• Cash In on Entertainment Memorabilia

• Find Out What's Hot in Entertainment Memorabilia

• Get Top Dollar for Your Entertainment Memorabilia

• Ship Your Entertainment Memorabilia

• Build Your Reputation

Cash In on Entertainment Memorabilia

Cash In on Entertainment Memorabilia

Many Entertainment Memorabilia collectors and star-struck fans use eBay not only as a place to find new and unique posters, clothing,  autographs and more, but as a way to help fund their growing collections. Whether you are saving up for that must-have vintage color photo of Marilyn Monroe or need a Kiss concert tee for an upcoming show, selling on eBay is the perfect way to earn extra money. Swap out your unused Entertainment Memorabilia—those movie posters you have yet to hang or a piece from your bobblehead collection—and buy yourself a new treasure.

What's It Worth?

Already have an item in mind? Visit Entertainment Memorabilia Seller Central to find out the average selling price of similar pieces on eBay. You can also search completed listings to see how others are selling similar items.

Find Out What's Hot in Entertainment Memorabilia

Find Out What's Hot in Entertainment Memorabilia

Millions of people come to eBay in search of Entertainment Memorabilia—from the cool, rare, and highly in demand (think anything signed by the Beatles), to the kitschy, funny, and even a bit bizarre (think bobbleheads). The following provides just a small sampling of the myriad of Entertainment Memorabilia that you could sell on eBay. To get a real-time view of what’s in demand, what buyers are searching for, and what items are selling the most, visit Entertainment Memorabilia Seller Central.                               

• Autographs: Both original and reprints for all types of celebrities are in demand. Buyers love finding items from their favorite singers, bands, actors, and broadway stars.

• Press and marketing materials: Pressbooks, press kits, and clippings from movies, concerts, and even advertisements are popular. Collectors are also on the lookout for ads, flyers, lobby cards, standees, window cards, playbills, posters, and souvenir programs.

• Screen-used memorabilia: Props, scripts, and wardrobe are popular with movie fanatics.

• Concert-used memorabilia: Buyers of all ages search for musical instruments, guitar picks, drum sticks, and costumes from their favorite singers and bands.

• Personal items: Anything and everything a celebrity has touched, signed, or worn is wanted by adoring fans all over the world.

• Limited-edition goods: Manufacturers or studios can choose to produce a limited number of a certain item, such as hats, T-shirts, and jackets, or allow a certain number of licensed autographed items to enter the marketplace. Limited editions often come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), even if they do not have an autograph, and are in demand because of their rarity.

• Other memorabilia: Buyers are searching for bobbleheads, collector plates, ticket stubs, pins, buttons, and calendars on eBay from movies, music, television, and theater.

Get Top Dollar for Your Entertainment Memorabilia

Get Top Dollar for Your Entertainment Memorabilia

Once you have an idea of what you’re going to sell, it’s time to think about how to attract Entertainment Memorabilia buyers. Here are the top tips from eBay’s most successful sellers.

Help Buyers Find Your Items with Keywords

Keywords are a great way to attract buyers to your listing, especially when used correctly in your Listing Title. Listing titles are used by eBay’s search engine to pull up listings during a search. Use your 55 characters wisely, and try to anticipate what buyers will be searching for. Find out what is being searched right now with our list of Top Entertainment Memorabilia Searches. Be sure to include common search terms like “Kiss” and “Elvis,” when appropriate. State important characteristics of your item—what it is, brand, notable name, and condition. Of course, you should only include keywords that are relevant to the item you are selling. You can also search current and completed eBay listings to see what other sellers include in their titles.

In your Listing Description, make sure to include both basic information and details about your item. A good description is concise, well organized, and easy to read. Create bold section headlines, bulleted lists, and be sure to restate the information featured in your title plus more details such as dimensions, estimated value, repairs or restoration, colors, materials, accessories, proof of authentication, and any other interesting features. You can also insert photos or links to videos that highlight the unique attributes of your item. Think about your listing from the buyer's perspective. The more information you provide, the more likely the buyer will be to place a bid on your item.

Here are some terms commonly used by other sellers to describe their Entertainment Memorabilia. Make sure you only use a term when you are sure it applies to your item.

• Mint in box ( MIB): Entertainment Memorabilia that is mint in box has been previously opened, but has no damages or repairs and will be sold with its original box.

• New in box (NIB): A product that is new in box has never been removed from its original packaging.

