Collecting matchbox cars is a pastime for many, it takes them back to their childhood or it just connects them with a loved one. The "die cast toy" first released by Lesney Products in 1953 and now owned by Mattel Inc. are so called because the box in which they came greatly resembled a matchbox. Matchbox cars are readily available on many bidding sites and in some toy stores but because they are a collectors’ item, rare matchbox cars as well as their boxes are pretty hard to find and are also expensive.

Buying matchbox cars

The best way to buy a matchbox car is in person as this is the best way the buyer will know if the car is authentic as well as if it is in good condition. Before buying any matchbox car, whether popular or collectors’ item, purchase a matchbox catalogue to verify its authenticity. There are many matchbox catalogue editions and for a collector it is advisable to buy only those from the particular years they are interested in. These catalogues will show the buyer exactly what to look for in terms of expected sale price, design of the package, car design, wheel design, color and presence or lack thereof of logos. Armed with the knowledge provided by the catalogues the buyer can now knowledgeably bid on the car of their choice.

Visiting collectors’ sites

Collectors sites are mainly for the lovers of matchbox. They are not designed for trading the cars but instead provide a medium for collectors to give and gain knowledge about matchbox cars and boxes they may have in their possession. Even though the sites are not designed for trading, some individuals use these sites to sell collector items. The problem here is that even with the knowledge gained from the catalogues patrons can still fall victim to overpricing. Watch out for these sellers as true collectors find it difficult to part with rare matchbox cars.

The best place for buying a matchbox car is online and bidding sites are the most popular traders of these cars. Before considering buying matchbox cars for your collection, be sure to have extensive knowledge of the actual cost of the car and try not to go too much above it as this will not work in your favor in a resale. Matchbox cars are still made by Mattel and can be found in many toy stores but collectors’ items are rare and will take a bit more searching