I know its been talked about 100 times but its still worth a reminder.
 

Ill try to keep it short. Just heard from a buddy of mine that a local collector down his way unexpectedly died at 51 years old and left a substantial collections behind. He hid from his wife how much he was spending and how much his collection was worth. She had no clue. The worst part is one of his "friends" tried to swoop in and fleece her about about 5 cents on the dollar. Luckily she was smart enough to go on line and do some research and long story short got a fair price for it all. So I guess I just want to say even to the guys on here that might hide some spending or info on your collections worth at least have some info tucked away on value or auction houses to trust in a safe or some friends you trust that can steer your better half in the right direction. None of us think our last day is around the corner but you never know.

In my file of key financial documents I have a piece of paper that says “If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, and you want to sell my baseball collection, please call [Name].”

I sent my daughter a current spreadsheet of everything in my collection last week. I do it about once a year so she has an updated list. I gave here the name of someone to call...

and a random card..

Thank You!
 

"timber63401" THANK YOU for posting this. I know it is not a pleasant thought, but as Shakespeare wrote, "we shall all pass beyond this mortal coil."

For those who may not know, I work for Heritage. I get calls like this on average once a week. Family member died and they had no clue what they collected or the value. Please leave some inventory list, spreadsheet, something... You don't want your family to get taken advantage of. When people ( especially when it is an older person) are grieving they are more likely to make a rash decision because they just don't want to deal with the situation. Have a will. When money is involved, even family members can turn on each other. Sad but true.

My two extreme cases:
A woman called and said her husband had just recently died. She found out he had three storage units of material. She had no clue. She only found out because the storage place wanted the back rental fee.

Another woman called me because she found out her husband who passed away had a small apartment in a nearby town that was just jam packed with material. She sent me pictures. Think hoarder situation. Barely room to walk, boxes and tubes from floor to ceiling. She kept her sense of humor though, she did joke she wished all she found was a 20-year old cheerleader because that would have been easier to deal with. :)

Please have a plan for the future.

One of the benefits of not having anyone to leave things to is the freedom in not caring what happens to it! :)

Pete, does Heritage have plans to auction off a 20 year old cheerleader? If so, I will be bidding. The sky is the limit. John

Looking to adopt? :D

Couldn't do it. There would be too many bidders asking for more and more images.

I do what I consider the bare minimum. For the most part my wife couldn't tell a $5000 card from a $50 card so it's not like I expect her to maximize the profits from the entire collection.

1- I have a list of cards, with easily identifiable description, that should go to auction and 2 main + 1 backup auction house to contact.

2- I have a list of cards that should be sent to 1 of 2-3 listed Ebay cosigners along with any potential cards the auction house doesn't want to deal with.

3 - The rest can be shuffled off for whatever she can get with the least expended effor...even if it's only 50%-ish of expected price because it's mostly a chunk of $50 or less stuff.

...and I have a very small amount of stuff that's simply "Give to (name)" or "Contact (name) and see if he wants it for free if he pays shipping."...that kind of stuff.

I walked her through how to find the email/contact for these service providers and all of this and the above info is on a single-page typed and printed page with my "important papers."

It's my collection, not her burden.

+1
My dad passed this week- no will
But we knew what he wanted
As for me- I got to do this as I have some cards
and got to leave orders on them
Also my other assets-just do a living will

Sorry to hear about your dad. I am not a lawyer but just to clarify:

A living will is a "written statement detailing a person's desires regarding their medical treatment in circumstances in which they are no longer able to express informed consent, especially an advance directive."

A living trust is a "legal estate planning tool that allows a person (the grantor or settlor) to transfer assets into a trust during their lifetime for the benefit of others (beneficiaries)".

A will is a "document that outlines how a person's assets should be distributed after their death. It's a legal declaration of how a person, called the testator, wants their property to be distributed after they pass away."

In my will I specifically mention that my children will inherit my collection. They know it has value but I also mention who they should contact if they want to sell it.

I knew changing my name to Name would someday pay off...

Every time this topic comes up I think of this:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/us/ne...n-auction-trnd

For me, only if she grades an 8 or better.

I may be old and chubby, but I still have standards.

I guarantee you she's been doctored, trimmed and bleached.

(I've been trying for a day and a half to post this, but then the image upload plague hit and sidelined my efforts!!!)

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