Recently, I have been concerned about various rumors, which are surfacing about Beanie Babies. I have patiently sat back and absorbed material, but now it's time to voice my opinion. Rumors can not only be unfounded, but can also be very damaging. I'd like to point out a few rumors, which either I have read or have been brought to my attention.
This article is NOT being written to upset, offend, or discredit any one or groups of individuals, it's purpose is to address collectors concerns on the current Beanie market.
COLLECTORS CONCERNS:
# 1 Concern:
Beanie prices aren't falling; they were priced to high to begin with.
I receive reports daily from collectors concerned about falling Beanie prices. I personally feel that the Beanie market is out of control. Unless control is regained, I will remain concerned about the future of Beanies. When Ty initially made Beanie Babies, he made them for children. Many adults, including myself, have jumped on the bandwagon as collectors.
I feel that the current Beanie market is guided on unfounded rumors, misleading individuals, greedy resellers, and some pricing guides. It infuriates me to visit a web site and view a current retired Ty collectable, already $20.00 to $30.00 higher overnight. What makes me even madder is the fact that there is no basis for these prices. Who determines a secondary market price in such a short time? Why would individuals agree to pay such outlandish prices for an item that just retired, when you can easily find many of them sitting on store shelves? When Ty retired pieces of their Attic collection, I witnessed many websites jump in price immediately. After visiting several stores and finding many of these current retirees on the shelf, I justifiable became concerned.
I understand the reasoning behind secondary market pricing. What I don't understand is the LARGE price jump immediately. I fear that the large price increase are what concern collectors. I also fear that they may eventually either slow the market down or even help it come to a sudden halt! If collectors feel that they are being taken advantage of just because an item is a hot collectible, they will not only start to lose interest but will eventually quite collecting.
Many editors from popular collecting magazines are concerned with the Beanie craze. Some editors feel that Beanies are not developing the way a normal collectible should. The Teenie Beanie craze has been very popular, BUT, there are many individuals trying to capitalize on this collectible.
Teenie Beanies were available across the county, but you could still pick up a paper and view where individuals are trying to sell one full set for $75.00 to $100.00 BEFORE THE PROMOTION WAS OVER!!
Some suggestions on how to regain control and make Beanies LAST.
We must NOT allow ourselves to weaken to unfounded pricing guidelines, rumors or speculation. We MUST stand firm and not be afraid or intimidated to set our own prices. Remember that this is a free country, any price can be suggested, but in return we can refuse the price, and suggest our own . I feel that the sudden burst in price increases after an item has retired has hurt the Beanie market. It's time to regroup, regain control, and make Beanies LAST! UNLESS an item was limited, redesigned or retired, that item should not constitute a higher price. Retired prices depend on the amount manufactured and the length of time the item has been out of circulation. It should not depend on GREED or personal monetary value.
If you are in the Beanie business to make money, then why not make an honest buck? Keep your prices fair, research and explain your price increases, and always know that collectors are smart individuals; your greed could become your worst enemy. Do not try to price fix an item. The Secondary market can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. When I refer to the secondary market, it includes many retailers, street corner venders and the secondary market dealers as we know them. Help keep Beanies alive by being educated, honest, reliable and flexible. DON'T GET CAUGHT HOLDING THE BAG!
This statement is NOT reflected directly towards any market. I have found many secondary dealers and retailers to be honest hard working individuals.
This is for the individuals who update their website pricing guides within 24 to 48 hours after a retirement with outrageous prices, especially when these same items remain on store shelves in abundance. This statement is also for Beanie newsletters and websites that quote outrageous prices after a retirement. Watch out for individuals selling on the street corners for unbelievable prices and greedy individuals just trying to capitalize on someone else's misfortunes.
Ty has manufactured a product which WAS reasonable priced. I plan on supporting Ty by addressing controversial issues which no one else will touch. I am known for my honest, down-home approach, and I do not anticipate on switching now.
I highly encourage more individuals to come back to reality. You will find that HONESTY is the best policy, and be rewarded for it, in the long run.
#2 PRICING GUIDES. "WHATS TRUE AND WHAT'S NOT"!
Many pricing guides are not worth the paper they are printed on. Many are full
of speculation, false hopes and are just plan misleading. Recently, I have been conducting a lot of research on pricing guides. Boy was I surprised. Do you realize that if a pricing guide states a particular price for an item, that price is for Dealers, not the average collector? How many times can you remember me saying this, over and over? If you insist on using a pricing guide as your Bible, then use it wisely!
