Wolf27 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Hi all. Who amongst us keeps there empty boxes, that once contained your latest purchase? I have a few that are just taking up space as effectively all I am doing is storing empty space. My stock either lives on the layout or in box files and am wondering why I keep them. Are any if them worth anything to anyone. I have a mixture of all the main 4mm scale brands. What do you guys do with your boxes? Cheers Shane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 4, 2014 I have sold quite a few boxes of various ages on eBay. Presumably, they were bought by collectors. On one occasion I got more for the boxes than I paid for the wagons in the first place! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kal Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I keep my boxes in air tight containers away from, temperature changes and direct sunlight. Why...? well one day I shuffle off from this mortal coil and I would like what I have left behind to be of benefit for those that follow. Either as a set of locos they will use and cherish as a part of a time in history or more likely that will be sold on. So good records and boxes, will make it easier for them after my demise, and probably bring a slightly higher return or a better understanding of the model industry at that time. Horses for courses... but that is my reasoning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 My boxes go into bigger boxes, and go into the loft - adding to the insulation . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith George Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I allways save and use the boxes. I think it is the easiest and most organised way to store models when they are not in use. Store them on a shelf with the description faceing out and it easy to find indvidual items of stock. Keith. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2014 In answer to the thread title, me While they do certainly take up space, as I don't have a permanent layout, and far too much stuff to 'display' at the same time, I keep the original boxes to store the things in. Indeed I have even bought a few to put unboxed locos that have been split from train packs in. While boxfiles are a good solution, with all the fragile detail on things nowadays I prefer the original packaging (though I do acknowledge that when I manage to get a permanent layout things may change). The other thing to consider is resale - if you ever decide to downsize your collection or change era, having the original boxes is an advantage. Certainly if you use e-bay the original boxes are ideal for sending items through the post and does make the listing sound better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium HillsideDepot Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2014 Having just received a delivery from Liverpool in the last 20 minutes this is a very appropriate thread! Mixed answer for me. Wagons and coaches are de-boxed and stored in WHSmith mini drawer units (intended for A4 paper I assume, but just right for 00), and the original boxes are donated to the council (I do strip out the plastic so the card can be recycled), whereas locos (and the newly arrived Heljan AC rail buses count as 'locos' are stored in their original boxes. I guess my method is partly value related, a £100 loco needs careful handling (although taking them out and in the boxes can cause damage) whereas a wagon is relatively low valve - if I was into modern modelling where some of the bigger wagons are proportionately more expensive my view might be different - and because many of my wagons are from Parkside kits so the storage solution for them is good for Bachmann et al. Coaches, hmmm, de-boxed mainly for space reasons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I used to throw them (stock is bought for operation), but for the past ten years now also use them for loft insulation, which is sold whenever anyone offers. Apparently the box collectors have tons of wonga, which I am overjoyed to receive... One exception, with the coming of moulded to shape interior packaging for locos, this is now retained as servicing cradles on a one per class basis. Very useful for avoiding body damage during necessary handling by the nine-thumbed such as myself Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary hill Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 My boxes go into bigger boxes, and go into the loft - adding to the insulation . Wot he said Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Quite a few of my wagon boxes are floating around in the atmosphere. I tend to keep my stock in trays because de-boxing and re-boxing at shows is a royal PITA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2014 I tend to keep my stock in trays because de-boxing and re-boxing at shows is a royal PITA. It certainly makes sense in this situation - just as it does if you have fixed layout and large stock collection at home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
