Styrofoam inserts

For me packaging is all or nothing. I will pay more for an item that has all its original packaging because it shows me the prior owner took good care of it, which is especially important with all the digital electronics in modern trains since replacement boards can be difficult to find compared to the ease of finding postwar/mpc parts. But an empty box alone without the inserts wouldn't make me pay more for an item vs one with no box.

Here's something to ponder, some boxes are worth more than the item that came in them.  I actually have boxes that are worth several hundred dollars Empty while the item that came in them are only worth a few dollars.  Boxes are a part of the items overall value so they are worth keeping if you are planning on selling the item someday, if you are never going to sell the item then toss the box, let the guy who will one day sale the item absorb the loss.  Also, if you don't like money or need money then by all means toss the box.  Like a lot of us, I'm always looking for places to stash boxes.  I've run out of room under the layout, I have boxes in my closet, boxes under the desk I'm setting at and even boxes in the garage.  Boxes Boxes Boxes where can I store more boxes, it's a Mad Mad Mad World, of boxes that is. 

@Black Rock Railway posted:

Here's something to ponder, some boxes are worth more than the item that came in them.

Do you think this will apply to modern era trains the way it does to Postwar collecting? I'm not confident it will, looking at the market for MPC items. We're over 50 years out from the start of MPC production and I don't see collector interest in rare packaging anywhere close to the interest Postwar Lionel packaging still holds for many collectors.

That question is for my Magic 8 ball to figure out. I doubt that a lot of collectors thought boxes were valuable when they first came out?  Like anything it takes time for something to become valuable, I won't be here when today's boxes become valuable for todays children. I do know one thing, when I go to purchase an item, I always look to see if it has a box because I want the box too.  If a collector has an items box, then it's a very good indicator that they took care of the items they are selling.  By throwing away that box a future seller is throwing away a large portion of his protentional market.

IMO, the only value of modern boxes is for shipping.  They take up too much space, so I get rid of most of them.  I don't see them ever having the collector value of postwar boxes.  And if by chance they become valuable, by that time I'll be in my own box (or urn).

Marketing idea:  Coffins and urns that look like postwar Lionel boxes.  You can buy a NASCAR or major league sports-themed coffin, so why not? 

@Mallard4468 posted:

IMO, the only value of modern boxes is for shipping.  They take up too much space, so I get rid of most of them.  I don't see them ever having the collector value of postwar boxes.

I hate to disagree with you but my 2010 Vision Line 700E Hudson, that I bought at auction almost ten years ago now, is just crying for a box, one that I can't find at any price.

Now maybe this is a rare exception, but ...

Mike

I love boxes lol. That side of passion started about 5 years ago with me. I'm definitely all for having the original box mint with all the inserts packaging. I even go as far as paying extra to have those items shipped in another box so the original does not get ruined during shipping. That's just me. Anal about my boxes.

To me, the box is very important!!

I generally buy second hand MTH RailKing, and there is info on the box lid to identify the model, its stock/manufacturing number, the cab number, the railroad name, and its circuit board configuration (PS1, PS2, PS3).......all the loco's history I need to remember what exactly it is.

And then there's the "owners manual" that gets stuffed into the box.......something I desperately need, as my brain/memory is not what it used to be, and I forget more than I remember about the various loco's details, running/maintenance requirements etc.

The big plus for me is the box......I need it to get the loco shipped to me safely, and without damage, all the way down-under to Australia. Long live the box, its styrene cradle, and the shipping carton (if it still lives)!!!

Peter.....Buco Australia.

My mother had an antique store years ago. Almost anything that had the original box was worth more and would sell quicker. If you have something you bought new and still have the box, I would keep it for the convenience of storage or shipping. In the guitar world, we like "case candy" which is the cards, tools and pictures that came in the case when it was new.