Thread: Advice for possibly selling my entire collection

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Hey Everyone - It breaks my heart to even write this thread but it's looking like I may have to sell my entire collection. I've been a collector of Halloween props for years and I use them in my yearly haunts. I've had the good fortune of working at a company that not only allowed me to use empty parts of their building for my haunt, but they also gave me storage for everything. Amazing, right?

Unfortunately, I was let go in a large company lay off and that was the end of my free ride of storage space. I moved everything into a local storage facility and that's costing me about $250 per month. I knew there would come a point where I couldn't afford that and it's almost here for me. I imagine I'll need to vacate the storage units by October of this year. Maybe November or December if I can scrounge up a few extra bucks but I'm not counting on that.

Before getting laid off, the game plan was to make my way into a career in the haunt industry. I always knew buying these props was a big expense, but I figured there would eventually be a nice return on that investment in the form of a career that I love (rather than sitting at a desk all day which I hated.) Now that the storage is gone, I have two options:

A.) Sell everything and cut my losses now. I could do a big lot on ebay or craigslist but I feel like I'll make the least money like that. Selling each item individually would make me the most money, but probably take me a year to process that many items. A pre-Halloween yard sale could work, but I would have to really advertise in order to get true haunters to show up. I don't want people offering 10 bucks for a life size animated prop. Either way, this will of course result in me crying like a 5 year old girl and curling up in the fetal position in the corner of my bedroom. All joking aside, I don't know if I can bring myself to actually do it. Hmm...

B.) Perform some kind of miracle by getting myself a job running my own haunt which would provide an income as well as a reason to keep my collection. Option B is so much better, right???

I'll take advice on either option...

To give you an idea of the volume of my props, check out these videos to see my collection. Just about everything I have has been featured in these videos. I have other videos of these haunts on YouTube, but they're just variations of these videos with the lights on, lights off, etc.

2007 Haunt - Lights On

2008 Haunt - Part A

2008 Haunt - Part B

2009 Haunt - New Location

I also have a huge mask collection which is not featured in the videos...

Help... what should I do

If you are going to sell and can hold off until closer to October, I'd highly recommend it. You'll get a lot more for your props that way. You'll also get quite a bit more per piece selling them individually or in small groups than as a large collection.

Wow!! You have alot of stuff. Keep your favorite things or things that are rare and sell the rest. I would be so sad if I had to get rid of my stuff. Maybe something will change for you. You have time. Good luck.

I don't have any grand ideas of what you should do but, I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry to hear about your job. I have also been let go (my last day is Friday) and it would break my heart to have to sell my props. I do agree with creepyhomemaker in that if you MUST sell your things, you should try and save your favorites and get rid of the rest.. Good luck

Do you not have anyplace at your home to store everything ? Garage ? Basement ? Non-used room ?

I would suggest that you try to "buy time" until you can get back on your feet. Schools often use Haunts for fund-raising. Your stuff would allow a school to go off the charts next Hallowe'en. What say you approach a near-by school and propose to set up a Haunt for them using your props in exchange for free storage for a year? Show them the photos, the videos, I bet they jump at the chance for you to come aboard.
You'd be able to observe the Holiday in grand fashion, stop worrying about storage, and spread the word that "this guy has a phat Haunted House at his place" for 2011.
It's worth a try. All you need is a sympathetic School Administrator.
Good Luck!

GREAT advise Wolfman!!!

I would get rid of my home furnishings before I would be able to part with my props. I could sleep in a coffin instead of a bed and hang as much as I could on the walls or stash things in corners...my husband has been after me to do this anyway..lol!
Just last week I got rid of dishes and collectables to empty a china cabinet so that I could put my bottle collection(witch potions) in it to store.

That seems like a lot of money for a storage shed. I would look around for a better price.

If you aren't currently using your attic, you should consider storing stuff there. Last year I added pull down stairs to the attic because I was out of storage room elsewhere. I used plywood to create shelving in the attic. I would need a storage unit too if not for the attic. Another option might be a shed in your back yard. You could also check with friends and family, especially those that like your haunt, and see if they can store some of it. Good luck.