More Bang for Your Buck: Movie Memorabilia

WSVN -- The final episode of the saga -- premieres a week from today. And whether you're selling or starting a collection -- here's how to get "More Bang For Your Buck." a long a time ago in a galaxy not so far away...A sci-fi fantasy became more than a movie, it became a way of life.

Star Wars collector Jay Harris: "It's the thing that changed my life. It's a whole nother thought. It's an escape from reality."

An escape, Jay Harris has enjoyed for over 20 years. He even designed his own storm trooper costume.

Star Wars collector Jay Harris: "Though the years, I have collected from every movie. So I have a humungous collection of stars wars collectibles from the beginning."

So, how do you know if your toys are worth a ton? You could say Tate Ottati of Tate's comics is a Jedi master when it comes to collecting.

Tate Ottati: "On the older figures it's like a clear bubble no damage on the bubble and the packaging is flat and if you are really lucky you can get it unpunched which means it never went on a display hook."

But out-of-the box figures from the 70's and 80's are also in demand. The going rate is 30 dollars for an old figure of princess Leia and 50 dollars for an old figure of Luke. You'll also find real dough with characters who are less known like yak face from the return of the Jedi. His action figure is going for over three hundred and fifty dollars because it was never released in the US.

Tate Ottati: "Some figures have skyrocketed because of something they just found out about."

Another tip - look for minor changes that can add big value. Take this version of Jawa from the original movie. It's already worth over two hundred dollars. But switch the cloth cape with a vinyl cape and the price skyrockets to over three thousand dollars.

Tate Ottati: "Anything that is kind of obscure that they never made before."

Even new action figures have great appreciation value.

Both this Luke and this Zuckuss figure from 96 are already worth 30 dollars. But as profitable as it can be, we warn you.

Star Wars collector Jay Harris: "It takes a long time for it to come around but being the collector that I am, I thought it was a good thing to do."

Contact: lgarrigan@wsvn.com