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Vintage D&D books / modules -- liquidation
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Post Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:57 am 
 

New member here, looking for some advice!

I have a lot of fairly vintage D&D stuff that I plan to liquidate – White Box, early AD&D core rulebooks, classic modules (I also have lots of later AD&D, 3.0e, 3.5e, and 4e, but I get the impression that most of that is not worth the cost of (international) shipping in most cases).

Here’s some of what I have:
White Box (FIFTH)  https://imgur.com/a/GmswReT
Chainmail, Greyhawk, Blackmoor, Eldritch Wizardry, Gods  https://imgur.com/a/mpLbKnt
Monster Manual (FIRST)  https://imgur.com/a/oMxEG1q
Dungeon Master’s Guide (FOURTH)  https://imgur.com/a/QMU9DdM
Monster Manual 2  https://imgur.com/a/UaPB1QZ
Modules G1-G3, D1-D3, Q1, A1-A4, T1-T4  https://imgur.com/a/PbvMTOf

I have a lot more that I haven't photographed yet -- old modules like B1-B2; old Judge's Guild stuff; early DM screens; early issues of Dragon Magazine from Issue 6 to about 60; Strategic Review Issue 3 to 7; etc. Used but in reasonably good condition in most cases (except for the White Box box, which is fairly beat up as the photos show).

Hoping to get some advice on the best way to sell this stuff – of course there is eBay and Mercari, but I also see some mentions for Facebook RPG Auctions, Reddit groups, and also Yahoo Auctions Japan and Mercari Japan (I am located in Japan).

Any advice greatly appreciated!
Bob

  


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Post Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:29 pm 
 

Ebay is going to get the best prices. Some folks use other places like FB. It would take a lot of trust, but someone here may may you an offer as well. Lots of nice things btw. :)

  

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Post Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:45 pm 
 

You are not the first to ask this sort of question.  Here are some relevant threads which have some good advice:

New Member Here! • Collecting General •  The Acaeum

Collector seeking advice... • Collecting General •  The Acaeum

Advice?  New Seller, Long Time Collector • Collecting General •  The Acaeum

You can sell stuff through Classifieds here, or on Dragonsfoot, or on Facebook(RPG Market), or RPG.net or lots of other places.  I personally believe eBay is the way to go.  Yeah, you can save on fees by not selling on eBay, but that's assuming the offers you'll get from the other places are just as high as eBay.  The reason you often get higher sales on eBay is that you have a larger group of buyers interested.   Acaeum buyers are often more discriminating and are not really interested in common items or those in merely very good condition.  eBay is likely best for selling off cheaper and common items.

The more you are willing to be patient, the higher the prices your items will sell.  Auctions on eBay is the best way to sell things fast.  Selling with a fixed price is the best way to sell things, especially common things, for the maximum.  If you have the time, start with listing ten or so items on eBay, and see how it goes.  You will learn lessons which will change the way you sell/ship items in the future.  Start by just selling in the US before selling overseas.  Once you list some items, ask for feedback on the listings here, and you'll get more specific advice.  You might even get some offers!

There are whole threads about shipping practices, but collectors hate items damaged by postal carriers.  Books and magazine lots need to be shipped in boxes.  I use recycled boxes (Amazon boxes are usually good).  Modules can be shipped in envelopes, but need to be wrapped in a plastic bag (grocery bag will do) and taped between two pieces of cardboard that are slightly larger than the module.  Or you can wrap the module in bubble wrap.   Again, I use recycled envelopes (bubble envelopes are best).  So, start collecting cardboard and don't throw away foam peanuts or bubble wrap. A general rule of thumb is that when you finish packing, if the contents inside move, they will incur damage in transit.  Write "Handle with Care" in marker on the outside of packages.  Media Mail is the best way to ship modules, magazine and books.  Some postal workers tell you that you can't ship magazines by Media Mail.  Ignore them.

My personal experience is that items sell better as the weather gets colder.  You are just leaving prime selling season historically.  I personally think January and February are best.

There is lots of information I left off in this post, but maybe I've given you some things to think about that will prove helpful.   8)


Truth is worth finding and life is too short to work for money.

  


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Post Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 12:39 am 
 

Thanks so much for the replies and great info, very helpful.

I figured eBay would be near the top -- have just never used it before and a little wary because of the some of the scammer stories on it.

  

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Post Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 4:50 am 
 

The above points are great from those who are much smarter - but If you come to ideas around total value there are probably a couple of people around here that would take the lot for X$ value - if you are looking for certainty and to minimise shipping hassle/costs.

I am probably in that boat - but tricky with non-UK and tax post-Brexit. I guess the assessed value will be extremely low as these are basically old books to anyone but collectors.

as an aside - does English language DnD trade at a premium in Japan? Certainly in USA things tend to be cheaper than Europe so we are likely to pay more over here in general.

Shipping will be the killer from JPN and limit your profits on piecemeal selling IMO - so a bulk transaction might get you the best price, even if individually you end up a little below on some sets.

  


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Post Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 8:17 am 
 

Thanks for the advice @shadeun, good points and food for thought.

Regarding English language D&D in Japan -- I have done a bit of researching it. The market is small, but so is the (local) supply. I haven't tried yet but I imagine it may be difficult to sell in Japan -- perhaps if patient.

And yes, international shipping is pretty painful  8O

A few things I've discovered in the past few days about selling options is that Yahoo Auctions (which is huge in Japan, basically the Japanese eBay) can no longer be accessed at all from Europe / UK since a year or two ago (not sure about the US), apparently because of personal information privacy law, GPDR or something. And eBay withdrew from Japan some years back as well.

I've read through the links @benjoshua posted above now, very helpful, thanks a bunch for those. I had a lot of the same questions.

I'm gradually continuing to catalog and photograph my stuff..... looks like I may be fully retired in the middle of the summer, and have more time for it then..... in the meantime I am working on it bit by bit.  :D

  

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Post Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 10:31 am 
 

aramil wrote in Vintage D&D books / modules -- liquidation:
I'm gradually continuing to catalog and photograph my stuff..... looks like I may be fully retired in the middle of the summer, and have more time for it then..... in the meantime I am working on it bit by bit.  :D



Wait...isn't retirement when you're supposed to try and finally play every single item you've had carefully stored away for decades?  
:jocolor:

  


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Post Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 12:35 pm 
 

mordrin wrote in Vintage D&D books / modules -- liquidation:

Wait...isn't retirement when you're supposed to try and finally play every single item you've had carefully stored away for decades?  
:jocolor:


:D
Hopefully so....... though for playing, I tend to stick with the most recent edition and not the older editions.

  
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