The X-wing community at my store has effectively died and moved to another store that I have a hard time supporting due to their business practices (primarily the fact that they seek to destroy the gaming community in the city and bring everyone to their store as opposed to building on it and making the overall community better). I've tried for almost a year to get a game played at my LGS, but it's been at least several months since I last played a game of X-wing.

So, a natural thought to have is that it may be time to sell my X-wing collection and invest the money into something I will actually get some use out of like Warhammer 40k.

The issue I am running into is that roughly 50% of the ships I own have been repainted to suit my own aesthetic, and I am wondering if that would have an effect on the price I could ask for the fleet. My general rule of thumb when I am selling used models is to ask for 50% of the retail cost, but would people be willing to pay more if the entire fleet is painted to a similar quality and paint scheme? Or would the fact that they are painted adversely affect the resale value? I want to know whether it would be worth the effort to finish repainting the rest of my fleet, or whether I should just cut my losses and run.

If it helps, the ships that I have repainted can be found here: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/180037-gmls-repaint-thread/

I mean if your repaints are really personalized then yeah, probably. For example, if someone paints all their ships in a purple on cyan paintscheme that looks really good to them, imma want a good deal on all their stuff because the paint scheme is a negative. But if it's a pretty neutral scheme that could see wide appeal, maybe not.

It really depends on the buyer. For some people that will be a turn off, for others it may increase the value. They look to be painted well, so that helps. Throw it out there and see if you get a bite.

"Something is only worth what someone else will give you for it"

I'd probably say that good quality repaints like yours would increase value tot he right person. But I'd also say that you can probably make well over retail if you're willing to sell the components of your fleet individually. In particular, there are some upgrades which are hard to come by which will sell for a good chunk of the price of the pack - TLT, Extra Munitions, palp, X1/ATC, etc. If you're willing to put in the time that is.

Personally I'd be inclined to ebay things in batches with a buy it now price you'd be happy with but otherwise let them run to auction and see what people like.

(I'd also probably say something about the wisdom of leaving a good and growing game run by a good company for a bad and shrinking one run by an actively terrible company...)

They are lovely and I imagine someone would want these just due to aesthetic but if you're selling a large amount of ships you might have a harder time finding a buyer if you have a huge amount and are trying to sell as a lot.

Just out of curiosity, how is the other LGS actively seeking to destroy the community via business practices?

The answer is "yes".

Whether it has a negative or positive impact on the value depends on the buyer's preference and the quality of the paint job.

As with any miniatures game, prepainted armies tend to sell for less because they dont match someones existing army.

However, if you can sell an entire theme, to the right person it can be worth quite a bit more.

Or, if its just one HELL of a painjob, some people ignore it and take it at a nice price anyway.

The third is quite likely in xwing since except for squad-based paintjobs, the ships are kinda unique anywya.

I'm going to second what an above poster said -- break up items and sell them separately.

1. For repaints, consider just selling the model, pilot chits, and pilot cards. You can also include upgrades that don't have any special value, but be excessively clear as to what IS included. A lot of X-Wing players play X-Wing because they don't have the ability/time/patience to paint. This would allow them to get unique ships they won't otherwise. With a theme like yours, I'd consider selling them as a themed collection, but it's not required.

2. For non-repaints, I think you'll have a harder time selling models w/out upgrades (for most ships, not all!).

3. Identify the best selling/rarer upgrades, and absolutely sell them separate. If you want to sell them batched or individual is up to you, but you'll definitely sell something like an Autothruster upgrade, but I'm not sure you'd be able to sell a StarViper expansion anywhere near as well.

4. Once you've sold your painted ships and rarer upgrades, just sell everything en masse. Great for padding a collection, or could help someone get started on a discount.

5. Ignore points 1-4. Determine an amount you'd be happy to receive. Go on the Facebook Buy/Sell page, and post your collection, wait to get the offer you want. This may not get you the most money, but it is likely the easiest way to get a specific amount you are looking for.

5. Ignore points 1-5. Put entire thing, with full details, on eBay. Let chance decide your fate.

Just out of curiosity, how is the other LGS actively seeking to destroy the community via business practices?

They are the fourth gaming store (fifth hobby store) to open in the city. Prior to them, every other store (except one) has been supporting each other and encouraging the gaming community to grow. For the longest time, Warhammer has been the dominant game played in my area. The Warhammer community has grown even stronger across the board, even with Games-Workshop opening a Warhammer store in town. The manager there does his best to promote the other active stores, whereas the owner of the store that X-wing has migrated to has done the opposite.

The store I play at would have the X-wing players come in on Sundays to play, and when I first started there was always a good number of people to play against. Then this store opened and once they got on their feet they started running X-wing on the same day, but they provided free pizza in an effort to draw gamers away from the other stores. If people were to post in the regional Facebook group that I was looking to play a game of X-wing or 40k, the owner of this new place would hound them to play at his store, despite the fact that they have stated they are looking to play somewhere else. Finally, his pricing is set so low in an attempt to drive business to him that he is not making money, or what he is making can barely be called profit.

