Helping a fellow collector!

Saturday was a fun day for me.  I was able to help out a fellow collector and add a couple bobbleheads to my collection at the same time.  My buddy Joe texted me last week.  He had been in contact with a guy that was looking to sell some bobbleheads.  Joe is a collector first, but secondly, very similar to me, he'll sell items that don't grab his interest.  I'm sure the money he makes from selling goes right back into the collection - huh...sounds exactly like me.  

Anyway, he was curious if I'd help him out with this lot of bobbleheads.  He sent over some pictures and we both tried to determine which bobbleheads were all there and figure out the random ones the best we could.  We met the seller on Saturday and started going through all the bobbleheads.  Each pointing out specific items of note - some had damage, (some fixable, some are better served to be a paper weight...in the bottom of the trash) while others happened to be autographed and then there were the randoms that neither of us had a clue about.  

Joe bought the lot, I bought a handful and we packed them up and were on our way.  I'm glad Joe asked me to help out as it really was a fun day for me.  Anytime I can look at bobbleheads (even if they are bobbles I've seen countless times) it's fun!  And the fact that I was able to help out a little too, made it even better.  I'll post a few more of my new additions this week!  

Collectors Helping Collectors!  

2015 Goals

My last post did a little rewind on 2014 and looked back to see the results of my 2014 goals.  Here's my first stab at my goals for 2015.

1. Clear off some of the bobbleheads on my Want List! (Hint - I've already found one)

2. Connect with another manufacturer and do another interview - of course to share with you, the reader!

3.  Meet a few more bobblehead collectors and introduce them to my blog!  I've talked to several of you already and as I've said several times  in the past, its always a pleasure to meet and chat about bobbleheads and your collection!

4. Find a few "new" Minnesota related bobbleheads.  It seems like every month or 2, I'll come across a bobblehead that I've never seen before that has some sort of Minnesota ties, depending on that tie, I may or may not add it to my Want List, but it's always fun to see new ones.

5. Collect all the 2015 Twins bobbleheads - from what I know, they haven't been announced yet, but once they are, I'll be sure to blog about them!

6. Find out more about Northwoods League bobbleheads.  This is one collection that seems to be never ending. There are mascots, players, local celebrities and so far I haven't been able to come up with a full list.

7. Complete my SGA COA card collection.  As most of you know, most of the Twins SGA bobbleheads came with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) card.  I think this ended in 2010 as they haven't been included the past several years.  When I started collecting, I didn't care about the card, but as my collection has grown, I've been able to nearly complete the COAs, I believe I only need 1 or 2 more.

8.  I'd love to be able to talk with any of the pro sports teams and their marketing department about bobbleheads.  I just have to get in touch with the right person on the right team!

9.  Connect more bobblehead collectors!  This past year I've connected a couple different bobblehead collectors.  It's nice to be able to connect a couple collectors or find specific bobbleheads for a fellow collector.  I also have a feeling this increases my karma points - who knows if it works, but I'll keep telling myself it does!

10.  Finally...just like last year, have fun hunting!  I don't have any doubts that I'll complete #10, but it is important, as this is a hobby of mine, to keep it fun.  The hunt continues...

Slowing down

Perhaps it's just the luck I run into, but over the past couple of years, the spring and summer are usually when I find my best deals.  Obviously a big part of that is the garage sale season is pretty popular from May to September.  It was another great few months for me.  I've blogged previously about my best garage sale finds and I'm planning on doing another recap of that soon.  But it'll take a while for me to go thru all the deals to find the best ones.  I'm guessing since Fall is now here and winter is creeping into the picture more and more every day (or so it seems) my "finds" won't be as common.  Maybe I'll get lucky, maybe I won't.

I thought I had a to chance to get quite lucky as a collector recently found my blog and reached out to me.  He had several bobbleheads he was looking to sell.  And by several I mean...maybe 100-150? The problem I had, I was really only interested in about 10 of them.  He wanted to sell them all to one guy.  Eventually he did but that guy wasn't me.  At times, I'm glad it wasn't me and at other times, it sure would have been nice to add those 10 to my collection.  Bottom line - he found me thru my blog and that makes me happy.  No matter if you are a current or former collector, it's fun getting to know all of you.  I'll still be blogging (I sincerely hope that won't change for a long long time) but the highlights might not be as flashy as some have been in the past.

If you have blog ideas for me - let me know.  I still want to put pictures out there of your collections. I think readers would love to see other readers collections and not just my bobbleheads.  So send me an email with some pictures of your collections!

A simple email led to dozens of bobbleheads

Earlier this year (I believe sometime in January or February) an email exchange happened through eBay.  2 collectors talking bobbleheads, I don't think either of us thought it would come to what it has.  I was looking for a few bobbleheads as was he, we exchanged numbers and texted a little off and on.  Eventually we made a trade...I can't even remember what our first trade was.  And it's not because it was insignificant, mainly because we've made several trades since then and they all kind of blend together.

Now we text on a weekly basis for the most part.  He's also a collector, but not huge on bobbleheads, he knows several other collectors and dealers who might be looking for specific bobbleheads.  He has my want list and he knows I try to buy in bulk so usually have something decent to trade.

This relationship works out well for both of us.  We agree on fair trades, introduce each other to bobbleheads the other didn't know much about and generally have a great time learning more about the world of bobblehead collecting.  He's given me some great advice on collecting in general too!

If you've read many of my other posts you'll know I'm not one to drop names it's just not my style and a lot of people wish to stay anonymous.  So I'll keep it that way.

I just find it very interesting that a simple email has led to dozens of bobbleheads being exchanged between 2 guys.  I'm extremely fortunate that the email thread even started.  It's certainly increased my collection a lot!  Just a little lesson to anyone out there - you never know what could come from a one sentence email!

Why collect?

I've been asked that question numerous times (only a couple by my wife tho).  It is a valid question. Everyone has their own reasons why they collect.  I collect more than just bobbleheads.  I have 2 other small collections and by small I mean, I don't spend nearly the time, money, or effort on either of them.

The first is sports cards.  Growing up I always bought packs of cards.  I don't buy too much for cards anymore, and probably should really start selling the stuff I have.  My other collection...toy tractors.  As some of you know, I grew up on a farm.  My dad collects tractors (1/16 scale) and when I was little he'd get me 1/64 scale tractors to match his.  Eventually I'd like to have all tractors and implements that my dad has owned while farming.  Eventually I'd like to create a quasi-replica of the farm I grew up on.  That's years down the road (mainly because I need the space to make it happen - I need a bigger garage).  Whats that saying, happy wife, happy life?  I know some of my boundaries!

As for bobbleheads, obviously I have a passion.  But it's more than that.  For me, its 2 things.  The chase and the find.  It's super fun to find something that's on my want list or for someone else that collects.  The chase of finding those types of bobbleheads makes it exciting.  Just the other day I found a random Minnesota themed bobblehead (non-sports) at a garage sale.  It's not very valuable at all, but I didn't have it in my collection so it was nice to find something that I could add to my collection.  There will always be that constant chase and at times I won't even know what I'm chasing (or looking for).