my second article about trading royal memorabilia on eBay and other online auctions. We're going to explore just what items are really tradable Antonio Senzatela Jersey , how and where to find your stock and mention some definite pitfalls to avoid.
As you already know, a vast range of products has been produced to commemorate royalty. You could decide to specialise in silver, plates, dolls, stamps, books Tyler Anderson Jersey , coins, jewellery, postcards, mugs, tea towels, glass Chad Bettis Jersey , tins boxes for confectionery, photographs, T-shirts, paintings, newspapers, videos Bryan Shaw Jersey , royal trading cards and I'm sure you can also think of other categories. The list is extensive.
The more popular items have been produced in great numbers, so they're often easy to find and moderately priced. This means that you can quickly create a varied assortment of collectibles without having to spend too much. But in the long run, the most desirable and highest appreciating items have tended to be potterychina, tinsboxes and glassware.
You need to be selective about what you trade. Items decorated with a royal portrait are more likely to attract good buyer interest than those without. If there is also an inscription, giving the name, date David Dahl Jersey , special occasion etc, then this will also improve its saleability.
Remember too that the more substantial and permanent the item, the better chance it has of selling. Generally, items of pottery, china, glass are more sought after then say cloth or paper items such as photographs and autographs.
If you can Ryan McMahon Jersey , try to deal with memorabilia that already has a 'second chance? profit factor. For example, a Wedgwood or Royal Worcester commemorative plate or mug is already valuable purely from a manufacturers? viewpoint. The royal connection can simply add that extra icing on the profit cake!
So, where do we source our royal memorabilia?
For a start, have a good look around your own home. You might get a pleasant surprise at just what you can find. Charles and Diana items from 1981 are now beginning to rise in value and most of us bought something to commemorate this royal event. So check your cupboards, attic and garden shed.
Also, ask your friends and relatives if they have any items they want to sell. You could buy them for resale or consider selling them on their behalf through your online auction account. If nothing else Chris Iannetta Jersey , you can gain some valuable selling experience and a ?feel? for this market.
It's also a good idea to have a search around eBay itself and other auction sites for items. You can buy on one site, hopefully at a bargain price, and then relist on another and make a quick profit.
I've found that British royal items tend to sell better on but for slightly less on . Using the other national sites tends to produce a poor response with very few bids.
If you have decided to trade in the more expensive, quality items (fine china, food boxes, glass etc) then offline auctions and antique shops can be a good source for stock. Offline auctions would be my preference as you have more chance of a bargain. A good antique dealer tends to know the value of his stock so the opportunity for buying at the ?right? price is more limited.
The saying ?Knowledge is Power? is definitely true in your stock hunting. It's always preferable to specialise Kyle Freeland Jersey , so that when an item appears in an offline auction, you have a realistic idea of what it's worth. You can then use your in depth knowledge to buy at the best price and then make a good profit from your online sale.
Of course, don't forget your local junk shops, jumble sales, car boot sales, garage sales and charity shops in your search for stock. Bargains can still be found especially items relating to the present British Queen and the late Princess Diana. I recently bought a biscuit tin with a lid portrait of Prince Philip for just a ?1 in a charity shop. It dated from around 1955 and I sold it for a very nice profit. Bargains are still to be found out there.
And a good tip when trading royal collectibles is to choose an area that is interesting and appeals to you. You can very quickly become an ?expert? in your own field and easily spot potential when trawling the junk and second hand shops. If you buy interesting items in good condition then a profitable sale is almost guaranteed.
Are there items you should definitely watch out for?
Memorabilia associated with King George III and the early reign of Queen Victoria are valuable if you can find them. Only a few items were produced to commemorate Victoria's coronation and the royal births. Not many have survived so prices can be high. A Queen Victoria coronation mug can easily demand ?800 plus depending upon condition. So keep your eyes open!
Is there a down side in dealing in royal memorabilia?