Is the box really worth that much?

MIB (Mint in Box) always commands top prices - but that is getting silly for a Jouef 1:18 P4.

Coming to think of it, I think I saw an empty Revell/Jouef Box P4 for sale on eBay the other day.

 

Kinda like buying a real Ferrari.
Bad: Ferrari for sale, not in showroom condition, has been driven, some light damage, some records missing.
Good: Ferrari for sale, low price, can be restored to new.

I wouldn't worry about the box. I would look at the paint and replacing those decals. May not get the same
resale price as with the box, but certainly more than you paid!

 

See: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300198235343

 

I would always always tell anyone I know who collects diecast to hang onto the box.
There are times where the box can be worth as much if not more then the car.

 

Keeping the box is very smart if you plan on ever selling anything. I never plan on selling any of my models, so I just toss the boxes.

 

Sometimes you can get a steal if there is no box. For instance my rare HW 575MM I got for $9, mint w/o box

 

First of all I would like to say that using e-bay as a yardstick when determining the value of a model can be dangerously wrong. I believe that in the case of the ridiculous money paid for that 330P4 you have the rare case of two people who apparently had to have this model no matter what and they happen to be on e-bay at the same time. Another time the same model can struggle to brake the $100 mark simply because right at the moment when it is listed on e-bay no one is looking for one. It is all about timing.
About boxes in general. My father always told me that a subject is worth what you are willing to part with it for. However if we are realistic, having the boxes for your models is a key element in preserving their value. In the case of this particular model, the model itself sucks big time, but it became kind of like a cult model. It is nothing as a model because of very poor quality, but it is a collectible when paired with the box. I hope you understand what I am saying as I am having hard time to describe it. The loonies that would pay $200 plus for a model that sucks and is made into millions of copies are usually people who never display their collection. They keep their models in their boxes usually stacked into closets or storage rooms in a perfectly controlled environment. They keep a meticulous list of what they have and every once in a wile, on a special occasion they would pull something out to show to a friend or a fellow collector. I know quite few people like this and I personally don't understand them and put them in the same group as the Star trek nerds. Same people also collect model kits that are kept in their never opened boxes and don't stand a chance to ever being built. I know a couple of guys who also have great transkits that they never plan to use. They are just like " Wow man, let me show you what I got. This is number whatever of only 100 made and it is absolutely mint man!" To me this is like having the best looking wife ever and never sleeping with her, or the more appropriate example of buying a FErrari that you never plan to drive.

 

Had a look, but couldn't find it. I suspect the auction may have ended, because it was over a week ago that I saw it.

 

I like to keep the boxes for my cars. I never intend to sell, but I like to have the boxes so that if I ever need to, I've got them. That being said, when the misses an I were got married and were living in a small apartment, storage space was at a premium - the boxes I had accumulated to that point went in the trash. Mostly hotwheels boxes, I did have the smarts to keep the Joueff boxes I had, and have managed to keep all the boxes since. I've got about 70 1:18 Ferraris, and I've probably got the boxes for about 45 or so of them... Granted, I display all mine and keep the boxes stored in the closet. I didn't buy them to stay in the boxes in a closet. I got them so I could oogle them and such...

 

I am with you 100%. What's the point of having a collection if you can't enjoy it and share it with your friends. My collection is displayed in 3 big cases, which are insufficient (I probably have close to four hundred models), unless I stuff the models in there like in a NY parking lot. This is why every once in a wile I'll change what is being displayed.
I received a Rolex Daytona as a present and inherited a couple other much pricier watches. I have pictures from almost every part of the world and most notable places in US. I have few quite rare or interesting table books etc. etc. but nothing and I mean NOTHING, comes close to my collection as a conversation "piece". If I wanted to keep it in a closet, I would have been better off keeping the money spent on it in the bank.

 

Your last sentence is a great point.

However, if I was to put my various collections of things out in the open for all to see, two things would happen:

1) something would get broken, or stolen.

2) folks simply would not understand, and even after I explain the rarity and 'worth' of certain pieces, I would STILL be deemed an idiot for collecting said items.

 

ROFLMAO

Best Regards from Germany

 

I was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of my empty boxes...but some of them are pretty nice at 1:43..have tech data on the back card, etc.........

So, not many empty boxes here!

 

First of all i want to say that i am a big collector if you want to see pictures see the Trinity Hand built models forum i have started for the reason i would like to know what company made them there are pictures of my collection on it to, second ok keeping the box can be an increase of value but for me its an easy way of transporting them on a secure bases.
And as the person above me says why keep them away from display then you should never collect them in the first place.
By the way your quote with the best ever looking woman was great.