If you're short on cash, you might be considering either selling or pawning some of your collectibles. Collectible items -- whether antique or recent -- may often seem to have fairly arbitrary values and can be very difficult to deal in. Here are a few of the most common mistakes sellers often run into. 

Not Putting Together Supporting Documentation

In terms of older collectibles, the history and appraisal of them item becomes very important. If you're seeking a substantial sum for a collectible item, it can be worth it to acquire a professional appraisal before you sell. This gives you a starting point for negotiations and gives the shop more information to go on regarding the item. There are hundreds of thousands of different types of collectibles; even a highly knowledgeable employee may not know the true value of a particular item. Family history may even become important; for an antique, pictures of the family with the item can be used to date the item.

Cleaning or Polishing the Collectibles

When it comes to collectible items, keeping them in "mint" and unaltered condition is absolutely critical. Even something as cleaning your collectibles regularly could actually damage their value, as it could contribute to surface wear. When taking care of your collectibles, you should consult experts to determine the right amount of maintenance. 

Trying to Sell or Pawn them Separately

When collectibles are presented as a set, they are far more likely to have greater value. Many people attempt to sell their collectibles individually because they are hoping to keep the rest of the collection together -- but if you intend to get your set back regardless, it may make more financial sense to offer up all of them at once. 

Not Doing Enough Personal Research

In addition to documentation, it's important for sellers to have a realistic assessment of their collectibles -- and this only comes with research. Very minute details can potentially mean the difference between several hundred dollars and several thousand dollars, and many sellers commonly assume that their collectible is worth as much as the highest price that they have seen. There are thousands of "artificial collectibles" that have been sold specifically to become valued over time, and many of them are worth very little outside of a complete set.

Collectibles are essentially an investment, and thus they don't really reclaim their value until they are sold. By going in well-prepared, a seller will be able to get the most for their collectible items. For more information about selling and pawning specialty items, stop by Metro Pawn and Gun today.