Featured Collection
1987 Fleer Baseball Card Set
Hand collated, complete 660 Card set, with stickers in card album. Barry Bonds rookie card PSA graded Mint 9 [# 06174212]. Click here to read more...
Tips & Wisdom About Collecting
- Ask questions Buyers should ask sellers questions and vice versa. Know as much as you can about who you are buying from or selling to and ask about the specific item or collection. When was it purchased? What is it's history? Why are you selling? Why are you interested in buying?
- Buy the book first! Buy the book about the collecting topic before you spend much to buy the collectibles. The first step in collecting anything is to learn about the artifact, preservation, value, availability, etc.
- Buyer beware Caveat Emptor (Latin for “Buyer Beware”)refers to problems associated with identifying artifacts. Some unscrupulous dealers actually hide or minimize relevant information about the condition of a collectible and even its ownership.
- Collect what appeals to you and what you can afford! Collect what you like. When you start collecting you may find yourself looking at collectibles as investments. Don't assume you can resell a collectible at a "profit". You may need to own it for a long time. So make sure you want to own it before you buy it.
- Collectibles should tell a story. A major part of the appeal of a collectible is the memories it evokes in a person when they see or touch it. If you are trying to sell a collectible, know the story. If you are buying a collectible, know the story.
- Collecting is a process Finding the artifacts, evaluating and organizing them is usually fun. Buying a complete collection may satisfy the desire to own the artifacts, but the collection one completes piece by piece often has great sentimental value.
- Condition is IMPORTANT. When pristine, as new condition, collectibles are available then grading heavily influences perceived resale value.
- Confirm the authenticity of an artifact The more scarce and more valuable an artifact or item the more likely it is that someone may try to produce and sell a copy or counterfeit item. Check for clues; examine photos and grading guides; check the seller. For valuable items where you have any doubt about any item use an Authenticator.
- Examine items carefully Beginning collectors need to learn what they should look for when examining a collectible. Learn about how to grade the item and beware of alterations and fakes.
- Go to shows and conventions It is important to meet with other collectors, dealers and experts. See what is selling and what is not.
- Inventory your most important collectibles Know what you have and where it is stored. Make sure that if something happened to you that a loved one would be able to manage the preservation or sale of your collectibles.
- Know why you collect! Do you collect for personal pleasure, for investment or for resale? Or some of each? Have your goals changed?
- Remember buyer's regret It is not uncommon to wondering if you made the right decision when you purchase a collectible ... especially with expensive items, buyer's regret is common. Do the research on the item to minimize buyer's regret.
- Sell what you have, buy what's hot! It is hard to make a living buying and selling collectibles. You must be willing to sell what you have! We credit this tip to the "King of Cards" Mike Rea of A To Z Cards & Comics.
- Set realistic collecting goals What is you goal for your collection? Do you have both short-term and long-term goals? Do you want a small collection of rare exceptional items? Do you want a collection that is decorative rather than "rare"? Do you want quantity to fill a show room or living room? Is the collection an investment or a hobby? Depending upon your goals, your tactics for finding and collecting items will differ.
- Storing collectibles properly is important. A poorly stored collectible loses any value it might have quickly. Sun light, temperature, humidty, dust, and other environmental factors can destroy precious collectibles.
- There is NO "right" way to organize a collection. Try to find a flexible way to catalog and group what you own and leave space holders for what you want. Part of the fun of collecting can be reorganizing your collections as your collecting interests change. For example, what started as a modern U.S. stamp collection might evolve into a topical collection on sports or inventors of the twentieth century.
- Use appropriate storage materials It is important to evaluate what storage is appropriate for each collectible item based on condition, size and value. The more valuable the item the more that one should invest in storage containers. When in doubt consult someone with more experience.
