my hobby : Sell Hobby Items step2

Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:

Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!

Browse around through Thrift Shops.

Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)

Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.

It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!

Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.

Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!

Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:

"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..

"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."

"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."

"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"

"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."

"Sheet Music. SASE for list."

Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.

By DeAnna Spencer