What Sells: Collectibles

Collecting is a passionate hobby for many, and online marketplaces are terrific places to buy or sell unusual and hard-to-find items. In fact, the Collectibles category is one of the largest and most varied, including everything from vintage lunchboxes and WWII uniforms to contemporary porcelain figurines and Longaberger baskets.

There have been thousands of books published about collecting, and many are very helpful when it comes to identifying and describing items for sale online. Pricing guides are of less help, since online values tend to fluctuate and rarely agree with the prices one finds in brick and mortar antique stores. It’s better to look at the prices for closed listings found on the leading online marketplaces when designing a pricing strategy for an item you plan to sell online.

Here are additional resources to help you identify and sell collectibles:

Collectics is an extensive website covering a wide range of collectibles. Visit the site at http://www.collectics.com/education.html

Yahoo has a directory of collector websites that includes popular and offbeat items like typewriters, fishing lures, beer cans, glass insulators and even air sickness bags. Visit the website at http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Hobbies/Collecting/

Look for the following signs of wear:

• Scuffs, scratches and gouges
• Dents
• Stains and corrosion
• Faded, worn or ripped material
• Mold or mildew
• Chipped, cracked or broken glass or porcelain
• Missing knobs, buttons or other decorative elements
• Warped, cracked or split wood
• Damage from water, alcohol, sunlight or other substances

Keep collectibles in a well-ventilated room, away from children, pets, smoke and cooking odors. Never place an item in direct sunlight. Don’t place an item next to heating vents or air conditioners, either, since temperature/humidity changes can cause damage.

If an item includes a case, place the item in the case, pack the case in bubble wrap and place it into a bed of packing peanuts for shipment.

The size and delicacy of a collectible can require special shipping. It’s best to determine the shipping method in advance and to include an estimate of the total shipping cost in your listing.