Teddy Bears and the Credit Crunch
I hear from so many teddy bear artists these days that tell me their business has slowed down tremendously or died altogether. How is the U.S. economic downturn affecting you? Whether you are a bear artist or a collector or both, you are most likely affected in one way or another. As collectors, how has the economy changed your collecting habits? Are you still collecting at the same pace as you were? Are you scaling back on your purchases ... perhaps buying less expensive bears or postponing that purchase all together?
Many collectors are in panic mode trying to sell their collections. I've heard from many collectors who are doing just that and selling out their collections entirely. If you are a collector or dealer, this is a great time to pick up some very fine pieces at bargain prices. Just like the stock market advice - always buy low and sell high. Some of you seem to be doing just the opposite - buying high and selling low! Perhaps it is time to "hold tight" and not give away those precious collections too quickly. Unless you are really desperate for money, I'd suggest you hold tight rather than giving your precious collections away! But if you must part with them, may I suggest listing them at The Teddy Patch? All our listings are free ... you won't go broke on listing fees and we only charge a small final value fee if your items sell. We will also advertise for you for free too! Yes, we are the 'little guy' but we have a large following and can get your items out there for collectors to see at least - for free.
If you are an artist, are you still producing those bears even though they are not selling? What about your prices? Have you reduced your prices to get your bears to sell or are you holding firm? With costs of everything going higher and money getting tighter, how are you adjusting your business to deal with this challenge? Where do you channel that creative need to make your bears? Do you just bottle it all up and hope it will go away, or are you still creating bears but at a more cautious pace? Has the price of mohair and the lack of collectors caused you to reduce your production or even stop it altogether?
Have you been to The Teddy Patch lately? Stop by today and check us out - we will help you sell your stuff! www.theteddypatch.com
Many collectors are in panic mode trying to sell their collections. I've heard from many collectors who are doing just that and selling out their collections entirely. If you are a collector or dealer, this is a great time to pick up some very fine pieces at bargain prices. Just like the stock market advice - always buy low and sell high. Some of you seem to be doing just the opposite - buying high and selling low! Perhaps it is time to "hold tight" and not give away those precious collections too quickly. Unless you are really desperate for money, I'd suggest you hold tight rather than giving your precious collections away! But if you must part with them, may I suggest listing them at The Teddy Patch? All our listings are free ... you won't go broke on listing fees and we only charge a small final value fee if your items sell. We will also advertise for you for free too! Yes, we are the 'little guy' but we have a large following and can get your items out there for collectors to see at least - for free.
If you are an artist, are you still producing those bears even though they are not selling? What about your prices? Have you reduced your prices to get your bears to sell or are you holding firm? With costs of everything going higher and money getting tighter, how are you adjusting your business to deal with this challenge? Where do you channel that creative need to make your bears? Do you just bottle it all up and hope it will go away, or are you still creating bears but at a more cautious pace? Has the price of mohair and the lack of collectors caused you to reduce your production or even stop it altogether?
Have you been to The Teddy Patch lately? Stop by today and check us out - we will help you sell your stuff! www.theteddypatch.com
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