The Bear Collectibles Market

The Bear Market of Collecting

I am not talking about teddy bears. I am referring to the slide toward a collectibles buyers (bear) market. The demand and values are currently low.

Many buyers today are saving their money for essentials such as food and gas. Record 8% inflation, highest gas prices in history, and a overall historical rise to living expenses are a reality. All of the investing markets are in the same bear flux. If you are trying to sell you will be selling your collectible for less its value a year ago. That is if you sell it at all. The reality is most buyers anywhere are just not looking to buy in Fall 2022. Now if you are the buyer today you are going to find less competition and lower prices. This is the bear market.

There are two ways to really go in this collectibles environment. Run away and hide like it is Freddy Krueger or run toward it like a kid going for Halloween candy.

If you are uncomfortable or financially struggling now is not the time to buy. Put your finances toward what matters for daily living. If you need to sell a cherished collectible know values and buyers are down. Stand pat if you can until an eventual market tide upward.

If you have the capital and comfort level then now would be a time to buy. Prices are lower and a anxious seller may be more apt to sell at a discount. You need to be willing to sit on a purchase to see a good rate of return. Waiting to see better (bull market) days to buy will mean more competition and increased purchase prices. This would be a time to strike if the deal is right.

If you are wanting to sell a collectible the market is a little tough. But if you are the buyer deals may be out there. There are no guarantees the market value of something won't tank or rise at any moment. But know when investing in anything there is risk to losing capital and reward to increasing it.