It seems like the pastime of collecting may have become a memory of days gone by. It used to be that you couldn’t go into someone’s Madison County home and not find Salt and Pepper Shakers, Vinyl Records or a Pooh collection.
Madison County baby-boomers really enjoyed collecting items. 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 Stamps and Coins, Trading Cards or Winnie the Pooh items?
You could try to sell the Pooh Bear Collection online. Some of the hurdles you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, thinking up inviting 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. Mother 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 Madison County Goodwill. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mom’s cherished items being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Madison 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 Great Aunt 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 Bear Collection.
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 Madison County collector and owner I let them know which numbers their items will be in the Guinness World Record Largest Pooh Collection. Their items becomes part of history vs. being sold for a buck at a rummage sale. I let them know I will showcase their donated items 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 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 statue but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Bear Items 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 collection when traveling from Madison County to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh Bear items to donate, feel free to message me and we can coordinate adding your Grandmother’s Pooh Collection to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633