Sports Memorabilia Buying Guide

Sports Memorabilia   has quickly become serious business, with some autographed items fetching thousands of dollars. Autographed and limited edition jerseys sports cards , bats balls hockey sticks hats   and helmets   are all available and, with big stars, in high demand. There's still room for the little guy, however, and there's still a huge fun factor in collecting. There are some caveats you need to watch out for to safeguard your purchases and make sure you're getting the real deal.

Educate Yourself

This is the most important step for collectors. Know what you're buying and don't be afraid to ask the dealer questions. A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is very important, but remember to consider the source -- the COA is only as good as the person it comes from. Thankfully, there are several highly regarded authenticating companies in the industry so be sure to look out for them, but it still isn't an alternative to educating yourself before you make the purchase.

Authentication and Reputation

This is also very important, both before you make your purchase and afterward too. A dealer is likely to grade his memorabilia higher as a seller than as a buyer, so be aware of dealer bias . It might not be malicious or sneaky, but it's very common.

Popular Memorabilia

Signed Sports Cards  

Signed Balls  

Authentic Jerseys  

Autographed Photos  

Rookie Cards  

Final Thoughts

If the deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Be cautious, don't be afraid to ask tough questions and you'll avoid the disappointment that comes with getting swindled.

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