It seems like the interest of collecting may have become a memory of yesterday. It used to be that you couldn’t visit someone’s George County place and not find Hummels, Books or a Pooh collection.
George County baby-boomers really enjoyed collecting stuff. The movement today is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downscale or sadly when a collector family member passes what do you do with their Precious Moments, Books or Pooh Bear items?
You could try to sell the Pooh Collectibles online. Some of the difficulties you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, creating 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. Great Aunt 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 a lot of time.
You can give it to a place like a George County Goodwill. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mother’s treasured collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a George 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 Grandma really took care of the plush and displayed them. Some people have a hard time with a plush collectible becoming a plush child toy.
Over the years I have been approached by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will accept Winnie the 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 George 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 donation of collectibles along with mine. I consider their collection 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 relatives. 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 purchased 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 plush or book but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Winnie the Pooh Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays together and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the collector wants, they can even visit their items when traveling from George County to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh items to donate, feel free to email me and we can coordinate adding your Grandmother’s Pooh Collection to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633
Lucedale |