What do toy shows, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, eBay, Facebook groups and new parents all have in common? They’re all great methods for toy collectors to collect on the cheap.
In the digital age, it might seem crazy to drive from place to place, not knowing what – if anything – you might find. But there’s nothing that compares to the thrill of the hunt. I once found a vintage Sears’ exclusive tall/blue Snaggletooth figure at an estate sale. Snaggletooth -- along with dozens of other vintage Star Wars figures -- had been stored away in a box in her attic. The majority of the people at the estate sale were looking for antique furniture, silverware and other knickknacks. They certainly were not interested in a box of toys. The bidding began at just one dollar and I was one of only two bidders at the sale. In the end, I won that Snaggletooth for a mere ten dollars! While flea markets and other types of sales tend to be hit or miss, they’re all really great places to find that occasional gem. Toy shows tend to have a wider selection of the collectibles you’re searching for, but often at a much higher price than other methods. The trick is to do the majority of your buying at the end of the show. People who set up at toys shows want to sell their merchandise. That’s why they’re there. If you find the right dealer, and you play your cards right, you could walk away with an arm load of new plastic friends at a very reasonable price. For those collectors who would rather shop from home, eBay can be a good enough place to start. However, there are pitfalls to eBay. Unfortunately, many sellers on eBay aren’t collectors, but rather scalpers who are just out to make a quick buck at your expense. Often times, their asking price is greater – sometimes up to double -- the actual value of the item for sale. Some sellers use misleading photos and other devious methods to get you to buy from them. Always check seller feedback when dealing with eBay, and pay especially close attention to any negative feedback you find.
Facebook groups are great for collecting on the cheap. Many of the people in these groups are fellow collectors. They want to share their passion with like minded individuals. They’re also very good about rooting out and warning others about the occasional scammer. Many Facebook groups pin lists of scammers on the group page to warn fellow collectors.
Last summer, I needed a few coins to finish off my Star Wars 30th Anniversary coin album. People on eBay were selling coins from the rarer figures for unreasonable prices. I found people in the Facebook groups who were willing to just give these coins away. For free! People out there are surprisingly generous. And not only can you use Facebook groups to collect on the cheap, but you can build some pretty good friendships along the way too.
One last suggestion for collecting without breaking the bank: new parents! Collectors who become new parents are sometimes willing to sell off entire collections at very reasonable prices in order to convert their toy rooms into nurseries. Their need to make room for that new little bundle of joy could be your golden ticket.
However you choose to go about it, good luck and happy hunting!