Collectibles dealers coping with insurance

In an interview regarding specialized insurance for doll and teddy bear artists, Annemarie Fitzpatrick, Sales Director with Collectibles Insurance and Jim Griffith of eBay radio discuss how dealers are coping with their insurance premiums in this difficult economy.

Instead of going without coverage on their inventory of collectibles, dealers can make adjustments to their policy to lower the premium. Some of the suggestions the team at Collectibles Insurance Services have been recommending to customers include:

Accessing their inventory value versus their policy limit. “We have found that many of our dealers’ inventories have shrunk due to decreased cash flow and they are able to lower their policy limit accordingly” advises Annemarie.

Customers can also cut back on the buy up options on the dealer’s policy; this includes lowering the transit coverage and removing the USPS shipment coverage. Dealers can temporarily change their business processes such as taking less inventory to shows and/or using UPS or Fed Ex. These small changes in operations can significantly decrease their premium.

Going without insurance on inventory and subsequently experiencing a large loss in this economy could potentially put a dealer out of business. The team at Collectibles Insurance Services does not want to put any of its customers in this position. To learn more about managing your inventory or collection insurance premium speak with a collectibles insurance specialist at 888-837-9537.

http://www.collectinsure.com/

SOS 2009 - What a Show!

Once again, the Ohio Valley Military Society Show of Shows (SOS) militaria collecting event did not disappoint. Near;y 2000 tables were set up in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, with more military related items in one place than anywhere in the world. So many different time periods and countries were represented. Being an auction house dedicated to militaria and historic collectibles, we were in heaven.

We brought back more consignment this year than any year in recent memory, so be sure to check the site as it will be added in the very near future: swords, daggers, uniforms, insignia, field gear, helmets, and so much more. The truck was loaded up and riding low during the trip back to Kansas City.

On the way home, we also made a stop to check out one of the most impressive personal collections we have ever seen. Can't really give too many details now, but if all goes right we will be having a very interesting special auction in the months to come.

If you have never been to the SOS, you must put it on your schedule for 2010. In fact, the show organizers have already announced the dates for next year's event: Feb. 18-21 - that's less than a year away! So make plans now to attend the greatest militaria collecting event on the planet. Here are some pics from this year's event (some of which have been lifted from the US Militaria Fourm), enjoy.

Congratualtions are in order . . .

Hello again readers of Manion's Collecting News!

We're back from SOS, and what an event it was. But before I go into that - congratulations are in order . . .

Our Man in Hamburg, Ralf Gantzel, is now a married man. That's right gents, it's finally safe to bring your wives and girlfriends to militaria shows. Meryem has made an honest man of him, and it's about time!

We are upset back here in Kansas City that we could not attend the celebration, but our best wishes of happiness go out to them. Those of you who know Ralf know what a good man he is, and those of you who have worked with him know what an asset he is to a company.

Congratulations, Ralf, we can't wait to see you again soon in the US (and bring Meryem with you this time!).

SOS 2009 and New Consignment

You gotta love the cover of the new Military Trader magazine, the 2009 SOS issue. It has a picture of a Doughboy with an "enhanced" sign hanging around his neck saying "SOS or BUST". We definitely recognize that sentiment here at Manion's. We're running around like crazy taking care of all the last minute details, but everything is falling into place.

A couple of pallets from our man Ralf in Germany just came in the door today, I had hoped to get a picture of them all wrapped up in their "Hamburg Express" packaging, but Anna and Danielle moved to fast for me. I have included some pictures of the unpacked consignment, but the majority remains in cardboard boxes awaiting the tag-in process. The pictures at least give you an idea of the quantity of items coming your way. A couple of others are included as well: one of the Conway in his natural environment, and a camera sneak attack of Vonn Kruegendorff himself holding a 1933 Gau Munich Commemorative badge.

Hope to see many of you at the SOS. Look for our BUY. SELL. COLLECT. banners and stop by to say hello.

As always, I plan to take some pics and post them during the event, but the ol' laptop ain't what she used to be and is kind of unpredictable. If not during the event, I'll get them up first thing next week.