Thanks for an incredible 2017
Here at hobbyDB, we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our fellow collectors. So thanks for helping to make 2017 such a great year. From more than 100,000 new price points added to our new price guide in December alone, to an entirely new marketplace experience, we’ll keep working hard to bring you a better, all-in-one collectible resource. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming to hobbyDB in 2018.
More Data
Data makes the hobbyDB world go round! In 2017 we (and that includes you!) added 80,000 items to the database. Throughout the year we partnered with several organizations to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information was being added to the database. From customizers such as David Chang (AKA Kustomcity), to publications like Model Auto Review, to diecast brands including AutoCult, Bburago, Brumm, Laudoracing, and Replicarz, 2017 was a busy year in the data mines! One of our biggest projects was adding PopPriceGuide, the enormous vinyl art toy database! We even had folks join us to open totally new segments, such as our first 500 decoys!
More Accurate Data
We know that all this data means nothing if it’s inaccurate or incomplete! So we’re putting new tools in place to ensure our database maintains top notch quality. Going forward, the ability to add and edit content on hobbyDB will go only to users who have shown they add quality data. “Probationary” users who are new to the site will still be able to view everything, but will have to be approved before they can make changes.
Pricing Data
hobbyDB’s aim is to be the most accurate, up-to-date go-to destination on the net for collectible prices. We aim to be the premier, one-stop destination for calculating the value of your personal collection. And we plan to do that by gathering our price information from the widest range of data sources possible, with stakeholders updating prices in real time! The project is off to a flying start too, having added more than 100,000 prices alone in December. We’ll be adding values from many sources throughout 2018, starting with 1.9 million price points from our partner site PopPriceGuide. You can read more on our blueprint for the price guide here.
Collection Management Revamp
We know the hobbyDB collection management system needs a little bit of tweaking. You’ve let us know what you want — printable lists, more wish list integration, snazzy ways to group and view your collection, a mobile app — and we’ve listened. We’ll be rolling out a bunch of features to make the hobbyDB collection management tool more powerful and user-friendly than ever before.
More Marketplace Tools
Another goal we have is to become the safest, most secure environment for trading. We’ve all been burned by either an unreliable seller or buyer somewhere on the internet, right? So we’re adding tools to ensure you’re always protected whenever you buy or sell on any hobbyDB powered marketplace. In 2017 we caught and stopped 22 fraud attempts and protected every hobbyDB buyer and seller! In addition to a safer marketplace, we’ll also be adding new ways to buy and sell items, such as our “best offer” feature and the addition of new currencies.
In an effort to make selling even easier for you, we’ve embarked on a journey to integrate with both Shopify and the U.S. Postal Service. Much like Frodo’s quest in Lord of the Rings, the integration will be an epic battle to ensure you get the best experience and rates possible. But in the end…it will all be worth it. (Disclaimer….this is going to be a huge effort, so hang in there with us, and we hope to have it up and running in the second half of the year).
Getting more involved
Last year, we relaunched an improved Diecast Hall of Fame and helped Jim Garbazewski publish the Hot Wheels Newsletter Guide to Hot Wheels.
This year, we have plans to do a much needed revamp to the Toy Collector Hall of Fame, to help publish other long-awaited collector books, and to even organize a collectible related Guinness Book Record (stay tuned for that one). More on our plans here.
Whew! Well that’s it for now, so here’s to an awesome 2018 – be sure to follow the hobbyDB blog and Facebook page to stay in the know over the next year.
The post The Futureeeeee…. What’s Coming to hobbyDB in 2018 appeared first on The hobbyDB Blog.