SINGAPORE: From Pokemon cards and Bearbricks figurines to decades-old comic books, collectibles that once sat lovingly on display shelves are increasingly being sold for cash.Industry players say the number of collectors looking to offload their prized possessions has risen significantly in recent years, with some using the proceeds to help pay for housing and family expenses amid rising living costs.Others are taking advantage of strong prices, while some are simply clearing part of their collection to fund the next addition to their hobby. Sugoi Collection, which deals in toys and collectibles, has recorded about 50 per cent more sellers compared with four years ago.
The Orchard Central store said many of them are younger couples looking to unlock cash from items they no longer actively collect. “Now, because of the rising cost of living, more people are only buying what they really enjoy, and they tend to negotiate the price,” said the shop’s founder Shawn Xu. Trading card retailers have observed a similar trend. Both Shane Collectibles and Consignment at Peninsula Shopping Complex and SC Collection at Orchard Towers have seen around a 30 per cent increase in collectors looking to sell cards in recent years. Store owners said most sellers are in their 20s to 40s and are often motivated by practical financial needs. “Some reasons include housing down payments, renovation costs, wedding expenses, growing family commitments, newborn kids, business cash flow needs, etc,” said Shane Collectibles and Consignment’s owner Malcolm Wong. SC Collection’s owner Chong Yong said: “There are cases where people got laid off … one particular guy was getting a bit stressed, so he tried to sell some cards to tide through while he searched for another job.” QUICK CASHOUT Part of the appeal of collectibles is how quickly they can be converted into cash. Transactions can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, with authentication and payment sometimes completed in as little as 10 minutes. Mr Wong said some collectors view their cards much like other assets, choosing to cash out when values rise sharply. “People are looking at all-time high prices. Some bought (an item) low maybe 10 years ago at S$10 (US$8), now it's S$1,000. And it's time to cash out,” he told CNA. He once bought a Pikachu card for S$3,500 and later sold it for S$6,500. At its highest point, it would have fetched S$35,000. The highest-priced card currently in his shop is worth S$15,000, while the cheapest costs just S$1. Mr Wong noted that selling does not necessarily mean collectors have lost interest in their hobby. “One of the more common misconceptions is that sellers are always looking to offload unwanted items. In reality, many are emotionally attached to their collections and are simply reallocating capital temporarily,” he said. In fact, some collectors eventually return to buy back items they once sold after their finances improve. Mr Chong said: “When they need (money), they sell first to free up cash. They will buy back later when they have more disposable income.”
