Types of Collectors

[elize]

I think you get two main type of teddy bear collectors:

1)Those collectors who collect for fun :dance1:
2)Those collectors who collect because they want to make heaps of money out of their collection.

[TushTeds]

what brings you to that conclusion, Elize??

generally I agree with you - if under "fun" you include:

*) the love of collecting/making something with ambition and aspiration,
*) the thrill of the hunt (for the item or the materials)
*) the scrutinising of details (determining make & background or perfection & creativity)
*) the pride of owning such a collection
*) the loving restoration / loving work in creating a bear

those who collect to "fatten their wallets" are also those who sell whatever they find/buy/make for an enormous profit! but then those aren't collectors at all, but "dealers" or "marketing freaks" who build up a name in order to sell their self-made products for as much as possible ... which makes them "business sharks" but NOT collectors

this is my humble opinion .... :ashamed:

again - what brings you to this conclusion?? did something happen??

[Romafree]

I definitely come under category 1!!! (With the "extras" that TushTeds included )...very well summed up!! :dance2:
I can imagine, maybe, selling my beanie babies one day (don't think I will make many millions though)....:3bears: but very few teddies would go.....

[TushTeds]

i think most of us here on this forum fall under category 1 :)

some others join the forum to introduce their online shops and to win customers - which is legitimate and even logical. where could you find a better clientele than on a teddy bear forum???

i would love to hear from those members... how do you differentiate between your private collection (should you have one :?: ) and bears that you find, buy or take on commission to sell?? is it just a business like any other, where the products happen to be vintage toys? or do you sell in order to afford a pricey bear for your own collection?

[lovenshire]

Oh, I think I must be here to make money...ooops, do you have to sell a bear to make money, uh, wait a minute, I don't want to sell my bears, uh, I don't make money, the few I have made and sold I sold for just what they cost to make. Uh oh, I think I must be here for the love of the bears too...
Of course I am here for the love of the bears...just had to fun with you...

[LadyEva]

If I am here as a bear maker or collector, I think I missed the boat because I have lots of bears and no money.:D I also have dolls and that is another whole colllector/maker thing. I make them all for the joy of doing it and I collect because it makes me happy.

[elize]

TushTeds I was just thinking about my collection and asking myself why am I collecting teddy bears and critters. :?: It is because I enjoy looking for teddy bears at fairs and the internet. It is fun to take that special bear home with me or to fetch my package at the post office with my ebay bear. "happy6:

So I can happily rephrase what I said in my first post: You get two types of people who buy teddie bears:
Category 1 - Teddy Bear Collectors
Category 2- Teddy Bear Dealers

Category 1 can have more than one type of teddy bear collector:rolleye2:

-Collectors who collect and never sell any bears out of their collections
-Collectors who sell form time to time some of their bears to buy other bears
-Collectors who collect (have a private collection) and sell bears

I must also admit I have a private collection and that is the bears that I will definitely not sell and that is mostly because of a sentimental value (like my very first bear).

I think if collecting bears makes one happy you are a collector. As soon as there are no joy to collecting you are not a collector any more.

Anyone who disagrees with this:?:

[LadyEva]

I would say you are right on with that one Elize. I don't have any expensive bears in my collection but I don't think I could part with any of the bears I do have. Most of the bears are from family or friends so they have a history with me. I will not sell them.

[TushTeds]

...So I can happily rephrase what I said in my first post: You get two types of people who buy teddie bears:
Category 1 - Teddy Bear Collectors
Category 2- Teddy Bear Dealers

Category 1 can have more than one type of teddy bear collector:rolleye2:

-Collectors who collect and never sell any bears out of their collections
-Collectors who sell form time to time some of their bears to buy other bears
-Collectors who collect (have a private collection) and sell bears

I think if collecting bears makes one happy you are a collector. As soon as there are no joy to collecting you are not a collector any more...

With this I can agree!! :applause: But I would add:

-Collectors (who have been collecting bears for a very long time) and at some point need more space and therefore sort out their hug (with a heavy heart) in order to have more space for a growing collection (NOT necessarily for the money!!) :rolleyes:

Your first post had me worried ... glad you "re-phrased" your initial statement! I guess as a bear collector, you just can't put the term "in a nutshell" - there are always clauses and phrases... (GOSH!! now I sound like a lawyer!!!) :huh:

[elize]

TushTeds I have bought some of my teds (only a few) when I was in a rush and not sure if I wanted them.:confused2: Those teds also gets sold to buy a ted that fits better into the hug.
"happy6:

[TushTeds]

yes Elize, that is also a very important point... i've done that several times too... bought a bear at a flea market that wasn't really what i wanted, but out of frustration at not finding anything suitable or sometimes even because i felt sorry for the seller i bought a ted or critter anyway ....

[elize]

Tush, I hate it when I feel I have to buy something at a fair, and then I go home with a bear that I do not really want:(

Thought I was the only one who does that...:rolleye2:

[TushTeds]

also thought i was the only one who's such a sucker .... :ashamed:

but with our SWOP SHOP this is all about to change ..... so our buys weren't for nothing... :applause: