How to price a custom figure?

mgbb · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 08:36

This is just an hypothetical question I am trying to figure out. If I am going to sell some of my custom figures, how should I set the price? Shall I just use the original box set price? Should I consider the effort of the customization? I welcome everyone's input and views.

Which custom figure of mine do you want to see put up for sale?
1) Deunan
2) Judge Hershey
3) Saber
4) Sayla Mass
5) Satana

Porkins73 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 08:45

Well Ray, I would say prices of such custom works are really in the eye of the beholder. More importantly is how much YOU think the figure is worth and set the price as that. A potential buyer who appreciates your work will pay the amount you asked for.
My personal favorite of your work is Saber. I think that one is priceless

dic07046139 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 08:45

how much do you feel they are worth? i personally think that your customs are worth more than the original box set price. they are one off customs that nobody else but you own that's why i think that they should be priced highly.
whatever you do its your choice.

widescene · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 09:08

Ray considering how long you have been customizing figures & that your work is well known & respected ... I'd say you should be able to get a great deal of $$$ . As to putting a price on it ... I personally think you should take all factors into consideration .....

1 original cost of fig
2 materials cost for custom
3 popularity of subject
4 last & most important the amount of time it took you too complete .

If I had the privilege to own one of your Masterpieces ..... You know I've always had a fondness for any of your Deunan's

Which one to sell ... now that is the hardest choice of all

Yujin · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 09:16

I know this is not helping, but Ray, I wouldn't sell ANY of your figures! I think they are priceless, especially after having seen them up close!

widescene · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yujin

I know this is not helping, but Ray, I wouldn't sell ANY of your figures! I think they are priceless

Totally agree with Yujin .... I don't envy you having to be put in this situation . Wish you the best Ray

MFisher · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 09:38

I started out by using ebay.. let a few run to see what kind of price they would bring... once I established a price range I then felt comfortable just selling them straight out at a fixed price.

Usmcrtop · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 10:04

My 2 cents is that because of the poor economy, high opening bids will put buyers off on Ebay- if it is really hgh quality and desirable the "dead hand " of the marketplace will drive the final sell price up, so starting a low opening bid would be an option- I have seen things that are probably worth 200 dolars open at 199.99 with no takers, while the same item at .99 cents ends at 250 dollars- multiple categories would also help

Azteca · #9 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 10:17

what i do is price every item on the figure for example nude unis helmet boots and all that

FirefighterUK · #10 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 12:59

All your figures are AMAZING and finding new homes for them will not be a problem!!

MateriaHunter · #11 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 13:00

I'd love to see your original Appleseed Deunan up for sale. As for pricing, I'd say price up every item, but make sure you add something on there for the time you spent on it, nobody works for free!

OSA · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 17:41

You can't be serious in letting go your Judge Hershey!

You see not so good customs on ebay going for $200. With normal Cy Girl going for a premium price I'm sure your customs can get over $300. Just type in OOAK on ebay and check out some of the custom figures people have done. I think you just need to generate some interest and hopefully a few bidders go mad for it.

With that Judge Hershey I'm sure you can easily get over $600, since there are hardcore Dredd fans and 1/6 custom collectors about.

Good Duck · #13 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 19:11

No one gonna give you the right answer for that. Your figures are all one~off. Like fine Art in some way. You call you price anyway you want. Like one of my friend selling his paintings in art galleries. One gallery in New Ports Beach sold his painting $15,000. A gallery in Laguna Beach sold a painting took about same amount of time to paint and size for $12,000. and one for $25,000. A gallery sold my unframed prints for $40~$45. Why? #1, He is a better, much better Artist. He do beautiful one~off oil paintings of landscape. #2, I do pencil drawing of Military hardware's. And I print them out by the hundreds and thousands. I'm not saying you can sell your figures for $10,000. to $20,000. because they are one~off (or maybe you can).

