Authentic Sports Memorabilia

Will you want to choose only one category to begin collecting your sports memorabilia? If so, learn it, research it, and invest in it wisely. Did you know that trading cards have to be graded? It's one of the important facts you would do well to know as a potential collector of authentic, valuable sports items.

Collectibles fraud is a terrible thing for someone to endure. If you've been saving a special item or items for years, waiting on just the right moment to cash in on your investment, and one day you are forced to sell because life threw you a hard ball, you don't want to suffer the devastation of a fake collectible.

Educate yourself, arm yourself with knowledge. Become a collector who doesn't just pretend to know the art of recognizing authentic sports memorabilia.

If you encounter a dealer who doesn't answer your questions to your satisfaction, it's best to follow your instincts and go elsewhere. Dealer confidence is key, but don't confuse confidence with a con's suave evasions.

Find out the worth of your items. It's not fair to you or to the dealer to purchase an item, then discover it's not quite as valuable as you had first thought, and try to hassle the dealer about a return. Do your homework before purchasing. An honest dealer will want you to be happy with your purchase so you can be proud to do business with them and spread their good name to build their reputation. A dishonest dealer just wants you to hurry up and spend your money and won't want to stand behind the authentication of their sports memorabilia. But by the same token, it's unfair to the dealer to go on with an attitude of "If I don't like it, I'll just return it." They want people who are serious about their sports memorabilia just as much as you want authenticity. It's best to leave, think it over, and return than to buy in haste. You may want to return to the same dealer in the future and should build a good interaction with him or her.

Make sure you are clear on how rare an item is. Limited edition does not necessarily mean the same as limited production. Limited edition means one of a kind, limited production means only produced for a short period of time.

A certificate of authenticity does not assure that you're in good hands with a dealer. Neither do the words 'mint condition'. There is such a thing as 'dealer bias'. It's one of the negative aspects of the business. You may later try to return to the same dealer and sell back the card they sold for a high price in 'mint condition' only to find they reduce the worth. They won't want to pay you what they said it was worth, even though they are the ones who set the price originally.

You shouldn't have to allow the dealer to dictate which authentication service you can use. A reputable dealer will be fine with your choice. But do understand that authenticators may not specialize in the item you are having checked. If they don't excel in this area, you may be disappointed.

All About Sports Memorabilia Auctions

Sports memorabilia auctions are highly attended functions. Some of these auctions are designated functions for a specific community cause. But no matter the cause or purpose if you are a collector it is a chance for you to add to your collection. We have reached a moment in our history where it is necessary for you to take advantage of opportunities when they become available. Auctions may come and go but when there is a chance to find the specifics that you have been looking for don't let it pass you by. No matter what season of the year, auctions are usually well attended.

These functions are attended by individuals, retailers, wholesalers and just plain curiosity seekers. In the smaller communities sports memorabilia auctions are the highlight of specific seasons. It is something the hometown folks look forward to year after year after year. Other entities in the community plan events to complement and to feed off of these special auctions. Sometimes a celebrity is invited to help boost the attendance. When this is the case a small fee may be charged at the door. This fee helps to provide ample security and other safeguards and overhead expenses during the event. What we are finding is that schools churches and community organizations sponsor some of these auctions as fundraisers. Proceeds from these auctions sometimes provide additional help for social and community endeavors such as scholarship funds, extra resources for hospitals, and special needs for the local schools.

In fact much of the merchandise that is sold at these auctions has been donated by members of the community. These donations in many instances can be tax write-offs for the businesses or individuals who give to the cause. These sports memorabilia auctions provide ways to pay for new sporting equipment for the local football teams, and other athletic needs in the schools. A twofold purpose is served the first is to provide for the need that has been designated and the second is to give you the chance to buy merchandise that may have been hard for you to find. Some of these auctions generate additional money by charging a small fee to participate. You are given a number so that you will have a vehicle that you can use to bid. Believe it or not some of the more sophisticated sports memorabilia auctions are by invitation only. You will find the most expensive, sort after and least available merchandise at these auctions. You must register for these auctions and provide assurance that you are able to pay for the merchandise if you are the winning bidder.

There are specific qualifications such as having good credit, monies available and appropriate financial resources to get into these kinds of auctions. Things so that these auctions may be a one-of-a-kind portrait of a sports hero, a cap that a sports hero wore or any number of other things such issue, goals, socks and so on. These are not general public auctions but are geared to the upper echelon. Some of these auctions have specific purposes such as raising money for certain health issues and research. If you take a closer look at the whole sports arena a lot of good is done for a great number of people using various facets of the sports world. The sports memorabilia auctions are just one of the avenues used for the common cause.

Appraisals for Sports Memorabilia

When you invest in sports memorabilia, you often don't realize how much the value can climb by the time you choose to sell. Likewise, it could decrease in value as well.

Appraisal is a must for the serious sports collector. People have been sorely disappointed because they didn't get their items appraised for value and then sold them for a fraction of their worth.

Some places to check for appraisals for sports memorabilia include:

1.) All Authentic Sports Memorabilia-professionals who can provide references and offer instant appraisals

2.) Vintage Sports Memorabilia Appraisals-has a sports artifacts library for thousands of vintage sports items, prefers email requests limited to two items, nothing newer than 1980.

3.) Krause Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia Price Guide

4.) Robert Connelly-He does clinics on appraisals. He's a member of the American Society of Appraisers and was honored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

5.) American Legends-Provides paid appraisals, founded in 1992.

6.) Sports Memorabilia Appraisal Expert Witness-Provides an 800 #, volunteers background information to help give reference to its value as an appraisal business.

Besides the importance of appraisals for resale value, you may want to seriously consider having your valuable insured. Insurance companies also may not recognize the value unless you've had an appraisal done. Make sure you have documented proof.

There is a Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice which is recognized in courts and acceptable to banks, insurance companies, auction houses, and the IRS.

Don't just depend on a local sports shop or whatever available appraisal you come across. Also, consider that paying for more than one opinion is worthwhile if a lot of money is involved and if it gives you peace of mind.

Prices will change, so you'll want an updated value before decided to sell. Retired players hold their value better because their status won't change.

Make sure you sell to the right person or business. Just because an item is listed as one amount doesn't mean the dealer will agree to pay that amount.

Sweat stains don't necessarily make a jersey authentic. Anyone can wear a jersey long enough to sweat in it and try to pass it off as the real thing. Watch for smudged autographs, dog-eared pages in books, worn edges on cards. An appraiser should be trained to notice small details that would decrease the value of your collector's item.

There is a system with trading cards called grading. A graded card has a more reasonable guarantee of authenticity. Graded cards are sealed to discourage card switching, a low tactic of some sellers. The appraiser should know to recognize graded cards and their value.

When my daughter was involved in card collecting and bought a box of cards that seemed like a great deal to her, she was soon sorely disappointed. The only authentic card was the one in the display on the front of the box. All the rest were fakes, worthless. It was a waste of her hard-earned and long saved allowance. So beware of this type of scam when you buy a group of items. The appraisal value will be zero!