Smart buyers guide to beer can collecting

An Introduction
As a experienced beer can collector I have searched every for cans, in old buildings under old dance halls and even under the sheep shearing shed!
There are many wonderful cans from over the world, so if your a new collector it's tempting to cast your net far and wide. You will find that all of a sudden you have run out of room( and the good wife's patience.). I used to be like that, then I decided to focus on 13 1/3 SS(straight sided) FT (flat tops) and sets.
One of the first things you should do if you have'nt already is join a club. This will in many cases be a reality check, as youll find that there are rare cans and there are RARE cans.
What to look for
Take notice what your club members' have in their trading box or are seeking. There are 2 terms in collecting in clubs trading( to trade for a can(s) of similar value or cans to "dispose" which means $$$ come into effect. Its a valuable to learn this so you dont get ripped off in the real world or on ebay.
Flat top cans or pre decimal cans are between 30-40 years old, commemorative cans pre 1980 ( not so much South Australian cans) are gaining in value.
Bulk lots at a reasonable price, with experience you will gain knowledge of what a can is worth. When purchasing bulk lots haggle the price to take to whole lot, its fair for you and the seller(usually at $1 a can). OK you will end up with cans for the recycling bin normally 50-60% ,20% good traders but if you do your homework you will end up with a great can. WARNING if the sellers says "one nice chap had a look through and took a few cans..." forget it your wasting your time.
What to avoid
Paying big bucks for cans like DUFF, unless your a die hard Simpsons fan your wasting your time. Count how many of these RARE cans are sold on e-bay or the trading post. And then see how many Courage footy stars or KB cans with Hebrew script are listed..... thought so. All Duff cans where to be scrapped due to copyright infringements, right? yeah right.......Like some cans from Tasmania and West Australia their value is artifically inflated. If I remember correctly these cans hit the shelves mid 90's and are still going strong.

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