CREDENTIALS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Q1. What qualifies Finding Nostalgia as a professional appraiser?

A qualified personal property appraiser should have formal education in appraisal theory, principles, procedures, ethics, and law — and should remain current on the latest appraisal standards. Finding Nostalgia holds accredited membership in the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), which requires completion of rigorous professional education, adherence to USPAP standards, and recertification every five years through testing and continuing professional development.

Q2. Do all appraisers have similar qualifications?

No. There are self-proclaimed personal property appraisers who have not completed any formal professional education. Before hiring an appraiser, ask for their professional profile or resume and verify their credentials independently. ISA members can be verified directly at isa-appraisers.org.

Q3. Does the ISA require recertification?

Yes. ISA members must recertify every five years through testing and documented professional development. Finding Nostalgia completed its most recent requalification in 2025.

Q4. What is USPAP?

USPAP stands for the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — the nationally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession. The ISA requires all members to certify that their appraisal reports comply with USPAP. These are the same standards recognized by the IRS for charitable contribution documentation purposes.

APPRAISAL PROCESS:

Q5. What types of appraisals do you provide?

Finding Nostalgia provides formal, written appraisal reports for the following purposes:

• Insurance coverage and replacement value

• Estate planning and asset documentation

• IRS non-cash charitable contributions

• Collection management and record keeping

Q6. Do you conduct remote appraisals?

Yes. Many appraisals can be completed remotely with clear, detailed photographs supplied by the client. Finding Nostalgia serves clients nationwide. For items requiring in-person examination, that can be discussed during your free consultation.

Q7. What information do I need to provide to get started?

Start with the basics — a description of the item or items, the purpose of the appraisal, and a few photographs if you have them. Your free consultation is the right place to begin. From there we'll clarify exactly what documentation is needed to complete your report.

Q8. How long does the appraisal process take?

Turnaround time varies based on the scope and complexity of the assignment. Single-item reports are generally completed more quickly than multi-item collections. Timing will be discussed and agreed upon before work begins.

Q9. How will my appraisal report be delivered?

Finding Nostalgia provides a formal hardcopy report via USPS as well as a PDF delivered by email.

Q10. Do you photograph the items being appraised?

Yes. Photographs are taken either in person or, where appropriate, supplied by the client. Proper documentation of the subject item is a standard part of every report.

FEES:

Q11. How are appraisal fees calculated?

Fees are structured based on the scope of the assignment. Single items or small collections (1–3 items) are typically quoted as a flat fee. Larger collections are billed at an hourly rate. A free consultation is provided to assess your items and provide a clear fee quote before any work begins.

Q12. What fee arrangements should I avoid?

Do not hire an appraiser who charges a percentage of the appraised value or a contingency fee. These arrangements are direct conflicts of interest and may produce biased valuations. The IRS will not accept appraisals conducted under such fee structures.

VALUATION:

Q13. Can the same item have different values depending on the purpose?

Yes — and this is an important distinction. The purpose of an appraisal determines the type of value being sought. Replacement value for insurance purposes is typically higher than fair market value used for a charitable donation or estate. Your appraiser should clearly identify which value type applies to your specific situation.

Q14. What is the difference between an appraisal and authentication?

These are two distinct services. Authentication determines whether an item is genuine — for example, whether a signature is real. Appraisal determines the monetary value of an item. An appraisal assumes the item is authentic unless otherwise noted. If you need authentication, that should be addressed separately before or during the appraisal process. SEE HERE.

Q15. How do you handle items outside your specialty area?

No appraiser should claim expertise in everything. Finding Nostalgia is focused specifically on vintage sports memorabilia. When a situation requires knowledge outside that specialty, the ethical obligation is to consult with other qualified experts — and that is exactly what we do.

BUYING & SELLING:

Q16. Where does Finding Nostalgia source its inventory?

We are constantly sourcing through auctions, shows, flea markets, estate sales, and private collections. The joy is genuinely in the pursuit — and that passion informs the knowledge we bring to every appraisal.

Q17. Do you buy vintage sports memorabilia directly from individuals?

Yes. If you have items you're considering selling, visit our We Are Buying page for details on what we're actively seeking and how the process works.

👉 See What We're Buying

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Don't see your question here? Reach out directly — we're happy to talk through your specific situation.

👉 Contact Us

Phone/Text: (272) 215-2483 Email: FindingNostalgia@gmail.com