Selling To Hollywood
Summary: christworks initiated a discussion about selling items to production crews and celebrities, sharing they recently sold something to an NBC actress. Participants shared similar experiences, with items ranging from vintage clothing to prop items being bought by production companies, celebrities, and museums. tools* shared a unique story about selling to high-profile individuals like Michael Jackson. There were also anecdotes about unexpected customer interactions, such as gurlcat recognizing their item on a TV show. Many sellers emphasized the professionalism of dealing with production crews and the excitement of seeing their items possibly used in media productions.
Every few months I get a sale that is going to a production crew, sometimes even an actor/actress. I just sold something to an actress on a show on NBC. They are going to use it on the set. It got me to thinking if anybody else here gets these type of orders. I don't specificlly market some of my more nostalgic items to production crews but I know some sellers do.
Just curious if anybody has any stories along this line. I've not seen it discussed here.
pickapaper
·1 week agoMany years ago I sold a decorative object to a member of the Ferragamo (fashion) family. I thought that was pretty cool. And about 20 years ago we sold a piano on eBay and shipped it to Washington, D.C.; the buyer was the secretary of a famous politician. I know the politician plays the piano but I don't know if the buyer bought it for herself or on behalf of her boss.
thelongball
·1 week agoHave sold several celebrities thru the years. Probably more than I realize as many of them have people buy things for them. Have sold things that were movie bound and even once sold something that was used in a book. The author even gave me a credit in the book for the help given. Thought that was real nice of him. More times than not I've sold to relatives and friends of athletes. My all-time favorite wasn't on eBay but at a Sports Card show in New York around 1989. Sold to Billy Crystal. Didn't even realize it was him until after he left and the guy next to me told me who I had just finished working with.
a-lotta-stuff
·1 week agoJust sold a vintage portable reel to reel tape recorder to a 'producer' to be used as a 'prop' in a 'music video' - Googled the guy's name from the shipping label - Turns out that he's a producer of concert and music videos - the Cure, Depress Mode, Robin Williams, Pet Shop Boys.
gloryglorygifts
·3 weeks ago · EditedI've had a few sales to celebs~ an actress, a psychic (weird, right?) and an ex-Yankee. My favorite one was a local pick up (not one of the above) that was looking for a special gift for his mom (that was through my website which had a full store on it). He came to my house to pick it up, thanked me for the personal attention and said that I had a nice little business for myself and wished me continued success. That was nice and meant a lot to me.
reallynicestamps
·3 weeks agoNot a sale, but I once rented my house - at least the front porch - to Radio-Canada for a scene in a television production.
What a to do!
The actor opened the front door, and walked down the 13 steps of my 1892 house. That was it.
It took the whole day, and our block was filled with trucks and vans.
steve_stuff
·3 weeks agoTo 'Hollywood' a few things for the same reason - in 2007 all of Bob Newhart records to his nephew to replace Bob's heat damaged copies.
Back in 2002 sold George Lopez productions a vhs copy of his pilot episode - they had forgot to keep a copy for him.
Non hollywood -
Sold Bob Welch [pitcher] something back in 99
Sold the 2nd bass player of the band "Crow" [Evil Woman don't play your games with me] a copy of the 4th LP which he was on so his grandson could see him on the back cover.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoAmong the items I sell are theatre programs and playbills.
One of the recurring types of business we did was selling playbills for the Broadway run of a play to theatre companies around the country to gift to the director of their local theatre production of the play.
Now, selling on Ebay, I would have no clue that was the reason for a purchase.
authentic*vintage
·3 weeks agoLove this topic - I sold a set of melamine platters to the Ncis Origins Prop Dept - I meant to watch the darn show but never did - anyway this is what it was:
monroe67
·3 weeks agoI sure wish I could market specifically to "Hollywood" -- meaning, of course, the film and television industries.
I have some very good heavy glass hanging lamps that my folks bought in 1962.
And a tension pole lamp with Early American-style hurricane lamps and floral hand-painted globes around them, bought at the same time. In excellent condition, just a little dusty.
