Paper Investments
Paper investments? Are you collecting vintage newspapers and magazines in hopes of becoming rich, someday? Are you just starting out?
Though we are not professional retailers, we still feel that we have some good advice and tips to share with you!
Like any business venture, you need to think through your decision carefully, before making the "plunge"!
Plan everything out now, before you make a serious financial committment!
A Short Disclaimer!
| We fully realize that most of our audience is looking at investing in paper collectibles, much the same way as we would...from a beginner's point of view!
We love collecting paper goods and it is rather doubtful that we will ever sell them, for profit!
A professional retailer that is earning a living selling vintage paper ephemera and antique paper, is not likely to gain much knowledge from this page.
We are simply putting together a short checklist of points to consider; if/when you decide to invest in paper goods! Thanks for understanding our position on this topic!
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A few Important Paper Investment Tips
Please consider these points carefully before investing in antique paper for a profit. (...in no priority order...)
- Specialize! Specialize in one area to begin with! Try to limit your buying, to your area of expertise. Put together a nice portfolio...a complete collection!
Then, later on, expand out into other categories as you get your feet wet, so to speak!
- Quality! Buy quality items! Be realistic. Expect to pay a fair price. You won't likely find many quality items on a discount rack at the Goodwill Store!
If you are not sure what the value of your collection is, then contact an antique appraiser. Keep in mind that you are buying for the future...an investment!
- Education Educate yourself! Learn all that you can related to your collectible! If you are not already an expert, become one!
Stay current...attend trade shows and keep up to date with trade catalogs, prices.
- Preservation Are you going to keep your collection for a while? Then you had better preserve it properly and store it properly.
Damaged goods don't sell very well! Don't throw away your profits before you even get them!
- Insurance Insure your collection for full value against loss or theft! It only makes sense to cover yourself. Add a rider to your homeowners policy for your paper collection!
Timing Timing in selling your collectibles is critical when selling for profit! Market trends in antique paper vary just like any other retail industry.
Furthermore, trying to predict the future of market trends is also a risk! What is "hot" today, may not be "hot" in the next couple of years.
- Socialize Make contacts with other dealers and vendors. Socializing with them can become a valuable asset in itself. "What are they selling?" "What do they believe will be the next newest trend of the future?" "Why do they think that?"
- Common Sense Common Sense is not something that you aquire from a book. Hopefully, as a businessman, you have a fair amount of common sense when it comes to your purchase decisions.
In other words, don't let somebody talk you into buying the Declaration of Independence.
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Random Notes...
Many of the above points have either been discussed on this website, or they are basic business sense. Either way, we thought it would be a good review to cover them again.
It is generally accepted that most paper goods will increase in value...over time. Why? Quite simply, the short answer is supply!
Over time, limited supply of vintage paper goods will naturally dwindle, making your collection more valuable.
Our Advice?
Having said that, don't bank on it! Use your common sense when making long-term investment purchases. Not everything increases! "What's hot today..." Uh-huh! Already said that!
But seriously, if you stick to the above basic set of rules, you will be much better prepared!
You can make money from your box of paper treasures! It is possible!
Use your knowledge and better judgement...become an expert!
Study-up...buy quality items...protect it!
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