TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A Tucson business struggling to survive during the coronavirus pandemic is now thriving as an online auction house. Everything from vintage Barbie dolls and G.I. Joes to early video game consoles are up for auction.
“When I built this, it was the largest soundstage in Arizona,” said owner Laura Levin. Factor48.com. “When COVID-19 hit, all the dynamics really changed. So we had to pivot.”
The shift moved Mr. Levin into this 60,000-square-foot warehouse near downtown and transitioned from film production to online auctions.
“We started online auctions to sell livestock at the Pima County Fair and realized that online auctions were a great way to sell our products,” Levin recalled.
In just a few years, her Tucson auction house, Factor48.com, took off. Bids come in from all over the country and around the world.
Now, Levin and his six employees, including his father, are in the midst of auctioning off their extensive collection.
“We have tens of thousands of toys,” Levin said.
Factor48.com is auctioning off inventory from Retro Toys and More, a Tucson toy store that closed after the death of its owner.
“We went in, took inventory of everything, moved everything out, and within about two and a half weeks the building was empty,” Levin said.
Currently, there are some toys in her warehouse that still need to be sorted, but many are boxed and ready to be shipped once the auction ends and the winning bidder pays.
What is the most popular toy right now? Barbie. Recent movies have made toys like this 1960s Barbie kitchen set popular.
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There is also a lot of interest in GI Joe. The featured piece is his 1985 GI Joe USS Flag Aircraft Carrier.
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“It's almost complete,” Levin said.
Back in 1985, many kids dreamed of receiving this aircraft carrier GI Joe. The price at the time was $150.
It's currently up for auction on Factor48.com, and will probably sell for much more than that.
Many other retro game consoles and original Ghostbusters toys will be up for auction soon as well.
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Just as Levin got a second chance after COVID-19, these toys will get a second chance for collectors.
“I didn't expect this at all, but things have changed a lot,” Levin said.
Her Factor48.com also handles overstock and clearance sales, but her current focus is on retro toy auctions.
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Pat Paris He is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. He is a graduate of Sabino High School and won the 1982 High School State Track and Field Championship in the 800 meters. While attending high school and college, he worked part-time at his KGUN 9 newsroom.Share your story ideas or important issues with Pat via email pat.parris@kgun9.com or by connecting Facebook, twitterand Instagram.