I would be happy to meet up with any Production Assistant at any fast food location or shopping center along Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and San Diego to transfer the item(s) to their new owners.
funtreasures407
·3 weeks agoI sold a giant stash of doll magazines from the 80s and 90s. After the sale, often people responded back that they were a doll artist featured in that magazine and were so thankful to have a copy of the old magazine.
luckythewinner
·3 weeks agoSeveral times, I have sold rock music memorabilia to those artists themselves, or members of their bands.
squinkercat59
·3 weeks agoWhen I had my vintage clothing store I sold to different productions frequently. Then I moved to a smaller town, but there was a large playhouse nearby that brought a good amount of business. Sold an item to someone that was in a television show, as a gift to his co-star. Those were all in-person sales. Best Ebay experience was selling some old movie posters to the widow of the person that starred in them. Have sold several items to various museums from time to time.
robot-hands
·3 weeks ago · EditedI sell to set designers all the time. A few I can remember:
Last of Us
See
Ingolstadt
Hubie Halloween
chapeau-noir
·3 weeks agoI've actually lost count of playhouses, production crews, property people, etc., I've sold to down through the years, particularly when I was selling a lot of vintage - I think that was the reason.
iamalwaysright
·3 weeks agoSold a few things to some celebs or Hollywood. A bunch of belts to wardrobe for Anchorman 2 movie. Most recently sold something to the most famous skateboarder ever.
kandf_vintage_finds
·3 weeks agoluv T.H.
1786davycrockett
·3 weeks agoNearly forgot -- many years ago, Tiny Tim's widow (no, not Miss Vicki -- his third wife, Miss Susan) purchased a copy of "Ramparts" magazine, which had a photo of Tiny on the cover, as well as an article inside. In his later years, Tiny Tim lived in Minnesota, and even shopped regularly at the same comic book store where I was a customer and contributing writer to the store's 'zine.
robot-hands
·3 weeks agoI bought a 55" painting of Tiny Tim from an estate sale in central Illinois. Owners were close personal friends apparently. Neighbor that was a local artist painted it for them in the mid 80s.
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·3 weeks agoYes, sold to quite a few celebrities
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoI've sold to prop departments for movies and TV shows from time to time.
The sales which have heartened me the most have been sales to well known celebrities who were known to be major collectors. Their collections were extensive, and I was proud to have something they had not owned before.
There was one famous collector that I did not know was my customer. I deal with this very efficient woman for over a year who would buy about $3k in merchandise a month.
When this famous person died, I was watching the TV news and there was a statement from his private secretary. She was the monthly buyer. The customer was Michael Jackson.
I do not disclose the names of my living buyers online.
I am missing one of my buyers who I have not gotten an order from since the LA fires. I was in touch with him during the fires and he had been evacuated. I fear his collection may have been lost.
adamcartwright
·3 weeks agoWhat kinds of things did MJ buy?
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoHe bought an extensive collection of 1893 Columbian Expo Collectibles from me. Paper and books and tangible souvenirs of various pavilions and exhibitors.
He collected a great many types of item which one would not have expected him to.
I have over the years met other dealers who had him for a customer, who dealt with the same secretary who bought other uncommon and unpredictable items for him.
adamcartwright
·3 weeks ago · EditedVery cool. I think he was a very interesting and interested person.
That 1893 Columbia Expo and how it was built is a fascinating subject. The book about it and the murders committed during it, The Devil in the White City, is great.
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoI once saw him shopping in an antique store -he would check things just briefly while walking along, pointing at each thing he wanted, saying 'this' and a woman with him would take a quick photo because it was so many things she couldn't possibly remember them all. -I wonder if that was the same woman purchasing from you!
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoProbably, she was very bright and highly efficient and with him for quite some time.
asset_liquidators
·3 weeks agoSold something to the studio that produced the For All Mankind series on Apple TV (and it was noted for season 2 or season 3, can't remember which). I think that was the Sony Picture studios.
Funny thing is, It had been listed on ebay for a couple years without any interest. Then suddenly it gets removed for a policy violation stating it was a prescription item (it wasn't) and it wasn't even a medical item. It was a keypad controller with the digipot dial. I just shook my head in eBays infinite wisdom to be that... uneducated.
I didn't bother to appeal it and put it on another ecommerce site. It sold within a week!
