Collectibles Business

You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbyists by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks researching that hobby. You must learn what collectors want and how much they are willing to pay for it. You should also know what other dealers are willing to pay for the merchandise which they sell. And you must be willing to pay the same amounts.

Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If you have been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Order business buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.

To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:

• Phonograph Records
• Cigar Label
• License Plates
• Beer Labels
• Circus Posters
• Music Boxes
• Salt/Pepper Shakers
• Greeting Cards
• Old Pencils
• Atlases
• Military Medals
• Sheet Music 
• Doll Clothes
• Cigar Boxes
• Train Photos
• Old Calendars
• Maps Street
• Car Tokens
• Buttons
• Postcards
• Fruit Jar Labels
• Old Magazines
• Gun Catalogs
• Paper Currency
• Cartoon Books
• Theatre Programs
• Political Buttons
• Baseball Cards
• Children's Books
• Stock Certificates
• Old Toys
• Gems
• Minerals
• Belt Buckles
• Airplane Photos
• FBI Posters
• Newspapers
• Coins
• Arrowheads
• Old Jewelry
• Boat Photographs
• Advertising Cards
• Dog Pictures
• Movie Magazines
• Autographs
• Dolls
• Hunting Licenses
• Cookbooks, 
• Beatle Items
• Stamps
• Indian Relics
• Railroad Books
• Fishing Licenses
• Comic Books
• Thimbles
• Automobile Manuals
• Diaries
• Railroad Passes
• Antique Barbed Wire 

Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies of all the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep ads showing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists are offered in ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD.

Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications and newsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.

Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community. Here are some suggestions:
Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of much value to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collection that way!

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