It seems like the art of collecting may have become a memory of days gone by. It used to be that you couldn’t walk into someone’s Miller County place and not find Salt and Pepper Shakers, Paper Weights or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
Miller County baby-boomers took seriously collecting things. The tendency these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to scale down or sadly when a collector relative dies what do you do with their Hummels, Cookie Jars or Winnie the Pooh items?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Items online. Some of the issues you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out enticing listing descriptions, figuring out postage, packaging materials and weighing each item, answering question messages from potential buyers, dealing with returns on damaged items, etc.
Also, figuring out pricing can be challenging. Grandma may have paid $40 for an item but the online going rate is only $2.79. You need to ask yourself the question “is my time worth just a few dollars”? Online selling can take plenty of time.
You can give it to a place like a Miller County thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Grandmother’s much-loved items being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Miller County kids place. However, many places only want items that are new, in the original boxes and are 5 years old or newer. Plus, your Mother really took care of the plush and displayed them. Some people have a hard time with a plush collectible becoming a plush child toy.
Many times I have been approached by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take Pooh Items.
My answer is yes! I am always honored and humbled to – in my words – “to take care of their collection”.
If I am talking to the Miller County collector and owner I let them know which numbers their items will be in the Guinness World Record Largest Pooh Collection. Their collection becomes part of history vs. being sold for a buck at a rummage sale. I let them know I will showcase their donated collection along with mine. I consider their collectibles as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh Collectibles I think it makes people feel better which I am happy for. Letting go of “things” can be hard for a collector and owners and even sometimes for family members. As much as we don’t want to be labeled as “materialistic” – things we buy and collect can have sentimental attachments and it’s those feelings that we are attached to probably more than the items. People remember where they were when they received an item, who they were with or even where in their life cycle they were. They don’t want those memories to vanish with the collectibles. You can put a price tag on a stuffie or figurine but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Bear Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays entact and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their collection when traveling from Miller County to Wisconsin.
If you have collectibles of Pooh Bear items to donate, feel free to email me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Winnie the Pooh Items to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633
Fouke | Garland | Texarkana |