by Lily K.
Most of us when we were younger used to collect things. Whether it was seashells, beanie babies, or even some kind of card collection, since a young age we have collected things we like. What if I told you that some of the items you collected at a young age could be worth a pretty penny?
That’s right, collecting numerous items of the same kind is a form of investing. According to Business Insider, collectible investments are physical objects — tangible assets that have the potential to appreciate in value and diversify your investment portfolio. So while your seashell collection probably won’t get you any money, other collectibles such as card games like Pokemon or Magic the Gathering, baseball cards, Beanie babies, stamps, even sneakers might be worth something. “Collectibles can be anything anyone collects” Alexis Rhiannon, a writer for Insider and Bustle, states.
A good example of collectibles that could be worth some serious cash is beanie babies. According to mental floss a valentino bear beanie baby with a brown nose instead of black, white star on the tag instead of yellow, PVC pellets, and multiple typos on the tag sold for $42,300 and even a valentino bear with no errors in mint condition sold for $1,000. (Valentino Beanie baby pictured to the right)
Now before you bring those beanie babies out from the attic and list them all on eBay for exorbitant prices, you must realize that like with any other investment there is risk. Most beanie babies are not worth more than a couple of dollars. This is the same with most other collectibles as well. Most newer baseball cards don’t go for more than a few bucks, pokemon cards can be sold for mere pennies, and comic books are typically worth more in sentimental value than actual monetary value.
This is not to discourage you from investing in collectibles, as none of us know what the future may hold or how rare certain items will become, however, if you are planning on diversifying your portfolio with collectibles make sure you are collecting something you enjoy. I personally collect pokemon cards and look up and price check most of my cards on a website called pokemonprices.com and while most of them are worth next to nothing, some of my cards can go for $25 and one even goes for more than $100.
The most important takeaways from all of this information I just dropped onto you is that like all investments, buying collectibles is risky and does not guarantee big profits in the future. This type of investment should only be used if you genuinely enjoy what you are collecting. In time I am sure that toys and cards from our era will be valued highly, but no one can predict which ones and how long it takes for them to increase in value. If this time of investment interests you the best time to start is now. Older products tend to sell better than newer ones so it is never too early to start investing, especially in collectibles.
Works Cited
Lakritz, Talia. “Here's How Much 10 of Your Favorite Childhood Toys Are Actually Worth Today.” Insider, Insider, 1 Mar. 2018, www.insider.com/what-are-my-old-toys-worth-value-2018-2.
McDowell, Erin. “21 Collector's Items That Are Actually Worthless Today.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 29 Oct. 2019, www.businessinsider.com/collectibles-collectors-items-worthless-not-valuable-today#royal-family-memorabilia-is-mass-produced-and-usually-not-very-valuable-8.
Rhiannon, Alexis. “Investing in Collectibles: 5 Types of Collectibles That Have Historically Offered Bankable Returns.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 31 Dec. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/collectible-investments-valuable-types.
“The 10 Most Valuable Beanie Babies That Could Be Hiding in Your Attic.” Mental Floss, 20 Feb. 2019, www.mentalfloss.com/article/573674/most-valuable-beanie-babies.
Ashley Anderson - This was a very creative and original post! I totally agree with you that not all collectibles have value to them. For example, when I was younger, I used to have a lot of Cabbage Patch Kids. My parents held on to them just in case they went out of business - which they did! However, today, they are only worth about $50.00. This is an example of how saving a collectible to profit off of in the future, might not be the most ideal way to make a lot of money. In your post, you also discussed beanie babies which brings up another point I have. My grandma has a lot of beanie babies stored away in her basement. Some of them are worth a lot of money while others aren't worth anything. This is also important to note because the different styles/colors of collectibles also is a factor one must consider before selling their items (one style of collectible might be rarer and more expensive than another). I learned a lot of interesting things after reading your post and enjoyed reading about this type of strategy overall. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI thought your article was extremely interesting. I never knew that buying collectibles was considered an investment! As a kid, my sister and I used to collect toys called Shopkins and we were thinking about selling them this summer. Also I'm really hoping that the original Littlest Pet Shop toys one day become worth something because I have so many of them and especially with the new redesign the Littlest Pet Shop got, I think as a kid it was a good idea to "invest" in a lot of toys. Do you think it's still worth it to buy hundreds of collectibles if you have bad luck or just think they won't bring a fortune in later in your life? Personally I still think most people should at least buy one collectible in their lifetime because sometimes the sentimental value (as you said) can be worth more than the actual price value in the future. Your article was extremely interesting and made me reconsider how much I actually know about selling and "investing" in collectibles. Great job!
