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I’m a somewhat amateur Windstone collector, only have a few of them and this is my first real foray into the forums. What has recently revived my interest in them is that I heard that they make good investments… that the retired ones will certainly increase in price. So not only are they amazingly beautiful, but they’re savvy investments too.
I thought I’d ask the local experts here if that was the case!
Well due to the way the economy is I think a lot of pieces are selling for reduced values with the exception of very special pieces. The production pieces seem to have depreciated in value from what i’ve seen on ebay. A lot of the regular production pieces even the retired ones that i’ve sold, i’ve had to sell for a loss, but hopefully when the economy turns around the prices of luxury items will go back up! 🙂
Did you find that they used to sell for higher?
I had a guy who sold me and my sister some of them who was adamant about them increasing in value over time. I’m trying to figure out if he was misinformed from better economic times or a conman…
I’ve noticed the ones going for cheap on ebay. Some real beautiful ones, too.
I agree the drop in value is due the economy, but those special paint SKs are going for upwards of $3k from what is normally an $800up range!
I do think they make good investments though. In fact I think a few collectors here have insurance on some of their collections. One day when mine gets big enough I will too!
It’s a couple months out of date (a wonderful forum member donates her time to update it when she can), but the Windstone database ( http://www.ravnheart.com/windstone/ ) tracks sales of both production pieces (retired and current) being sold on Ebay and Windstone official Ebay auctions. Click on “Mint” at the top to switch from official Windstone auctions to production auctions. If you click on the name of a Windstone piece, a new page will open up that lists all the ending auction prices, approximate dates, and a photo of the piece. Hope that makes sense!
And as Nicole said, prices for production and retired pieces have really dropped and a lot of pieces are being sold at a loss (I’ve had to sell more than a few at loss). But a couple years ago, retired pieces were going for crazy high on Ebay. Still the occasional non official auction that makes you go 😮 , but they are fewer and far between. The official Windstone auctions for special pieces by Melody, Nam, Arlla, and Olympia are a slightly different story, but I’m not sure if there is enough reselling of those pieces to know about trends for them. 😕
I can say that I saw two emerald prototype OWs sell this summer ( I was luck enough to get one) and those were originally sold for around 500.00 and the two that sold this summer went for around 1000.00 so rare pieces so increase in value over time, but I think there are just so many production pieces out there that if someone offers a piece at an store price or an inflated price people know they can just wait and another one will come up for cheaper eventually. It really just depends on which piece it is.
I’ll agree with what Nicole said–it depends on the piece. Also depends on how badly someone wants that piece! There are people selling their Windstones because they need to pay for other necessities–so unfortunately, they usually have to sell for a loss. The special pieces I would say retain their value–the One of a Kind Never to Be Painted Again stuff.
It’s like anything else–hold on to something long enough and maybe you’ll sell at a profit–especially the special paint pieces. I remember seeing one of the hatching egg dinasours being listed for $199 and no one bid on it. I’ve seen the same piece listed for no reserve with another seller. So it all depends! :shrug:
🙂 I think the more interest we spark up in them,the better for everyone.The way we care for them to keep them in top shape is important too.Sometimes a seller says it is “mint”,when in fact it isn’t.Buyer beware,especially on ebay.I have mine for my enjoyment first but I have every intention to pass them down to the next generation and so on.Some are over 20yrs. old already.That is an investment to me.If they increase in value,all the better 🙂
Every act matters.No matter how small💞
(Wanted......Brimstone Lap)
Male Hearth....one day🤞Dream on.The poor economy is reflecting in the selling prices of all investments, not just Windstones but all forms of art too. I’ve noticed this trend everywhere.
However, yes… in my experience some pieces do appreciate- sometimes greatly- in value as time goes on depending on rarity, desirability, availability, condition, and a few other factors.
Two years ago some of the prices I was seeing on eBay really stunned me, because they were going so high. And I am not talking about special Official Windstone auctions, but rather people selling normal production pieces form their collections.
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My art: featherdust.comLadyFirebird wrote:I’ll agree with what Nicole said–it depends on the piece. Also depends on how badly someone wants that piece! There are people selling their Windstones because they need to pay for other necessities–so unfortunately, they usually have to sell for a loss.
As an aside, in years past in the flea market here, things used to get snatched up quickly and few items if any sold at a loss. I think the ‘selling at a loss’ reflects that many collectors have far shallower pockets lately.
Heck back in the day we used to have people squabbling over who got to buy from each other’s collection! 😆Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comIMO, they’re okay investments, comparable to quality furniture. Treated well, they hold their value, can be enjoyed for a very long time, and can even be heirlooms. But as investments, they have three catches.
Minor accidental damage wreaks havoc on their value. As mentioned, they’re luxury items, so get sold at a loss in bad times. Then there’s hidden overhead such as paying for shipping, storage, glass cases, etc. So while they can appreciate in value, it can’t be assured.
But if you just buy them because you like them, admire and enjoy them, and incidentally want something that can be sold for a decent percent of its value in an emergency, then you can’t lose.
Maplecarver wrote:But if you just buy them because you like them, admire and enjoy them, and incidentally want something that can be sold for a decent percent of its value in an emergency, then you can’t lose.
Ha ha… that was exactly my thinking on them! I don’t have much money these days but if I can legitimize them as potential investments it makes there be a lot less guilt trips about buying them.
One of the many great ways to justify buying Windstones! 😀
hksherra wrote:I don’t have much money these days but if I can legitimize them as potential investments it makes there be a lot less guilt trips about buying them.
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