What records do you keep for your expensive games?

[Mason P.]

I just won the Stadium Events on Ebay, and was wondering what kind of records I should keep? I want them for proof of what I paid in case I sell it, or have to file a claim with insurance. I am guessing a printout of the auction and the paypal receipt, but am I missing anything else? I was thinking of a screen capture?? Please give me some guidance.

Thanks guys,

Mason P.

PS. Now i just have 80 more to go for the complete licensed set. :)

[Pantechnicon]

Well, speaking only on the insurance side of things, keeping the PayPal receipt and a printout of the auction showing the final price and a corresponding auction number sound like a good idea, since we're talking about an item not easily replaceable. I would also take a photo of the item in your house and in the exact place where you plan on storing or displaying it. That way, in the case of burglary, you can more easily establish before-and-after points of reference for the adjuster.

Bear in mind that the most accessible type of insurance for an item like this is going to be homeowner/renter coverage. And towards that end, regardless of whether or not your titles are expensive, I'd recommend just recording every thing on a simple Excel sheet, coupled with photographs. I had a big chunk of my collection stolen 2.5 years ago in a burglary and these two things were more than sufficient proof for my insurance company and I was able to be reimbursed for 95% of my recovery costs, which included Ebay pricing in a few cases.

[Bojay1997]

Also keep in mind that you will need to work with your insurance company to make sure you are covered for collectibles (since some insurance companies just provide a blanket amount of coverage in the event of theft, fire, etc... which might be maxed out by just your normal household items) and that they will reimburse up to replacement value. Depending on the value of your collection, you may need to purchase additional insurance.

[Draven]

Man, it's cool to be at the point in your collection when you have to insure it! I hope nothing ever happens to my games since I'm not protected. That's part of the reason I sell my rares (nowhere to hide/store, and my children have been known to tamper with some of my games...took a long time to remove the crayola from the connectors on my Contra cart). I just sold Bubble Bath Babes this week because of this (and I really needed the cash to re-invest in a small business).

[MachineGex]

Also keep in mind that you will need to work with your insurance company to make sure you are covered for collectibles (since some insurance companies just provide a blanket amount of coverage in the event of theft, fire, etc... which might be maxed out by just your normal household items) and that they will reimburse up to replacement value. Depending on the value of your collection, you may need to purchase additional insurance.

This is true. The easiest thing to do is call your agent and add an extra $10,000 coverage for your collection. You will still need proof of what you own, just take a bunch of pictures and make a list of what you own. Also, make sure you get replacement coverage, this way if prices go up, you get what it cost to replace your stuff, not what it cost you (minus depreciation).
The increase should not be too much.

[VACRMH]

This is something I was thinking about myself. For the pictures, is it good to take a picture of large chunks? Or each game by itself?

I can add photos to the collection software I use, and I almost thought about laying out each game and taking a picture, but that could take awhile.

[hbkprm]

just remember like i did on ffiii

[Joe West]

take pic's, ask for reciept, put the expensive ones in a safe deposit BOX

[Trebuken]

I pay additional insurance for my collection though my insurer does not really have a category for it.

You should maintian a CD-RW with all pictures, receipts, photos, databases of your collection...give your insurer a coopy...