Upstate CollectibleZ

Upstate CollectibleZ is a family-owned toy and collectible shop in Rotterdam, New York, inside the Via Port mall at 93 W Campbell Rd. It fills more than 2,400 square feet with collectibles, from sports cards and comics to action figures and die-cast cars, and it suits collectors who like to browse a packed floor and talk shop with the owners. It also buys and trades, so it works as a place to sell a collection as well as to add to one.

What's on the shelves

The stock covers both vintage and modern items. Sports memorabilia is a core category, including rare cards and signed pieces. Toys run to Legos, plushies, action figures and Hot Wheels, and the action figure selection spans many different toylines, Star Wars among them. Trading cards include baseball, football and Marvel. The store also handles graded and raw comics, die-cast cars, gaming supplies and one-of-a-kind rare collectibles. Authenticity and condition are what the shop cares about, and collectors of all ages are welcome.

Selling and trading

The store buys, sells and trades collectibles, and the process is built around straightforward offers without pressure. Toys, cards and other collectibles are all taken, whether the seller is downsizing, upgrading a collection or moving items that are no longer wanted. Appointments to sell or trade can be scheduled either in person or virtually, which helps sellers who are too far to drive in.

Auctions and online sales

Beyond the shop floor, the store sells online and runs live auctions that reach collectors across the country. Two auctions run each week, one live on Tuesday evenings and one that spans the weekend. The Tuesday auction starts at 7 PM with a $10 starting bid on every item, and a preview of the lots typically goes up no later than an hour before it begins. The weekend auction opens Friday at noon and closes Sunday at 7 PM, and payment is due within 24 hours of the auction or buy-it-now close. Winning items can be picked up at the store.

Hours and getting there

The shop is closed Tuesdays and Sundays.

The shop is in Unit G120 inside the Via Port Rotterdam Mall, with a Schenectady mailing address.

History

Upstate CollectibleZ began in the owners' garage, built on a family love of toys, cards, comics and Hot Wheels. Encouragement from friends, fellow collectors and the local community pushed it into a storefront, which has since grown to its present size at Via Port.

The local scene

Several other collectible and comic stops sit within a few miles. In Scotia, Pastime Legends Video Games is 1.7 miles away and Weirdo Comics And Collectibles is 1.8 miles away. In Schenectady, SeerNova Comics LLC is 2 miles away, Collective American Traders is 2.5 miles away, and Electric City Comic Con is 2.6 miles away, which makes a collectibles run through the area easy to plan.