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Post Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2025 6:34 am 
 

I have a copy of this, in not bad condition: it's complete and clean internally, but covers have a variety of stains and creases and it has edge rubbing and some staple rust.

Someone claims to have one – in better order than the one I have here – on Amazon for $75, but the impression I got from here is that it's really pretty rare? I've generally been 'guessing a likely price' and putting things on BIN, but perhaps this would be better as an auction? I'd be grateful for people's thoughts.

Cheers
Alison

  

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Post Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2025 9:43 am 
 

Constructing Scientifiction & Fantasy (1982, TSR Hobbies) is a rare and obscure TSR publication that can easily slip through the cracks if not properly described or promoted.

Although rare, it may not command the same price as other scarce TSR items from this era, as desirability is also a key factor. Condition also plays a significant role in the sale price.

One copy sold at auction on eBay for $590 in December 2023. However, two others sold for fixed prices of just $15 and $20 around the same time, likely because the sellers didn’t know any better - great deals for the buyers, but not for the sellers. There have been no known eBay sales or listings since February 2024. While I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that it could sell for $590, it would likely fetch more than the two fixed-price sales.

To maximize interest and sale value, list it as an auction with a lower starting price. Would recommend this strategy for any items that you are unsure of the value, as you could end up selling it for too little or listing it for an unrealistic price.  For this item, you should list it under the Acaeum Classifieds for better visibility.

  


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Post Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:06 am 
 

dbartman wrote in Collecting Scientification & Fantasy:Constructing Scientifiction & Fantasy (1982, TSR Hobbies) is a rare and obscure TSR publication that can easily slip through the cracks if not properly described or promoted.

Although rare, it may not command the same price as other scarce TSR items from this era, as desirability is also a key factor. Condition also plays a significant role in the sale price.

One copy sold at auction on eBay for $590 in December 2023. However, two others sold for fixed prices of just $15 and $20 around the same time, likely because the sellers didn’t know any better - great deals for the buyers, but not for the sellers. There have been no known eBay sales or listings since February 2024. While I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that it could sell for $590, it would likely fetch more than the two fixed-price sales.

To maximize interest and sale value, list it as an auction with a lower starting price. Would recommend this strategy for any items that you are unsure of the value, as you could end up selling it for too little or listing it for an unrealistic price.  For this item, you should list it under the Acaeum Classifieds for better visibility.


While I agree with the posting in the Classifieds here I do not agree with listing as an auction with a low starting price as it could result in someone getting it for a steal.

If the person is a new seller, exposure could be limited. Especially if they don't use the right keywords for the search algorithm ebay uses. Also if they don't promote the listing it may not even show up in a Google search.

My recommendation to the OP is list as a Buy It Now, with a High Price and the 'Best Offer' option

But that's just my opinion

  


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Post Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 8:54 am 
 

Thanks both! You've summarised the two lines of thought I have on this.

I have about 700 eBay sales (all 'excess household items', I'm not a trader) and my experience is that unless urgent funds are needed or the item is an unwieldy thing you want out of your house quickly, it is almost always best to make a judgment about the likely value and then put it on BIN. You will certainly get less for a few items than they would make at auction, but auctions typically make only about 2/3 or so of attainable BIN price. Most of my things are much less valuable than this batch of old roleplaying stuff though. The downside of this approach is that you end up with some boxes of items that might sell one day; I drop prices, promote and eventually relist as an auction. I'm in the UK which depresses the value of these things somewhat because the Global Shipping Program fees can be very high. As far as this item goes, Noble Knight has a listing for it but hasn't had one for sale for many years. It does seem to be rare but someone would need to want one!

  
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