Buying Obama collectibles? Some guidelines to follow

YOUR WALLET

For those looking to cash in on Barack Obama inauguration memorabilia, let the buyer beware.

There is a slew of merchandise being sold from buttons and bobbleheads to plates and posters, notes Steve Bernas, president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.

"There's nothing wrong with buying a plate or a coin celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration, but consumers need to be aware that the value of the item might be purely sentimental," he cautioned.

Generally for memorabilia to become worth much money, it needs to be quite rare, but while most of the inauguration memorabilia isn't worth much financially, there are some items that might increase in value, he added.

Bureau representatives note experts think items associated with Obama's time in the U.S. Senate will be more sought after than items from the presidential race.

Shoppers should research the value of Obama-related items before making purchases, especially if they want to purchase items that have the potential for substantial appreciation, the bureau advises. It also says buyers should:

•  •  Confirm the authenticity of the item.

•  •  Make purchases with a credit card, so if the seller turns out to be a fraud, consumers can dispute the charge and possibly get a reimbursement.

•  •  Only buy from a reputable seller. Don't be fooled by advertising claims that an item is a limited edition.

For those looking for free advice on how to reduce their telephone bill, the Citizens Utility Board will hold a clinic at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park. To register, call (708) 366-7171 or visit the library's Web site at www.fppl.org and click on events. Attendees should bring their phone bills.