It seems like the art of collecting may have become a memory of the past. It used to be that you couldn’t go into someone’s South Range residence and not find Comic Books, Books or a Pooh collection.
South Range baby-boomers really enjoyed collecting things. The tendency these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downscale or sadly when a collector relative passes away where do you go with their Precious Moments, Trading Cards or Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Items online. Some of the problems you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out 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. Grandmother may have paid $100 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 South Range Goodwill. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Great Aunt’s cherished collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a South Range 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 approached by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will accept Pooh Collectibles.
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 South Range collector and owner I let them know which numbers their items will be in the Guinness World Record Largest Pooh Collection. Their collectibles 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 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 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 items. 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 entact and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their items when traveling from South Range to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh items to donate, feel free to call me and we can coordinate adding your Grandmother’s Pooh Bear Items to history and the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633