Beware of the following FACTS:
Pricing guides are written for dealers. If you, the average Beanie collector were to sell portions of your Beanies to a dealer, you would only be paid 30 to 40 cents on the dollar. I have visited several secondary market dealers asking questions and trying to learn the trade. I needed to hear first hand how selling Beanies acutely worked.
Let me reemphasize once again. I DO NOT sell Beanies to retailers, secondary markets or collectors. I DO trade if a desirable Beanie is available.
How many of you have gone to Beanie shows, anticipating selling or trading one of your special Beanies for a rare Beanie? I'd venture to say many of you have walked away empty handed. Dealers look at you as if you had four eyes! "What, you want me to pay you what a pricing guides states!" "Are you crazy" I'll pay you this amount" In most cases, the amount is 30 to 40 cents on the dollar.
I will be fair to secondary markets by stating the following. Secondary markets HAVE to raise the price of Beanies for various reasons.
BUT, isn't a pricing guide Just That, or is it? Maybe we need to restructure pricing guides to read as follows: This sort of guide would help collectors and dealers and bring back the honesty Beanies should represent.
© MY SUGGESTION FOR A MORE REALISTIC BEANIE PRICING GUIDE.©
Current Guide:
This guide of prices would represent current Beanies being sold by TY account holders. Remember Ty suggest that Beanies be sold for around $5.00 Many retailers charge between $5.00 and $7.00 in order to offset their overhead expenses. In many cases these expenses are legitimate and necessary. I still feel that $5.00 to $6.50 would still be considered reasonable.
Current Secondary Market Guide:
Many current Beanies are showing up on the secondary market. These Beanies will constitute a higher price. It's a matter of patience. Do you want to wait, or have them now? For those that have to be the first collectors on the block to have a particular Beanie, the secondary market is for you. The secondary market may also attract collectors who are also looking for that current hard to find Beanie. Many secondary markets are reasonable and reliable.
Secondary Market Guide:
This guide should contain information on Retired Beanies only.
Auction Guide:
This guide should contain prices for auctions ONLY. I do not feel that auction prices should be used in conjunction with secondary market prices. I have heard of MANY instances where auctions have gone bad. Collectors bid a high price for an item, only to back out at the last minute. The only auction prices that should be used are those that are legitimate sales….Paid for and Delivered.
Collectors Selling Guide:
In order for a collector to honestly know what their Beanies are worth, there needs to be a collectors pricing guide established. This guide can be used by collectors to offer a fair trade to dealers and secondary markets, without being ripped off. This guide should display all categories for sale, with a discounted amount of 30 to 40 cents on the dollar.
Have you ever wondered why many secondary markets, retailers, traders and collectors offer a wide range of prices? It's because they truly have nothing to separate the areas of interest into specific categories. Secondary markets would no longer take all the heat for pricing. Retailers would be forced to sell Beanies at their intended price.
I know many of you might think that these categories are unnecessary, BUT believe me when I tell you, collectors are screaming for them. Collectors want to have more control over their Beanies and their prices; they do NOT want certain guides or individuals determining the fate of their collection.
#3 - Are Beanies a wise investment?
I personally think it's very difficult to determine what item or items will be true collectibles with investment potential in the future.
I invest in my children. I raise them, support them, offer unconditional love, and view them as my collectibles. I don't plan on selling them to become rich. I only want, respect, love and wonderful memories. It's a shame that Beanies can't be viewed the same! What's wrong with collecting something that makes you happy and you enjoy? Allow Beanies to bring back childhood memories, offer comfort, signify the innocence of childhood, and allow your imagination to explode! No other collectible I know can fulfill these desires.
If you are counting on Beanies to support your child through College, you better get a REAL job now! Even the best of collectibles take time to increase in value. I have collected Precious Moments for sixteen years. Many of the Precious Moments pieces have increased in value over time, but many pieces have remained the same in price for several years. None of my collectibles have increased in value as rapidly as Beanies have. I'm not saying that's good, nor am I saying it's bad. What I am saying is, it's very unusually.
When I got married 19 years ago I picked out a China pattern. I never used my China for fear of breaking it and not being able to replace it. One day, I realized that I could stand the chance of losing everything to a fire or some natural disaster. I was not receiving the full benefits my China had to offer. I decided to use the China because it made me feel special and life was to short to sit back and watch it collect dust in my China cabinet. My point is this: enjoy what you have now, because you never know what tomorrow will bring! If Beanies offer you joy collect them, if you are looking to get rich from Beanies, you may want to reconsider. Nobody knows what the future holds!