The owner does not care for the gaming community and is only concerned with making sure his business succeeds. I can understand why he does things from a business end, but considering that even GW is willing to play ball with the local stores and support them says so much more about this guy.

(I'd also probably say something about the wisdom of leaving a good and growing game run by a good company for a bad and shrinking one run by an actively terrible company...)

I think you may need to take another look at what GW is doing. Since their new CEO took over, they have kicked their production into over drive and are cranking out new ideas and breathing new life into old ones. The Warhammer community in my area has probably tripled in the past year, and part of that comes from the boxed games that GW has been putting out.

(I'd also probably say something about the wisdom of leaving a good and growing game run by a good company for a bad and shrinking one run by an actively terrible company...)

I think you may need to take another look at what GW is doing. Since their new CEO took over, they have kicked their production into over drive and are cranking out new ideas and breathing new life into old ones. The Warhammer community in my area has probably tripled in the past year, and part of that comes from the boxed games that GW has been putting out.

I pay pretty close attention. They're still horribly overpriced, poorly designed, and they still nuked one of their most interesting IPs just as they were about to release a major video game in the setting (a game that 15 year old me would have adored, and 30 year old me seriously considered buying even though I've not bought a video game for nearly a decade), not to mention parting ways with FFG and thus nuking another very successful card game as well as a number of hard to obtain boardgames I can't see them reproducing. There are a lot of customers who will never trust them again, myself included.

The new team does seem to be making an effort to walk back past mistakes, but they've lost a lot of customers for good.

I doubt they'll die entirely, though.

And this probably isn't the place for the discussion.

What is your (The OP's) gaming area?

What is your (The OP's) gaming area?

I'd rather not divulge that information

Just out of curiosity, how is the other LGS actively seeking to destroy the community via business practices?

They are the fourth gaming store (fifth hobby store) to open in the city. Prior to them, every other store (except one) has been supporting each other and encouraging the gaming community to grow. For the longest time, Warhammer has been the dominant game played in my area. The Warhammer community has grown even stronger across the board, even with Games-Workshop opening a Warhammer store in town. The manager there does his best to promote the other active stores, whereas the owner of the store that X-wing has migrated to has done the opposite.

The store I play at would have the X-wing players come in on Sundays to play, and when I first started there was always a good number of people to play against. Then this store opened and once they got on their feet they started running X-wing on the same day, but they provided free pizza in an effort to draw gamers away from the other stores. If people were to post in the regional Facebook group that I was looking to play a game of X-wing or 40k, the owner of this new place would hound them to play at his store, despite the fact that they have stated they are looking to play somewhere else. Finally, his pricing is set so low in an attempt to drive business to him that he is not making money, or what he is making can barely be called profit.

The owner does not care for the gaming community and is only concerned with making sure his business succeeds. I can understand why he does things from a business end, but considering that even GW is willing to play ball with the local stores and support them says so much more about this guy.

(I'd also probably say something about the wisdom of leaving a good and growing game run by a good company for a bad and shrinking one run by an actively terrible company...)

I think you may need to take another look at what GW is doing. Since their new CEO took over, they have kicked their production into over drive and are cranking out new ideas and breathing new life into old ones. The Warhammer community in my area has probably tripled in the past year, and part of that comes from the boxed games that GW has been putting out.

Ahh, the old Walmart maneuver.

Ahh, the old Walmart maneuver.

Pretty much, yeah. And I can understand his reasoning from a business point of view. Every other store is in a residential area that is easily accessible, where as he opened in the middle of butt f*** nowhere industrial area.

well I am from the same area and a year ago when I started playing I was having a hard time getting any responses for weeknight games. The new store started up a league and now I have a night I can get games in every week. Any of the stores could have started a league but only one did. Weekends are awful for me so I am quite happy that someone set up something.

Also there is another game store in town that sells everything at the exact same price. The new store wound up dropping down to match them it's not like they were setting the prices.

I'm sorry you don't get as many games in anymore but you make the new store sound like a horrible place run by horrible people and that's just not true.

Post the TIEs on eBay with what you want for them, and post the link. I don't care for the Decimator, but the TIEs and upgrades are appealing to me.

Based on what you show in the other thread, the fastest bet may be to swap your fleet for the new 30K heresy box game, a genestealter cult box, or army box to your liking. I traded a large 40K collection that was gathering dust for the X-wing starter set and $40 bucks cash. I was fine with the deal, because I never had time to work on or play 40K. Now I can at least play x-wing with my kids. Or just box up your x-wing stuff and enjoy another game for a couple of years.

I'd say hold onto your ships and wait it out. Especially if you really enjoyed the game. Plus who says you have to play at that particular store anyways? Invite some people you've played against over to your place, if you can.

If it was more of an excuse to hang out with people, then the game doesn't really matter anyways. In which case, do as others have posted and sell your ships & cards in smaller chunks with a "buy now" option that you're happy with.

In my opinion, X-wing comes pre-painted anyways, so having a custom look only adds to their value, since they're relatively unique.

Good luck. I hope it works out.

You'll likely make a loss if you sell up which isn't something you want to do if this is a recent sentiment: selling everything is a bad idea if you're later going to buy back in.