ReplyDeleteReally liked this article. My mom has these beanie baby bears she had when she was a kid and sold them for almost 35 dollars a bear and put all the money towards a vacation she took earlier this year. She didn't know and I didn't know that those bears would cost that much and would still have value to some people.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating how something as simple as things you trade can go up in value with time. This article is also a very good source on how to make some side money as well without having to go through a lot of the trouble. It is a very good thing however how you put the disclaimer that this is not the best way to make money.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article because this is what I do now. I have collected sports cards for awhile and have made very good money and enjoy doing it. I also have talked and see many other collectors make thousands every month. Lately the market has gone up crazy and more people have been getting into it because of influential like Logan Paul, Gary Vee, and many other sports players. I have seen many auctions and deals end in the millions. Also you said some go for $25-$100 when Everyday I see sports cards and Pokemon cards go for thousands. Do you think with the recent hype the market will stay this high for awhile or do you think it will come back down? Overall I think you did a great job at informing people about this topic because for highschoolers this is a great way to make money.
ReplyDeleteThis is super interesting, because I personally know someone that collects cards and items and sells them for a good amount of money, making a good profit off of them as well. I also collect baseball cards and have many pokemon cards, so knowing this maybe I could eventually sell these cards for a good amount of money in the future and still continue to collect them.
ReplyDeleteI never new that items we collect as a kid could be worth so much. It must be very easy to throw something a way thinking that it is worthless, when it might actually be worth at tone. I thought that this document was really useful and will definitely consider keeping some of my collections in the hopes that they become worth something.
ReplyDeleteThis blog caught my attention right away as I never thought someone would bring up collectibles as a topic to touch base upon. I agree to seeing collecting collectibles as a form of investing, however, it might not be the most efficient way and could actually hurt you than actually being beneficial. Collectible items can compare to something like stocks, you have to actually know what you're doing. It's very easy to get scammed out of selling or buying something for less than it's actual value, and half the people don't even realize it until they're confronted. I remember hearing a story about a girl who recently got broken up with and she was selling her ex boyfriend's shoe collection, and she sold the shoes for way less than they actually went for and didn't even notice. It just shows that you need to do research about the item to actually know it's value and worth. This was a good piece as I thought the topic of collectibles was very intriguing to read about. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteLily, I appreciated reading your post! It was interesting, and I loved how you used images and graphs to break up your text into smaller chunks. You mentioned multiple times about how investing in collectibles can be a good financial decision. However, you also pointed out that the price of these items is subjective,and can be very hit or miss. So, if you're not a very experienced collector, is it really a good idea to start collecting? I feel like it's risky but maybe the reward is worth the risk!
ReplyDeleteI agree that even though all investing is risky, collectibles are especially risky. I never thought of collecting collectibles as an investment strategy, but you described it in a way that made sense. I would say that the biggest things that separate collectible investing from normal investing (stocks, funds) is that collectible investing usually starts out as a hobby and not as an intention to make money. In addition, collectible investing seems like it would be a bit more about luck, whereas if you do your research on the stock market you can make more money. However, it is an interesting idea where if you have a hobby of collecting things, you can potentially make money off it.
ReplyDeleteAs a collector of Magic: The Gathering cards myself, I really hope my collection grows in value some day! I know that old cards can be sold for a lot of money, with the rarest and most expensive card being the Black Lotus card, selling for OVER $511,000. HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE CARD!!! Obviously the newer cards I collect won’t be worth that much, so I won’t be using them as an investment strategy. However, I will continue to collect them as a hobby. I agree that you should only invest in collections if you truly enjoy what you are collecting. Overall, nice blog!
ReplyDeleteThis was a perfectly-timed blog post for me! I just dug up my Monster High dolls to sell and have been looking around eBay, Mercari, and other second-hand selling websites. To add onto your information, I've noticed that the first version of each character are generally selling the best, around 3 times the original price. I have also noticed that the dolls released earliest in the series sell the best.
ReplyDeleteYes!! The first edition dolls are the oldest and therefore are probably your best moneymakers. Other rarer dolls that had a short shelf life or were limited edition to certain stores will probably also be worth more. I wish you luck on your selling journey! <3
DeleteIt's crazy how something that you bought for a couple dollars can now be worth a couple hundred dollars. Some people don’t even realize what they have and sell it for a very low price, then find out later that they could have gotten way more out of it.
ReplyDeleteI find this super interesting because I feel that when we were younger, we might have just pushed some of these items to the side, and when we go to college or move out of our house, we might find some objects of great value. This blog was posted at a time where trading cards are really starting to gain popularity, and some people even do it for a living. While it seems crazy, there is a huge market for these trading cards and it makes me want to go through my boxes of cards and see if I have anything worth a pretty penny. Do you think with a spike in interest in these trading cards that it will have a big effect on our economy?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very interesting topic and one thing I have to add about the risk factor is collectables like pokemon cards and beanie babies are fairly low risk when u think about sports cards like football and baseball cards or autographed items these can easily lose value. For example the allegation with Adrian Peterson and his son, and the Ray Rice and Chris Brown allegations all caused the value of their cards and autographed items. With pokemon cards, and or any made up character/item this will not occur. As you see charizard cards rise in price we know this price won’t just drop in half because charizard isn't real he will never be caught hitting a woman or participating in illegal activities therefore he will maintain the same reputation he has right now.
