Written by Vanessa Santilli on Bankrate Canada on Jan. 26
With the ongoing craze for all things superhero-related, being a “collector” is now mainstream. Fuelled by the onslaught of new superhero movies and the rise of related events, such as FanExpo (which brought more than 100,000 people to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre), it seems that disposable income or not, fans are spending more and more on this niche passion.
Fans dress as their favourite characters at Toronto’s annual Fan Expo, which attracted more than 100,000 people this year. (Photo by Daniele Raimondo)
But is it possible to be a collector on a budget? Here are some tips from two collectors on how to navigate the often-costly world of collecting:
1. Narrow your collection
For Ivan Tabac, his passion for collecting comes in the form of Batman collectibles from the original TV series. His collection of approximately 4,000 items ranges from vintage T-Shirts and original photographs, to costumes, games, advertisements, watches and more.
While he admits it’s not always easy to collect on a budget, he suggests fans start by concentrating on something specific.
“If you want to try and keep control over what you’re spending, you need to focus,” says Tabac, an accountant and co-founder of AJAG Professional Development in Richmond Hill, Ont. “Otherwise, you can still make a nice collection out of bits and pieces of everything, but you’ll have less control of the amount of money you’ll need to spend.”
It helps to ask yourself whether there’s a certain character you prefer, a certain publisher or even a certain era.
2. Study eBay
When doing your research, eBay is a great tool to determine market value.
This Hulk Lego statue was on display at Toronto’s Fan Expo. (Photo by Daniele Raimondo)
“Look not at what prices are being asked but what items are selling for,” says Tabac.
But, as helpful as eBay can be for research and great finds, exercise caution and don’t get carried away — pay attention to currency conversion rates, as well as shipping costs.
“You’re generally paying through credit cards so it doesn’t sting so much right away, but when you get your bill at the end of the month, sometimes you can be in for a bit of a surprise,” says Tabac.
3. Know your limits
Go into all situations knowing the maximum price you’re comfortable spending, says Daniele Raimondo, a collector of vintage Marvel comics and Beast War figures.
“Whether it’s one specific item or a number of things, it’s always good to establish (limits) ahead of time,” says Raimondo, a Toronto-based architect. Being honest about your financial situation from the get go will prevent you from getting caught up in the moment.
4. Go ‘bin diving’
In Raimondo’s experience, visiting used toy stores, rummage sales or second-hand shops is a smart way to discover underpriced gems.
“It’s always a great experience ‘bin diving,’ finding something you’d never expect to see and walking out with some cash still in your pocket.”
5. Connect with others
There are countless Facebook groups for collectors of all different stripes.
“Read. Go back through old posts. Post questions,” says Tabac. “People post pictures of what they have, they talk about where they found things, how much they paid. This will help you get an idea of the value of the type of things you’re looking at.”
And, beyond the online universe, go to toy shows. “There’s nothing like actually talking to dealers and picking their brains to find out what they’ve been selling.”
Raimondo says collector shows are a great place to find rare items — although sellers tend to be in the know, so don’t expect discount prices. The perk? At least you’ll save on shipping.
Vanessa Santilli is a freelance writer in Toronto.