INVESTING IN COLLECTIBLES: THE MINDSET OF...THE COLLECTOR VS INVESTOR VS SPECULATOR VS DEALER? 

This channel has become an cornerstone guide in my personal path of collecting. We "make order out of chaos", truer words never spoken.

I am the collector. I literally bought a complete in box Ninja Gaiden because the box invokes a really good memory of my late mother. I was just a kid and saw it behind some glass at a Montgomery Ward. And it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. She saw how much I liked it, and we went home after getting the stuff we came to get. Later she went back and got it for me as a surprise.

Excellent primer. Must watch for any Collector, Investor, Speculator or Dealer in collectibles. I'd also like to say there's a fine line between Collector and Hoarder. Emotions make it hard to pair down a collection. I do it periodically because I live in a small house and know it's the healthy to keep the collection orderly but it can be difficult to make cuts.

I am a comic collector, so I always love hearing the speculators justify their activities as investing. Paying unreasonable prices with no understanding of long term return just makes you ignorant of the market.

Omg! You are so spot on concerning collectors verses dealers! Great content!

Getting a psychological background on collecting versus investing is wonderful I definitely categorize myself as a collector I've been collecting since 75. I know this is going to sound terrible but I personally hope there is a huge, book market crash- that way I can get all the books that I can't afford!

This is like a whole college course. Thank you so much!

Salutations from NYC Shawn! I just watched your video and I have to say that I agree with you a 100%. I personally was not offended by any of your terminology or observations because at one time or another, I have told myself some of the same observations. As I was watching, I couldn't help but laugh because over the years and months, I have often found myself analyzing myself in these terms, collector, investor, speculator, and dealer (though I never really new the exact terms only that I was bouncing from one mindset to another). There is one thing that you did mention that I took to heart and that is that, "a collector would sometimes be better suited just leaving the collection alone, steeping back or understand that they don't need to own everything". I think that wiser collectors understand this better than a immature collector (I gladly raise my hand here 🖖🎃). I personally am still learning that it is alright to say "no thank you, I'll pass". Sometimes I get this right and other times....😔. As always, thank you for your videos, your dedication and time. It is all greatly appreciated and I know that I'm DEFINITELY learning something! Be safe and be well.

I will echo the sentiments of the comments below me: excellent video. I almost thought I didn't need to watch it because I thought I knew the definitions. But you elaborate on important distinctions. This is essential viewing for anyone putting money into collectibles.

Great overview of types of comic holders

I agree with you 100 percent except when it comes to hoarding a hoarder holds things for no particular reason and they keep actual garbage. I am a pure collector I bought my collection to collect it not sell it or flip it. If you buy anything with the intention to eventually sell it that is an investor. You are a very smart investor but if you will part at some point with the collection without migration to another collection. You are not a collector. I will sell the things I collect if I change my collection. Like start collecting something else but I'm one of those you describe. If I was poor and had to I would sell but I collect not sell. I'm a pure collector not a hoarder although I will take your word for how many times you're right. I am no hoarder as far as I can see just cause I enjoy owning my collection. But either way fn love hearing you talk your insight is unmatched in this as far as I can find.

Hahah. Love your mindset on these subjects. Thank you.

Excellent video. I started collecting stones, nuts and seashells when I was really young. The areas in which I collect are most of the time not the areas in which I invest.

Absolutely spot on! A must for anyone in those categories. Personally, I acknowledge that I'm a hoarder (particularly an autograph hoarder)... but I justify this hoarder-mentality by getting multiple signed copies of the same item (3-4+), selling the extras (increasing the price of each item when each one sells) and keeping one for myself. I tell myself that I'm expanding my collection, and that my collection is an investment, but these items rarely leave my collection... if I were in the 'dealer' category (which to an extent I am), then I'd be foregoing 25-33% of my margins. It's hard to let go sometimes, even if we know we're foregoing profit etc. Attaching memories to objects is irrational, but I cannot help myself. I've thought about dealing in an area I'm not interested in (Pokemon cards, comic books, etc.), but this requires significant time and knowledge in order to make consistent profits, and I'm not sure I'd want part of my brain taken up with first appearances of Charzard, Incredible Hulk etc. (no offence to those collecting in this category)! Haha. Is anyone else like me?

This is a great video. In a market where assets have no cashflow, understanding the participants is key to price. When interest rates rise for e.g. you should therefore get a downturn as the investors leave or provide less bid.

This is the content the collectible markets I follow desperately need (sports cards mostly). This was an excellent video as well as your last one about basic finance. Everyone in various collectible markets should watch your channel to learn more about it rather than the usual rocket emoji hype driven channels.

That is the biggest red sharpie I've ever seen! Also, this is the biggest (if not the best) video I've seen about being a collector vs. dealer. Thanks for changing my point of view. You did your job! Subscribed!

