It seems like the love of collecting may have become an activity of yesterday. It used to be that you couldn’t go into someone’s North Capisallo Colonia residence and not find Salt and Pepper Shakers, Vinyl Records or a Pooh Bear collection.
North Capisallo Colonia baby-boomers loved collecting things. The inclination today is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downsize or sadly when a collector relative dies where do you go with their Stamps and Coins, Trading Cards or Winnie the Pooh items?
You could try to sell the Pooh Collectibles online. Some of the problems you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, writing enticing 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 $30 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 significant amount of time.
You can give it to a place like a North Capisallo Colonia thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Grandma’s cherished items being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a North Capisallo Colonia kids place. However, many places only accept 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.
Many times I have been approached by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will accept Winnie the 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 North Capisallo Colonia 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 items 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 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 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 mug 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 together and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from North Capisallo Colonia to Wisconsin.
If you have a collection of Pooh Bear items to donate, feel free to message me and we can coordinate adding your Grandma’s Pooh Bear Collection to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633