Try this: I will start by asking myself how much I make per hr on my day job. So, calculate how much time it took + materials cost. If it get up to few hundreds or more. then you need to come down on earth and ask yourself~ will I let it go for $200. and be happy? No? Will I let it go for $250. or $300. Will I then be happy? $350. then? Your figure(s) may not sell right away, but will sell. just like my Artists friends with theirs paintings. Some body will come alone and paid your price, what ever it my be. But, with today economy....... On one can tell will they keep their job or business...... I would try to keep them around maybe $200 to $300. if you need $ now and want to move them fast.

I'll paid $15,000. for one of my friend paint. But I'll never, ever pay one cent over $180. on any kind of figures In good economy or bad. That rule works great for me. ( Guess who not gonna buy your figures)
Don't think I help much, sorry. But, just my 2 cent.

moxie · #14 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by nai1981

You can't be serious in letting go your Judge Hershey!

You see not so good customs on ebay going for $200. With normal Cy Girl going for a premium price I'm sure your customs can get over $300.

With that Judge Hershey I'm sure you can easily get over $600, since there are hardcore Dredd fans and 1/6 custom collectors about.

I agree that there are many OOAK figs on EvilBay. Most lack the quality and finish that you have put into your figures. Yours would easily start there and go up.

I personally like Deunan, Dredd and Saber.

I wish that I could purchase just ONE of your fine figures, but do not have the funds for such a venture.

itsonlytoy · #15 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 19:30

sell what ever price you think it is worth.

1/6th happy · #16 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 19:41

100 Billion dollars!!

sorry had to.

mgbb · #17 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 22:21

Thanks everyone for your excellent feedback and auction ideas! I really appreciate that. Regarding selling of my custom figures, I've still not yet made up my mind. It is indeed a tough decision. But if I really go ahead, I think I will set the starting price based on time, material cost and popularity as suggested by widescene. Run the number by the "will I let go of it" test as suggested by Good Duck. And let the public to decide what is the fair price.

Anyway, all my figures are now stored in warehouse. I am still searching for a new place to live so I won't be able to sell anything in the short future.

(Just a side note: a number of you may notice on eBay there is someone selling a Takara Deunan figure using one of my figure image. That is NOT my figure and I did not give that seller permission to use my image. I have escalated this to eBay. Here I want to thank everyone for letting me know and upholding the internet justice.)

J3D1 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 01:17

Pity you have to sell.
Ebay is a crazy place, test the waters by putting it on ebay with a high reserve. Sure you will have to pay a few quid but you could allways offer it to the bidders if the reserve is not met if you chose to sell.

I think the Dredd one will sell for about £150 to £200. Let us know if you put them on ebay as I would love to watch them and would even bid myself, tho I doubt I could afford them lol.

dchung · #19 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 02:01

There is really only one way to determine a realistic market price, and that is to put it on the market. You should post the best pictures you can, and write the best description you can, letting people know how much time and effort you put into them. And let the bidding take it from there. The "market" will let you know what "market" price is...

Any other way of pricing it is just an exercise in wishful thinking...

Just my two cents...

Galactiboy · #20 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 12:09

Also can be a good idea to include images of other work... that way they can get a feel for you as an artist and may be willing to pay more.

I'm constantly surprised by how much some frankly piss-poor customs sell for on eBay if the subject is popular enough, but really fantastic works that are maybe a bit more obscure sell for nothing.

I do remember one custom figure (a very nice one) of Mad Max went for over a grand, so the money's out there.

e5sargemac · #21 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 13:26

Do it for what you think it's worth--plain and simple. If you think it's worth $250 and you're willing to live w/ that (at a minimum), start the auction at that price--or maybe slightly under. Trust me--I've been selling on eBay for a long time and out of about 20+ figures, I think only one ended w/ no sell.
Don't heed the "start it at $.99" advice. That's just Russian Roulette--unless you just want to dump something for whatever you can get, or it's something you have produced in mass scale. Sure, you can get lucky and score big, but most often than not you'll only lose a great work and get a only a fraction of a "reasonable" return. I've seen downright gorgeous customs that sold for probably not much more than what it cost the seller to list it. It's all in the eye of the beholder--someone is always willing to spend, economics aside.

mookie · #22 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 14:31

No doubt that hershey figure would go for alot.