

It might not be a bad idea to just toss it up on eBay for what you would be willing to sell it at as a minimum, with a "resonable offer" (or whatever it is called) and see what happens. It doesn't cost much, and if people are tossing numbers at you that you might not be too sad with, you can relent and go for the lower price.

If that all fails, then you can look at different options. Trading is ideal of course, but it might be really tricky to find the right army from someone who wants yours.

**MagickalMemories**

You'll get the most money by selling it by the unit... Every time.
Not many people have the scratch to drop enough for a full army... especially the size you're talking about. MANY people, though, can spare a few bucks for a painted squad... and, since you're talking Ultra's, your audience is HUGE.

Post some pics here to give us an idea of what we're looking at, and we can give you some better pricing info.

Oh... and you should finish up the unpainted models if possible. You'll get bettter results.

Eric

**Voodoo Boyz**

Jump Pack Chaplain
Assault Vet
Assault Marine
Honor Guard
Termy Libby
Tac Squad Shot 1
Tac Squad Shot 2
Terminators 1
Terminators 2

Like I said, these aren't "Pro Painted" but they're done to a decent gaming standard. Believe it or not these got a 15 in Painting at the Baltimore Games Day Tournament this year. Some models look really bad close up, others not as much.

**Delephont**

Ok, the painting on those miniatures isn't bad, in fact, for gaming and using regular!

However, these arn't going to get you much on the open market....I'm not art expert, but I've tralled eBay for long enough to see what miniatures at this standard fetch.

I'm not trying to put you down, because I know people who'd be more than happy to play with this minis....

Your winning point may well lie in how mcuh you have to offer....but again, a competant modeller could pick up the Apocolypse Space Marine battle company and with the use of some sprays and a reasonably steady hand could reproduce what you have done.....

If you have anything close to the Battle company quantity of miniatures I'd guess you could pick up around £400 to £450...which isn't bad considering the battle company retails for £275 direct from GW and £220 from an etailer!

But thats just my opinion, I'd be happy if you could prove me wrong!

**Voodoo Boyz**

I cataloged just about everything I've got, which is a lot. I've got way too many friggin marines.

Bolter Marines (can be Tactical or Devastator)

1st Squad 8 Marines armed with Bolters
2nd Squad 8 Marines armed with Bolters
3rd Squad 8 Marines armed with Bolters
6th Squad 8 Marines armed with Bolters (6 are BfM Marines)
7th Squad 8 Marines armed with Bolters (All BfM Marines)

Assault Squads

1st Assault Squad 10 Models: 8 Marines armed with Bolt Pistol + Chain Sword, 2 Marines armed with Plasma Pistols + Chain Sword, 1 Veteran Sergeant with Power Fist + Bolt Pistol

7th Assault Squad 9 Models: 7 Marines armed with Bolt Pistol + Chain Sword, 2 Marines armed with Plasma Pistols + Chain Sword, 1 Veteran Sergeant with Power Fist + Bolt Pistol

Veteran Sergeants

4 Power Fist + Bolt Pistol Veteran Sergeants (Neutrally Marked)
2 Veteran Sergeants with Power Weapon + Bolt Pistol (Neutrally Marked)
1 Veteran Sergeant with Power Weapon + Plasma Pistol (Neutrally Marked)
2 BfM Sergeants with Bolt Pistol + Chain Sword
3 Ultramarine Honor Guard with Bolter + Honor Blades

Marines with Special Weapons

5 Marines armed with Melta Guns (Neutrally Marked)
5 Marines armed with Plasma Guns (Neutrally Marked)
2 Marines armed with Flamers (Neutrally Marked, BfM Marines)

Marines with Heavy Weapons

5 Marines armed with Missile Launchers (Neutrally Marked, 2 are BfM Marines)
5 Marines armed with Lascannons (Neutrally Marked)
1 Marine armed with Plasma Cannon
1 Marine armed with Heavy Bolter (model looks OK, but has modeling mistake)

HQ Choices

Chaplain with Jump Pack and Bolt Pistol (minor conversion)
Chaplain in Terminator Armor with Magnetized Storm Bolter Arm (primed black, not painted)
Librarian in Terminator Armor with Storm Bolter
Boxed SM Commander Plastic Kit, unopened

Terminators

2nd Terminator Squad 5 Old Style Plastic Models: 1 Sergeant with Power Weapon + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Power Fist + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Metal Assault Cannons + Power Fist

3rd Terminator Squad 5 Old Style Plastic Models: 1 Sergeant with Power Weapon + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Power Fist + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Metal Assault Cannons + Power Fist

6th Terminator Squad 5 Old Style Plastic Models: 1 Sergeant with Power Weapon + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Power Fist + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Metal Assault Cannons + Power Fist

Terminator Squad Unmarked, Painted, Based but not painted basing, no transfers 5 New Plastic Models - 1 Sergeant with Power Weapon + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Power Fist + Storm Bolter, 2 Terminators with Cyclone Missile Launchers + Storm Bolter + Power Fist

Assault Terminator Squad Primed Black, New Plastics 5 Models 2 Terminators with Thunder Hammer + Storm Shield, 3 Terminators with two Lightning Claws

Vehicles

2 Dreadnoughts Base Not Painted, otherwise completely painted.

Completely Modular with all bits painted (Missile Launchers, TL Lascannon, Assault Cannon, and Dreadnought CCW. CCW is magnetized to use either Storm Bolter or Heavy Flamer

2 Predators Completely Painted

Completely Modular and Magnetized. All weapon options enable it to be built in any configuration: Autocannon, Twin Linked Lascannon, Lascannon Sponsons, and Heavy Bolter Sponsons.

