- Milk Bottle Cap Collector Page -

VALUES and buying tips: I do not offer any opinion of cap values. I have seen the same cap sit for sale on ebay for months for $1.00 with no takers and then suddenly there is a bidding war and it sells for $40.00.  Cap values are exactly what someone is willing to pay. Prices can also vary based on where you are buying. Ebay, antique stores, flea markets, other collectors and dairy collector convenstions are all very different animals and that means very different price structures.

 

Ebay

• Ebay is typically a poor example of values as it all depends upon who is bidding. It is also true that Ebay activity and prices increase during the winter months when we have nothing better to do. Some people on ebay have a personal nemesis and will bid any price to outbid that one person and end up paying more for a cap based on who is bidding rather than on what is for sale. Also new bidders show up with a great collecting zeal and temporarily drive up prices only to slow down after their initial enthusiasm.  Some people bid by region, some by graphics, and others by percieved rarity.  This means the same cap has different value to different people.  Other times you may find someone bidding who does not even collect caps but has a family tie to that dairy, DO NOT expect to win those autions unless you are willing to pay any price.  This is not to say that Ebay is not an excellent source because it is. As for convineince it simlpy can't be beat. In fact I have a few favorite sellers that will be shown under the resources page.  

• If you lose an auction it never hurts to ask the seller if they will be listing another of the same item (Unless you do this after every aution you lose in which case you become pretty annoying and probably aren't bidding wisely). DO NOT ask them to sell to you outside of Ebay.  Ebay monitors communication and this practice can get you and the seller booted off.

• ABOVE ALL, if you buy a cap on Ebay, pay for it. If you sell one, send it. Collectors tend to know eachother and do communicate and nothing will make collecting difficult faster than burnt bridges and bad reputations.

• Read size descriptions: If you collect a certain size cap and the seller has not included the size in the description, ask. My experience is that caps with no size description are often smaller, less collectable caps. Don't think you can judge by the staple either. Smaller caps often have smaller staples. I have quit buying from certain sellers after getting numerous caps that I thought were the standaed 42 or 56mm caps that were not. My advice to sellers is to ALWAYS show cap size. Sure you may not be able to unload small caps as easily, but you are probably losing more buisness in the long run after a few dissapointed bidders who do not want the hassle returning items even if you are willing to accpet them. I for one have quit buying from certain sellers that are in every other way perfectly reputable and may not even intend to be misleading.

• "More than one available" If you are buying from an auction where more than one of the same cap is available in the same acution, don't be afraid to ask for the nicest possible. Condition can vary from cap to cap and the nicest is probably the one in the image. If they are selling 10 you have a 1 out of 10 chance that you will get the cap shown. It doesn't hurt to mention that you have purchased from them before. In many cases the seller will state that all are comparable in condition to the one shown in which case you should be fine.

• Requesting invoices: If you have purchased more than one item from a seller and are expecting combined shipping, be sure it is reflected in your cart total before purchasing. Some sellers have it set up to give shipping discounts automatically while others will send you an invoice with a shipping discount.  If you check out before they have a chance to invoice you, you really can't blame them for not combining shipping costs. You can click "request an invoice" to let them know you a waiting for one.

 

 

Antique stores can be your best value but requiers a lot of leg work.  I like to bring caps with me to trade. A dealer may often take a trade if you sweeten the pot by giving him 3 for each 1 you want, and why not unload 3 of something you have duplicates of for one you need? I also find they like generic caps because they can put them in any bottle they may have for sale. 

 

Conventions and other collectors are also a good place to trade OR purchase. Build relationships and learn what other collectors tend to specialize in. By doing this you can send them new buisiness, inform them of new sources and know when you have something they may want.  Of course there are cut throat collectors that believe in "every man for himself" but building good relationships with just a few collectors looking to do the same will offset any annoyances caused by those who are not and you will find your sources for caps greatly expanded.

 

 

POGS: UGH, POGS.... what needs to be said about POGS? Well all I will say is this: While Milk caps ARE POGS, POGS ARE NOT milk caps. If you really want to know more about these things, google it. I will not validate them by explaining their history here.