Not too long ago, the thought of collecting conjured images of searching flea markets and rummages sales. Collectors spent long hours looking for that one missing item—sometimes driving many miles in an effort to complete their collection. The thought of obtaining these rare and glorious items in less than three minutes seemed absurd, if not impossible. No one believed that the invention of eBay would single-handedly change collecting forever, but it has.

Molly McCarthy, a journalist for the national news publication, Newsday, began to wonder how eBay was changing the way people collect. The younger generation of collectors seemed immediately open to the idea of easy finds over the Internet. However, McCarthy said scholars of antique items and collecting were originally against the idea.

It seemed that connoisseurs scoffed at the idea of getting precious collectibles over the Internet. According to McCarthy, one collector said she had no problem buying a toy for her toddler on eBay but “felt icky and cheesy” for getting the highest bid on an 18th-century family Bible record.

“The same people who thought the Internet was limited to our culture’s detritus may think eBay is all about peddling Pokemon cards, Hummel figurines, and fake Diebenkorns (a famous painter),” McCarthy said.

In 2004, A.C. Nielsen conducted a survey for Country Home magazine. The purpose of the Nielsen Collectibles Survey was to “understand attitudes and behaviors of collectors toward collecting in general and eBay in particular.”

The results showed that of the more than 59 percent of all collectors who had access to the Internet, only 20 percent claimed to purchase items for their collection on eBay. However, 30 percent claimed that while they didn’t purchase items online, they did consider it an innovative and wonderful way to connect with other collectors who are interested in the same.

Further results revealed surprising statistics about people who collect using eBay. Most had actively collected for three years, and had begun using it simply as a way to find rare or hard-to-get items. Because items are easier to get on eBay, most collectors who used eBay ended up with much larger collections then those who didn’t.

Also, the collections tended to be more expensive and the collector was more active in collecting. Sixty-five percent of eBay collectors received items at least once a month.

As for bringing excitement back into collecting, 85 percent said that eBay makes collecting easier and more fun. Many were happy to finally have access to a national market that allowed them to find items they previously had trouble finding.

However, this doesn’t mean collecting is destined to fully “go online.” Overall, collectors consider the best way to get items is by visiting regular stores and hunting for the pieces themselves.

“I don’t think collecting is going to change too much. Sure, eBay makes it easier (to find rare items), but otherwise I think the biggest part about collecting is trying to go out and find it yourself,” said Kari Hager, a student at Minnesota State University Moorhead who collects Japanese animation.

Nielsen survey participants agreed. Only 32 percent of all collectors said eBay was their most important source for collecting.

Indeed, the thrill of the hunt still drove collectors to search far and wide in an effort to find that perfect piece, but eBay can help collectors along the way.