It seems like the art of collecting may have become an activity of yesterday. It used to be that you couldn’t walk into someone’s Point Loma residence and not find Hummels, Trading Cards or a Pooh Bear collection.
Point Loma baby-boomers loved collecting stuff. The movement these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to scale down or sadly when a collector family member passes what do you do with their Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cookie Jars or Winnie the Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Pooh Bear Collection online. Some of the difficulties you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, writing 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. Mother may have paid $40 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 Point Loma Salvation Army. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Grandmother’s treasured items being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Point Loma 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.
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 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 Point Loma 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 donation of collectibles along with mine. I consider their collection as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh Bear 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 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 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 stuffed animal or book but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Bear Items 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 Point Loma to WI.
If you have a collection of Winnie the Pooh items to donate, feel free to reach out to me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Pooh Bear Collection to history and the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633