![\"sports](\"\/rmcguffin\/files\/2012\/09\/Soccer-ball-shoes.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGetting an appraisal is a must for the serious sports collector. People have been sorely disappointed because they didn\u2019t get their items appraised for value and then sold them for a fraction of what they paid for them.<\/p>\n
Places you can check for appraisals for sports memorabilia include:<\/h3>\n
1.) All Authentic Sports Memorabilia<\/em><\/strong>-professionals who can provide references and offer instant appraisals<\/p>\n 2.) Vintage Sports Memorabilia<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Appraisals-has a sports artifacts library for thousands of vintage sports items, prefers email requests limited to two items, nothing newer than 1980.<\/p>\n 3.) Krause Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Price Guide<\/p>\n 4.) Robert Connelly-He does clinics on appraisals. He\u2019s a member of the American Society of Appraisers and was honored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.<\/p>\n 5.) American Legends-Provides paid appraisals, founded in 1992.<\/p>\n 6.) Sports Memorabilia<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Appraisal Expert Witness-Provides an 800 #, volunteers background information to help give reference to its value as an appraisal business.<\/p>\n Besides the importance of appraisals for resale value, you may want to seriously consider having your valuable insured. Insurance companies also may not recognize the value unless you\u2019ve had an appraisal done. Make sure you have documented proof.<\/p>\n There is a Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice which is recognized in courts and acceptable to banks, insurance companies, auction houses, and the IRS. Make sure you sell to the right person or business. Just because an item is listed as one amount doesn\u2019t mean the dealer will agree to pay that amount.<\/p>\n Sweat stains don\u2019t necessarily make a jersey authentic. Anyone can wear a jersey long enough to sweat in it and try to pass it off as the real thing. Watch for smudged autographs, dog-eared pages in books, worn edges on cards. An appraiser should be trained to notice small details that would decrease the value of your collector\u2019s item. When my daughter was involved in card collecting and bought a box of cards that seemed like a great deal to her, she was soon sorely disappointed. The only authentic card was the one in the display on the front of the box. All the rest were fakes, worthless. It was a waste of her hard-earned and long saved allowance. So beware of this type of scam when you buy a group of items. The appraisal value will be zero!<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t just depend on a local sports shop or whatever available appraisal you come across. Also, consider that paying for more than one opinion is worthwhile if a lot of money is involved and if it gives you peace of mind.
\nPrices will change, so you\u2019ll want an updated value before decided to sell. Retired players hold their value better because their status won\u2019t change.<\/p>\n
\nThere is a system with trading cards called grading. A graded card has a more reasonable guarantee of authenticity. Graded cards are sealed to discourage card switching, a low tactic of some sellers. The appraiser should know to recognize graded cards and their value.<\/p>\n