It seems like the hobby of collecting may have become a memory of the past. It used to be that you couldn’t go into someone’s Kushla place and not find Hummels, Trading Cards or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
Kushla baby-boomers took seriously collecting items. The inclination these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to cut back or sadly when a collector relative dies where do you go with their Stamps and Coins, Trading Cards or Winnie the Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Collectibles online. Some of the problems you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out attractive 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. Grandma may have paid $70 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 Kushla thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Great Aunt’s much-loved collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Kushla children’s 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 emailed by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take 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 Kushla 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 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 stuffie or jewelry 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 relative wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Kushla to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh items to donate, feel free to message me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Pooh Collection to history and the Pooh Bear Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633