Maybe I need a little prodding ... Victorian

[core]

Let's see, between the 3 of us our collection revolves mainly around Medieval, City, Adventure, Construction, Police/Rescue.

Then came last week when my craigslist notification app popped up a local Playmobil ad - something that comes up once in a couple of months - Complete Victorian Mansion and sets.  Nah, not into it and asking price must surely be insane.  I managed to setup a time to take a look at what was included.

Basically it's the 5300 Mansion plus a bunch of room sets, all used but in very, very, good condition and looks to be almost complete with maybe a few small items not there?  (Daughter finishing college and moved out, clearing out the basement background).  There are about 8 original boxes still around; double sets for kitchen, bedroom, and one other.  Composite of 16 pics of small sets emailed from seller, fyi.

Asking $500, think I should be able to talk it down a little.  What do y'all think, better 'investment' than how our monthly 401K did this year?       Either that, or I'm afraid I've been bitten by some strange collector's bug 

[reylocann]

I have been watching the Victorian very closely on ebay (I have my own to sell) and the used sets, unless very, very rare don't go for much.  I would offer them $400 for the lot.  Even with original boxes used rooms are going for about $20 at most.  Once in a while one will go higher but not often.  The whole kit and kaboodle, if sold as one auction, might fetch you around $600 but I think that's a high estimate.  Breaking it apart and selling pieces might net you more but it's a heck of a lot more work!  I have noticed the flower boxes (as parts) going for a fairly good price - about $3-6 each.  That's my 2 cents....

[reylocann]

3 complete flower boxes just went for $26.00 

[Rasputin]

Hi Core 

   As much as I think you will not be displeased with the Theme I also think the asking price is a bit much. I guess you have to take your particular market into consideration but in our area 5300 do come up every few months . I look for them to be close to complete w/ accessory sets to be under $200. The pictures you showed have a lot of extra sets so that would naturally add to the value, but how much ? I would say $300-ish but again if they are rare in your area that changes things. Right now people are trying to capitalize on the holidays so if you can be patient it would pay off.

   You mention you get notifications from Craigslist. What is that called ?

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[Bill Blackhurst]

As everybody else has mentioned, you need to be careful on the initial price! You need to check the paper wallpaper inside the house to make sure it is mint without the pictures or mirrors installed, & if they have been are they correctly done or removed & torn places on the wallpaper sheets? There was a MIB 5407 wash woman set auction that went for over $100.00 not long ago! I would buy the collection with the intent of keeping it for myself. Negotiate the price as if you are making an investment, so if you are required to sell it in the future, you can recover your costs! The Victorian theme is still a popular theme sought after by many collectors, if you obtain this collection, its charm will grow on you! BTW $350.00 I think would be considered a fair deal price depending on the actual condition of the house being complete, availability of dormer finals, roof railings, wallpaper, fading of the red floor tile sections in the sun room, crawl space vents, curtain conditions, & door knobs present.