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Buying and Selling Your Model Horses
Updated! Check out my new and improved Authorized Model Horse Dealer and Model Horse Manufacturer pages.
If you're looking for that certain model to fill a hole in your collection or need to cut back the herd, you have several options. While this site does not buy or sell models, I'm happy to help you with your search through this web site. If you know of a source that should be listed here, please contact me.
Model Horse Values: The best places to find current values are online auctions, for sale listings, and books like Felicia Browell's Breyer Animal Collector's Guide : Identification and Values, 5th Edition. You can sometimes buy this book used from Amazon.com (below), buy it at your local book store or off eBay, or you can sometimes find it at your local library. You can also get approximate values by seeing what other copies of your model sell for at any of the sources listed below.
If you want to sell, but are unsure of what you've got, why not check out my Identify Your Breyer Model and Model Manufacturer pages? Models can be sold in a single lot, but you'll get better results by selling them individually and being able to tell prospective buyers exactly what you have. If you have mint or near-mint condition models, you're also welcome to email me with your list, including prices.
Authorized Dealers: for new and recently discontinued models, authorized dealers can help you out. A few dealers also buy and sell older ("vintage") model horses. Some of the retail chain stores that I've found Breyers in include tack shops, Marshalls, Target, Petsmart, and Toys R Us. Models are also sold through the JC Penney catalog.
- Breyer now sells models online at list price. Starting with Delia in October of 2008 Breyer will also sell one Web Special model from their site that is available nowhere else, possibly a new one each month. Their Special Run page also lists some Special Run (SR) models and where they're being sold.
- Amazon.com
- Their free shipping on orders over $25 makes them well worth a look.
- Authorized Dealers - A page on this site dedicated to mail order and Internet dealers.
- Special Run Distributors - Breyer frequently releases models that are available only through a certain store or distributing company. Click on the link for a list of those dealers that I know of.
Magazines: there used to be magazines dedicated to model horse collecting that accept for sale and wanted ads. The popularity of the Internet has pretty much done away with those--if you're aware of any still in existence other than the one below, please contact me.
- Just About Horses - Published by Breyer, this bimonthly magazine offers for sale and trade classified ads. Ads are chosen for publication pretty much at random, but it never hurts to give it a try. Subscriptions cost $20 U.S. and $30 to foreign addresses. Mail to: Reeves International, 14 Industrial Rd., Pequannock, NJ 07440-1920. You can also pay by credit card by calling (973) 694-5006.
- Art Horse Magazine - This is a new publication aimed at "equine artists, collectors, and horse people." I'm not sure how much for-sale advertising there is inside, but it's certainly worth a look.
- Model Horse Resource - A new magazine formed in April 2008 by Jacquie Fernandez, long time model horse hobbyist.
E-mail Lists/Forums: like a newsletter that anyone can contribute to, e-mail lists offer instant communication between people who have a shared interest. Here's just a small sample of the model horse lists that accept for sale/wanted posts. Please note: some other model horse lists forbid such ads, so check their rules carefully before posting there.
- Anything Breyer - S/D lists, class lists, sales, trades are all welcome.
- Breyer Model Horse Swap - For buying, selling and trading Breyer model horses and repaints. No other brands or resins are allowed. Model horse tack is also allowed.
- Haynet Exchange - For buying, selling, and trading of model horses other equines, even cattle! Breyers, Stones, Hartlands, resins, chinas and any other type hobby items! The most active sales list on Yahoo.
- Model Horse Blab - A forum where all things model horse are discussed daily. The basic discussion forums are free, and there is a section for the posting of models for sale.
- Model-Horse-Free - Discussions of all aspects of model horses, including buying, selling, and trading.
- Model Horse Lovers - Group for lovers of model horses to post sales lists, S/D lists, wanted lists, to ask questions, and to discuss about model horses.
- Model Horse Traders - A place for you to list your sales lists, trades and want lists. Avoid the hassles and listing fees of auctions.
- The Model Exchange - Model horse sales, want to buy, and for trade lists.
On-Line Auctions/Classified Ads: one of the most popular methods of buying and selling today.
- eBay - has hundreds of Breyer listings.
- Model Horse Sales Pages - MH$P offers text and photo ads.
- Model Horse Wanted Board - new site offering free listings.
- ModelXchange - an auction site specifically designed for model horses.
Antique Stores/Collectible Shops/Garage Sales: probably the most fun way to find what you need. Careful hunting can turn up some amazing bargains, but be careful of what you pay, especially in antique shops; in my experience many models there are grossly overpriced. Having a collector's guide with you when you shop will help determine what's a fair price.
Live Model Horse Shows: these competitions almost always have "for sale" tables. This is probably the best way to buy when you want to be absolutely sure of a model's condition. BreyerFest is a terrific example.
Good Luck!