Summary:
Many collectors including myself are tired of having to run all over creation to find new releases. Every time Ty releases a new bear, everyone loves the thought but realistically knows that the possibility of obtaining this new bear is almost impossible. If these trends continue, they will ultimately destroy the interest for Beanie collectors.
Many individuals, including myself have taken on the task of honoring and marketing Ty's Beanies in a positive way. I have had to work my buns off to get where I am today. It was not for the money, because that's not what it's all about; it was for my love of Ty's products. If I were to get paid for the countless amount of hours I spend a day, researching, writing, playing photographer, conducting interviews, and spending my own money for faxes, long distance phone calls and postage, I may be rich! The reality is, I simply write for TRUE collectors, TY and myself.
I wish more Ty Reps, retailers and distributors were more honest! It's a shame that they allow a child's toy to motivate them into becoming greedy and rich at the same time! What's wrong with this picture? Beanie Babies are supposed to be a soft, loveable toy, which can be enjoyed by all. Instead, Beanies have brought out the worst in a lot of people! It's kind of like the "get rich quick scheme", OR, "who can make the most selling their Beanies?" These same individuals are leaving a very sour taste in many collectors' mouths, and may ultimately be destroying this item as a collectible.
Unfounded rumors upset me tremendously. I often have to remind myself why I choose to write about Beanie Babies. I could easily obtain a full time paying job and actually receive payment for my services. I have had a lot of unpleasant experiences with being used, lied too, and taken advantage of. Now, I guess I know how Ty feels! I will not allow these experiences to cloud my judgement or stop me from being a collector.
I will admit that a few honest retailers, secondary market dealers, and collectors who appreciate my works have been very supportive and have shown their appreciation. I have received many positive phone calls, e-mails, letters and special Beanies gifts, all which were totally unexpected, but greatly appreciated.
I would like to share a few notes which I have received. I have obtained permission from the authors of these notes to use them in this article.
From: "Marian Andrews"
To: <j81459@erols.com>
Subject: Beanie Friends
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 04:14:26 -0400
Dear Ms Janie-
I just finished reading your marvelous article - "Why do adults collect beanies". It was a very compelling piece. I cried and laughed and although it is 4AM I had to drop you a note and thank you for sharing the wonderful thoughts of so many people. I am 61 and started collecting BB last Thanksgiving after a friend of many years gave me Cubby and Blackie. I now have 298. I too, can't really tell you why I have become so found of them. The hunt to find the elusive, missing one is certainly part of it but there is an element that can't really be defined that compels me to rush out every Thursday and check the local shops for new arrivals. They have personality and an appeal like a new puppy. Beautiful faces and their diaries make them come alive. I just love them.
You are a very gifted writer. Thank you for the wonderful, provocative and informative articles.
Marian Andrews
Greenbush, Michigan
Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 08:35:16 -0400
From: bd <105541.2550@compuserve.com>
Subject: RE: Ms. Janie Interview
Sender: bd <105541.2550@compuserve.com>
To: "'\"Jim & Laura Rennie\"'" <jimlarnn@mdc.net>
Cc: "'Janie Daniels'" <j81459@erols.com>
Thanks for the feedback on the interview. I have received many positive
notes on the interview, which was time consuming for both Janie and myself.
I agree with your comments that she would be an excellent P.R. person
for Ty. I will pass on your comments.
Thanks for visiting:
http://www.ctoys.com
-Joe aka BDad
-----Original Message-----
From: "Jim & Laura Rennie"
Sent: Friday, May 01, 1998 10:39 PM
To: 105541,2550]
Subject: Ms. Janie Interview
Hi Joe,
Just, finally, finished reading your interview with Ms. Janie. We had to
make several attempts due to life, kids, dogs and beanies. We loved it! As
you know, we are always visiting your site. Is that an understatement or
what? We recommend it to all the people who we know collect beanies, have a
computer and are hooked up to the net. To tell you the truth, since January
we've made about 30 or so beanie lovers so curious to know what is going on
in the beanie net that they have gotten the best modems they can afford and
have become beanie net surfers. We actually got a $25 gift certificate from
Bell Atlantic, for convincing some of them to get a second line for their
computer as a thank you. The best part is that all of them like your site
as much as we do. Of course we have to put up with a good amount of teasing
about our postings, but they are very impressed that you will let people
know what is really going on, even when it brings you some heat.
