Advice on G1 collection

[Echosweet]

I am only about 20-30 ponies short of a complete U.S. G1 collection. I even have most of the playsets, minus a few small accessories. I also have a near complete collection of ponies and playsets from G3 Yr. 1. Everything is in storage bins in my garage, likely never to be be displayed...

I am remarried with 2 kids and 2 step-kids, and even though we are trying to buy a bit larger house, I can no longer justify keeping a collection that takes up a whole side of the garage. I am a full-time school teacher, so I don't have the time or money to finish my collection... but I certainly don't have the time to sell it properly, photographing and posting each item and then handling sales and shipping for it all.

It kills me to give up on finishing my G1 collection, but even if I did, what would I do with it...

What would you do?

[hathorcat]

I love ponies - I adore my collection. But its a collection and its only things. While I would whine and moan and grump and cry and do it with the greatest of reluctance, if I had to sell for the sake of lifestyle or those I love, I would. But it would have to be a very good reason

I think thats the decision you have to make. If its just that you cant justify the space at the moment - then pack them away and get them back out when you move and have more room. If its a financial reason then pick the high sellers and sell them or sell them all over time and simply keep those you love.

Its completely going to come down to the reason why you are thinking this way right now. And its a very personal choice.

[Sebby6]

I guess it depends what you want. Like - do you need the money? If you want to keep them all, then I would suggest a small rotated display somewhere in the house. Small cabinet - 10-15 ponies at a time and change every couple of months.

If you decide to let them go, would it be an idea to have a stall at the Fair or maybe a local meet?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

If money isn't the issue, and it isn't, as you said you're buying a bigger house, then you have plenty of time to photograph, list, describe and sell.  You can do it a few bins at a time if it's that overwhelming. 

IMHO, if it's just sitting in storage and nobody is enjoying it, then sell it to a collector who will appreciate it.    Some people grow out of MLP, some people don't.  If you're not into it anymore, time to move it along to someone who is! 

Best of luck with your decision!

[Bibinettepony]

  very very hard choice. 

You have no other place to put them? I mean don't you have any family member near you who can keep them a bit? I say that because you are (as you said) nearly to complete the US G1 collection. I think it is great!! and ok now, you do not enjoy them but maybe in the future you will have time for it and space for it. So I am afraid you will regret to have let them go.

I wish you to find a nice solution which can help you 

[Artemesia's Garden]

I guess it depends what you want. Like - do you need the money? If you want to keep them all, then I would suggest a small rotated display somewhere in the house. Small cabinet - 10-15 ponies at a time and change every couple of months.

If you decide to let them go, would it be an idea to have a stall at the Fair or maybe a local meet?

This is a really cool idea - a long term but sure way of sorting through them. You could put 15 out each month then go through them bit by bit, decide as you go along.  I already have a capsule collection of around 200 and won't go over it.  Does 200 count as a capsule collection?  Does anyone know the total number of USA releases?

[Sky_Rocket]

Sell what takes up the most space, but keep everything else. Unless your main collecting focus is what takes up the most space i.e. Buildings, or a those 50" plushes

It's one way to shrink your collection without really shrinking your collection. 

[Lady Starflower]

You could always keep your favorites in a small display and sell the rest. Right now it may seem like a huge daunting task to photo them all and list them but just do a bit at a time.
Good luck with your decision

[DazzleKitty]

Just some advice.....if you think you will have any sort of regret from selling them, please don't. I sold off my first collection and then two years later was crushed over what I did. I started my collection from scratch. So if you still want to keep them because you love them, I'd think twice about it. You are married and have a family to support, but you are still entitled to have things for YOU too.

Good luck with your decision and I wish you the best.

[ValeofSpring]

Since you say "it kills me to give up on finishing my G1 collection," then I'd say keep storing them if you can swing it. But, it sounds like you have much in life that brings you joy, and that your collection has become something that you feel is weighing you down a bit. As Hathorcat said, these are things. You also don't want to finish your collection out of a since of just needing to finish it--if the collection isn't bringing you joy, then it's lost its value.

Lots are selling very well on eBay right now. What I would recommend is to sell some lots and some of the playsets. The Show Stable, to my surprise, always seems to sell well. Dream Castle will always sell if in good condition with accessories. For the lots, put in plenty of commons that don't necessarily move well even in good condition and a couple of slightly more sought after ones--plus perhaps some Pony Wear or other accessories that often sell very poorly on their own. You want nice hefty lots that appeal to the most people. I recently sold a lot of 30 ponies on eBay w/ some accessories for $163. It would have taken weeks if not months to get that much for the ponies and accessories individually. Start your bidding fairly low and see where the market takes you. I don't think there's necessarily a bad time to sell MLP, but perhaps shoot for doing some listings in April-May when many people are getting tax returns? That also gives you a few months to really think about what you want to do.

I'd keep your favorites/rarer ones for now and see how it goes.

Good luck!

[QueenStarglow]

Selling your collection is up to you, but I agree with DazzleKitty - you work very hard at your job and to take care of your family and you deserve to have something that's yours.

But if selling is what you want and you aren't worried you'll regret it, I'd recommend taking it to the My Little Pony Fair or a local swap meet. That way you don't have to photograph or ship anything. Otherwise, I would sell chunks off in lots to make it easier on yourself. Lots always sell well!