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Gone are the days of throwing out your children's old toys. Metal lunch boxes are no longer sold at garage sales. "Mint condition" stands atop the U.S. lexicon. Ebay rules the world.

We are a collecting society. Period. We collect anything and everything. And we spend insane amounts of money doing so. $2,000.00 for a Tom Brady rookie card? Now that seller has an eye on the market.

The first thing you want to do before selling your collectible is to research it. Study up on it. Identify the year in which it was produced. Who manufactured it? Does the item itself have a history? What do similar items sell for? This can usually all be done in one fell swoop either on Ebay's completed auction page or by running a quick Google search.

Now that you've done your homework, you can sell. And you sell when the market is hot, because that's when you'll achieve your highest payout. It all centers around timing. Tom Brady merchandise, as mentioned above, will never again be as "hot" as it is now. Never. Never, never, ever. Orchestrating an undefeated season has produced a white-flame window of opportunity for anyone willing to part with their autographed football or Refractor rookie card. If you hesitate, if you wait to send your cards to PSA for professional grading, you're too late. Do not be fooled into thinking prices will continue to rise, because they won't. This isn't a rare, one-of-a-kind Van Gogh oil work. Sell the Brady stuff now.

Assuming Ebay is used, auction reserves and/or starting bids will most certainly play an integral role in selling. Reserves are nothing more than a hidden, minimum value you place on your item. If the bidding never reaches your reserve, you are under no obligation to sell. Very simple. Though if you have an in-demand item, setting a reserve will only serve to scare off potential bidders. If you are hesitant at setting a reserve for your #3 Barbie with blue irises, but do not want to see it sell for $2.00, use a starting bid which makes you comfortable.

If you're in it for the money, the bottom line is timing. If you're in it for the sheer joy, enjoy.

I believe there's a new Indiana Jones movie due out this Summer. Hmmmm. I wonder if I still have my twelve inch action figure? Tom Brady will be old news by then.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Zimmerman.
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