Donna's Quick Guide to Avon Collectibles

Collecting Avon products can be fun and rewarding. The Avon company continues to create distinctive product containers for their merchandise which capture the attention of collectors. You might also be interested in the thousands of jewelry designs sold through Avon. As you browse the many Avon products listed on eBay and other websites you will probably see products and containers that you have grown up with. Why not turn your nostalgia into a hobby or business! Here are some ideas to get you started.

Research

As with any hobby, a lot of research is necessary to look for and catalog your collection. The Internet gives you an excellent opportunity to zero-in on photos and descriptions, items for sale, current prices, old Avon catalogs and more. Try using the many search engines and search for "Avon collectibles." Using Google I found 63,400 listings at the time of writing this guide. Manipulate different search terms and you can find thousands more. A search of eBay turned up hundreds of categories with thousands of items. It even had suggestions for other places to look for items.Good research will bring you great rewards!

Look around your house

Your own home is a good place to start in your search for Avon collectibles. One thing to do is gather any items you may already have. Most times these items are things you have kept to recall memories of friendships or life at home.

Remember, Avon has been in existence since 1886 and sells products ranging from perfumes and powders to plates, figurines and jewelry, toys and a lot more.

Looking around your house is also a good opportunity to get some of that dreaded house cleaning done that you may have been avoiding. Turn your cleaning into cash!

Garage sales and auctions

Get out of the house and enjoy a nice day of traveling around your area visiting other peoples' dirty houses and searching for Avon treasures. A garage sale should turn up several Avon items. Dig through the tables and find the things you are hunting. Go prepared to do some "horse trading." Finding a bargain means knowing current collectible item values, rarities and just how much you would be willing to pay in order to own an item.

Auctions are another good resource. Many times you will find a box of items, maybe even all Avon, sold as a "lot" and pay only a few dollars. Again, know as much as you can about the items you are hunting.

Twosies & Threesies

When you are hunting don't forget to look for items you could purchase and later trade for things you need to fill your collection. Many times that dime or quarter bargain you find can be traded at a higher value -- even $20, 30, $50 dollars or more. If you already have one of an item, pick up another of the same in case you break your own. You may even find an item you already have but the one you find is in better condition or maybe it might include the packaging or even be new and unused in mint condition.

Set a collecting budget

Most times collecting is not that expensive. Even so, set a small budget for your collecting. Don't let your hobby get the best of your finances. Other things should come first.

I suggest that you budget $10 to $20 a month -- if you can afford it -- for purchases. Try not to spend it all if you can avoid it. Start the next month with a fresh $10.

Never spend money on your collecting if you need it to maintain your household and family. Another time will come and you can make purchases then.

Have Fun!

Most of all, have fun. Share your enthusiasm with others. You never know when you might find a friend who likes doing the same thing and collecting the same things you do.

My Blog

Part of your experience can involve chatting online with other people who enjoy collecting Avon. My blog -- Avon Donna's Corner-- is open for your comments. Share your ideas. I'd be glad to hear them.

Donna
AvonDonna86