Dura-craft SanFran 550 selling advice

[Angi]

I have a Dura-craft San Franciscan 550 kit, still in the box. I've decided to sell it, but am unsure if there are better ways to go about this than eBay.
I found this forum when looking up info on the kit, so I thought I'd see if anyone has any tips or advice...or maybe even know someone who is looking for one?

Back story:
My parents got it for me back in the mid-80's. It was discounted (about half price)...because it was missing some pieces. My stepdad being a carpenter, figured he could work some magic to get it all together. Upon opening the box, he found an order form for broken/missing pieces. Realizing he could save himself the task of recrating parts, he took tally of what was needed and ordered them from Duracraft.
Shortly there after, we moved & the box was put up in the rafters of the garage. I got older, it never got put together.
25+ years into the future, my parents found the box & gave it to me. I thought maybe I'd put it together, but the reality is, I don't really have the room. I don't have kids that could enjoy it. Putting it together would be fun, but I fear then it would just be in the way.

So, techincally it's an open box, which seems like it would steer away potential buyers on eBay. The missing parts sent from Duracraft are still in their unopened shipping tube. So, I have no reason to believe that there are any missing parts, but maybe this is intimidating to buyers?

Shipping it would surely be a task, as it's big, heavy and in two boxes (one big box & one tube).
Any advice? I suppose posting it on craigslist would avoid the whole shipping thing, but I fear it wouldn't be seen as well. I'd rather it go to someone who's been hunting for it, as I know how great it is to finally score a long searched for item.

Also, I have a Greenleaf 56 piece dollhouse furniture kit. The contents are in excellent condition. The box is worn & has tape on it, but the insides are perfect. All intact with proper stickers & paperwork.

[havanaholly]

Angi, if anyone here is interested they can PM you for info. Why not build it for yourself and play with it?

[CraftyMtnMom]

I agree with Holly. There are many of us on here who 'don't have the room', but we build and keep and play with our houses. Somehow we manage to fit 'just one more' in somewhere.

[Angi]

Angi, if anyone here is interested they can PM you for info. Why not build it for yourself and play with it?

Yes, they could if they were interested.

But my point was that I have decided to sell it & was wondering if eBay seemed like the best option, especially considering the weird seperate pieces issue. And if so, any tips on shipping this beast of a box. I was hoping maybe someone had experience with this, or could give insight on a good approach.

[kgreenstreet]

Since you have decided to sell it try Craigslist, then you wouldn't have to pay to ship it.

[rackey]

I think Craigslist is a good idea, as someone who really wants it would likely be willing to pick it up in person. Also, I wouldn't exclude eBay. If an interested buyer feels the price is right, he or she may not mind paying the shipping costs. You never know for sure who is looking for what.

[Minis On The Edge]

I think craigslist is a good idea also. Ebay is finicky and not like it used to be years ago.

[Angi]

I think Craigslist is a good idea, as someone who really wants it would likely be willing to pick it up in person. Also, I wouldn't exclude eBay. If an interested buyer feels the price is right, he or she may not mind paying the shipping costs. You never know for sure who is looking for what.

Okay, that's true. Thank you. Maybe I'll put it on Craigslist first & see what happens. I just figured it would really limit the potential buyers, because what are the odds that someone in just my surrounding area would be looking for it. But since it seems easiest, I might as well start there. Then try eBay if it doesn't find a new home.

I'm a unsure what a fair/reasonable price is, since I can't find another one for sale. Is there a guide somewhere that could be helpful?

[Angi]

I think craigslist is a good idea also. Ebay is finicky and not like it used to be years ago.

True & true. Thank you. Ebay is alright, as it would likely get seen by more hobbiests, but it defintely is not without it's hassles.

[CraftyMtnMom]

I can see your thought on someone near you wanting/not wanting the kit, but on the other hand, there may be someone in your area that is thinking of making a house for someone and who doesn't want to wait for the arrival time or pay the extra for shipping or even what a house at a store costs or who doesn't want to travel to find a store that carries dollhouse kits (or a million other reasons). I found a Walmer Apple Blossom kit only 25 minutes away from me a few months ago for a reasonable price. It was on Craigslist. I would never have paid their price on ebay plus the shipping. It was worth it for me to stop in and pick it up while I did some other errands as well and now I have a very cute house waiting for a new life.

As far as valuing it? Try finding similar on ebay and pricing from there. I find that many of the kits are priced higher then what they should be on ebay, but it might give you an idea of about how high you should ask. Maybe you could add that the price is negotiable and be willing to go down on your price. I don't know what prices in CO are on an everyday basis, but up here I can tell you that I have not paid more then (maybe) $60.00 for any kit I have gotten whether it's been on ebay (and that included shipping) or at a thrift store or through Craigslist. But then, I don't think have ever bought any kit as big as your kit. My DD's Heritage is big and the Newberg, but I think your kit might be a bit bigger.

Good luck.

[havanaholly]

Angi, if this forum is an indicator, lots of members check on Craig's listings within a pretty hefty radius of their homes; some of us are willing to drive a couple of hours for a good kit at a reasonable price.

[jdodyd]

I'm not sure that there is any "best" way to sell a dollhouse kit. I would try advertising it as widely as possible, especially in your local area - a community paper, bulletin boards in local businesses, etc.since shipping would be a major expense - as well as Craig's list. A consignment to an antique store is another possibility. As to price, as someone else on this forum once said, "it's only worth what someone

else is willing to pay" and that might not be as much as you think.

Good luck. I like to think that just the right buyer will find it, build it, and enjoy it for many years.

[jdodyd]

I forgot to mention that a bulletin board in a senior center is a good idea. Us older folks have the time to build dollhouses.

[kgreenstreet]

Angi, if this forum is an indicator, lots of members check on Craig's listings within a pretty hefty radius of their homes; some of us are willing to drive a couple of hours for a good kit at a reasonable price.

Angi, I have purchased 2 different dollhouses on craigslist and received the last one for free.. The 1st was a Dura-Craft 505 Farmhouse unopened kit for $55.00 this year and the second one was a partially assembled dollhouse that they were asking $40.00. Regardless of what state you live in a lot of us check craigslist several times a day. To answer your question on what a fair/reasonable price is...depends on the buyer.

Edited November 7, 2014 by kgreenstreet

[Angi]

Thank you all so much for your helpful responses. The idea of posting an ad at some nearby consignment shop, senior centers, etc was a great & welcomed suggestion. Maybe I could find a hobby shop near by. I say "maybe" because it sadly seems so many have gone out of business & just do business online. But it's a great suggestion, Joy! Thanks again.

And thank to everyone with guidence on price. I think I remember this house retailing for $79.99 back when it was purchased, but thought if it was a rare item, it might have some greater worth to it.
But I suppose you folks are right, it all depends on the buyer & circumstances.