It seems like the interest of collecting may have become an activity of days gone by. It used to be that you couldn’t walk into someone’s Limestone County house and not find Stamps and Coins, Trading Cards or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
Limestone County baby-boomers took seriously collecting items. The tendency today is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to cut back or sadly when a collector family member passes what do you do with their Art, Vinyl Records or Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Pooh Bear Collectibles online. Some of the hurdles you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out inviting listing descriptions, locating 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 $60 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 Limestone County thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mother’s treasured collectibles being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Limestone County children’s place. However, many places only accept 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.
Many times I have been emailed by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take Pooh Collectibles.
My answer is with great excitement! I am always honored and humbled to – in my words – “to take care of their collection”.
If I am talking to the Limestone 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 collection as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh Bear 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 items. You can put a price tag on a mug or jewelry but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays grouped and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Limestone County to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh Bear items to donate, feel free to email me and we can coordinate adding your Mom’s Winnie the Pooh Collectibles to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633
Ardmore | Athens | Brookwood Forest |
East Hampton | Elkmont | Hannah |
Lakewood | Lester | Mooresville |
Pinedale Acres |