How to Start Your Collection (If You Haven’t Already)


ghostbusters popsWhen we discover something new that we really enjoy, we want to immerse ourselves in it. While this can be as simple as watching every episode of a TV series, listening to every song by a particular band, or reading every book by a particular author, sometimes it can grow into something far greater — a collection. So what if you do find something you absolutely adore and want to surround yourself with? How do you start figuring out the best way to attack this new collection? hobbyDB.com has you covered, so start your collection by starting here…

goth popWhat’s Out There?

The first step to take is to see what kind of items are out there. If you’re collecting something that has been going for a long time, say a long-running character, chances are there are a heap of items for you collect. If it’s something relatively new or obscure, there may not be much at all.

Whatever the case, it’s good to get an idea of what you’ll be looking for. We’re not saying make a note of every item that’s available, but certainly, make a list of those that interest you. Hit up Google, Reddit, Facebook and, of course, hobbyDB, to find out info about your thing and start taking notes

Defenders of the EarthHow Expensive is This Going to Be?

While some may scoff at the idea of a collector worrying about cost, in today’s world, this is something you really need to take into consideration. If the only things released for your chosen collection are high-end statues, for example, you may want to consider if you’re prepared to spend that kind of money.

Conversely, if you are happy to spend that kind of money, how long will it take you to earn/ save the cash you’ll need? If those items stop being produced before you can get to them, how will they fare on the secondary market? In some cases, their prices may shoot up above their original store prices, while others come down. eBay and other online auction/second-hand sites can help you figure this out.

spider man figuresWhat is the Secondary Market Availability Like?

The secondary market is, of course, an essential place for collectors. Unless you are loaded or not much comes out, chances are you’ll miss some things upon release. Once items are past their store shelf date, it can be hard to determine what the secondary market for them will be like. They might be scarce, or they might be everywhere.

It’s a good idea to try and get a sense of what the secondary market availability for your chosen collection is, so you know what picking up older or missed items will involve. Again, places like hobbyDB.com will help with figuring this out.

mickey mouse figuresHave a Collection Focus

As one collector tells it, “Early in my career, I’d rush out and buy everything I could that was related to my chosen collection with absolute reckless abandon.” However, it’s a good idea to have a focus for your collection, especially if there is a lot of stuff out there for it. I’m not saying only choose one kind of item and only collect that. But maybe concentrate on one or two things until that part of the collection is complete, and then move to another.

This can be very helpful if you’re trawling through secondary market sources such as eBay, so you don’t become overloaded with items to try and pick up. It can also be a big help to your budget if you’re only spending your money on one particular set of items — rather than everything you can get your hands on. Of course, this needs immense willpower… something collectors are not known for.

hobbydb showcaseCatalog as You Go

hobbyDB makes it easy to keep track of what you have and discover the next thing you want to add to your collection. And, as you’re reading this on hobbyDB.com, you already have the perfect place in which to do so. Every time you add to the hobbyDB database, take a moment and click on the “Add To My Collection” option and it becomes part of your display. The easiest way to catalog your collection is to do it as you go. Yeah, cataloging can be boring (for some; the rest of us love it) and it can sometimes feel like work. But trust us, it’s a lot easier to catalog items when they are new and close at hand. Digging through boxes and cupboards and wardrobes for things is not fun.

If you are serious about your collection, cataloging is actually one of the most important things you can do. Not only does it keep an accurate record of your items so that you don’t accidentally buy the same thing twice, but it can also help you make an insurance claim on those items if anything were to happen to them. This is very valuable once you’ve sunk the kind of money into it we collectors tend to do.

 

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