Do customs sell?

[Mr Nobody]

Just curious whether or not there's any kind of market for non-commissioned work, since most are usually commission pieces.

[Dravenheart]

I figure better customizers will answer this as well, but thought I'd offer my opinion. Yes, there is definitely a market for customs outside of commissions. EBay is pretty much where you'll find it. But, it takes a slow start and actively listing to pick up the sales. Commissions offer more of a guarantee, but I've had figures sell on EBay for more than I would have commissioned them for. Etsy is nice too. I haven't managed to sell anything there, but it's been a fantastic source of commissions. So yeah, it can work pretty well. I'm just a moderate customizer and if I can get sells to pick up, others can definitely pull it off.

[FUGAYZIE]

it all depends on who wants what you got. i've had customs sell for $400+ on ebay and others that barley broke $10. these days everyone and their mother sells custom figures on ebay, though i would say most of them are crap. many people have gotten into customizing only to try and make a quick buck. they think, "oh, i'll slap a little paint on this or a black wash on that and ask for a few hundred $". commissions are a good way to sell and make a name for yourself. although, commissions can become a pain in the ass too. every once in a while you will get a customer who nit-picks every thing. those are the type of people who, no matter what you do or redo, will never be happy. i love customizing and i love viewing quality work througout the customizing community. i just wish the field was less polluted.

 

i also agree that etsy is a great place, but i dont often see custom figures selling on there.

[Zomak]

I customize my toys but when I try to sell them sometimes I don't even break even and sometimes I do pretty well.

 

When I work on a toy it literally takes me hours to finish. I could try to rush but with a regular job and responsibilities at home at rush job does not turn out too well. When I customize now I do it for the love of doing it and not for a quick buck. For me it just did not pay off.

 

Hope that helps.

[hamsterboy]

I think it also depends on what the custom is.

[JoeRhyno]

I started out selling mine, but like others have said, some sell for a lot, then some barely sell. I just recently started taking commissions and working on some more for ebay to try it out again.I would say, post them here, see if there is a response and then go from there.

[revsears]

having a well known name helps too, if you spread your work out on a bunch of sites it might help, especially sites like joecustoms.maybe even do an easy wordpress blog so that you can advertise a link to a gallery.