It seems like the pastime of collecting may have become an activity of days gone by. It used to be that you couldn’t walk into someone’s Jefferson County residence and not find Salt and Pepper Shakers, Trading Cards or a Pooh Bear collection.
Jefferson County baby-boomers took seriously collecting things. The movement these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downscale or sadly when a collector relative dies what do you do with their Precious Moments, Cookie Jars or Pooh Bear collection?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Items online. Some of the hurdles you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, writing appealing listing descriptions, figuring out postage, packaging materials and weighing each item, answering question messages from potential buyers, handling returns on damaged items, etc.
Also, figuring out pricing can be challenging. Mom may have paid $90 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 Jefferson County thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Great Aunt’s beloved collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Jefferson 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 Mom 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 emailed by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take Winnie the Pooh Items.
My answer is absolutely! I am always honored and humbled to – in my words – “to take care of their collection”.
If I am talking to the Jefferson 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 Winnie the Pooh Items 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 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 collection. You can put a price tag on a T-Shirt or statue but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Items to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays grouped and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the owner wants, they can even visit their items when traveling from Jefferson County to WI.
If you have collectibles of Pooh items to donate, feel free to message me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Pooh Bear Collectibles to history and the Pooh Bear Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633