Kinda off topic: Star Wars toys and Ebay - the skinny needed

[Anthony1]

I know that this is kinda off topic, since it's not video game related. It is Ebay related, but it doesn't have to do with video games.


I'm pretty familar to how things work, with Ebay and various video games.


But I'm a total newbie to buying old Star Wars toys on Ebay. I've mainly been trying to get the old Star Wars action figures. The ones that came out from 1977 to about 1985 or so. The little 4 inch figures.


The thing is, that I'm not really familar with how these things are valued. I've noticed that if you buy a large lot of common loose figures, you can get them for around $2 or so each.

If you buy the common loose figures individually, they are usually around $5 each, when you add the shipping in.

I've been watching tons of auctions over the last few weeks, but I haven't really been winning any of them. Usually the bidding goes higher than I'm comfortable with.

Does anybody know of a website that has a valuation guide for these old figures?

And I'm not talking about new in the box, and mint. I'm looking for valuations on loose figures that are in decent condition.

Or if anybody is very familar with these old toys and their values on Ebay, if anybody just wants to give me some ideas and tips and suggestions on it, that would be appreciated.

Also, is the only good place to find these things on Ebay? I've been to tons of thrift stores and stuff like that, and I've never seen these old toys there. They were probably there in the late 80's and early 90's at thrift stores, but now it's probably unlikely to find them at thrift stores anymore.

[Queen Of The Felines]

Check the events section of your local paper or look online to see if any toy shows/conventions are in your area. Around here there's a few that pop up every year, and basically they're like a specially-themed flea market that's just for a weekend. Do a google search for "toy show" and your state and see what happens. :) (If you're looking for Star Wars stuff you might also want to see if there are any sci-fi conventions as well.)

Kristine

[Daria]

Well I can tell you the prices for a 1980 era Kenner Wicket doll has droped drastically. I accidently bought two last year for christmas and I haven't been able to unload the first one.

Although the little guy does look kinda cute in the plushie collection.

[downfall]

I would encourage you to check out ToyFare - you can find it at any bookstore in the magazine rack. I haven't read it for a few years, but their price guide was always a good reference a few years ago. Hopefully it is still the same.

[Stark]

Loose figures are not in demand unless they are in mint shape and complete with weapons/etc. Of course there are some people that buy up all the stormtroopers/snowtroopers/royal guards to make armies for dioramas/displays. Now there usually is a small surge for everything Star Wars close to when a new movie comes out which is next year. "Collectors" want figures still on the card but will sometimes spend big money on large lots of loose stuff. Price wise depends on what figures are included and what kind of shape they are in just like anything else really. Bobba Fett is the most expensive regular figure if he is in mint shape. The Top loose figures that are somewhat rare though are the Blue Snaggletooth (not the small red one) and the elusive often fake plastic caped Jawa. Then there are the extended lightsabre versions of Luke/Ben/Darth but those rarely turn up anymore loose. If the auction includes the green serpent from the death star playset (not really a figure) the prices can go up. I've seen that loose alone go for $20+. 8-)

[Flack]

Anthony1 already has a discussion about buying Star Wars figures in the Buying and Selling Forum -- let's move the party there.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45233