My recommendation would be to box it up and store it for at least a few months. That gives you the ability to reverse your decision to liquidate in that time and gives you a better indication of how not having your X-wing collection would affect your hobby gaming before you sell.

have you tried HotaC or an imperial variant (guessing you are mostly an imperial player)?

customized ships would be worth less in my eyes, unless it's well done. It looks like the latter, so I think you would not need to ask less than you'd ask for an unpainted ship.
If I was on the lookout for good painted ships (I'm a terrible painter myself) and didn't live on the other side of the ocean, I'd be interested in the Tie fighters/interceptors, could always use more for HotaC. But the others aren't exactly my style (although they are well done).

It's a bit like the customized cards in Magic: the Gathering: well done artwork on cards would make them just as valuable (unless they're from Alpha/Beta/Unlimited or other ancient set), but with a lousy paintjob people would rate it 'poor'/'played'.

Regarding selling or not:
How much do you think it's worth and do you consider it to be a waste of money to let it sit around for a while, until you find a new group?
in other words: how much money would you 'lose' if x-wing falls out of grace and noone is buying it anymore
And if that's the case: what would happen if it starts to become popular again in 20-ish years as a Vintage game? (people pay hefty prices now for old board games from the 80's)


Based on your signature, it doesn't seem that big of a collection, so I'd just store it for a while.

Personally I've got a nice (still growing collection) and I don't intend on selling it ever. Why?
1. I bought all ships from money I earned through selling other stuff (mainly Magic-cards, books etc) or I received them as birthday/xmas gifts, so this hobby doesn't really cost me much
2. It would be super cool to play this game when my 5yr old and 2month old boys are in their teens
3. I'd probably create & play huge Solo-campaigns when they're on their own and I got the time & space to leave a game-in progress as it is on the table (in the attic/basement) and continue at leisure

those ships belong in a display case while they wait for future re-use.

those ships belong in a display case while they wait for future re-use.

Seriously. Me likey.

Your description is identical to my area and I feel the Force is telling me I've played against that repainted Phantom in a tourney/championship before at the store you frequented. I played Scum and if I recall correctly I ran a Talonbane list against you. I haven't played there in about seven months I'd say but the last event I attended was a store championship and there were like 40 people crammed in there. I hadn't realized most of them were siphoned away. It is an unfortunate reality of business. I know most of the other days have scheduled gaming but in this kind of situation its probably best to consider changing the X-Wing day to something else so they no longer coincide.

Comely's comment jives with my area too. I can add that the store he described which has the lowest prices does not have a gaming area and is pure retail.

Do you happen to be a fellow Canuck? That's pretty much the only verification I need, eh?

Yes - could go either way depending on how good they are! People pay loads for painted 40k stuff if it is decent.

well I am from the same area and a year ago when I started playing I was having a hard time getting any responses for weeknight games. The new store started up a league and now I have a night I can get games in every week. Any of the stores could have started a league but only one did. Weekends are awful for me so I am quite happy that someone set up something.

Also there is another game store in town that sells everything at the exact same price. The new store wound up dropping down to match them it's not like they were setting the prices.

I'm sorry you don't get as many games in anymore but you make the new store sound like a horrible place run by horrible people and that's just not true.

I know which store you are referring to that had the initial price as being lower. They've always sold their wargames at a permanent sale price because they are not a game store; they are a hobby store. The prices I am referring to where they are not making any money is the prices they have for their Warhammer product. Both the owner of my LGS and the LGW have said that at the price they are selling at, it is barely above wholesale.

As for them trying to siphon gamers away from other stores, that is my experience. I have posted on the X-wing facebook group for the area saying I am looking for a game at my LGS and the owner of the other place will comment telling me to play at his store instead. I have posted that I was looking for games of 40k at my LGS and he has done the same thing. You may have had a positive experience with the guys there, but community is more important to me than business. I think it is deplorable to try and kill the gaming communities at other stores just to improve yours.

Your description is identical to my area and I feel the Force is telling me I've played against that repainted Phantom in a tourney/championship before at the store you frequented. I played Scum and if I recall correctly I ran a Talonbane list against you. I haven't played there in about seven months I'd say but the last event I attended was a store championship and there were like 40 people crammed in there. I hadn't realized most of them were siphoned away. It is an unfortunate reality of business. I know most of the other days have scheduled gaming but in this kind of situation its probably best to consider changing the X-Wing day to something else so they no longer coincide.

Comely's comment jives with my area too. I can add that the store he described which has the lowest prices does not have a gaming area and is pure retail.

Do you happen to be a fellow Canuck? That's pretty much the only verification I need, eh?

Yeah that sounds familiar, and yes I am a fellow Canuck. If you are the person I am thinking about, we played each other in two different tournaments with me tapping out the second time we played because my back was killing me on the concrete floors.

The LGS owner has messaged me and mentioned that he is considering running an X-wing league on Fridays, so if that gets up and running and can pull some of the gamers that go to the newer store, then I may very well hang on to my Imperials. Hell, it might get some of the Warhammer regulars back into playing X-wing as well.