ROCHESTER — It’s a bird? It’s a plane? No — it’s the sky-high prices for vintage toys and collectibles!
Retailers say they’re still seeing a COVID-fueled interest in vintage toys, comic books, sports cards and collectible card games.
“People had extra time, extra income from the (stimulus) checks and people started using that as disposable income,” said Brad Vigesaa, co-owner of Nerdin Out pop culture and comic book store.
While the spread of the virus has for now eased, most collectibles remain in high demand and, with that demand, carry high prices.
For business partners Scott Bacon and Aaron Ringer, high prices and high demand have led to a high volume in their sales. The two opened Midwest Vintage Toys next door to the Machine Shed video game store and arcade in November.
“Let’s be real, the pandemic was a grim time,” Bacon said. “You can find comfort in those memories.”
“I think it reignited a passion for people’s childhoods,” Ringer said.
High demand and high prices has led to high volume business for the pair. They sell about 150 toys and action figures per week. Most of them are sold and sent by mail via their eBay store.
John Molseed / Post Bulletin
When not pairing the figures and toys with their accessories and bagging them for sale, the two are hunting for childhood collections to buy.
“So many people don’t realize what’s sitting in their attic,” Bacon said.
