Ever find a bargain for your collectibles?

[beth]

I love(d) Boyds Bears (before they went mass production) and walked into a store that had some Boyds just sitting on a top shelf ~ oh so many years ago. One was a retired/old lion that I watched on ebay forever (we all know how that goes if you do ebay) There he was, just hanging out with no price tag. I asked the Sales clerk if he was just for display or purchase. She said she'd check. Came back (after a year it seemed like) and said, he's for sale. Price tag, $12.99...I said in a calm (yeah right) voice, oh..I think I'll take him.
I couldn't get hubby outta the store fast enough. Felt like I was stealing from the store Of course, hubby wasn't sure why we needed to leave so fast but I wouldn't let that lion off my lap all the way home. To top it off, I actually got to meet the creator Gary and had my lion signed (with photo).

Ah...my treasure...what's yours?

[Saved]

Hi Beth!
In my younger years I did collect Iladro bisque pieces but that was too much dusting so now they are all behind Glass that is well sealed and with children I would rather spend the money on them. No martyr here as I do have my toys! I am not a shopper for clothes, shoes or jewelry. Can't stand going to the mall. Sometimes my DH will buy clothes for me as he is sick of me wearing the same things. LOL


Well I hate to admit this but yes I am still a collector! Since I have been degraded about other weird habits I have I may as well spill the Beans. I collect the little wrapped soaps that you get in Hotel bathrooms. Now I do have only one soap from each place that we stay. I have over the years allowed my husband and then husband and children to use all but the one I snag first thing. So although I have paid for the Hotel already my collection is free! That is a bargin. I store them in shoe boxes in the linen closet. My Disney is my favourite. In fact I have the shampoo, conditioner and shower cap from there also. I did at Disney buy my own soap and when the children were still young I would bring out a Disney Soap every now and then for bathtime.

There! Cheryle I can imagine the collection you would have if you had this collection of your own. I have been collecting by the way since I was 19. Got a late start!

Laura. <><

[beth]

Girl, you are toooo funny... Now I want to save my "hotel soaps" & things to send to you ~ shower cap and all. Love your post.

[Saved]

Hi Beth,
It's never too late to start your own collection. Just remember to tag them so that you know where they are from. That is so important.
My collection is from the UK, Canada, the US, Argentina, Venezuela, St. Kitts, St Johns, St Thomas, Nevis, Trinadad, Tobago, Granada, Dominican Republic, Antigua, St. Martins, Curacao and St. Croix. Then I have two from ship, Te canadian Empress of canada and the French Azure.
I hope my next differnt country will be Serbia or Cambodia! I am not sure what to expect there. May have to take my own soap!!
Laura. <><

[tristanznina]

I use to save matchbooks and menus.

I save hotel soaps and amenities to give to the shelters.

I made a bundle on an item, I had a clay pot that you cook pinto beans in. I saw someone listed theirs on ebay and made $20 for it. I decided to list it on ebay and got $45, there was a bidding war on it!

Another easy profit was an Iomega zip drive that I got free with my laptop. I listed it on ebay for $9.95 and within an hour, it was at $49.95, when the auction ended, I had sold it for $127.00

Those were the best auctions I ever had!

[dutchgirl]

I did.. it was a QK die off course. I got the monkey and barrel for dutch retail... It was just hanging at the wall with the other QK dies in the store.. Needless to say I snagged it within 2 seconds...

[Saved]

That is a Bargin Angelique! If you happen to see a Halibut like that I give you the go ahead to get it for me!! LOL <><

[dutchgirl]

If they have a second after I find mine, I will get you one... ;D

[sparkle]

So funny! I do have a collection of shower caps from around the world too! I'm not a 'real' collector because I use them - I just take them because they're free and I am too cheap to buy a proper one ;D

[beth]

Sparkle, that is so funny ~ I had to laugh out loud (thank goodness no one was around)....

[weaselwatchr]

Laura,
We are going to fiji for christmas, so i can get you some soap from there. ALso going to Paris in October. Let me know!

[Saved]

You Gals are all so good to me! I only collect soaps from where I have been..... You are all so nice. But I would love to go to Fiji....got room in your suitcase? Laura. <><

[qkmary]

Oh Beth, I too collected Boyd's Bears. I was going to make a fortune on this collection when I was old and needed money for my rocking chair. My best one was Bailey in a sailor suit. I found her in the bottom of a closeout bin in Levenworth WA for $3.00. She was selling on E-bay at the time for $75.00. Needless to say I didn't sell her, now I wish I had. She ended up going to Paw and Claws, a charity for the SPCA here.

What have you done with all yours? I had over 300 plush and over 500 resin. I kept the resins and gave all but the limited edition plush away. I need to do something with them as they are all 1st edition. I am sure there is a collector somewhere that would like them, but how to find that collector.

[weaselwatchr]

Qkmary,
Maybe there is a crazy Boyds bears message board out there. Certainly us QK folk can't be the only ones that discuss this stuff. I would google search it!