It is really great that you mention that the speculator has the lowest bar to entry, and I really like that you mentioned that. But, sometimes you have to call a spade, a spade, and when you mentioned speculating in a modern market with items that are still in mass production, that's a scalper (or a flipper if you want to be nice about it). I come from a more collecting side, but I see a lot idiots on youtube and social media going around giving tips/advice on how to scalp and resell modern, in production products. So, if I came from the selling/investment side, that would drive me nuts, as now there are a bunch idiots running around, driving up prices and overhyping everything, ruining the market for everyone. Now, it is possible to speculate in a market for out of production items that are at their lowest value and haven't peaked at the height of their market yet. And as a collector, I have (and we all have) have sold or traded things for more than the value we originally had in them. But sometimes, that kind of speculating can get scummy too. But, I do think if the investment side of the market wants to survive, the scalping really needs to stop, at least at the level it has gotten to during COVID. New or fresh blood is needed in a collectible market for things to continue, and seeing things like scalping still in production Pokemon cards has to turn people away. I'll never forget seeing idiots on social media looking for their 15 minutes of fame giving advice on scalping discounted lego sets at Walmart or scalping plushies to sell to your 1,000 instagram followers at inflated prices.

Great video. I learned a lot from you with this. Thank you.

Thanks for video! Important content for me thanks for grinding it out.

I vote for more videos likethis.

These are the types of videos that help me to keep a cool head when speculating on potential items that "might" go up in value in a few years. It also helps when I remember how I didn't sell my CIB turtles in time dup when it was at $550 and now it's worth $250

Really enjoyed this video. Lots of insightful information.

At this point im checking in to hear you reference 'Timmy Kimmy and Poindexter'

Thank you for your time and space!

One of your best videos Shawn, very nice!

Shaun noticed us action figure collectors 🤩

Thanks Shawn, unfortunately I am just a collector, so I will never be the best investor

AWESOME tutorial!!!...Thank you Shaun for your time and knowledge that you share to any and all who is wise enough to understand the value you give freely...

Excellent.

Great video. Really like the thorough explanation and examples for each category. In the future, I would love to see a video on what a written investment plan looks like and a more in depth video on how dealers operate in regards to mindset, strategy, tax planning/benefits, etc.

Love the classification here. After dealing with the toxic mess that is sealed game club / high-end group etc on FB for the last few years it's nice to see them / distance them by using a different lens.

most people get ripped off in everything in life because big words are used for things they are not here is my list of what those words mean: * Investor: someone that invest mid/low rewards mid/low risk 10+ years timespan. * Speculator: high risk / high reward timespan 0-3 years. * Flipper: Someone that understands production supply demand and blocks it, e.g. cacao beans are being bought for next to nothing but if a company needs cacao there is only one company that sells it for a very high price . timespan: days or if you can lock the market: forever. * Investment: something that generates money e.g.: a house (rent) an education in your field (higher hourly rate and the ability to do stuff you can make money with), (partial) ownership of a company. * speculating: buying something that does not generate money with the purpose of selling it for more. * Wojak / timmy / noob: someone that buys high risk / low reward items with an aggregated loss. * Pointdexer: someone that focus on the theory and knows it very well but lacks practical knowledge. * Whale: someone that is part of the 20% group that spends 80% of the money in that group. * Mega Whale: A whale that is part of the group of 20% and is part of the 20% of that group that spends 80% of that group! e.g. 5% that spend 95%. * Legal cheater: Someone that holds information / product in an unregulated market and has acces to information others do not have (e.g. knowing printruns, markets, information from manufacturer) or Wizards of the coast manipulating the market and keeping back boxes on Amzon and sell them for mega profits. * Illegal cheater: Some with foreknowledge in a market where its not allowed or someone competing with you who do not pay taxes / vat while you run a legal business. If you understand these words and can put stuff within that context it is a lot easier to look through BS. I am an IT guy and in tech terms are misused all the time to make something look very good while its actually very bad because it is not true. After that you can make solid lists. like Shawn saais, in the right categories. It will increase your understanding of stuff and makes your more money whatever type you fall in. *important note: Be advised that with the exception of "USA nice collectibles" the market is roughly 33% USA, 33% Europe and 33% ish Japan. It could be something is out of stock and valuable in the US but cheap in Europe or Japan these 3 markets have a roughly similar capitalization income in Europe and Japan is slightly lower than the US but thats only because healthcare and pension is already mostly payed for! So someone in the US with $60k a year has actually less spendable income than someone that makes $40k in western Europe / Japan. populations US: 329Mil Europe: 746M (eastern Europe is a lot poorer) Japan 128 Mil (less people but they spend a lot more on collectibles on average).

Excellent video! Marker sufficiently huge. But I think you can go bigger bro!!

Great video

Great video as always, Shawn. I'm well aware I've always been a collector, and I usually just follow my instincts, but it's fun to hear the "theoretical science" behind the why. Do you have any items in your collection that maybe isn't of particular objective value, but that are very meaningful to you?

Great video Shawn. As a Collector/Speculator in modern era sneakers, I’ve learned so much about the greater antiques/collectibles trade from your channel. I am now focusing on turning my short term profits into longer term investments in the market. Also appreciate you answering my email!

Shawn do you know youre a life saver? Also, the truth shall set you free. If you dont mention some of the things you mention we would be stuck in a trap without a way out.

