For even the most serious collector of everything from toys to ancient coins, there comes a time when some items in the collection need to go. Or, as sometimes happens, you might find or inherit trading cards or coins and have no idea what to do with them and don’t want them cluttering up your home.

Or, maybe you are starting a collection or looking for an essential piece to round out your own collection of cool stuff like action figures or sports memorabilia. Regardless of the case, reputable pawn shops like Central Mega Pawn in Ontario, California, can help you get the most money for your items, or get you a fair price on that must-have collectible.

Pros of buying collectibles at a pawnshop

Unlike your fellow collectors, who sometimes inflate their prices due to sentimental value or their personal history with the item, your local pawnbroker is more concerned with making a profit than with getting the absolute most money. This means that, in most cases, there will be room for negotiations.

Also, unlike buying collectibles online, where you have to rely on scans or photos to see what you’re getting, at a pawnshop, you will be able to see your item right away, in person. You will know precisely what you are investing in, instead of waiting for it to arrive and hoping for the best.

Pros of selling collectibles at a Pawnshop

Selling your collectibles online or at garage sales can be risky in several ways. For example, when you list them on auction sites or person-person sales apps, you risk not getting paid for your item, or even worse, finding yourself in a dangerous situation. If you sell them yourself at a yard sale, convention, or similar situation, you risk getting robbed.

Selling to a pawnshop is quick, easy, and safe. Also, if you have a sudden change of heart, you will be able to reclaim your item.

Coins

Depending on your location, your local pawnshop may have a variety of coins and currency on hand and may be interested in buying only specific items. At Central Mega Pawn, we deal with a wide range of coins and currency. Chances are good that we have what you’re looking for and are interested in what you have to sell.

Before you visit us, however, be sure to do your research to understand the value of what you have to sell, and of what you may be interested in buying. Any current guidebook will provide you with the information you need.

Trading Cards

Doing your research is especially important when buying or selling trading cards at a pawn shop; for collectible trading cards, condition is king. Look around for completed sales of your exact card or cards on eBay to get an idea of what you can expect to pay or receive. However, don’t forget that your pawnbroker must be able to make a profit on everything they buy, so expect only about 40% of the expected value.

Selling trading cards at a pawn shop is a unique situation. For most items, we would encourage you to clean your item as much as possible before bringing it in, but you should never clean or attempt to repair a trading card. Doing so brings down its value and collectability and may cause irreparable damage.

If you have any certificates of authenticity for your cards, be sure to bring that in, too. Your pawnbroker is an expert in many things, but there will rarely be a trading card expert on hand to tell your pawnbroker what you have. Make it easy for your pawnbroker to see the value in your cards, and you will have a much more pleasant experience.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia is a growing market and covers everything from sports to film and TV. Thanks to our close proximity to Hollywood, we have lots of movie and television memorabilia and collectibles, such as autographed photos, figurines, and posters. And, that’s not all – we also stock lots of sports memorabilia from local teams and athletes and are always looking to add to our inventory.

If you have memorabilia to sell us, be sure to bring in any paperwork or certificates to prove that autographs and relics are authentic. Having your paperwork means that you will save us time and effort looking into the item’s authenticity to build your offer.

Autographed memorabilia is unique, and the more information you can provide, the more value you may get. For example, while autographed footballs are common, and tend to attract a range of value, if you have a game-used football that was autographed after a championship game and is only one of a few in existence, you may be sitting on a goldmine.

So, for any autographed items, take the time to do additional research to see if you can find out how many such autographs exist, where it was signed, and how many are available to the public.

If you are buying memorabilia, rest assured that when you buy from Central Mega Pawn, we have done everything we can to ensure that your item is authentic and legitimate.

Action Figures

In the past, these were commonly referred to as “toys,” but much like the fans who collect them, they’ve matured. Action figures are big business. Some of the most popular brands and characters include:

• DC and Marvel
• Funko Pops
• WWF/WWE
• Star Wars
• Disney

Vintage figures are also popular, but keep in mind that if you have any to sell, they should be in their original packaging. Some of the most valuable vintage action figures include characters from classic cartoons and films, such as Indiana Jones and the original Star Wars.

Selling your unwanted collectibles to a pawn shop like Central Mega Pawn is the fastest and easiest way to turn your items into cash. Or, if you’re in the market for a particular collectible, visit us – you never know what you’ll find.