Anyway, back to why we are sending this. We really loved the interview and
we were very impressed with what Ms. Janie had to say about herself. As we
read it, it occurred to us that she would be the perfect person for
something that many of us think Ty needs. As you know rumors are so common
in this hobby they actually almost control it. Many are very nasty and
reflect very badly on Ty. Even though Ty's web site does provide good
information it does not provide information that helps to stop some of
those rumors. For example the one about Ty selling directly to the home
shopping networks. We really think that it's time that Ty addressed some of
the rumors. Ms. Janie would be the perfect person for that job. She is
respected and very highly thought of in this crazy hobby of ours. People
believe her because she has always been honest and down to earth. Ty should
hire her to be a kind of PR person for them. She could provide newspapers
and magazines with articles, tell everyone how Ty does business, what their
policies are and basically clean up their image. Maybe she should suggest
this to Ty. We think they would both benefit. Ms. Janie would be able to do
what she really loves and does so well, writing, and Ty would get one heck
of a journalist to tell their side of all the stories. Please let her know
what we said.
And Joe, Keep up the fantastic work. You're one of the good guys and God
will reward you.
From: Sunny823 <Sunny823@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 01:04:54 EDT
To: j81459@erols.com
Janie,
I've read lots of Beanie articles over the 4 years I've been collecting these
little darlins' and yours are always among the most informative and the least
one-sided. And I've shared this viewpoint with quite a few friends.
The interview was great and I NEVER would have known you were a proud mom!!!
I have your book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
debbi
From: "Greg Brown" <mcse@email.msn.com>
To: <j81459@erols.com>
Subject: Hi Janie
Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 16:12:58 -0700
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4
Hi Janie,
My name is Stacy Brown and I have just discovered the wonderfulness that is
you!! I have enjoyed your articles on the Beanie Babies World News web site
and just thought that you might enjoy a letter of thanks and appreciation!!
I started collecting Beanies with my 3 year old in Dec. 97 so we are
relatively new at this. My little boy loves all beanies and would
especially love to have Libearty ( his dream beanie ). We are saving our
money so that hopefully next year we can get one. This is the most fun
hobby and you have made it even more of a fun game ( for me ) with all of
your wonderful articles and insights that I have read this past month. My
only regret is that I did not know about beanies sooner!!
Thank you again so much!!
Stacy Brown
From: "Jane Cooley" <cbarc@email.msn.com>
To: <j81459@erols.com>
Subject: Secondary Market Article
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 05:03:51 -0500
Janie, I just read your article on the secondary market and want to congratulate you on an excellent article, obviously backed up by lots of research. You put very well what I've been trying to say since I started collecting BBs in January 1997. I absolutely love and adore each and every one of my BBs, the majority of which I was able to purchase from the secondary market. I am one of those who cannot wait in lines, make the "101" daily calls, etc. I would prefer to pay $5.99 too, but there is no way in my present circumstance. I'm grateful for the secondary market alternative. Thanks again.
Jane
The following note was forwarded to me by Joe at ctoys.com
Date: Sat, 9 May 1998 04:49:38 -0400
From: bd <105541.2550@compuserve.com>
Subject: RE: FW: Ms. Janie Article
Sender: bd <105541.2550@compuserve.com>
To: "'Janie Daniels'" <j81459@erols.com>
I loved the interview you did with Ms. Janie... Wow, she is such an
Inspiration. I have not read her book but after reading your interview I
Am anxious to go & get it. I think she is a treasure to the beanie
community (and from your interview, to her family too). Thank you for such
an informative & well done article. You both deserve "Beanie Hugs"!
Sincerely, Carol Garcia
http://www.ctoys.com
-Joe aka BDad
================================================
These notes are what keep inspiring me to write about a collectible I LOVE!
I will share a sad note I received the other day. I do not have the note to share; it upset me so much that I deleted it. Someone sent me a message asking why would anyone buy the cow, when they could get the milk for FREE?
I responded by asking what did they mean.
I was told that if I continue to write and support Ty's Beanies for FREE, that I would never get anywhere and that everyone else would get rich except for me. In order to be taken seriously, you have to sell Beanies or at the very least get paid for what you do. Don't be a fool and allow yourself to be taken advantage of.
Not only was I angry, I was also very hurt!
What's wrong with trying to be a good person? Why does everybody have to always look at the money issues? I'll agree it cost me money and time to write and research articles. It would be nice to get paid for what I do, BUT the bottom line is, I enjoy it and who knows, maybe one day I'll be discovered! In my book, honesty and hard work always pays off in the end.
Janie Daniels
June 14, l998
