Toy expert gives advice for Bond merchandise collectors

Over the Christmas period, millions of people are shopping for toys, but few realise they can be much more than just gifts, they can also make great investments.

David Barzilay, a toy collector, told the BBC`s Money Box programme that a classic example is the Corgi James Bond car. Originally selling for around 25p, a car in the original condition, still in its box with figures and instructions, would now make between £500 and £800.

Mr Barzilay started investing as a hobby, spending just £20 a week on a couple of toys. He did that for about seven years, and managed to turn £7000 into £50,000



He told the programme: "It is worth paying a little bit more for an item that is in its original box, and is in mint condition, because those are the items that will go up in price."

"If you make 1000 of something a kid opens, the next day there is only 100 left, and the day after that only 10 left. Therefore they become much more collectible."

He believes there will always be a market in toys, as every generation that grows up is sentimental about the toys they played with as a child.

And he said, "Even if it is not die cast collectibles in 20 years time, it will be things all the current kids` toys that will be collectible."

He is certain the market will get stronger and stronger in the coming years, and that it keeps going because "we are all kids at heart".

His advice to a beginner is simple: "Go out, try not to pay too much, buy something that you like yourself, and it will make money."

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