Advice for selling a slightly used UCS Millennium Falcon (10179)

jonnythunder3483 · June 2014

Hello,

I'm not that new around here, just haven't posted much, mostly a lurker. Just recently (yesterday, in fact) I was able to buy the highly sought-after set itself, the UCS Millennium Falcon #10197 (used).
I have no intent to keep up, mostly because of space issues, and would like some advice on it's resale in its condition.

So starting with the box, it's quite beat up. Two small holes in the front, the front is slightly smashed in, and there's tape holding most of the corners together. The second piece (the back piece) is a little better, but still pretty smashed. The instructions are all together, a bit wrinkled and almost torn in a few places, but not terrible condition. Ther certificate of authenticity was there, opened (#3,442, not that it matters).

The pieces themselves are all in great condition, I was told it was put together once for a short period then partially taken apart and stored in the box. That seems to be the case, judging by the pieces. They're all clean, smoke-free home, dust was very minimal, pretty much looks like a brand new set. I'm not positive how complete it is. The woman said it should all be there; I'm not sure. Like I said, it was partially assembled in the box, but a good number of pieces were loose. From looking at it with what I know of LEGO sets and how much of it was built, I'd be very surprised if it's not at least 95% complete, if not 100%. I went through and disassembled all the built parts and wiped the dust off a few pieces, checking them all to be sure they were clean and in good condition; they were.

I just finished doing that, now it's time to inventory the set. I guess I'll just go through and sort every kind of piece in separate piles, then use the inventory list to see if it's all there. After that I'll have to look at reselling it...what would you recommend?

Let's say it's complete, should I try selling the loose pieces, box, instructions, certificate of authentisy, as a complete but unassembled Falcon (I would say it was assembled once)? If I do that, what would a good price be to sell it (on eBay)?
If it's say 95% complete, should I advertise it as such and try selling it, what would be a good price for that?

Does it make a difference if the pieces would be assembled so I could show the actual photo, or will the pieces in a pile (advertised as is, whether complete or not) do just as well?

Also, if anyone has any tips or suggestions on the best way to sort all the pieces so I can inventory them, that would be great.

Thank you, any help is greatly appreciated!
Have a nice day,
Jorden

DadsAFOL · June 2014

Assemble it. That way you can confirm completeness. Pictures of the completed model will get you a better sales price than a box of parts that might be complete. You can offer to ship it assembled, partially disassembled, or fully disassembled. Box condition probably won't affect price significantly since it's used not new.

msanders · June 2014

^ I agree. Build it and have the enjoyment of doing building it. Take lots of photos. I know it's fed pressing but if you sell it and the buyer claims missing pieces it's best to have as many photos as you can showing the pieces are there.

You can try and sell it on here as well!

Redbullgivesuwind · June 2014

It sounds like it is old and tatty and not worth very much at all. I would sell it on to me for a very low price :D.

Rainstorm26 · June 2014

I'll only buy it if it is 27% complete.

Milne44 · June 2014

How much are you asking for it?? I will be interested in buying it at the right price, will save you loads on eBay fees. Pm me

bobabricks · June 2014

Do you hear that little voice in your head, it's saying to give it to bobabricks, your head is wise and you should listen to it ;P

pvancil27 · June 2014

I'm surprised it took 4 posts before people started angling for it.

GallardoLU · June 2014

I'm no price expert, but a built picture of the actual set goes a long ways in selling sets, as mentioned above having documentation that it is complete will protect you later as well. also this set is already used, I say build it, its one of the greatest sets of all time (if not THEE greatest set of all time) don't pass up the opportunity to build it. also it seems you have all the supporting items which also boost your over all value. the question then becomes how quick do you want to flip this? you can net more for parting it out I'm sure but that will require much more waiting and thins your market for each part. I'd recommend a complete sale if 100%. if 95%~ish you will be best served to identify in advance the missing parts, and I believe you should keep the cert with the bricks even if you separate the box from the listing.

stardustsa2014 · June 2014

You are talking about a sale of around £1.5k here... I would check the bricks to avoid that Evil ebay person asking for a refund and causing problems for you..

jonnythunder3483 · June 2014

Sorry I haven't responded in a while, I've gotten really busy lately. I really haven't had a chance to finish inventorying the pieces, I'm in the midst of switching jobs and it's been taking a lot of my time, it'll probably be after Independence Day or so until I can really try and finish it.

The majority of you seem to think that building it will be the best way too sell it, so if it's complete then I'll definitely do that. Also, I really want to build it anyway XD

Thanks for the reply's everyone, and as soon as I'm done seeing what's there I'll let you know how I'll try and sell it, if you're one of the people who are interested in it.

MorkMan · June 2014

I want to know how you came upon it... Who's this mysterious woman you bought it from?

bobabricks · June 2014

@MorkMan nobody knows the woman. The woman IS mystery. The woman is darkness. The woman is death. The woman life. The woman is other stuff I don't feel like typing... :O

MorkMan · June 2014

Yes, but if the Woman isn't happy. Then nobody is happy.

jonnythunder3483 · June 2014

Fine, the woman stole my soul and I'm in servitude for life now, but I have the Falcon so that's just dandy.

Actually, I just heard an ad on one of our call-in radio shows (the community just advertises their stuff or discuss issues they think we have) and I was the first to call the lady.

Advice for selling a slightly used UCS Millennium Falcon (10179)

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