| Many people who collect valuables hope that | | | | at a low price might bring you twice as much |
| one day their collections will be worth | | | | if you find someone willing to pay. |
| something. Others might build an impressive | | | | |
| collection for sheer joy of having that | | | | Get Online |
| collection, but there is still a small part | | | | |
| in each person that secretly wants to know | | | | Internet auction sites, such as eBay and |
| what their collection is worth. While not | | | | others are great resources for a quick |
| every collection will yield a fortune, it's | | | | assessment. You might not find your exact |
| still good to know for insurance purposes. | | | | item, but you might find a listing of |
| | | | something that is similar or within the same |
| Assessing collections is an art. Many people | | | | collection. Auction sites make it easy to |
| have taken their hobby to the next level and | | | | keep track of the number of bids and the |
| have become experts on specific items. For | | | | amount each person is bidding. If you want |
| the most accurate results, finding one such | | | | to sell your item, list it and place a |
| specialist will help immensely, but there are | | | | "minimum bid amount." By doing this, you will |
| steps you can take to do some of the initial | | | | get at least that amount for your item and |
| footwork on your own. | | | | possibly even more. Competition is fierce and |
| | | | don't be surprised if the real bidding war |
| Price Guides | | | | doesn't start until the last few minutes just |
| | | | before the auction is scheduled to close. |
| The best place to start to find the value of | | | | |
| a single piece in your collection, or the | | | | Check with Dealers and Appraisers |
| entire collection itself, is price guides. | | | | |
| Price guides are generally books wtih | | | | Sometimes the only way to determine the true |
| listings for a wide selection of collectibles | | | | value of your collection is through the |
| in different stages of upkeep - fair, mint, | | | | expert eyes of a professional. If you want a |
| poor, etc. Some guides will have several | | | | general idea of the item's worth, asking for |
| types of collectibles listed in a single | | | | an informal appraisal from a licensed antique |
| source, but you can also narrow down your | | | | or collectible dealer is a good place to |
| search with more specific information for a | | | | start. Once you know if you've got something |
| exact item or type of collection. | | | | worth pursuing, you can arrange for a paid |
| | | | appraisal and decide whether you want to keep |
| Find Local Antique Shops or Trade Shows | | | | or sell your item. |
| | | | |
| Chances are, you're not the only one | | | | Collecting things is a great hobby. |
| collecting the items you have. The best | | | | Collectibles help us stay connected with the |
| places to compare the value of your | | | | past and often the sentimental value far |
| collection to others are at trade shows or | | | | outweighs the monetary value. Many people, |
| antique shops. Keep in mind the market value | | | | though, collect items in hopes that one day |
| can fluctuate from the number you may have | | | | the collection will bring a great return for |
| found on your own. The market value for some | | | | their investment. Either way, it's always fun |
| items might be high, but that doesn't mean | | | | to know how much your collection is worth |
| you'll find somebody who is willing to pay | | | | whether you plan on keeping it or selling it |
| that much for it. Other times, an item listed | | | | one day in the future. |