Collecting is a hobby that can be as casual or as serious as you want it to be. For those of you interested in making some extra cash, collecting can be a good way to earn that money. All you have to do is find and gather the things that are interesting to you, and there are plenty of things that you could collect.
You can collect comic books, rare coins, stamps, or dolls like those at Blythe. Many people collect books and don’t even realize it. Whatever your particular niche turns out to be, run with it and see how much merchandise you can get.
When it comes to turning your collection into money, here are some ways you can go about doing just that.
Offer the Whole Collection or Pieces
Depending on your particular niche, it could be best to sell your total collection for a set price or sell individual pieces. When it comes to things like records and books, if you have quite a few from a specific artist or writer, selling all of the pieces you have could get you the best bang for your buck. You can lump some less popular items in with the more coveted items and still get a fair deal.
If you end up collecting dolls or figurines, you would do well to sell them individually. For most people collecting dolls, they most likely already have some in the complete collection and only need a specific few. If you list your dolls on their own, you’re guaranteed to see a lot more interest than if you were to try to sell them all together.
If you’re not sure which category your specific collection falls into, do some research. Look and see what other collectors are doing. See which items are being sold at top dollar and keep an eye on the market.
Sell Online
Online sales are one of the easiest ways to make money if you have something that’s in high demand. Places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and eBid allow for you to set a price for whatever item (or items) you’re interested in selling. Once you make that item available, people can go directly to the item’s page to buy or place bids. All you have to do is wait for someone to bite.
Keep in mind, you’ll want to make sure that you’re setting a fair price for your potential customers. If your item typically sells for $100 and you’re selling it for $200, it’s likely that you won’t see a lot of attention coming your way. Be aware of the market before you try to become a part of it.
Sell at Local Markets
Local markets or flea markets are great places to sell items that may not be super rare and coveted online but that could catch someone’s eye in person. When you go to the flea market, come up with an idea of what you’d like to sell your different pieces for. Still, do some market research to see what people typically pay for that collector’s item and attempt to get that price for it if anyone shows interest.
A variety of people come to local markets, so you’ll have the opportunity to reach out to different people about your items. This is a great time to sell your more casual or eccentric collections like books, CDs, or band shirts. Anyone with even a slight interest in those things will stop by your table and see what you have to offer. It’s a great chance that shouldn’t be missed.
Overall
The best way to make money from your collector’s items is to sell them. Whether it’s a collection you’ve cultivated over the past three decades or one you started just a month ago, there’s cash to be gained from your pieces. And it doesn’t have to be priceless art or super rare coins. You could collect dolls for fun and turn that fun into a profit. Keep these tips in mind as you grow your own personal collection.
