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 LaSalle County place and not find Stamps and Coins, Paper Weights or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
LaSalle County baby-boomers loved collecting things. The trend these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downscale or sadly when a collector family member passes where do you go with their Comic Books, Vinyl Records or Winnie the Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Items online. Some of the hurdles you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, thinking up 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. Mother 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 LaSalle County Salvation Army. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mom’s treasured collectibles being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a LaSalle County kids place. However, many places only accept items that are new, in the original boxes and are 5 years old or newer. Plus, your Grandma 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 take Winnie the Pooh Collection.
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 LaSalle County 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 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 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 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 collectibles. You can put a price tag on a stuffed animal or jacket but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Winnie the Pooh Collectibles 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 LaSalle County to WI.
If you have collectibles of Winnie the Pooh items to donate, feel free to message me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Winnie the Pooh Collectibles to history and the Pooh Bear Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633
Cedar Point | Dana | Dayton |
Earlville | Grand Ridge | Kangley |
La Salle | Lake Holiday | Leland |
Leonore | Lostant | Marseilles |
Mendota | Naplate | Oglesby |
Ottawa | Peru | Ransom |
Rutland | Seneca | Sheridan |
Streator | Tonica | Troy Grove |
Utica |