Sell vintage action figures and 70s to 90s toys
Vintage action figures are valued by line, completeness, and packaging. A loose figure with all its accessories, a carded figure, and a sealed playset are three different things. This page shows how to sort and photograph yours.
Short answer: Send a photo of the whole tub or shelf, close ups of any carded or boxed items, and the line names (Star Wars, He-Man, G.I. Joe, TMNT) to (858) 247-2017 or use the form below. We tell you what looks like a fit and make one offer after we look at it. In Southern California we can meet in person, and elsewhere we use prepaid mail-in.
Which toy lines do buyers look for?
Kenner Star Wars, 1977 to 1985
Original trilogy figures, vehicles, and playsets. Cardbacks and the number of figures shown on the back help identify early waves.
Masters of the Universe
He-Man, Skeletor, and the early Mattel figures, Castle Grayskull, and vehicles. Check for original weapons and armor.
G.I. Joe, 1982 to 1994
A Real American Hero figures, vehicles, and playsets. Accessories and file cards matter.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Thundercats and more
Late 80s and early 90s lines are popular. Packaging and unopened accessories are looked at.
What is the difference between carded, boxed and loose?
Carded or sealed
The figure is still on its original card and bubble or in its box, unopened. Cardback, bubble, and corners are looked at closely.
Loose and complete
Out of the package, with every original accessory such as weapons, capes, and armor.
Loose and incomplete
Missing accessories. These can still be looked at, and some figures are interesting even without them.
Never open a carded figure to check it. A bubble that has been opened and glued back is easy to spot and changes how the item is looked at.
How do I check a loose figure?
- Check the joints. They should hold a pose, not flop loose
- Look for paint wear on the face, boots, and hands
- Look for yellowing or sticky plastic, which can be a sign of age or storage in heat
- Check for cracks near the waist, knees, and neck
- Gather original accessories, even small ones like capes and holsters
- Look for the copyright stamp and year, often on the back of the leg or the lower back
What damages old toys?
- Storage in a hot garage or attic can warp plastic and fade paint
- Sun fading discolors card backs and boxes
- Smoke and mildew odor lowers what a buyer will accept
- Price stickers, tape and writing on cards and boxes
- Rubber cape and band parts can become sticky or brittle with age
Complete collections and playsets
- Keep playsets with the pieces that came with them, including stickers and instructions
- Keep vehicles together with their original accessories
- Send photos of the whole room or shelf, then close ups of the best items
What we look at
- Carded, boxed, and sealed vintage action figures
- Complete loose figures from popular 1970s to 1990s lines
- Playsets, vehicles, and boxed toys with their parts
- Whole toy rooms, tubs, and collections
What is usually not a fit
- Reproductions, custom figures, and bootlegs
- Items with heavy smoke or mildew odor
- Recent mass market toys that are still easy to find
- Cracked, melted, or sticky plastic in bulk
Careful notes on selling vintage toys
- Do not open carded or sealed items.
- Do not wash old figures with soap or harsh cleaners.
- Be careful with anyone who offers a high price from a photo and asks you to ship first.
What photos should I send?
Good photos get a faster and more honest answer. Natural light and a plain background are enough.
- A photo of the whole tub or shelf
- The front and back of any carded or boxed item, with corners
- Loose figures laid out with their accessories
- The copyright stamp on the back or leg of a few figures
- Playsets with all pieces visible
How an offer works
We make one offer for the whole lot after we see the items. You are free to say no.
Step 1
You send what you have
Photos and a few details are enough: what it is, roughly how many, and what condition. A form, a text, or a call all work.
Step 2
We tell you if it is a fit
We reply with whether we buy it and whether we can come to you or you should mail it in. If it is not a fit, we say so.
Step 3
We look at the items, then make one offer
We do not quote a price from photos. Once we have seen the items, you get one offer for the lot, and we can explain what drove it.
Step 4
You decide
Say yes and we complete the sale. Say no and you owe nothing.
What moves an offer
- Which exact items, titles, or models are in the lot
- Condition and completeness, such as boxes, manuals, and all the parts
- Whether it works, if it is a device or a console
- What similar items are selling for right now
Who you are dealing with
DeKlutterNow is a small business based in Oceanside, California. You can ask questions before you send anything: text (858) 247-2017 or email hello@deklutternow.com.
Get an offer
Send your toys for a review
The more you tell us, the faster we can say whether it is a fit and what happens next. We do not quote a price from a form. Final offers come after we look at the items. You can also text photos to (858) 247-2017.
What to send
- • One photo of everything together, then close ups of the best pieces
- • Titles, brands, model numbers, or marks like 14K or 925 when you can read them
- • Boxes, manuals, papers, or graded labels if you have them
- • Anything that is broken, missing, or not working, so we can price it honestly
- • Your city and zip so we know if we can come to you
What we do not buy
- • Reproductions and custom toys sold as originals
- • Items with heavy smoke or mildew odor
- • Recent mass market toys
- • Cracked, melted or sticky plastic in bulk
Not sure? Send it anyway and we will tell you. See the full list.
Questions sellers ask
- Do you buy loose action figures?
- Yes. Complete figures from popular lines are the easiest. Send photos and tell us which accessories you still have.
- Do you buy carded Star Wars figures?
- Yes. Photograph the front and back and the corners. Do not open or remove the figure.
- What does MOC mean?
- MOC means mint on card, an unopened figure on its original card. Buyers also use MISB for mint in sealed box.
- Do missing accessories matter?
- Yes, for many lines. Weapons, capes, and armor are part of the figure. Tell us which pieces are missing.
- Do you buy playsets and vehicles?
- Yes, especially complete boxed ones. Keep the pieces and stickers together.
- What if my toys smell like smoke or mildew?
- Tell us. Odor lowers what is possible, and heavy odor is usually not a fit.
- Do you buy Funko Pops too?
- Yes, when they are in good condition and in the box. Photograph the boxes and corners.
- Can I mail in toys?
- Yes. Outside Southern California we use prepaid mail-in and explain how to pack carded and boxed items.
Keep reading
- Sell retro toys for cash in Southern California
- Sell Hot Wheels Redlines and die cast
- Sell retro toys in Los Angeles
- Sell retro toys in Long Beach
- Sell retired LEGO sets
- Prepaid mail-in
Questions before you send anything? Text DeKlutterNow at (858) 247-2017.