15 May 2020
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We answer the digital questions you always wanted to ask, but didn't!
Life is different for all of us at the minute. We are staying at home in order to stay safe, and while that means we have the opportunity to sort through collections, find models that have long been forgotten and catch up on all those back issues of Collectors Gazette, it also means that regular swapmeets and auctions have stopped.
But not quite! Auction houses have started to run toy sales through their own websites or via online platforms such as The Saleroom. You can still get your toy fix, but now from the comfort of your sofa.
If you are having difficulty getting hold of your favourite collecting magazines then you can get them as an electronic copy, downloaded from the internet. There’s no excuse not to keep up to date with what’s going on in our hobby.
Here we will try to de-mystify all things ‘digital’ for you:
Online Auctions
All websites are slightly different, however the process of bidding online is generally the same. If you are in any doubt, staff at the auction houses will be at the end of the phone and will be happy to help you.
1 Browse
Find the object you want to buy by searching for it. You can browse by category or by looking through the auctioneers’ online catalogues.
You can contact the auction house to ask questions about the item you are interested in. One key thing to remember is that at an auction it is up to you as the bidder to satisfy yourself about the condition of an item before you bid. Make sure that you read the lot description and check the photos!
2 Register
Once you have found the item you want to bid on, you will need to register with the auction house that it is selling it. This means that you will need to create a secure account but the website will walk you through the process step by step. You may also need to register your credit/debit card so that payment can be made.
3 Bid
A convenient option might be to place a maximum bid before the auction starts. This is the highest amount you are willing to pay for a lot. Then sit back and relax.
Once the auction starts, sites such as thesaleroom.com will place your bids for you, only ever bidding just enough to do keep you in the lead and it will never go beyond your limit. If nobody else bids more than your maximum bid then you will win the lot.
Alternatively, you can bid live during the auction. You can do this on your PC, tablet or mobile phone. You’ll be joining the thrill of the event and competing against other buyers in real time. You will be able to see and hear the auction as it progresses and place your bids as the items you want to buy come up.
4 Pay and get it delivered
If you are the successful bidder, then the item is yours, congratulations! The auction house will usually contact you to arrange payment once the auction has ended or you can contact them. Some will provide a way to pay online, others will take payment by card or bank transfer.
Some auction houses will offer a packing and delivery service, others will arrange to keep your item in storage until the government advice allows for it to be collected. Most auction houses will recommend local or national courier companies that will pack, pick up and deliver your item to you. There will be a charge for any packing and delivery service that you use.
A Beginners Guide to Digital Magazines
Getting to the newsagent or supermarket might be difficult at the minute, but there is no excuse not to read your favourite magazines when platforms like Pocketmags.com bring them directly to your living room. Depending on the website you choose to use, you can either take out a digital subscription and receive your magazine every month, or pay a set monthly fee and read as much or as little as you like.
Myth 1
“It won’t work on my device”
Our digital edition is made for all devices, including your tablet, computer, laptop and smart phone. You can take it anywhere and read on the go, wherever you may be. You will be notified when a new issue is ready to read!
Myth 2
“I can’t print if I subscribe digitally”
Yes you can! All you need to do is open your digital copy on your computer and click the print button on the right-hand side of your screen.
Myth 3
“It’s too difficult to use”
Pocketmags does all the work for you! All you need to do is follow the link (www.pocketmags.com) select your purchase and pay. You will be prompted to set up an account which has step by step instructions, and then you will be able to receive your first issue!
Myth 4
“It's too expensive to subscribe digitally”
You are actually saving money by subscribing to the digital edition and you are receiving exactly the same content as the print edition. Plus, choosing digital over print is also better for the environment.
Myth 5
“I won’t get to keep my issues”
Yes, you do. Once you have paid for them via Pocketmags.com, they are yours to keep. Even if your subscription expires, these issues will remain in your library for you to go back to, as many times as you like. Also, as they are stored in your digital library, they do not take up any physical space.