ReplyDeleteI really like this article because I’m obsessed with learning about collectibles. I know how Pokemon cards and Beanie Babies can be sold for thousands of dollars but there’s so many other cool niche things that are big investments for some people. For example, some people really love collecting Barbie dolls or even dolls in general. There’s a huge demographic out there that will give big cash to get a rare doll. There’s even museums for some of these collectible items. Overall, this was super informative and gave me more knowledge about this idea of investment. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love collecting things, whether thats rocks, pictures of sunsets, pictures in general, literally anything. I understand when we were younger we would collect dolls or cool little cars, but over the years we wither lose interest in those things or become more interested in them. In my opinion, sometimes collecting things such as cars or other types of objects can become a little excessive. For example, while working in retail I have witnessed a very large amount of people come into our store and stock up on pokemon cards. One time I asked someone why they were so interested in spending so much money on a thing of cards, and he responded that after he buys them, he would turn around and sell them to gain more profit than what he spent originally. Overall, I think that if you are able to keep a steady profit by doing these things, then go for it, but at some point in time an older objects value will increase and you will be able to make a good amount of money. You did a great job Lily!
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be very interesting since I have been interested in reselling shoes, and sports cards. I find it crazy that a little teddy bear can be sold for $42,300, but then again some sports cards can be worth millions. I don’t really understand how and why these items get priced at such a high price… Why is it that these physical items go up in value so much? I have some cards and shoes that are a good price now, but as you mentioned older products tend to sell better than newer ones, so I am going to hold onto them and hope for the best. Overall I really enjoyed your post and learned a bit more about investing collectibles.
ReplyDeleteI really like your post, as it shows both the positive and negatives to investing in collectibles. It is has great nuance, showing both sides of the argument and encouraging readers to invest wisely and know their risk. I enjoy the insight into the possible money out there. I do wonder, how easy is it to keep your collectibles in mint condition?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I think it was a really interesting topic to talk about. It's pretty interesting to me that something like a little stuffed bear can be worth so much. I remember collecting Beanie Babies when I was younger and now I'm regretting knowing that I gave them up for free. It would be so cool to have gotten good money for them.
ReplyDeleteHey lily! I really enjoyed the topic of your blog because it was so different and so interesting to read about. Its amazing that there is such a huge variety of things you can invest in, that you can even make it one of you hobbies! You said that this could be a risky investment and that its really about the luck of the draw and future, which I thought was super interesting. This is something im definitely going to consider for my future.
ReplyDeleteI think what it really comes down to is if you are collecting it for personal value or monetary value. If monetary is the goal, then it's essential to look into the age, the category, the audience, and how many people are willing to buy. If you play your cards right (no pun intended), then a net gain might be in the works. Great job on the explanation.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long certain made up characters will retain their value. Like, if after multiple decades, will Charizard be forgotten? Because if that's the case, obviously the value of the card will decrease because nobody wants to buy it.
ReplyDeleteSuper great article, Lily! I have never been a collector, but this article did make me wonder if my old American Girl Dolls or other toys I had could be worth much. When I was little my mom gave me one of her old American Girl Dolls that is no longer sold, so I wonder if she is worth much money now. I also have to wonder if collectible items that are worth a lot now will always be worth a lot, or if their value will significantly decrease once the generations that used to play with them die out. Beanie Babies have no sentimental value to me or a lot of my generation so I don’t think we would pay thousands of dollars for them. Overall, incredible work!
ReplyDeleteHi Lily! I never really thought of collectibles being an investment, but after reading your blog I do think some collectibles could be a form of investment. There has been a lot of talk recently about Pokemon cards and their worth skyrocketing. That is cool that some of the cards you have are selling for a greater price than you bought them for. I wonder what collectibles from our generation are going to be worth a lot of money in the future. I love that you chose this as your topic! I really enjoyed reading it! (Ally Longden)
ReplyDeleteCollectables is a really interesting form of investment! It seems like it is even riskier than most other investments though. Even though a few rare collectables can sell for crazy amounts, the chances of buying one of those is very slim. In additionally, lots of collectables even decrease in value, so pouring your life savings into collectables can risk everything.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post because personally I have a lot of my money in collectibles. It's crazy to see that the price of a cardboard sports card or pokemon card can be worth 6 figures. I think collectibles are a great investment. Most collectibles are better long term investment.
ReplyDeleteI think the financial aspect of collectibles is more of a side thing rather than the main attraction of the collectibles. I think first and foremost people collect things because they like whatever they are collecting and having a collection of something is satisfying. Getting cash from your collection is more of a bonus than anything.
ReplyDeleteI don't think collectables should be relied on for income, but I could definitely see it as being a way to collect unexpected cash, and investing a little money into it with the purchase of more collectables, with intention to resell them in the future. However, while I was reading your post, I was wondering what you would think the best way to spend that extra cash on would be? Should you save that extra money? Or should you buy more collectables to resell and make potentially more money?
ReplyDelete