Collecting sports memorabilia is something that is universal in the sporting world regardless of the sport, team, or location. For avid fans, there are a lot of different pieces of memorabilia to collect, which means it’s a good idea to plan things out before beginning a collection. Collecting sports memorabilia can be a fun and exciting hobby, as well as being a possible lucrative investment, too. Whether you want to start a new hobby or improve the collection you already have, take a look at these tips that will help you refine what you collect.
Tips for Collecting Sports Memorabilia
Decide on a theme
Your collection should be a reflection of who you are as a sports fan, what you’re are enthusiastic about, and what team you support. You’ll want to narrow it does so that you’re not just buying items at random, but that you have a consistent theme that is, in total, more valuable. For example, you may choose to only collect cards. You may decide to build a collection around a certain event or team. Whatever you decide, your investment and collection will be more impressive the more organized and relevant it is. Not everyone will decide to have a streamlined collection, and that is fine – collect what you enjoy.
Make sure it’s the real deal
With the demand for sports memorabilia being so high as it is, it’s common for criminals to take advantage of this market by producing fakes. While some will undoubtedly look fake and copied, others may be more convincing. Be warned that some of the fake items can look like the real deal and can be sold a high price to the untrained eye. Before you make any large purchases, make sure it is authentic and genuine. Research before you buy. If you’re unsure, it’s safest to purchase from the official stores or reputable organizations. It’s a good idea to research common errors that criminals make so that you know what you are looking out for, too.
Determine a price range and budget
Although you may want to collect every item related to your category or theme, realistically, you won’t be able to acquire every piece. Perhaps you won’t be able to fine it. Other times, you may not be able to afford it, depending on how valuable the item has come to be. With that said, it’s a good idea to keep your hobby in line with your finances. Make sure that you have an overall budget and a reasonable price range to operate under when looking for items. Avoid going over this budget or consider saving up for a piece you really want that is above your budget. You may need to sell some items or conduct swaps with other fans in order to build the collection you want.
Insure your collection
Homeowners insurance is designed to cover your belongings in the event of a disaster, such as a fire, storm, or theft. A standard homeowners insurance policy will provide limited or no coverage for your high-value collection of goods. If you have (or are building) an extensive collection, then it’s likely you’ll need additional coverage. Consider purchasing a rider that will protect your entire collection from damages from fire, theft, vandalism, and more. Talk to your insurance agent to get started on scheduling your items and determining how much coverage you need for the collection you currently have.
Your local insurance agents in Wellesley are ready to help you find the right homeowners insurance that protects your property and beloved sports memorabilia collection. Contact us at CAV Insurance Agency to get started.