A collection is a moving thing, believe it or not.
Including my own collection(s), though it moves at the pace of a crippled nail.
I have a lot of boxes that consist of my "collections" and a lot of stuff I never intended to collect is in those boxes as well.
My problem is that I am a pack rat (like minded folks are on the TV a lot lately) and I seldom seem to find the time to let go of the things I do not want or do not need.
I also seldom (make that almost never) purchase large lots, since I seldom need enough of the large collections I see on e-Bay to justify the upfront costs for the few items in that collection that I do want.
Not specificllay because I could not afford to, but I KNOW I wont be re-selling it any time soon...
Meaning that money is tied up LONG TERM.
While next week, something comes up that I REALLY do want... no funds left since I spent it all on that large lot...
For instance, I already have
NM copies of every OD&D Supplement, all 1st prints, with the Greyhawk being as close to pristine and Mint as any I have ever seen.
So unless the deal is really good for me, I wont chase more copies of them and I am also not a must have every print collector either.
I also have three OD&D Box Sets, one
woodie (2nd), and two White Box Sets (5th-6th), all in
VF or better condition.
I would like to own a 4th, but it would need to be a nice one for me to dedicate the funds (I do not need a reading copy).
And I most definaltey could not afford to buy your entire collection just to get that one item... (for instance)
As for the Dungeoneers, I have most of the ones you are offering too.
Missing only two of them and I wont pay $250 (or more) for all of them knowing I must turn around and try to re-sell the others to get some of that back, so I wont even bother sending an offer on those two that I do want as you have made it clear that is not acceptable.
Even so, most of the handful of big time collectors that would be able (and willing) to pony up several hundreds of dollars for something like your collection are most probably really only going after several keys items.
Not really caring (As you do) about the rest.
All the rest would probably be pieced out by the buyer for re-sell later on.
Reason being that most of the large volume "Collectors" here already have almost everything in your collection.
Though some might buy it all anyway, knowing they might make some of it back from re-sell.... eventually.
But then again, if you are steadfast staying with getting the highest possible price (IE following a couple of price listings based on grading to the letter) then re-sale isn't very viable for the single buyer either, except again foe the very few who can afford to sit on items they care nothing for.
That means you are even more seriously lowering the number of possible buyers as the guy (or gal) who buys your lot must accept that they are paying top dollar (PLUS 10%) for every item...
So re-selling pieces they do not want to keep those they do want in order to regain some of that upfront expense is going to be nearly impossible.
Another possibility is that 2 or more collectors get together to send over one bid to you for the entire collection, then (if they win) piece up what they (individually) want from the collection and share the re-sale value through sales on e-Bay (or wherever).
I have seen that happen on several occasions here.
In the case of selling it individually on e-Bay, the buyers have a choice to bid on just one item.... just this or that.
Here you are not offering that choice, as you are trying to sell to one buyer... "all or none".
The "all or none" way of doing this most certainly limits the number of buyers for you.
Seriously...
Very few of us is able to (or willing to) drop several hundreds of dollars on your collection.
But, MANY of us would be willing to drop say 50-$75 on this or that.
And one last thing.
Not all collecting geeks looking for items in your collection visit this place, much less buy from new and unknown sellers here, the
active membership here at the Acaeum is probably in the low 3 figures (I am guessing) with perhaps low 4 figures in total membership (again a guess).
E-Bay (accursed as it is) with it's millions of members, is (
IMO) most certainly the way to go with a large collection, but only if that large collection is pieced out in individual listings.
This takes a long time for HUGE collections, but Gary Gygax's Estate is allowing a e-Bay re-seller to do just that with his collection.
His collections will take YEARS (Literally), but you could do yours in a single 5-10 day stretch.
That re-seller is not listing big lots either.
Single items in almost every case.
IMO you would make far more in the end, even considering the e-Bay and Paypal fees.
(Even here you are probably paying Paypal fees anyway, unless you accept a check, or money order or some such thing).
I have faith that you can sell it all here if that is your choice, just do not expect your buyer to keep your collection together.
It would become HIS (or Her) collection at that point.
In your shoes I would be hitting e-Bay, or keep it.
Again best of luck with your sale and even more so in your newfound hobby.