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoI saw an item I sold sitting atop a mountain of stuff in a shopaholic's house, on 'Hoarders.' -Does that count?
adamcartwright
·3 weeks agoHilarious -- what was it?
gurlcat
·3 weeks ago · EditedThis lamp. It made train sounds when you pushed the button. I recognized the recycled box I'd shipped it in, still sitting beside it.
fm2000
·3 weeks agoI have had a few celebrities buy things from me over the years, complete with their real names and home addresses (all of which I keep confidential, of course). I was honestly astonished they would do that in this day and age, thankfully I am a kind, professional and, most important, sane person that people can trust.
A few production companies have bought from me over the years looking for vintage prop items. A Sears catalog I sold ended up on The Marvelous Miss Maisel. It only happens once every few years, but I am happy to sell to prop houses, they pay full price, don't complain and it is a guaranteed professional (drama free) transaction.
christworks
OP3 weeks ago@fm2000 I also was a bit taken aback the first time an actress ordered from me using her own address.
I will say this. Every time I've been aware it was an actor or actress ordering, they have left nice feedback.
adamcartwright
·3 weeks agoDo they leave FB for you?
christworks
OP3 weeks ago@adamcartwright Yes, every one that I know for sure has been a celebrity order, they have left feedback. I don't think the production studios have ever left feedback, but actors/actresses and one producer have all left feedback.
I checked the feedback of the actress who ordered today she does not leave feedback for any seller so I don't expect it from her. That's alright though I'm happy to have that Talking Big Mouth Bass that didn't work right out of my store. That was a return and whether my other customer broke it or a wire slipped loose during shipment, I don't know. I relisted it for parts and slashed the price. If I ever have another one that does not work right, I'm going to market it for production since they only need it for decor.
jerseyboymusic
·3 weeks agoYears ago, I sold a stereo to the Mythbusters... I sold a Trapper Keeper to the show Fresh Off The Boat (I spotted it in an episode)... something else to The Sopranos and a doll to Chuck Negron's wife
tools*
·3 weeks agoAbout twenty years ago, I sold something to one of the stars of the TV show Two and a Half Men. (The one who isn't the son of the actor in West Wing.) It was a really nice handwritten New York tavern license from the 1790s, and he said he was giving it as a gift to a friend who owns a bar in NYC. I shipped it to him at a Beverly Hills address.
About a year later, I sold a vintage Patek Philippe watchband to the actor who is the son of the actor in West Wing, also shipped to a Beverly Hills address. I guess I was recommended.
I also sold a collectible to the late host of the PBS news show MacNeil Lehrer, around the same time. (The one whose name doesn't start with M.)
Oh, and a co-founder of Apple (The one who is still alive.) sent me an email from his personal account about 25 years ago complaining about a legitimate software package that I had a right to sell on eBay. I didn't take it down and it sold.
christworks
OP3 weeks agoAwesome stories.
68barbie
·3 weeks agoI've sold a few pieces to Tyler Perry Studios! I always hoped they'd show up in a Madea movie but I've not spotted them yet.
-C
onefootflipper
·3 weeks agoI sold a lot of items that went the the comic shop set on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, they have yet to show up on camera.
I have sold to many other prop people, but this was the only one that I ever found out exactly what production and set they were going to (it was literally in the address).
1786davycrockett
·3 weeks agoA couple years ago, I sold a period magazine to a production company for a movie featuring Woody Harrelson.
I never saw the movie, so I don't know if it actually made the cut.
dhbookds
·3 weeks ago · EditedYep, several to production companies.........one "express" to a Broadway show.....an old argyle sweater. In a previous id, one thingy to a singer with a rather "nasty" name....who apologized for using that language..... lol
kickin.assets
·3 weeks agoWas personally disappointed last year to find out my denim was republican after selling to a trump and a vance in the same month … lol
a_c_green
·3 weeks agoYes! It's been a number of years now since I was doing virtually all auctions for my listings of vintage bicycle accessories (primarily BuyItNow these days), but I went through a period of about 18 months or so where I had two bidders with a price-is-no-object style of bidding: if I saw them in an auction, I knew they would win it.
There were two bidding accounts that I would recognize: they knew to stay out of each other's way in an auction, so it would be either one or the other, but they had the same L.A. address, which Google told me was a movie prop house. I never found out what their assignment was, but they were two of the best buyers I ever had.
le-5262
·3 weeks agoI had a coffeepot that went to a set department...
never watched the season to see if it made it on camera.
I think I had a couple sales to politicians or their families...
and last year I sold an old horse collar to a clothing company for their Christmas window tour in NYC.