What items did you collect as an investment, only to find they didn't increase in value?

TripleH

I ended up with my father's stamp collection. Worth very little but we are making a memento work of art to go on our wall with some of them so has some value to us.

soolin

TripleH said:

I ended up with my father's stamp collection. Worth very little but we are making a memento work of art to go on our wall with some of them so has some value to us.

That’s a nice idea . I saw something similar recently on an antique/ vintage site where someone had inherited lots of odd vases and brightly coloured plates from various family members- not all in the best of conditions. Was told nothing had any real value so decided to make art for the wall of their new restaurant , it makes no difference but they were of Spanish/Mexican heritage living in the US and wanted to bring colour based on that heritage to a plainer painted restaurant. They broke the items into pieces and came back a few months later to show a wonderful mosaic style mural along a wall , bands of wavy colours all expertly fitted and mounted safely.  Within the mural they had added larger pieces where they had chipped out recognisable images, like birds or people from the plates. 

I also belong to various beach combing sites and on there people often mount broken china and odds and ends into smaller collages . When done well it can look very effective , the porcelain equivalent of making patchwork quilts out of relatives clothes for remembrance.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Nostalgia seems to be a big driving point on the value of "collectables" as well following what is "trending". 

If you take Lego they are releasing a big castle in a couple of days, with Youtube and fan sites whipping up interest needless to say the old castle sets are selling very well, below listing (isn't mine) will be a nice result for the seller:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325279178830

Nintendo games is another, if they are in "mint" condition the prices do very well indeed. 

I don't see the days of people filling shelves with china or what have you coming back but if you want an investment you are probably better off picking something that won't be collected on a big scale and sitting on it for 57 years:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255618961836

misterthrifty

I have worked in the stamp market for many years and there is a widely believed myth, going back to the 1960s/70s, that they will all increase in value. Most collectors are hobbyists and buy from the most expensive dealers around (RM) so there is only one way the value will go. Just as somebody taking up golf will never be able to get back their fees or the price of the golf clubs, you are paying to just enjoy the hobby. 
Many people make money from stamps, even a good living, but it takes knowledge and experience built up over the years, and some luck. If you want to invest in stamps, or anything else, then only buy when you have some knowledge of the market.

NBLondon

Reading this - I'm inclined to think that anything which is advertised as "collectible" when new is almost bound to fail.  Unless it is very limited edition (in which case you will probably be paying a high price now) or signed by an individual who a) signs very few items / dies the next day and b) will still be popular in 30 years time.

Soolin mentions the vintage toy market.  Corgi/Dinky etc. can hold prices but only if you have an original version, with box, not heavily played with and can then sell it to those of a similar age who want to recreate their youth.  The desirable versions will move over time as the buyers age.  Bit like the classic car market in miniature sometimes.

GaleSF63

I had never heard of Pendelfin rabbits. Looked at Google Images. Ugh!

Grumpelstiltskin

GaleSF63 said:

I had never heard of Pendelfin rabbits. Looked at Google Images. Ugh!

I go to a charity shop that has a 20p table, last week there was a Pendelfin rabbit on it.

soolin

GaleSF63 said:

I had never heard of Pendelfin rabbits. Looked at Google Images. Ugh!

I think they were an acquired taste😀 they were expensive at one point and people spent real money on the dreadful little things 

mrcactus

Not really an investment but was looking to make some extra money in my free time by selling on Ebay. So I thought to myself, what can I buy for cheap and also post for cheap?...Greeting cards! Slip them into an envelope and stick a stamp on the envelope.

Bought in bulk off Ebay to sell individually, bought thousands of them  After spending hours and hours taking pictures, writing descriptions and measurements I barely sold a few hundred. By the time Ebay took their fees and all other overheads etc, it turns out I was only making like 10p profit per card. Couldn't sell them at a higher price as people may as well just go to the shops to get a card.

I've still got a few cards floating about the house somewhere.

silvercar

mrcactus said:

Not really an investment but was looking to make some extra money in my free time by selling on Ebay. So I thought to myself, what can I buy for cheap and also post for cheap?...Greeting cards! Slip them into an envelope and stick a stamp on the envelope.

Bought in bulk off Ebay to sell individually, bought thousands of them  After spending hours and hours taking pictures, writing descriptions and measurements I barely sold a few hundred. By the time Ebay took their fees and all other overheads etc, it turns out I was only making like 10p profit per card. Couldn't sell them at a higher price as people may as well just go to the shops to get a card.

I've still got a few cards floating about the house somewhere.

Then along came Moonpig! Who will tell you the money is in the gifts that people buy to accompany the cards.