A Few Words About Collecting
I’ve always been a collector (trading cards, records, soda pop bottles, car stuff, magazines, whatever strikes my fancy), but only recently have I looked at collecting from an investment perspective. Mainly just to see if anything I own is really worth an Antiques Roadshow price.
One thing I’ve discovered is that most serious collectors are looking for things in Near Mint (NM) condition. That’s the price that is most often quoted in price guides. After Near Mint is Very Good + (VG+), or, some people have an Excellent in between NM and VG+. But basically, the price drops in half or more after NM, and in half again for each grade down.
That’s a pretty drastic drop. But, seeing as how very few things in this world are kept in NM condition, those things demand a much higher price. Supply and demand, pure and simple. There are many more of any particular item that are at Very Good condition, so that only receives 1/4 of the price of NM. More items in that quality and fewer collectors willing to accept things in Very Good condition equals a lower price. At first I was kind torqued about this situation, but it really makes sense now that I’ve thought about it.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that the price guides give one price, and eBay sales give another. I’m not in a position to know for sure, but it would seem eBay has dropped the prices on lots of items. I have a VG+ 45 rpm record of The Coasters “Along Came Jones.” In one price guide it gives the NM price as $50-$75, so my VG+ should be worth $25 at least. However, going to eBay, you see several people selling a VG+ copy for $10-$15 if not less. It’s so easy to list on eBay that the market is flooded, bringing prices down.
These are all things to consider when you are looking at collecting, especially if you are collecting as an investment or to make money. The best attitude to have toward collecting is to just collect things you love. Don’t look at your collection as anything but a fun hobby.
