The Blogger's Guide To Collecting Groggs - By Rob Van Der Steen

Whether you are an experienced collector, just starting out or thinking about collecting Groggs, it is always handing to have a few hints and tips to help you on your way to getting the best out of your collection and good value for money. Here are a few pieces of advice to get you on your way.

1. It's important to have a good idea about what Groggs you want to collect... 9", minis, Rugby, Football, Stage and Screen, Welsh, International, the list goes on and on. For many collectors (myself included) you end up buying everything you like, which is great if you have the room, but for most of us we simply couldn't accommodate all of the Groggs. Therefore it is a really good idea to have some sense of direction to focus your collection and to ensure you don't lose money by selling on Groggs to accommodate others.

2. Beware of buying Groggs from online auctions. As a collector it is natural to maybe want to buy a Grogg which is discontinued or sold out from online auctions. You should however beware of some of the unscrupulous behaviour of some sellers online. Unfortunately there are people who use every trick in the book to make more money one of the favourites is to "bid up" their own auctions by getting a friend or setting up an alias account to increase the price that you pay for the Grogg.

3. Don't pay over the odds, have a clear budget in mind when buying second hand Groggs, take particular care, again online,  that you aren't being ripped off.

4. Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions. You want the best quality Grogg you can buy and in the best condition. Ensure the Grogg isn't damaged, chipped, marked, scuffed or stained. It may also be worth checking if the Grogg has been kept out of direct sunlight to ensure it isn't faded and maybe ask if it comes from a smoke free home to check for things such as odour or nicotine staining. I personally wouldn't buy a damaged Grogg, particularly as in most cases the final you price you end up paying isn't that much cheaper than buying a mint condition piece. A mint Grogg is likely to increase in value over time whereas a damaged Grogg is likely to depreciate.

5. When it comes to buying or selling check with other collectors first. They may have the Grogg you want and you can agree a fixed price without entering a bidding war or having the worry about "bidding up". There are also benefits for buyers and seller outside of online auctions as you don't have all of the associated fees to pay (listing fees, final value fees and Paypal fees) meaning you may be able to negotiate a slightly better deal.

6. Ensure your Grogg is posted to you with the appropriate level of insurance to cover the value of the Grogg. Most Groggs online are sent Recorded delivery which actually only covers you for £38 compensation if it is lost or damaged, this tip goes for you too sellers you don't want to be caught out having to refund the buyer out of your own pocket because the Royal Mail haven't been careful with your parcel.

7. It is essential you and your seller pack the Groggs carefully. The Groggshop takes great care when packing their Groggs but I have unfortunately seen Groggs sent in Jiffy bags which will of course not be sufficient to protect them. As a seller or a buyer the last thing you want on your hands is a broken Grogg, particularly if it is rare or valuable.

8. Caveat Emptor "Let the buyer beware". A number of sellers from online auctions will list Groggs which are currently still available in the shop for significantly higher prices than you would pay new. In some cases they may be listed for a price equal to the shop price, but ask yourself this question, Do you want to pay retail price for a second hand Grogg or do you want to buy a brand new shiny Grogg from the shop? I know what my answer would be every time. There is very rarely a bargain when buying online.

9. Always check with the shop whether the Grogg you want is available via them directly. I have recently seen a Grogg sell online for £158 which is still available at the shop for £59.99, nearly 3 times the cost. If you are not sure ask. The shop are always happy to help.

10. Most of all enjoy your collection. It's not a competition with other collectors and certainly not something to have disputes about. Respect is key, both towards other collectors and the team at the shop. You'll get the most from your Groggs by being able to share your collection and view the diverse collections of others in a calm friendly environment and hey you might even make a few new friends on the way.