corax67 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 The stock I run regularly on my layout lives in stock trays I purchased at Ally Pally a couple of years ago as it makes life easier at shows but all my other stock lives in its boxes and I have kept the empty boxes out of habit more than anything else. I do find it really annoys my wife at times but at least the comments on this post about their value will change her mind Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 It is certainly worth trying to keep boxes, there comes a time in this hobby when the grass is suddenly greener on the other side of the fence, and a change of direction ( i.e. Era/gauge/country being modelled) takes place, in this day and age it is so easy to sell unwanted stock, BUT I find tthat without a box to send the items in parcelling up becomes a chore.I also find that on the few occasions I have offered an unboxed item for sale, the selling price is usually lower . I store my boxes in the loft, as mentioned above very good to add to the insulation, especially the LGB ones!l Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Mine go straight in the dustbin. I just can't be bothered with them - they are simple packaging. Their contents go into foam lined biscuit tins or bigger for easy access (something the manufacturer's boxes do not exhibit). As for selling them I have no truck with collectors - they need to keep their own boxes that their pristine purchases come in (and never break the seals); the non collectors (I am suspicious they are only buying the empties to con someone that something is new when it isn't); and anyway I simply cannot be bothered with all the time and effort just to win a few pence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 4, 2014 I keep all of mine just in case I come to sell any items. However I now have so many boxes in the loft it's hard work trying to find the right box for the items I now want to sell despite categorising the boxes up in the loft. However, I tend to weather everything so there is no real value to collectors. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornbyandbf3fan Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I keep all mine for storing the stock in as its cheap and easy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Wagon and coach boxes go in the re-cycle bin, loco boxes get saved. Stock goes on the layout (that's why I built it ). Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 My boxes go into bigger boxes, and go into the loft - adding to the insulation . Exactly what I do - only Loco boxes only, usually with the "bits to add" still in their little bags. I throw away (re-cycle) all others. Threw 8 Bachmann Covhop boxes away last week - well, recycled them actually. I keep loco boxes as they will help keep the value of my most expensive model railway purchases. Sick of boxes, (not just model railway) - blimmin loft is full of em - must have a clearout of non Loco boxes. Brit15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulG Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Although all my stock lives on the layout, I have kept the boxes so that when I leave this world the family can sell off the stock and it will be easier for them if it is boxed - I doubt they will know a BR MK1 BSK from a BCK! I've just got to remember to put the right item in the right box just before I die Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Hi all. Who amongst us keeps their empty boxes, that once contained your latest purchase? ..... Always. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Many years ago I went to a Wrenn themed meeting of the Sussex Vintage Model Collectors. Despite the name the emphasis is on running trains. One member, who was a trader, put a streamlined Coronation on the track. It creaked and groaned as it struggled round the test track. Another member asked if the trader would like him to put a drop of oil on the mechanism. The trader told him not to do that or the model would no longer be mint and boxed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted January 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2014 I keep the boxes. It makes things easier to sell on if I want to and it allows me to see just what I have rather than having to open up different boxes containing multiple items. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf27 Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 Thanks everyone for their input. Now I have sorted out the boxes and stacked them a bit better I have decided the best optionis are to keep the loco boxes and a few for future potential sell off of redundant stock. cheers Shane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted January 5, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 5, 2014 Many years ago I went to a Wrenn themed meeting of the Sussex Vintage Model Collectors. Despite the name the emphasis is on running trains. One member, who was a trader, put a streamlined Coronation on the track. It creaked and groaned as it struggled round the test track. Another member asked if the trader would like him to put a drop of oil on the mechanism. The trader told him not to do that or the model would no longer be mint and boxed. So how might he have felt if the motor had seized/burnt out? I keep my locos in their original boxes, but "adapt" the linings so as not to damage fragile detail parts - in particular, Hornby's "3-D jigsaw" drives me round the bend and usually has to be cut about quite drastically. Rolling stock tends to live in A4(paper) sized trays (the lids of photocopy paper boxes) and the original boxes are currently dumped in the loft. The trays are useful as I can store complete trains or "themed" sets of stock together for exhibitions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poggy1165 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I occasionally sell on a Slater's wagon that I no longer need via that well-known internet auction. It surprises me that to some people having the original box is a selling point. So I have learned to keep at least some, just in case. Back in the day, my mother chucked my Hornby-Dublo boxes away with ruthless efficiency. It was the way things were in those days, and I suspect this is why these boxes are (relatively) rare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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