One predator can be modularized to serve as a Rhino, with one set of Rhino Doors being magnetized.

2 Rhinos One primed Black, one halfway painted in UM Colors.

3 Landspeeder Tornados All have Assault Cannon and Heavy Bolter, Painted

Vindicator Heavily converted from Immolator with old Metal Parts and Dozer Blade. Has UM Symbol on top hatch. Painted.
Land Raider Crusader Primed Black. Uses Plastic Multi-Melta Bit assembly. Has Forge World UM Doors.

Army Cases

2 Plastic Pistol Cases with foam inserts cut specifically for vehicles.

Case 1 holds 2 Dreadnoughts, 3 Land Speeders, 2 Modular Predators, and all modularized bits

Case 2 holds two Rhinos, Vindicator, Land Raider Crusader, Cyclone Missile Launcher Terminators, Assault Terminators, and Terminator Chaplain.

All other models stored in plastic bead trays with foam inserts. All trays custom labeled inside and out to identify which models go where for easy identification.

Something tells me that selling this all in one shot is probably not a good idea.

Squad based, or should I just do it "by army" and make a few lists out of what's here and selling it. Maybe putting up the higher value kits like the magnetized preds up separately?

**Orlanth**

I would box them up tightly and forget about them for a while. Its a complete army, something you can go back to later. Selling your army is an irrevocable decision, mothballing it can be reversed.

**inquisitor_bob**

I'd try to trade them for the WHFB army that you want via Bartertown.

**yakface**

I also have to echo Orlanth's advice that you should never sell a full army.

Especially one that large, even when GW changes the rules for constructing the army in the future you should be able to put together something pretty good without much extra effort.

I have seen so many people sell their armies and swear off the game only to want to play again in a few years. Then they buy a new army, get about half of it painted before getting frustrated again.

Just keep your army in a closet. Someday you will thank me.

**Tacobake**

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

I have to agree with yakface, but what I propose is if you are deadset on selling something maybe sell off one or two squads of marines and your old terminators, but before you do brush up their paint scheme a bit (or maybe a painting guru who owes you a favor or two). Just a comment, doing something with the eyes in your tac marines would go a long way to improve their value. They're otherwise an excellent paint job, definately counting as "excellent tabletop quality". I have a few boxes full myself you can take a look at, should you be so inclined.

**mauleed**

If you sell them, you'll regret it.

Having said that, anyone want to buy 2500 points of nicely painted guard? haha!

**Voodoo Boyz**

mauleed wrote:If you sell them, you'll regret it.

Having said that, anyone want to buy 2500 points of nicely painted guard? haha!

Aww come on, you know you want to trade for Ogres. You could always use more Ultramarines.

**Dane of War**

Don't sell it. Don't trade it. Please.

I guy I used to know sold his Space Wolf army a few years back - it was absolutely enormous, and he had everything made for the army. Everything. And it was fully painted. Eventually, he got the call of the accursed Tau, and sold the entire thing in one shot - at a considerable loss than the money he had put into it and the time he used to paint and convert it.

Within a year, he regretted his decision and went somewhat mad... and dropped out of the hobby entirely.

Box them up, keep 'em safe... you'll be back.

**Grignard**

Dane of War wrote:Don't sell it. Don't trade it. Please.

I guy I used to know sold his Space Wolf army a few years back - it was absolutely enormous, and he had everything made for the army. Everything. And it was fully painted. Eventually, he got the call of the accursed Tau, and sold the entire thing in one shot - at a considerable loss than the money he had put into it and the time he used to paint and convert it.

Within a year, he regretted his decision and went somewhat mad... and dropped out of the hobby entirely.

Box them up, keep 'em safe... you'll be back.

Keep them secret, keep them safe.

**JohnHwangDD**

Split the difference.

Identify a 2500-pt core of the UM army that you will definitely keep, and box it up. This will allow you to jump back in later, when you come to your senses.

Then take really good pictures and list the rest by unit. Use the proceeds from this to get started on Tau.

**Polonius**

I'm going to agree with the mob: don't sell a personally painted army. It would be like selling broken in boots or a really comfortable jacket. Never minding the loss of money (and there are better ways to get the cash), the loss of time simply cannot be replaced.

If you are dead serious about selling, then listing the whole army for what you'd want once on eBay, followed by broken up into units and all at once is the best compromise.