Finding Lost Treasures On eBay

National Dragster, Oct 22, 2004 by Jodauga, John

I expect that no development has had more of an impact on the nostalgia collectibles scene than the introduction of eBay, the Internet auction site in which hundreds of thousands of items are put up for bid to literally millions of potential customers all over the world.

Before eBay, collectors relied primarily on local swap meets and collectors' shows, which were made exciting by the "you'll never know what you'll find" atmosphere of a scavenger-hunt-type format, but they were limited in their offerings from a relatively small number of vendors.

I personally have enjoyed the hobby of collecting unbuilt vintage model kits for more than 20 years, and my collection wouldn't be half the size it is currently without the unparalleled scope of eBay. Not only has my collection grown in number, but it has bettered the quality of the kits I own because I can upgrade when I find kits and box tops in better condition than many of my initial acquisitions. Additionally, eBay has also provided a marketplace to sell many of my duplicate kits, an option that has helped finance the enlargement of my collection.

For those who have put off buying or selling on eBay because of cold feet, let me assure you that it is one of the more user-friendly operations found on a computer. It is simple enough for most individuals to learn quickly on their own. From my own experiences, I offer a few tips that will assist most wannahe eBayers. Because National DRAGSTER has featured several articles on vintage drag racing plastic model kits in the past, I will use them as examples.

Determining value

A number of factors play roles in establishing the value of a kit, including age of the model, whether it is an original issue or reissue, condition of the box top and box art, whether parts are still attached to the plastic sprues and sealed in original plastic bags, and whether the kit is complete with decals, instructions, and, in some cases, the original cardboard inserts used to separate the parts.

Not surprisingly, vintage kits that have been issued only once command higher prices than those reissued a number of times. In rare instances where the original molds have been lost or destroyed, which eliminates the possibility of the kit ever being reproduced, the value of the model can approach staggering levels.

Finding your model

To find a hot rodding kit, you can begin with a basic search by clicking "Toys & Hobbies" on the eBay home page, then going to one of several subdivisions. For instance, under "Models, Kits" are approximately 39,000 items of which about 12,500 fall under "Automotive." Clicking on "hot Rod" narrows the search to about 1,200 items.

A more efficient method is to use the Search function. Type in the specific name of the kit you're looking for, such as "Revell Hawaiian Funny Car."

An even more effective method is to use the Favorite Search function, in which you list the desired kit. You will be notified by e-mail every time any such model appears in the listing.

Bidding

Buyers on eBay use a proxy auction system in which you place a bid of the maximum amount you're willing to pay. This figure is kept confidential from the other bidders and the seller. The eBay system places the bid on your behalf, using only as much of your bid as is necessary to maintain your high-bid position (or meet a reserve price if one is posted). If another bidder has a higher maximum, you will be outbid. But if no other bid is higher than your maximum, you win the item and could pay significantly less than your maximum.

I have found it advantageous to wait until the last possible moment before entering my bid. This not only reduces the chances of being outbid, but it also cuts down on the possibility of other bidders forcing the winning bid to end in a higher price. To bid in this manner, however, it is advisable to have a computer with DSL for quicker response to your bid. On several occasions, my bids were not recorded before the auction deadline because of inadvertent computer delays.

Transactions

Once the auction has been completed, the buyer pays the seller, who in turn sends the item. In most cases where both individuals are satisfied with the transaction, they leave each other positive feedback, which goes on each member's record.

By making a worldwide marketplace available to any computer user, eBay has turned the hobby of collecting into a major industry. You'll not only be able to find many more items from which to choose, but you'll also be establishing contacts and friendships with fellow collectors from a variety of countries, which adds tremendously to your enjoyment.

When he's not building or buying model kits, John Jodauga works as an associate editor at National DRAGSTER.