‘There is a lot more buying and selling’: The growing interest in collectables

It seems the business of cards and collectibles has never been bigger in the Maritimes.

AMG Collectibles in Bedford, N.S., has been in the collectables business for more than 30 years.

Steve Pottie, the general manager of the store, says they sell anything collectable.

“Whether its Pokémon, sports cards, wresting figures, we have pretty much anything anyone collects,” Pottie said.

Pottie says the business of trading cards and collecting has been changing over time.

“When we were kids, it was more about just collecting the cards, it wasn’t about the value of them. Now it has turned to be about collecting but also the money to be made. There is a lot more buying and selling of sports cards and Pokémon cards then their use to be,” he said.

The market for sports cards, especially hockey cards is really popular right now, Pottie says.

“Right now we have been blessed with some great young talent in the NHL so the market is super hot. The other sports also do well. The Toronto Blue Jays gave us a nice boost in the baseball side of things.”

Pottie said the hottest thing in the store right now is Pokémon.

“I can honestly say it’s not my thing, but that’s the appealing thing about collectables is that everyone can find something that makes them happy,” he said.

“Prices tend to jump quickly. It’s supply and demand. So if supply does not meet the demand the prices will rise significantly and right now that is the case right now with Pokémon.”

“We always try to introduce new things to the store. That is part of the joy I get is just showing people things they haven’t seen before.”

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