eBay miniature price drop

[Corvus]

There was a time (must be two years ago or something), that even medium-quality painted minis sold for 15-25 USD on eBay. I remember selling a couple of not-so-well painted Rackham Alahan minis myself for more than 20 USD a piece

But since then prices have really gone down. The only thing that sells for a reasonable price is Warmachine. I mean: two years ago you could paint almost anything of reasonable quality (especially Rackham), and sell it with at least 15 USD profit.

Okay, this may not be the perfect example, but check this out: https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 8831677127. Right now it's at 38 dollars or something. Two years ago a mini with such a freehand could easily sell for 50+ right?

I don't know what happened, but where did all the mini collectors go? I know games like confrontation are getting less popular, but do the collectors care about that? I really don't understand what happened...

of course there are always exceptions (demi, mahon, etc )

[mahon]

you know, ebay is a very strange place. one time people start bidding very early, but in another auction they wait for the very last minute...

I don't really know what happened, but I also noticed several price drops...
There are several periodic price drops - around Xmas and the end of year, near summer (vacation season) - I think the current one can be this thing.... Well, I must say that I am REALLY surprised by such a low price of this elf. He should give a good price as he's:
- charity auction
- Aenur
- well painted
- from a good seller

I don't know. There are things which sell well - recent and popular GW armies, maybe Warmachine (but ask Demi what he thinks about it)... IMHO Confrontation isn't all this good and sure seller any more

I know a few collectors, but none of them collect Confrontation stuff.

PS - I am not a good example, as I haven't sold my minis for long months. Demi is a particular case whose prices sometimes exceed what he expected by many times, but later his minis don't sell at all. Maybe it's a question of choice of subjects?

PPS - Demon Color sells what he wants, and whatever he paints for reasonable prices. People buy his works because they are:
- his
- nice

[Demi_morgana]

of course there are always exceptions (demi, mahon, etc )

huh? I'm afraid I didn't get it...

I don't know. There are things which sell well - recent and popular GW armies, maybe Warmachine (but ask Demi what he thinks about it)... IMHO Confrontation isn't all this good and sure seller any more

I'm afraid warmahine minis aren't the best thing to sell for big cash - too bad
people prefer average space marines than very well painted wm stuff...
actually people prefer space marines than anything else imo but I'm fed up with these minis - I screw power armours

Demi is a particular case whose prices sometimes exceed what he expected by many times, but later his minis don't sell at all. Maybe it's a question of choice of subjects?

unfortunatelly that's truth:
the best example can be my converted ogre kingdoms characters...

[Skrit]

Indeed Ebay is unpredictable. Maybe you just have to be lucky to put them on at the right time...

[LadyEyes]

I'm sorry, but the particular example that Corvus points to imho has some of the ugliest freehand on the back of it I've seen in a looooong time. It might technically be well done, but to me it's just butt-ugly. I wouldn't want that in my collection. Then again, I'm not a 15-year-old boy playing D&D for the first time.

I think the number of people painting decently painted minis on ebay has taken a pretty sharp upturn in the last couple years. There seems to be too much supply.

Plus, there are a lot of economies that haven't been doing so well in the world. A lot of people in the US aren't spending as much money on unnecessary items as they used to. When you're in an economy where driving a car is so much a part of life and gas prices raise by large percentages, you start cutting back on "fun" purchases. It's coming up on a year since our gas prices raised a significant amount in a short period. It's had, and having, a lot of effects now.

[mahon]

Tanya, that's also one of the things I've been told by one of our regular buyers...

[Corvus]

I always tell everyone that ppl should use a bike more

[pucis]

I`m going to sick when i see "PRO" painted minis on ebay. I think there is so many of guys who wish to be rich and recognized painter and who are overhelming EBAY with theirs "PRO" vomits. How can a collector find a gem in this scraps? If i were a collector i shouldn`t have nerves for looking a minis this way. More rather i should order a commision work to chosen painter. That is the point. At this time colectors looking for a names of painters not a painted minis. But if you have not a name you have little chance to sell your mini with some profit for you on ebay.

Only one thing is making me disinclined on this way. I`m new in this way, i have not name, so my minis are sold with no profit but never i will write "PRO PAINTED MINI" on my solding mini even i should be a good painter. Sorry guys but i`m going to allergy word "PRO".
Did you ever see "PRO" sign with really, really good mini painted by really, really good painter? I did not.

[mahon]

You are right, Pucis. I am also against describing stuff as 'pro painted'. I used this term only once, at Demi_morgana's request.

[Demi_morgana]

I can only say that this "pro-stuff" didn't help at all: I didn't manage to sell that auction