Gene Roddenberry founded the American science fiction media property known as Star Trek, which debuted as a 1960s television series and swiftly gained a global following in popular culture. The franchise has grown to include several movies, TV shows, video games, novels, and comic comics. It is one of the most well-known and highest-grossing media franchises ever with an estimated $10.6 billion in revenue.
NBC broadcast the Original Series for three seasons beginning on September 8, 1966. It debuted on Canada’s CTV network on September 6, 1966. In the 23rd century, the United Federation of Planets constructed the starship USS Enterprise, a space exploration vessel with the stated objective “to explore strange new worlds, to seek C inspired Roddenberry to create Star Trek by bringing forth new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” The Horatio Hornblower series by S. Forester, Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift from 1726, the 1956 movie Forbidden Planet, and television westerns like Wagon Train.
Star Trek artifacts are frequently in great demand, therefore selling them shouldn’t be a problem if you have any of the most expensive Star Trek memorabilia that has been set aside for a long period and you’d like to sell them to enhance your finances. The key question is where and how to sell them. In this article, we present to you six amazing ways to sell your priced goods.
1. Online Selling Platforms
eBay
As of 2019, eBay is a multibillion-dollar company with operations in around 32 nations. The business operates the eBay website, a global marketplace where individuals and organizations may buy and sell a wide range of products and services. Buyers can access the website for free, but sellers must pay to list products after a set amount for free listings and another, separate price when the items are sold.
Amazon
Amazon has a reputation for upending well-established industries through technological innovation and broad distribution. As of 2021, it is the largest online retailer and marketplace, supplier of smart speakers, cloud computing service through AWS, and provider of live-streaming service through Twitch, and Internet firm worldwide. With over 200 million subscribers to its paid subscription service, Amazon Prime, it will surpass Walmart in 2021 to become the world’s largest retailer outside of China. It is the second largest private employer in the country.
Facebook Marketplace
Selling collectibles on Facebook Marketplace is another option that individuals initially consider when doing so but it has its own set of challenges. The primary problem with Facebook Marketplace is that they only assist in connecting you with a buyer; they play no role whatsoever in facilitating the transaction. Therefore, it is entirely up to you to ensure your own security and avoid falling victim to fraud.
2. Look on to a Yard Sales
The World’s Longest Yard Sale, which began in Jamestown, Tennessee, and now spans from Alabama to Michigan, is one of the most well-known yearly garage sales. We frequently see vintage toys for sale along U.S. 127, and they almost always go for retail rates. The National Road is followed by another notably enormous garage sale, U.S. 40. In general, even if you don’t live close to either U.S. route, you may still book a spot—which can be worthwhile if you have a lot of toys.
3. Local Pawn Shop
Not least among other places to sell Star Trek memorabilia are pawn stores. There may be no faster way than selling it to a pawn shop if you’re searching for a very speedy transaction to put money in your pocket right away. The major catch in this situation is that you’ll pay a lot lower selling price for that convenience. This isn’t inherently a bad thing; it really depends on your preferences and the situation.
4. Hire an Auctioneer
Use this strategy only if you have a wide selection of rare, collectible, and distinctive toys for sale. Expensive collectibles from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan which is one of the best Sci-Fi Movies of all time along with other Star Trek series artifacts will be sure-fire. If you have these items, a skilled auctioneer will publicize the sale in advance and be able to sell your items for top dollar. To earn money for charities, auction specialists work all throughout the country selling anything from real estate to vehicles, farms, construction, and recreational equipment, household goods, antiques, animals, and commercial property.
5. Local Retailers
Local “mom and pop” businesses are one source that is all too frequently disregarded. Since the business will be reselling the goods, you will most likely receive wholesale value; nonetheless, you can collect your money more quickly in this manner. Most cities have at least one good vintage toy shop and in some areas many to choose from. Additionally, supporting local businesses benefits the community’s economy.
6. Sell Them to Another Collector
Selling directly to one of your networks of active and numerous other collectors may be an appealing choice. Success in this case basically depends on the size of your network, the value of your Star Trek item, and a little bit of luck. One piece of advice: If you intend to advertise your sale within a collector’s group, make sure to first review the guidelines of the group and, if necessary, get approval from the administrators. Nobody wants to face spam accusations.
Here is a list of the most valuable Star Trek collectibles:
- The command chair and platform from the first season, were sold in 2002 for an astounding $304,750.
- Even more money was paid for Spock’s season 3 tunic, which sold for $123,250 in 2003.
- But what is worth more than a starship’s keys? What about the tunic from Mr. Spock’s (Leonard Nimoy) second season? 2012 had a $114,000 sale price.
- In 2003, a fan paid $92,000 for a component of the original U.S.S. Enterprise, specifically the command module from the first season.
- Balok’s puppet head from “The Corbomite Maneuver” from the first series was sold to a lucky fan for the sweet sum of $80,500 in June 2010. Just be careful not to be startled when you enter the room.