• Certificate of authenticity (COA): If your item was produced in limited quantity or is autographed, it may have been sold with a Certificate of Authenticity stating important information such as production number, production limit, signature authenticity, and date. Some COAs can be granted by third-party graders and authenticators.

• No longer available (NLA): Entertainment Memorabilia that is no longer available is no longer being produced by manufacturers or available in retail stores.

Do Your Research

If you don’t know much about your item, a little research can help you understand what you are selling which can lead to a higher return. Examine your Entertainment Memorabilia for any markings, dates, signatures, titles, or brands. All of these details will give you a better estimate of your item’s value, and educating your buyers can increase the attraction of your item.

When selling rare Entertainment Memorabilia that is potentially worth a lot, it may be worthwhile to get your item appraised and authenticated. Authenticating your Entertainment Memorabilia not only provides you with a good estimate on expected sale price, but it also builds buyer confidence. Third-party graders and authenticators are qualified, experienced professionals who pledge to provide unbiased opinions. Proof of authenticity can take many forms, including:

• Tags: Studio tags or a costumer’s tag, or the name of an actor or actress written in the collar of a particular wardrobe piece.

• Studio markings: Studio markings on props.

• Photographs: Still photographs of individuals wearing a certain item or signing a certain item.

• Testimonials: The personal word of someone associated with the film, the television show, the band, etc.

• Certificates of authenticity: Certificate of authenticity (COA) from the studio or seller that was issued by an authenticator with industry credibility, or an entity that has a proven track record of experience and integrity.

Note: Opinions expressed by evaluators are theirs alone. eBay does not examine items listed on its site and does not have the expertise to evaluate items. eBay cannot guarantee the findings of any evaluator — authentication and grading are difficult, often subjective matters where experts themselves occasionally disagree. Each of the companies listed on the Opinions, Authentication, and Grading page that provides authentication and/or grading services is an independent company, and eBay is not responsible in any way for any action, inaction, opinion or service in connection with these companies. You should review the credentials of each company and use your own judgment before using any company's services.

Showcase Your Entertainment Memorabilia with Great Photos

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words! Photos are the closest you can get to putting your Entertainment Memorabilia in the hands of potential buyers. Here are some tips on how to best represent your item:

• Choose the Right Background: Use a contrasting, solid backdrop. By placing your Entertainment Memorabilia on a solid black or white backdrop, you draw a buyer’s immediate attention onto the item. This is easily achieved by hanging a bed sheet or placing poster board behind the item. Use a plain, colored fabric backdrop to make your item stand out. Most importantly, avoid background clutter that can distract buyers or confuse them regarding what you are selling. If you are selling more than one item in your listing, take pictures of the set as a whole and of individual pieces.

• Cover All Angles: Take pictures from multiple angles and distances, zooming in on important details. Make sure highlight any signatures, dates, and details. Zoom in to show textures and colors. Always include photographs of any flaws—it gives the buyer a clearer idea of what they are bidding on and builds buyer trust.

• Use Proper Lighting: Natural light tends to give the best representation of your item, however direct sunlight can have the nasty effect of shadows. Find an area that receives indirect sunlight. Try taking your item outside on a sunny day and photograph it in a shady area. If you can't seem to find an area like this, or would prefer to use indoor lighting, try surrounding your item with desk, overhead, or floor lamps. Above all, avoid using your camera's flash which causes distortion and shadows.

• Add Gallery: Including a Gallery photo with your listing is extremely important for success. You can attract attention to your item with a photo next to your listings in search results. In addition, when a buyer uses “Picture Gallery” to look at search results, your listing will be shown. Your Gallery picture should be a very clear, uncluttered view of your item. Since it is the only photo visible on search pages, make sure it provides a good representation of your item.

Maximize Profits with Low Priced, No Reserve Listings

Auction style listings are a great way to create excitement around your Entertainment Memorabilia, which in turn can develop into a bidding frenzy among buyers—which could result in a higher selling price for you. The keys to a successful auction style listing are to get your first bid and encourage bidders to continue bidding.

• Low Starting Price: Getting that first bid is critical, as other buyers are generally more likely to jump in if they see there are already bids on an item. To do this, many sellers prefer to set an opening bid below what the item is actually worth. Try beginning with a low starting price—such as 99 cents—to jumpstart bidding activity.

