It seems like the pastime of collecting may have become a memory of the past. It used to be that you couldn’t visit someone’s Mesquite Number 3 Colonia residence and not find Hummels, Vinyl Records or a Pooh Bear collection.
Mesquite Number 3 Colonia baby-boomers took seriously collecting things. The movement today is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to scale back or sadly when a collector family member passes away what do you do with their Hummels, Cookie Jars or Pooh Bear collection?
You could try to sell the Pooh Bear Collectibles online. Some of the issues you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, creating 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 $80 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 Mesquite Number 3 Colonia Salvation Army. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Grandmother’s treasured collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Mesquite Number 3 Colonia 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 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 take Pooh Bear 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 Mesquite Number 3 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 donation of collectibles along with mine. I consider their collectibles 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 collectibles. You can put a price tag on a stuffed animal 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 collector wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Mesquite Number 3 Colonia to WI.
If you have collectibles of Pooh items to donate, feel free to call me and we can coordinate adding your Grandma’s Pooh Bear Items to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633