That is why I do not understand why those people hang on ebay and such the fee structure reaches 15-20% and that is without the taxes!

Nice one Shawn!...sounds like it's time for a discussion on "weeding & feeding"

I could have stopped at the 11:30 mark. You described me perfectly. Quick question. Can FOMO affect all 4 types?

I might be a collector, investor and holder according to this channel. I collected sealed starwars and gi-joe vintage collectibles. I then started to sell them all because I was making over 10× my money. Kept a few but when the bubbles start to yellow I sell them. Unfortunately the bubbles won't last forever. Now I am finishing my comic runs. Certain comics I want to hand down to my kids.

I always enjoy these deep dive videos :)

Great video thank u

Well this video makes clear to me that I’m a collector first and foremost and a speculator secondly. And that’s ok.

Great video Shawn. I have been binge watching your videos after a recommendation to your channel and am loving it. As a potential video recommendation, I would like to learn more about how you approach the written plan from the investor standpoint in the trade. Whether you approach it from a financial planning perspective, OKR perspective, etc. Thanks for the great content!

Great video! I was a dealer that obtained a collector mindset and it is ruining my business. I stopped buying and focused only on selling.

I really enjoyed this video! Thanks Shawn

Wow , that is a GOOD video, more of this please:)

Really good video! Sorry to see me and my fellow hoarders were left off the chart!! Though, you aren’t wrong … not sure what I do is “healthy” 🤣

ThANK YOU!

There is one topic you did not include and might need an own video. Foreknowledge, if you know people e.g. someone at wizards of the coast we knows printruns, current Amazon stock, reprints as a speculator you can make massive money and its legal. We saw with flesh and blood many people buying 1st edition boxes because they thought it was rare and Channel fireball was lying to people they sold out but kept inventory to rip off the market, since FaB is a very small market it was discovered pretty quickly but in larger markets it does pay off to buy foreknowledge it gives you an edge.

I'm a collector / investor. I only buy stuff i like and in most cases, buy more than one (starting with the 90s comic boom).

Thank you for another valuable video

Thank you very much

Had a question in regards to mass produced scarcity. I feel like I’m finally beginning to understand what you mean about that. However I’m still not 100% sure on the definition because some items that are “limited” can be in a high demand market. For instance Fortnite comics are popular right now. So my question is, would a comic that is limited to let’s say 3000 copies be considered massed produced scarcity? Great content as always man! Thanks for any help!

Really good video 👌

Great topic. I especially like the dealer view point since it seems to be such a distinct viewpoint

You gotta get up earlier in the morning than that, Farmer. I know the sound of two pennies being dropped into a jelly jar when I hear it.

Very clear now I know what I am lol

Batman 189 in a 9.4 ? Sheesh, good luck on that one LOL Great video Shawn

Yup I'm definitely a game/collector. I only buy what I like. I open and play with everything in my collection. I absolutely don't care about the current value of my games or figures. I have really expensive games but I won't sell them. I also hate graded games and I consider the video games market to be owned by resellers and scalpers. Most people don't even care about games. I pretty much stopped collecting retro games because the prices are too crazy now. Can't wait for the retro game bubble to pop...

17:20 brutal, but fair 😂

Loved this episode! Question - Looking at the detailed characteristics of the 4 classes, it is possible to cross/hybrid between Investor + Speculator + Dealer ? I seem to find myself shifting between these modes with the only characteristic being constant is that my buying & selling decisions are not emotional driven (which I think is a big mindset that separates Collectors from the other 3).

As always, great content!

Does that mean as a collector you plan on eventually getting rid of your Great Gatsby book?

Have you had your share of mistakes such as passing on an item that you should've bought or overpaying on something? If so that might make for a good video.

Your a good man . Can you talk about a slow economy or recession time . Best time to buy everything stocks an collectibles?

Shawn, I have watched a number of your videos and have been trying to watch the back issues when I have time. I’m trying to get my head around 1st print 1st appearance comic books (amazing spider-man 1) and 1st print books (IE: Great Gatsby). Is this a history vs nostalgia issue? Is this a rarity issue? I know you have said some comics may be considered mature markets but what is that line? Pre-1975? Less that a specific amount of a census? Is it that character that makes up or is in the book? Is it a combination of all of it? Sorry, just so many questions

Started to collect something in their childhood? Gotta catch 'em all?? 😳 Thanks Nintendo lol

wow I actually did collect seashells as a kid, very interesting

Great Video! I'm always curious as to the collector themed books you have on your shelf. Any good read recommendations?

Hello from France, Paris. Shawn, i would like to know what is your take on the meteorite/naturalia precious gem market. Blessing Regards

First!

Hey Reserved investments, if you've heard of veve which sells licenced nft collectibles, what do you think of them?

Collector BEAST investors win even when they lose! And that’s not often when you can afford to play like it’s house money.

On a tangent but like you say you need to study speculative bubbles, 6:30, to show that short term collectors appear during them, it cant hurt to watch a few Mr Beast Interviews, the largest creator on the platform, to become more aware of the youtube market and how the largest creator grew his channel.

What happened to the flipper?

Great video

Great video