"Come on, they are just toys, aren't they?"

Are they toys, or collectibles?  That's entirely up to the buyer.  You may have been the child that liked to crash and smash the toy cars, or you might have played gently with your toys, but they were still toys.  Today, the lowly toy car is sometimes looked on in a new light -- as a collectible.  This guide will provide some insight into the collectible car market, particularly with respect to Nascar collectibles.

So what exactly differentiates toy cars from collectible cars?

Quite simply, it is solely the buyer's own preferences.  With the popularity of Nascar, NHRA, and other motorsports, many fans want to collect memorabilia that features their favorite driver.  Some want one of every car their idol has driven, while others want to collect one of each driver.  Others may collect a particular model of car,  or even cars with a particular company logo on the car.

As the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  While someone sees a collectible car to be treasured, another may simply see a toy to be played with.  There really is no difference, although the price of those thought most collectible will likely discourage treating them as toys.

What affects the price of collectible cars?

One aspect is the quality of the car, i.e., the level of detail put into the car.  There are several companies that make diecast cars, but the largest of the companies producing Nascar diecast are Racing Champions, Team Caliber, and Action Performance.  Racing Champions generally produces the cars with the least amount of detail, while Team Caliber and Action tend to produce cars with much more details and higher quality materials.

Another important aspect is the popularity of the driver represented by the car.  The more popular a driver, the more collectible the car becomes, primarily because of the laws of supply and demand.  More fans equates to more cars sold, which normally causes the cars to become scarce, driving the price up.  In addition, if the driver has passed away, this tends to drive prices up, as buyers rush to purchase the remaining collectibles.

Some cars may be quite collectible simply because there were very few made, either by accident, or by design.  The higher quality pieces are typically manufactured in low production quantities, in an attempt to keep prices higher.  Occasionally, a manufacturer may expect a lower demand, and produce far fewer cars.  When a particular car is scarce, buyers are willing to pay more than normal to make sure they get theirs.

An important factor that affects "collectibility" (and price), is the condition of the packaging.  Many collectors want to keep their treasures in the original, undamaged packaging.  Dents, dings, bends, and tears in the packaging will reduce the perceived value dramatically.  Price stickers are often the kiss of death for a collectible car, even if they are removed, since removing them may damage the package.  In general, an unopened car is worth far more than one that has ever been removed from the original packaging.

So what's a particular car really worth?

Quite simply -- it's worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it, and no more.  Sure, there are lots of "price guides" out there that give "book price" for diecast cars.  Two of the biggest are Beckett Racing and Diecast Digest magazines.  Both of these publications show suggested prices for diecast cars, and give some general guidance in determining the value of a particular piece.  But these don't guarantee you'll be able to sell a piece for that price, nor do they guarantee you'll be able to buy one at that price.  Remember, these are just price guides, not price lists.  Both of these guides have panels of dealers that help to establish the "book" price, which is normally based on actual sales, but in general, the "street" prices are usually much lower than "book" prices. 

I'm ready to invest in some diecast - what now?

Stop right there.  If you are buying diecast as an investment, you are making a mistake.  Sure, prices generally increase over time, but you'd do better investing in stocks or bonds, or putting your money in a bank.  You won't fund your retirement by speculating in diecast cars.  Collecting diecast is a hobby, not a profession.  Buy what you like to collect, and enjoy having them.  Don't spend your "butter and egg" money in hopes that you'll make money in the future.  Chances are much greater that you'll sell your collection for a loss, than to make a large sum of money when you choose to part with your treasures.

What do I look for when buying diecast?

Here's the basics of collecting:

1)  Buy what you like.  Don't buy something because it's rare, or because it might be valuable.

2)  Verify what you are getting before buying it.

3)  Don't pay more than you want to.  Be patient, you'll find another one someday.

How can I buy online without getting burned?

That question is as old as the internet.  Basically, you have to be smart and ask questions:

A) What condition is it in?  Opened?  Unopened?  Damaged packaging?

B)  If there isn't a picture, can you get one before buying?

C)  How will it be shipped -- in a box or a padded envelope?  Don't buy diecast that isn't shipped in a box -- you'll be sorry when the postal gorilla stomps on it.

D)  Is the shipment insured?  If not, can you buy insurance to protect your purchase?  Of course, you may not want to pay for insurance on a $2 car - that's your choice.

E)  What is the seller's reputation?  (Check feedback on eBay!)

F)  What is the return policy if you are not satisfied?  Who pays for return postage in this case?

Enjoy Collecting, but Always Remember, it's Just a Hobby! 

Questions, comments?  Feel free to email us at Artcollect @ Aol.com

Come visit our eBay store --- Arthur's Collectibles