How to estimate your LPS?
Nowadays, these figurines have become collector's items, and I can only confirm this, being a collector myself...
With this new status, it's normal for Pet Shops to have attracted covetousness and for them to now be synonymous with "easy money."
It's often a pretty basic story: you find your childhood toys in the attic, you do a reverse search, and bam! Someone online is selling that little plastic cat for €100? But I'm rich!
EBAY
In reality, it's very common to get carried away with exorbitant prices because of the forbidden site: eBay.
For many people, especially in America, this site is the go-to for LPS buying and selling. This is quite understandable given that it's an auction and collectibles site; Pet Shops have found their place without a problem. However, one thing should not be forgotten: Pet Shops are toys mass-produced in the 2000s. They don't have the rarity of an 18th-century coin or a Da Vinci painting; they are factory-made figurines, however pretty they may be!
When you browse eBay, you encounter prices much higher than the norm for a reason that, I admit, somewhat eludes me. The platform is known for taking a commission and letting the seller manage their own shipping, so it's quite common to see inflated prices to offset these expenses. But why can a Pet Shop for €20 on Vinted be found for €50 on eBay?
This question still lingers today, and I can only advise you to take a look at successful sales if you plan to sell your figurines on eBay (we often forget, but "for sale" doesn't mean "sold"!!).
I'll just warn you about one thing: sending a package to the US is no longer as easy, so make sure you're well-prepared!
VINTED and LeBonCoin
When you talk about selling, you often have the same two sites in mind: Vinted and LeBonCoin.
These are second-hand sites, online flea markets!
In the past, LBC was the market leader when it came to selling old items straight from your attic, but for some time now, you may have noticed that Vinted has made a big name for itself by adding more and more sales categories, leaving LBC far behind due to its less dynamic interface and its much slower listing process than that of its competitor.
With the rise of Vinted, a flourishing market has emerged: the LPS market. Today, we're certainly talking about several hundred listings online with the mention "Littlest Petshop," and it's certainly the best way for you to buy or sell your toys without having to jump through hoops for someone to see your ad.
Your research regarding the value of your figurine should be a bit more in-depth than just the first page; it requires careful thought and observation. Look at several things in listings selling the same figurine as yours:
- How many likes does the listing have?
- How long has the listing been online?
- What other items are on the seller's account?
- Is the seller a professional?
Normally, you should be able to estimate your Pet Shop fairly well if you've answered all these questions.
Example: I'm selling Pet Shop #05, the first European cat released by Hasbro.
I come across a listing for the LPS in satisfactory condition, priced at €30.
I notice that the listing only has 2 likes and has been online for a few days: First signs of an overpriced item.
I also notice that the seller's profile has clothes, books, and other children's toys: The seller is not specialized in LPS; the price is likely arbitrary.
To find a correct price, it's therefore always a matter of checking several listings before concluding. You'll find it easier to estimate a Pet Shop if you find a listing posted by an account selling other LPS or even a professional account (but keep in mind that professional accounts have to pay taxes, so they increase their prices). If the Pet Shop you own isn't for sale anywhere (not even on eBay), then the last resort is to ask a collector who will be able to guide you as best as possible!