Collector Connector is an ever-expanding database of items, grouped into categories, which can be searched for in various ways - such as by the type or maker of each item. Each item has it's own information page on the site. The database is a record of items we know of, even though none may survive.
We call the actual surviving 'physical things' that we offer for sale, have sold in the past, or know to survive in collections etc., examples. Usually multiple examples were made of each item, e.g. if you view the Bryans Elevenses Allwin page, there's information and prices of 40+ examples of that particular item.
In the good ol' days before the internet, we collectors would eagerly anticipate the weekly edition of the Exchange & Mart, Loot, or our local Newspaper, to scour the classified adverts over a nice cup of tea, seeking to find goodies for our collections. We could place 'Wanted' adverts in such publications too. Buyers and Sellers were equally catered for.
Then along came the internet, with, in the beginning, many different trading sites of various formats. Soon, ebay became predominant for pretty much all collectors of all collectables. Exchange & Mart ceased publication, Newspapers stopped having classifield ads, and so on.
Whilst auction sites can be good for selling, none cater for the other side of collecting - your 'WANTS'.
We sell larger more expensive items, like slot machines, fairground art etc. in our bi-monthly Vintage Amusements Auctions. All items have photographs, some videos too, and all can be viewed in person. The auctions are held online, so you can bid from the comfort of your armchair!
For 2024 we're experimenting with the best way to sell smaller low-value items, such as slot machine spare parts, bags of coins, postcards etc., having tried both "Sealed Bids" and "Buy-it-Now" sales directly here on the website, and also live online auctions. The next experiment is online time-limited auctions.
To source things not currently on the market, you can place wanted ads, just like the good ol' days of Exchange & Mart etc.
However, here on Collector Connector wanted ads not only appear on the relevant item page, alerting other people there's a buyer in the market, but we also directly alert owners of that item that you have cash waiting. This is the real power of Collector Connector.
When the item you're looking for turns up, we place it on the site with photographs and unbiased description, you can visit to view personally if you wish, and then either "Buy-it-Now" or bid in the Auction, depending on how it's being sold.
Facility |
WWW (not signed-in) |
Basic Member FREE |
Trader Member £10 pcm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auction Buyer's Premium | 20% | 20% | Discounted to 15% (minimum 6 months membership per annum to qualify) |
| Auction Seller's Commission | 12% | 12% | Discounted to 9% (minimum 6 months membership per annum to qualify) |
| Place Wanted Ads | No | No | Unlimited |
| Auction Price History | No | No | Yes |
| Photos and Archive Images | Thumbnails | Small | Large / Full Screen |
| Messaging | No | Yes | Yes |
| Favourites List | No | Yes | Yes, with auto-alerts |
| Virtual Collection | No | Yes | Yes, with auto-alerts |
Updated on 8th February 2024