Where do I find a price guide for rare plastic models?

[THE DC]

Where do I find a price guide for rare plastic models?

I have a Polar Lights C-57D saucer from Forbidden Planet. Its unbuilt and all parts appear in the bags. Its big, 1/72 scale, about 30" in diameter. It has a clear dome to permit either painting it opaque or leaving the interior visible (it has a control section, crew quarters, and even a little Robby the Robot in scale).

How do I determine a value for this? Most of the old sites seem gone or unvisited since I last built a plastic kit.

[ramatoto]

Hi,
try a worldwide search on ebay, maybee anywhere it is offered.....

[airdave]

Is it the newer Deluxe Edition with lighting pack?

I assume, because you know that "all parts appear in the bags",
you have access to the interior of the box, which means the kit is not "mint/sealed".

Polar Lights is a fairly new company making re-issues of older models.
Good quality re-issues and re-issues of many vintage and rare kits.
Unfortunately, Polar Lights kits themselves are not of any great value.

Having said that, some of their earlier kits are still sought after and can fetch a good price.
Ebay is still a good place to see what people are asking for their kits.
It gives you an idea of expectations.

It does not reflect actual selling price.
And a collectible is not worth anything until someone buys it.
A collectible is only worth whatever is paid for it.

But you can search ebay for only active auctions and see what people are currently bidding on an item.
And follow the item to see what it finally sells for.

You can also search for finished auctions and sometimes see selling prices.
However, ebay feedback now hides a lot of info after a sale.

Right now on ebay, I can see that there are many listings of this kit...most new and still sealed (outside).
And asking prices range from $100 to $200 dollars and more.
But remember, those are unsold.
There are even a few as low as $45 "buy it now".
These are still only asking prices.

I see one active auction...with bidding currently sitting at $35
It ends later today...so it will give you an excellent example of what to expect at auction.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Forbidden-P...s9kd:rk:2:pf:0

[airdave]

HobbyTalk is a real good site/community for model builders...especially plastic modellers.
I think the guys associated with Polar Lights are active there too.

Its possible to get their input re the value.

[RickPink65]

Originally Posted by THE DC

Where do I find a price guide for rare plastic models?

I have a Polar Lights C-57D saucer from Forbidden Planet. Its unbuilt and all parts appear in the bags. Its big, 1/72 scale, about 30" in diameter. It has a clear dome to permit either painting it opaque or leaving the interior visible (it has a control section, crew quarters, and even a little Robby the Robot in scale).

How do I determine a value for this? Most of the old sites seem gone or unvisited since I last built a plastic kit.

You can contact Alan Bussie of Plastic Model Kits: model airplane kits, Revell, Monogram, Aurora

Mr. Bussie is an expert in old time plastic models.

[RyanShort1]

The best way to figure out it's value is to search "completed" auctions - sales - on eBay and take an average. No matter what folks tell you, you're only going to get what the average person is paying for the item unless you find the right person with wads of cash that has to have it "right now."

[SCEtoAUX]

Here are some listings on Amazon and ebay which you have probably already seen but figured it would be interesting to post them here to show everyone the wide range.

Amazon:
Forbidden Planet C-57D Space Cruiser Deluxe Edition by Polar Lights
New in original shrinkwrap.
$265.00 + $3.99 shipping

ebay:
Forbidden Planet C-57d Deluxe Edition Plls0916 Polar Lights
Brand new: lowest price $125.00 + $19.00 Shipping

Like Dave mentioned yours does not seem like mint in the box condition so the price would probably have to reflect that. Of course there is no telling if those listings are not resealed and are being passed off as mint in box condition.

[airdave]

and as I said...the "Deluxe" edition was an even newer release with an LED light kit included.

I remember when the first C-57D came out...it was only about $55.
Shame that it seems to be worth that or less, 10 years later.
But unfortunately thats about all its worth because of multiple reissues.
And, if its opened, it may be worth even less.

Keep it for another 50 years, and it will easily double in value.

3 hrs to go on ebay, and its up to US$40
(This is the first edition, and box is opened)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Forbidden-P...s9kd:rk:2:pf:0

[Revell-Fan]

@RyanShort1 : You're da man! Short and precise!

[airdave]

LMAO Ryan! You da man! I didn't know you was short? But apparently you is precise.