| You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order | | | | looking for, they may be able to direct you to |
| Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To | | | | others who have exactlywhat you need!) |
| begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to | | | | |
| YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks | | | | Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local |
| researching that hobby. You must learn what | | | | newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number. |
| collectors want and how much they are willing to | | | | |
| pay for it. You should also know what other | | | | It is amazing what you can find in your local |
| dealers are willing to pay forthe merchandise | | | | community if you work at it. However, if you |
| which they sell. And you must be willing to pay | | | | can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the |
| the same amounts. | | | | Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are |
| | | | very, very low. And you will soon discover that |
| Perhaps you already know exactly what you | | | | they are widely read! |
| want to sell. If youhave been collecting old | | | | |
| Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying | | | | Once you have accumulated a decent stock of |
| and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic | | | | merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If |
| Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell | | | | there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all |
| what you yourself would buy. | | | | means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made |
| | | | audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines. |
| To give you an idea of what collectors buy and | | | | |
| sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's | | | | Type up a list of what you have and have an |
| collectables:Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, | | | | Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for |
| License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music | | | | you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, |
| Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old | | | | mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half |
| Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll | | | | thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad |
| Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old | | | | can merely offeryour list to interested collectors |
| Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, | | | | free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon |
| Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old | | | | clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale |
| Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon | | | | straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in |
| Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, | | | | your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . |
| Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, | | | | . . eagerly! |
| Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane | | | | |
| Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, | | | | Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers |
| Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, | | | | for yourconsideration: |
| Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, | | | | |
| Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, | | | | "Railroad Timetables, 1940's Four different - |
| Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, | | | | $4.00 postpaid.. |
| Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, | | | | |
| Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad | | | | "Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List." |
| Passes, Antique Barbed Wire | | | | |
| | | | "85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, |
| | | | etc. 1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)." |
| | | | |
| Once you have selected your field, start a file. | | | | "Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks, Stills, |
| Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of | | | | 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents" |
| merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's | | | | |
| buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send | | | | "Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list." |
| for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN | | | | |
| EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD. | | | | "Sheet Music. SASE for list." |
| | | | |
| Try to locate any publications that deal with your | | | | Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, |
| field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed | | | | "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped |
| publications andnewsletters which will give you all | | | | envelope". As you progress, you will learn |
| kinds of useful information. | | | | continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that |
| | | | they learn more from the collectors who buy |
| Your next step is to look for merchandise in your | | | | from them than they could ever learn from any |
| own community.Here are some suggestions: | | | | other source. |
| | | | |
| Start by attending flea markets and antique | | | | Note to editors:To show my appreciation to the |
| shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. | | | | editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo |
| They often have what they consider "junk" | | | | ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form |
| stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue | | | | on the contact me page on my website to tell |
| to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp | | | | me the url the article was used on or send me a |
| collectionthat way! | | | | copy of the ezine it was used in. |
| | | | |
| Browse around through Thrift Shops. | | | | Copyright 2004 by DeAnna SpencerDeAnna |
| | | | Spencer is a virtual assistant that helps |
| Study the garage sale ads in your local | | | | entrepreneurs run a successful business by |
| newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. | | | | providing affordable administrative help. She also |
| (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by | | | | publishes a blog for small business owners. Visit |
| telling people what kind of merchandise you are | | | | this small business resource today. |