Note* – Post updated and corrected for September 2021
Do not underestimate the power of the toy. Rare, sought-after toys can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Don’t you wish you’d kept that original Millennium Falcon in its packaging instead of throwing it across the garden when you were ten?
It’s not always easy to guess which modern-day toys are going to be worth a pretty packet in a few years’ time, but some future collectibles are easier to predict than others. If you want to make future-you very happy, here are our tips on how to predict what’s going to be collectible and how to store it properly.
How to spot a future collectible
Look out for popular films and TV shows
Collectors love movie memorabilia. The merchandise for Star Wars has always sold well, ever since the first film was released in 1977. With Rogue One and Episode VIII just around the corner, now is a great time to invest in the brand new toys.
Of course, Star Wars isn’t the only blockbuster which has created a high-value toy market. Harry Potter, Ghostbusters and Jurassic Park are all excellent examples, but TV shows can equally create sought-after collectibles – just look at Transformers, Star Trek and He-Man. Check to see which films and TV shows are likely to be popular in the coming year, and start planning those toy purchases now!
Mistakes can be valuable
It’s the rarest toys which reach the highest prices, and nothing says rare like a mistake. Toys which were given the wrong colour costume, are in the incorrect packaging or have some other fault can go for thousands of pounds, as it means they are a unique item. So keep those eyes peeled!
Limited runs
Limited runs, when manufacturers only create a small number of a toy or collectible, can be expensive to invest in, but you could end up doubling or even tripling your money, depending on the product.
Pay attention to current events
Whether it’s a social media post that’s gone viral (see Chewbacca mask) or a significant anniversary, big events can push up the price of certain products. For example, when actor Harold Remis sadly passed away, figures of his Ghostbusters’ character suddenly shot up in value due to a sharp rise in demand.
How to store collectibles
If you truly think that Lego set is going to be worth big bucks in just a few years’ time, you need to store it properly, not just chuck it in the cupboard where it will probably get squashed and damaged. Here are our tips for storing valuable toys and collectibles correctly:
Rent a dedicated storage space
A storage space, like the ones we offer at Titan, is the perfect place to keep all of your collectibles safe and secure. Our facilities are monitored 24/7 by our state-of-the-art CCTV system and the upper floors can only be accessed via a key-coded lift. Your individual storage space is secured with a unique padlock – that Lego Millennium Falcon couldn’t be safer!
Keep them out of the sunlight
Extreme temperatures, damp and sunlight can ruin your toys over time – so you might not want to keep your collectibles on the shelf above the fireplace. Again, this is why a dedicated storage space is ideal: there aren’t any environmental factors which will damage your toys.
Package them well
It may seem like common sense, but if you think you have something valuable, you shouldn’t store it using poor-quality packaging. Wrap delicate items in bubble wrap and place them in a box that’s in a good condition. Make sure the item doesn’t move around in the box – fill any excess space with bubble wrap or packing peanuts. We sell a range of packaging materials if you happen to be running low!
Label your boxes
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to open every single box because you forgot to label any of them. If you want to be able to find a certain toy quickly, label those boxes clearly! You could even categorise them by theme, e.g. Star Wars, video games, Spiderman comics, etc.
Keep an eye on current trends
Don’t forget which toys you have stored away – has something happened in the news that could push up the price of one of your collectibles? Keep your finger on the pulse and don’t miss a great opportunity to sell.
Most valuable collectables from the 90s
The 90s are THE era for nostalgia. Needless to say, the decade birthed some of the now most sought-after collectibles on the market. If you’re clearing out your garage any time soon, here are some of the most valuable 90s collectable, and the prices they’re fetching:
- Copies of pristine “Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon” cards from Yu-Gi-Oh! have been listed up to £29,000 (approximately $400,000)
- 1995 edition Collector Number 271 Hot Wheels model car is considered the rarest model from the 90’s, selling for around £2,500 (approximately $3,500)
- Some vinyl records from the 90’s such as a rare early White Stripes single from 1998 can sell for up to £13,000 (approximately $18,000)
- Pokémon cards range in price depending on their condition and rarity, but some copies of the Holographic Shadowless First Edition Charizard have been knows to sell from up to £54,200! (approximately $74,999)
Some other 90’s collectables to look out for are:
- Trading cards such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Hot Wheels figures
- Comic books
- Collectable Barbies, Transformers and other action figures
- Beanie Babies
- Original Harry Potter books
- Polly Pockets
- Furby’s
What are the best trading cards to collect?
Thanks to renewed interest from live streamers, YouTubers and collectable enthusiasts alike, there are a number of highly sought-after trading cards currently circulating on the market. These include:
- Pokemon trading cards
- Football trading cards
- Magic: The Gathering trading cards
- Marvel Champions
- Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions
- Final Fantasy trading cards
- Keyforge
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Look out for reputable brands such as Topps trading cards, Match Attax Trading cards and Panini Trading cards to help maximise any potential value and longevity.
How to find the value of your collectibles
The best way to figure out the value of your collectible item is through officially recognised valuers.
For trading cards, this could be a service like PSA. Online tools such as CheckAMart are ideal for getting an idea for what your item may be worth, but it’s important to remember that there are a number of factors that go into the valuation of your collectible such as condition and manufacturer.
Board games – Over recent years, board and card games have made a comeback in a big way. It’s well worth researching the market and seeing if there any limited or special editions that could become sought-after over time.
Collectible trends to look out for in 2022
If you’re planning to pick up some future collectibles in 2022, here are the trends and events you need to pay attention to:
Superheroes – there’s no shortage of superhero movies and TV shows arriving in cinemas and subscription services throughout 2021 and 2022, including The Batman, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
Boardgames – seeing a resurgence in popularity throughout the pandemic, board and card games are back in the spotlight, with a focus on limited edition and one-off pieces that will only increase in value over time.
Minecraft – the Minecraft hype still shows no signs of slowing, with countless YouTubers and Twitch streamers helping fuel the block-building fire.
Try not to buy into quick, flash-in-the-pan trends, unless your plan is to sell quickly. Beanie Babies are proof that not every collectible stays popular or valuable forever.
Whatever toys you choose to invest in, make sure they are stored away safely. To find out more about our storage services, give us a call on 0800 644 0018 or request a quote from us today.