• No Reserve: Be careful when setting a reserve price. Buyers may lose interest in an item if they place a bid and find it doesn't meet the reserve. Because they do not know the reserve price, they may assume the seller is simply asking too much for the item. To prevent this from happening, try listing your item with "No Reserve." Items sold with "No Reserve" typically attract more buyer interest, as buyers know that they will actually win the item if they are the high bidder.

• Accept PayPal: Buyers want to know that they can pay securely when making a purchase on eBay. By accepting PayPal payments, you can build buyer confidence and help protect yourself. PayPal transfers payments to a bank account of your choice and notifies you when a payment has been received. Best of all, PayPal offers free online tools to make managing your payments easier. You can even price shipping labels and track your shipments.

Ship Your Entertainment Memorabilia

Ship Your Entertainment Memorabilia

Specifying reasonable shipping and handling costs in your listing is essential for smart selling—and it improves your search ranking when buyers sort by total cost. Never leave a buyer wondering how much shipping will cost.

Calculate Shipping Costs

Often times, shipping costs will vary by distance. To make sure your shipping charges reflect this, incorporate a shipping calculator into your listing. With the shipping calculator, eBay can automatically calculate the shipping cost for your buyers based on the size and weight of your item and the buyer’s location. You can also program the calculator to add in the cost of packaging materials and your handling fee, if any.

Select a Service Option

To protect both you and your buyer against loss or damage during shipping, consider purchasing shipping insurance for your package—especially for higher priced items. Shipping insurance is available through most shipping companies, and can be purchased while you pay for shipping. You can factor in the cost of shipping insurance into your shipping cost—but make sure you state in your description that you are doing so. Buyers want to know that they are paying extra for shipping for a good reason.

If you are selling larger items such as movie props, freight shipping might be the easiest and cheapest way to get your item to your buyer. Freight shipping is usually reserved for items over 150 pounds, and is available in the United States and Canada. Find out more at the Freight Resource Center.

Package Your Entertainment Memorabilia Securely

After your item sells, you are ready to ship it off to its new home. Make sure you package your item safely and securely. Use bubble wrap, foam, or other packaging materials to make sure your item is not damaged during its move. If you take an item apart to ship it, include a list of pieces and instructions on how to put it back together. Here are a few steps to think about:

• Wrap It: Individually wrap items and provide lots of cushioning (bubble wrap, peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper). Be careful if you choose to reuse newspaper—the ink can rub off and damage your items. If you use foam peanuts, be aware that they may shift in transit, so overfill your box. If any pieces could be damaged by water, make sure you wrap them with a layer of sealed plastic. Place any flat prints, posters, or photographs that cannot be bent in between two large pieces of cardboard and tape tightly. Remember, wrap and pack firmly—you don’t want to hear any rattling!

• Box It: If the item is on the smaller side, you can order free USPS Priority Mail boxes right on eBay—the United States Postal Service will even deliver them right to your door for free! For larger items, use a corrugated box with rigid sides, intact flaps, and plenty of room for cushioning on all sides. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap).

• Seal It: Use strong tape designed for shipping, rather than masking tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over-wrap. Once you’ve sealed up your package, you can pay for shipping and print shipping labels right from your PayPal account. You can even request a pickup from USPS or UPS, saving you a trip to the Post Office or UPS location.

Build Your Reputation

Build Your Reputation

Communication is the key to a successful transaction. Make sure you’re available before, during, and after the sale. Answer any questions about your item promptly. Include a thank you note in your package—it’s a great way to surprise and delight your buyer and encourage them to leave you positive feedback.

Always Leave Feedback

Feedback is extremely important for all eBay users. Consistent positive feedback lets buyers know that you manage transactions well and that you care about your reputation. One way to help ensure good feedback is to communicate well, represent your item truthfully in your listing, and be polite. Also remember your buyer’s feedback score is as important to them as yours is to you—so be courteous, thoughtful, and truthful when leaving feedback.

Express Yourself

Be more than just a username to your buyers. Introduce yourself through your About Me page and MyWorld. Add pictures, keep track of your favorite buyers, and tell the community about your interests and collections. Show your expertise by writing Reviews & Guides. Connect with other Entertainment Memorabilia enthusiasts on the Movies & Memorabilia Discussion Board. Remember, be yourself—and have fun!

Sell for a Cause

Support your favorite cause and enhance buyer trust and loyalty at the same time. eBay Giving Works listings tend to sell at higher final prices, because buyers are more willing to purchase, and often pay more for, items that benefit a nonprofit. Get more exposure and receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations!