| This is my second article about trading royal | | | | sale.Of course, don't forget your local junk shops, |
| memorabilia on eBay and other online auctions. | | | | jumble sales, car boot sales, garage sales and |
| We're going to explore just what items are really | | | | charity shops in your search for stock. Bargains |
| tradable, how and where to find your stock and | | | | can still be found especially items relating to the |
| mention some definite pitfalls to avoid.As you | | | | present British Queen and the late Princess Diana. |
| already know, a vast range of products has been | | | | I recently bought a biscuit tin with a lid portrait of |
| produced to commemorate royalty. You could | | | | Prince Philip for just a £1 in a charity shop. It |
| decide to specialise in silver, plates, dolls, stamps, | | | | dated from around 1955 and I sold it for a very |
| books, coins, jewellery, postcards, mugs, tea | | | | nice profit. Bargains are still to be found out |
| towels, glass, tins / boxes for confectionery, | | | | there.And a good tip when trading royal collectibles |
| photographs, T-shirts, paintings, newspapers, | | | | is to choose an area that is interesting and |
| videos, royal trading cards and I'm sure you can | | | | appeals to you. You can very quickly become an |
| also think of other categories. The list is | | | | 'expert' in your own field and easily spot potential |
| extensive.The more popular items have been | | | | when trawling the junk and second hand shops. If |
| produced in great numbers, so they're often easy | | | | you buy interesting items in good condition then a |
| to find and moderately priced. This means that | | | | profitable sale is almost guaranteed.Are there |
| you can quickly create a varied assortment of | | | | items you should definitely watch out |
| collectibles without having to spend too much. But | | | | for?Memorabilia associated with King George III |
| in the long run, the most desirable and highest | | | | and the early reign of Queen Victoria are valuable |
| appreciating items have tended to be pottery | | | | if you can find them. Only a few items were |
| china, tins/boxes and glassware.You need to be | | | | produced to commemorate Victoria's coronation |
| selective about what you trade. Items decorated | | | | and the royal births. Not many have survived so |
| with a royal portrait are more likely to attract | | | | prices can be high. A Queen Victoria coronation |
| good buyer interest than those without. If there is | | | | mug can easily demand £800 plus depending |
| also an inscription, giving the name, date, special | | | | upon condition. So keep your eyes open!Is there a |
| occasion etc, then this will also improve its | | | | down side in dealing in royal memorabilia?Well, if |
| saleability.Remember too that the more | | | | you decide to get involved, you must be aware |
| substantial and permanent the item, the better | | | | that there are many fakes and reproductions. |
| chance it has of selling. Generally, items of | | | | This is especially true of the more impermanent |
| pottery, china, glass are more sought after then | | | | items such as letters, cards, photographs and |
| say cloth or paper items such as photographs and | | | | autographs. Items related to Princess Diana are a |
| autographs.If you can, try to deal with | | | | particular favourite of the unscrupulous forger and |
| memorabilia that already has a 'second chance' | | | | she is reported to be the 'most faked' royal ever |
| profit factor. For example, a Wedgwood or Royal | | | | with large quantities of bogus letters, autographs |
| Worcester commemorative plate or mug is | | | | and signed photographs in existence.So how can |
| already valuable purely from a manufacturers' | | | | you safeguard against being duped?Knowledge, |
| viewpoint. The royal connection can simply add | | | | research and common sense are your best |
| that extra icing on the profit cake!So, where do | | | | defence. In the case of autographs, you can |
| we source our royal memorabilia?For a start, | | | | easily compare signatures and similar items with |
| have a good look around your own home. You | | | | each other. Printed signatures are easily spotted, |
| might get a pleasant surprise at just what you | | | | as they are sharp and distinct. Real signatures will |
| can find. Charles and Diana items from 1981 are | | | | often 'bleed' - the ink runs slightly from the stroke |
| now beginning to rise in value and most of us | | | | of the pen. This certainly helps you to check |
| bought something to commemorate this royal | | | | whether that royal signature is genuine or just a |
| event. So check your cupboards, attic and garden | | | | facsimile.As a general rule, take care when you |
| shed.Also, ask your friends and relatives if they | | | | buy and do your homework if you intend to |
| have any items they want to sell. You could buy | | | | spend a lot of money. And the legal maxim |
| them for resale or consider selling them on their | | | | -'Buyer Beware' - just about sums up the attitude |
| behalf through your online auction account. If | | | | you should adopt when searching for your royal |
| nothing else, you can gain some valuable selling | | | | items.In my final article about royal memorabilia, I |
| experience and a 'feel' for this market.It's also a | | | | will be discussing the importance of selecting the |
| good idea to have a search around eBay itself | | | | right category for your listing so that you get the |
| and other auction sites for items. You can buy on | | | | best prices for your items. And I'll also mention |
| one site, hopefully at a bargain price, and then | | | | several useful websites to help you become more |
| relist on another and make a quick profit.I've | | | | effective as a royal memorabilia trader.Until then, |
| found that British royal items tend to sell better | | | | wishing you every success.With some 30 years |
| on but for slightly less on eBay.co.uk. Using the | | | | business experience, I now have a passion for |
| other national sites tends to produce a poor | | | | eBay and other online auctions using them to |
| response with very few bids.If you have decided | | | | satisfy my interest in antiques, books and art.I |
| to trade in the more expensive, quality items (fine | | | | also spend a lot of time searching for those |
| china, food boxes, glass etc) then offline auctions | | | | genuine online opportunities that I can share with |
| and antique shops can be a good source for | | | | family and friends. Hopefully, we can then all make |
| stock. Offline auctions would be my preference as | | | | a little bit of extra money!Here's one worth |
| you have more chance of a bargain. A good | | | | serious consideration.Are you looking for the best |
| antique dealer tends to know the value of his | | | | way to start your own eBay business but find |
| stock so the opportunity for buying at the 'right' | | | | yourself tied down with family commitments? Are |
| price is more limited.The saying 'Knowledge is | | | | you put off from even making a start by a lack |
| Power' is definitely true in your stock hunting. It's | | | | of business experience or no capital to speak of. |
| always preferable to specialise, so that when an | | | | Well this could be the answer.It's a proven |
| item appears in an offline auction, you have a | | | | system, making an average of $10,000 per |
| realistic idea of what it's worth. You can then use | | | | month (working part time hours) and it was |
| your in depth knowledge to buy at the best price | | | | created by a hardworking mother who just |
| and then make a good profit from your online | | | | refused to quit!! |