The thing that surprises new sellers here is how much of the price sits in the cardboard.
The box is the item
For a boxed collectible, the condition of the box can be most of the value. Creases, shelf wear, a crushed corner, a torn window, a price sticker — all of it counts, and all of it needs showing.
Which means two things:
- Show every face of the box, including the back and the bottom
- Never post a boxed collectible in its own box. It needs an outer box. Packing.
Completeness
Accessories, instructions, inserts, the inner tray, the twist ties, the certificate for a limited piece. List what is there. For anything from a set, say whether the set is complete.
Missing pieces are not a problem; undisclosed missing pieces are.
Played with is a category, not an apology
Plenty of buyers want a piece to play with, display loose, or repair. "Played with, complete, joints still tight" is a good listing. Pretending a played-with piece is mint is not.
Reproduction parts
A replaced accessory, a reproduction sticker sheet, a modern stand in a vintage piece — common, often sensible, always declared. A collector who finds an undeclared reproduction part treats the whole listing as suspect, and they are not wrong to.
What to show on camera
- Every face of the box
- Joints worked, for anything articulated
- Paint, close and under even light
- Any yellowing, against something white for reference
- The contents laid out, so completeness is visible rather than claimed
Delivery
Crushed boxes, every time, and almost always avoidable. Packing toys and boxed collectibles.
More: how to sell on Metzee, pricing toys.
Questions people ask
Should I open a sealed item to check it?
No. Sealed is a state with its own value. Sell it sealed and say you have not opened it.
Does a price sticker on the box matter?
Yes, and so does removing it badly. Show it; do not peel it the night before the show.
Can I sell loose pieces?
Yes, and loose lots sell well. Count them and say what is missing.