Have you been thinking of a new hobby that you could take up? Lots of people instantly think of getting involved with a sport whenever they start looking for a new hobby, but if you are not particularly sporty, then that suggestion might not impress you! Not too keen on reading or other creative pursuits, either? Well, there is one other idea that we have for you. In fact, this suggestion is quite trendy right now as many hipsters are starting to pursue it.
Why not become a collector and start a new collection? Not only does this give you something to do in your spare time, but it could also work out as a very valuable investment eventually. Some collections, such as stamps and baseball cards, can increase in value over time and you’ll be able to sell them for a tidy profit at some point in the future. That’s especially the case if you can add any very valuable items to your collection!
Ready to get started on your new life as a serious collector? Here are some tips that can help you get your new collection up and running:
Antiques are always a good way to go!
Realize Your Passion:
First, you need to think about what you are going to collect. It’s a good idea to start collecting something related to your passion and main interests. That way, you are a lot less likely to get bored of whatever it is that you are collecting. You should also have a fairly good background knowledge on whatever it is you are collecting, which will make this a much more interesting hobby for you to pursue. Thanks to this knowledge, you will probably already be pretty clued up on how to spot authentic items and which to pass on.
Pretty!
Catalogue Everything:
Once you start a collection, you should try and make sure that you don’t accidentally buy two or more of the same item. That would be a waste of money and will only take up space in your home, especially if the items that you are collecting are large. One way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that you catalogue everything that you buy. Don’t worry; this doesn’t have to be an extensive catalogue system – simply recording each item that you buy is enough to keep track of what you have in your possession. You should be alright keeping a record in a notebook, but if your collection becomes extensive, you might want to consider buying a specialist computer software to help you keep track of everything in your collection.
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Buy Authentic Items:
You will find that some collectables can be rather expensive. As a result, there are a lot of people out there who are selling fakes and pretending that they are the real deal so that they can take advantage of collectors. To make sure that you’re not fooled by any scammers, you need to make sure that you are careful to only buy authentic items. If you do buy a forgery, you will find that you won’t be able to sell it at the price that you bought to make a profit.
Are you wondering how to make sure that you always buy authentic items? First, make sure that you use reputable sellers and shops. When you visit the website where you are hoping to buy your collectibles, you should make sure that there is a wealth of information about each item. They should also have accreditations that prove that they are the genuine sellers. If possible, try and find some reviews from other sellers, as well. Generally speaking, it is always better to buy from official sites instead of auction sites like eBay, as it is easier to figure out whether the seller is genuine or not.
Stamp collecting is always popular.
Sell & Buy:
When it comes to collecting, it is rarely a one-way street. You will find that the majority of collector sell as well as buy. This is, more often than not, for practical reasons. For example, they might need to make more space in their home for more valuable items and, therefore, sell off some of their lower value items. Or, it could be for financial reasons – some collectors sell off some of their items to make funds for more expensive and rarer ones. It’s a good idea to set up your own eBay site to aid your selling. If that sounds like too much effort for you, you could also sell through a genuine collectible seller or shop. Just remember that they will take a commission, though, so you won’t get 100% of the profits.
Work On Relationships With Sellers:
Once you start to regularly return to the same sellers, it’s a good idea to try and develop a rapport and relationship with them. Lots of sellers really appreciate their loyal customers, as they help them make a profit each month. You will find that the sellers you always go back to will be really appreciative of your business. As a result, you will find that they might offer you some discounts on buying in bulk and they could also offer you other special and exclusive deals. Plus, when they start to get a feel for the kinds of things that you are after, they could contact you to let you know whenever they get something new in their shop.
Think About Storage:
Ideally, you need to try and keep all of your collectibles in pristine condition. This way, they will retain as much of their value as possible. So, it’s a good idea to try and keep the items in their original packaging. You might also want to buy some display cases if you want to use your collectibles as part of your decor.
Lots of people find that starting a collection is a very worthwhile hobby and one that can bring them significant profits. Do you think this sounds like the one for you?
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