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