This week I want to discuss reselling as opposed to designing. It’s an important aspect of the buggy market and I never really have understood it well. There are many opinions on this subject, and I’ve heard quite a few this last week or so. My own has evolved over the last three and a half years. When I started, I resented resellers. They were making a profit off my work. It bothered me. I eventually realized that this is something that happens even in the real world. I’m sure General Motors would love to get a commission off every classic 1957 Chevy that’s been sold in the last fifty years. It isn’t gonna happen.  

Resellers do make a profit, but they also provide a service. For example, if you own something you want to get rid of for some fast cash, a reseller will likely be your quickest sale. You may not get as much for it as you would if you sold the item in auction, but you get tbux right away. The reseller is taking a risk that the item will make them some profit. If they’re wrong, they lose money.

 

This column is mostly about  buggies, so when I wanted to find a reseller or two to talk with I headed for Burnout King’s lot. He keeps a good inventory, he’s online quite a lot and there are always people there. When I got there the lot was busy as it frequently is. There were people all over checking out the buggies. One of them is a well known buggy collector, FaaastEddy. Collectors fascinate me, maybe because I am one myself, maybe because I sell a lot of buggie to them. I got a bit sidetracked and asked Eddy why he collects and what he looks for in a buggy that makes it worth buying for his collection. 

First, Eddy is a car person in real life. He loves them. Since he can’t afford to collect cars in real life, There has fulfilled his fantasy in a virtual way. When looking at a potential acquisition he looks for “fit and finish” - shine, resolution, and no pixilization.  

As we were talking another collector stopped to talk with us. MrBob is also a reseller, and he added that for a buggy to be collectable to him, it should have good detail, look realistic, and if it has some historical value or  “pedigree” that adds to it. Rarity is also something important he considers.  

By this time Burnout King joined us, and we ended up with a general discussion. For his business, Burnout says he tries to acquire buggies that have resale ability. He notes that 50% of his customers are young people so he also looks for buggies that will appeal to them. He too pays attention to detail, finish, and pedigree. Pedigree refers to buggies with a known designer. Jinxed_Karma would be one whose buggies have a pedigree, although because of their value you won’t generally see them available at low prices. All check auction history routinely. Their opinions are apparently valued because as I was there they were asked about the values of several buggies from people who were interested in auctioning their own vehicles.  

Other things they look for are supply and demand. Is there a demand for buggies by a particular designer? Are there they common? Was the item removed from world? Is the designer still active?

 

Both resellers emphasize that they want their customers coming back. It’s a complex business involving far more than just buying low and selling high. Burnout estimates that over 75% of his business is done in buggies under 20,000t. The collectibles are a smaller portion of his sales and although he sometimes gets a high price for them, he pays more to acquire them.  

Last week I noted that several new designers were opting to sell their buggies as limiteds. I asked about this too. Everyone agreed that unless a designer has a track record (pedigree) there won’t be much demand for it. They suggest that a new designer work on skills first, get good, and do limiteds later. Of course that’s a general rule of thumb and there are exceptions.  

For me, I’ve learned a lot about resales. It’s as much or more work than designing the buggies in the first place. A reseller can provide several services: 

1. a quick market for fast sales

2. a wide selection that you can check out on their lots without wading through auctions.

3. discussing the merits of various buggies and proviing opinions as to value. 

Not all resellers are created equal. Some are buggy oriented, some are not. Some have a lot of in world experience, others don’t. And yes, some are scrupulously honest, and others may not be. Shop carefully, listen to opinions, and then make your own decisions. 

One thing resellers don’t do is make it difficult for new designers to get into the business. I’ve seen resellers and collectors (not to mention designers) take new designers under their wings and offer help and suggestions. The buggies being sold by resellers would be in auction anyway whether the resellers are listing them or the original owner is. The plus to the designers is that the reseller isn’t necessarily looking for a fast sale. Because of this, the price may actually be higher than what the original owner would be asking. This boosts prices on resale buggies a bit and helps the new designer. It’s actually good for all designers. If people can’t get a decent price on a “used” buggy they may skip the purchase altogether. 

The biggest issue for designers is that nothing in There ages. A four year old buggy runs exactly the same as a brand new one. There are so many new and old buggies available it can seem difficult to compete. The only way to be successful is by coming up with a good quality design and getting it seen. A very few designers I know of have actually contracted with a reseller to put their buggies out on their lots and try to sell them. If the design is a good quality, that might be the way to go. I haven’t tried it myself. I think it would depend on the arrangement and the integrity of the people involved. Contracts aren’t easily enforced in There. 

In short, shop wisely, become knowledgeable. Use resellers as a resource, not as a substitute for your own knowledge.