Collectables - The basics
Welcome!
Welcome to my first blog about collecting. Over the years, friends, colleagues and family have insisted that I should be sharing my passion and knowledge about Collectibles with a wider audience. So here we are! These blogs will provide advice, knowledge, and general tips on collecting, whether you are new to the hobby, or a seasoned collector. Maybe you are excited by the idea of turning your passion into a tangible collection, or even intangible? Yes, we’ll get into NFT’s as well!! Maybe you just don’t know where to start. Well, I get it. The world of collectibles can be a little intimidating with many questions - What should I collect? Where do I find cool stuff? How do I know what i’m buying is real? Am I getting a good deal? Etc… I’ll be answering these questions and many more in the coming weeks. No matter what type of items you collect, you've found the right place. We have all the information and tips you need to get more out of this great hobby!
Decide what to collect.
It requires time and dedication to become a serious collector, so most people collect something they are truly passionate about. This makes total sense. The deeper your interest is, the more likely you are to stick with it. Maybe it's something you are nostalgic about -say your favorite baseball team, or rock band from when you were a kid.
Once you've decided what you’re into, it's important to determine what aspects you'd like in your collection. It's a good idea to be pretty specific about what to collect, at least to begin with. You can concentrate your knowledge and expertise on a particular area which enables you to make smarter decisions about the authenticity and value of an item, so you're less likely to make expensive mistakes when buying. It also allows you to enhance the quality of your collection rather than spreading your budget too thinly. Remember: quality not quantity. Another thing to consider - how much space do you have in terms of storage? This is an important question that could help narrow down what items make the cut when building your collection.
Understand your motives.
Collecting is a personal passion. Ideally you collect because you love the objects and they speak to you. For many, collecting is nostalgic and emotive. Are you looking for financial gains or emotional satisfaction? If you're hoping they will be a fantastic investment that will pay your kid's college tuition then maybe collecting isn't right for you. It's best to collect what you can afford, not what others are collecting. Understanding your motives is critical: Why are you collecting?
Know as much as you can about what you collect.
The more you know about the items you are collecting, the better your decisions will be when it comes to buying and selling. Doing your research will help you work out an item's rarity, historical significance, or condition, which will help you establish how collectable and valuable it is. If you are just starting out, this is tough, but there are many resources out there, including online collecting forums, auction house websites, book, magazines, and other collectors.
Look for authenticity.
Authenticity or originality are one of the most important aspect of collecting. Always make sure a piece has been examined by a reputable independent third-party appraiser before you purchase it. Make sure it's someone who has experience and expert knowledge of your particular collecting category. For instance, there's not much point in having a set of Beatles autographs authenticated by a sneaker expert!
Know the value.
Determine the value of your item. If you're purchasing an item - know how much to spend on an item before you bid or make an offer so that you don't overpay. Most auction houses publish past auction prices on their websites and there are several online subscription price databases that are also available.
Know where to buy.
Knowing where to buy is just as important as knowing what you're buying, especially when you're just starting out. Your best options are reputable auction houses, dealers, or online sellers. The key word is reputable, so choose wisely. It's much less risky to buy from a seller who has a specific expertise and a good reputation in the items that you collect.