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OF THE PLACES TO GO! FREE CLASSIFIEDS
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OF THE PLACES TO GO! FREE CLASSIFIEDS
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 "We Deal In Quality And Trust!" A Comprehensive Site For Boyds Bear BearstonesTMReference / Value Guide & Secondary Market Resource
In My Bear OpinionArticles & Editorial CommentsAugust 2001The Intelligent CollectorPart III A Look At The "Serious Collector" Do you remember the "Intelligent Collector"? This is a collector who is informed enough about a collectible to make an intelligent assessment of the collectibles' value versus it's cost. In Part I we provided an illustration of an uninformed collector, so you would understand the nature of an Intelligent Collector. Simply stated, the Intelligent Collector is one that is informed to the level of competency at which they are collecting. This is necessary to make wise decisions about purchases and to protect your assets. In Part II we illustrated the nature of a "casual" collector. The casual collector is an informed collector on a basic level. Collecting is a continuing process. And so it may come to pass tht even the casual collector may at some time have necessity to delve into the realm of the "Serious" Collector. If the Casual Collector is anyone who has purchased a collectible! Then who is the "Serious Collector"? The "Serious Collector" needs information beyond the basics. This becomes especially noticeable when a collector considers retired Bearstones. The casual collector many times finds that they are considering a retired or older Bearstone for purchase. Most assuredly the basics are not sufficient to make one an Intelligent Collector in this area! Remember, one needs to be informed to the level of competency at which they are collecting. To become a true Intelligent Collector in the "serious" collector's domain you will have to take the basics and go one to three levels higher to be properly informed. Confused? Let's look at an example. We received an Email a few months ago from a collector who had found the Bearstone #2003 Grenville With Green Scarf at a "Going Out Of Business Sale!" What a find. And the price, "Oh My!" The collector was trying to ascertain the actual name of the Bearstone (this is not printed on the stone) and whether or not all of the things with this Bearstone were original. Of course, from the description of the Bearstone it was easily determined that it was Grenville With Green Scarf. However, to authenticate the rest of the package it was necessary to ask numerous detailed questions. What kind of packing does it have? Describe the card? Provide all the information on the Understamp? Tell us in detail about the box, especially the bottom with all of the numbers (no name on this one)? This process by Email did take awhile and more specific questions were needed concerning the card and box. You ask, "Why so much detail?" Assuming that the stone itself is mint - Is a Bearstone more valuable with or without the proper box? Is a Bearstone more valuable with or without the correct card? And finally, is a Bearstone more valuable with or without the original packing? We are hoping that you said that the Bearstone is more valuable with all of these things. These things are quite critical in determining the value. You need all of this information to properly assess the value of the stone. In turn, you may then wisely assess the cost. For a serious collector to be an Intelligent Collector they need to have assimilated the basics and then learned the interrelation- ship of the basics with the principles of assessing the card, the box and the packing that accompanies the Bearstone. In addition, one may also have need to investigate the detailed facts about individual Bearstones. Most of the general information about the individual Bearstones can be obtained from various publications and/or other collectors. This general information would include the date issued, date retired and any variations of the Bearstone. Variations include mold changes, movement of the paw print, name changes and various issues (GCC, POG, etc.) of the same style. It is our opinion that mispellings are not true variations. However, the mispellings are of interest and certainly "bear" consideration. Unfortunately, to date, there are no publications available that delineate information concerning the cards, the boxes, the packing and the interrelationship between basic information and these crucial value factors (box, card & packing). It is further noted that there is very little concerning some details on older Bearstones. At The Bear Collector.com we have written, published & copyrighted several studies concerning the cards. These studies are not currently available. We are also researching the boxes and packing of the Bearstones. This research is on going and is nearing completion. We have also determined the interrelationship of the basics to these other areas to a level definitive enough to authenticate about 90% of all Bearstones with the items that accompany the Bearstones. This is why we can Guarantee each Bearstone from our Secondary Market to be mint and have all of the original items that should accompany the Bearstones. It is hoped that within this month we will be able to begin to offer to all collectors this extremely significant information. We urge you to watch the site for an announcement for the release of this crucial study. The significance of being able to properly assess the value of your Bearstones will be addressed in Part IV of the Intelligent Collector when we look at "Collectibles As Assets." ADDENDUM Regarding Grenville With Green Scarf: It was ascertained that all was original and proper, except the box. It was a box for Arthur! Ouch! Without the box this stone lost around $100 in value. At The Bear Collector.com you're in luck. We make you an Intelligent Collector. You can learn all of the basics in the Bearstone Basics. You can learn applications of the basics by reading the Newsletter. You can learn some important details of older and/or retired Bearstones in the Bearstone Reference Guide, which includes ALL of the variations. If you purchase from The Bear Collector.com you are automatically an Intelligent Collector without any work on your part. We Guarantee that you will receive a Mint stone with the original box, card and packing. This is a total value package that cannot be matched by anyone, anywhere. Visit Bearstone Basics - A Learning Center The "Casual Collector" should be able to get most of the information they need to begin in this section of the site. Detailed information about Bearstones can be found in the Reference Guide under the individual Bearstone links. You may visit the Reference Guide HERE The "Casual Collector" and "Serious Collector" will find information here to be very useful. Part I of The Intelligent Collector Part II of The Intelligent Collector Part III of The Intelligent Collector Part IV of The Intelligent Collector Part V of The Intelligent Collector What Are "Bearstone Basics"? Bearstone Basics is a series of informative articles concerned with the essential information a collector of Boyds Bearstones should have at their ready disposal. The subject matter pertains to basic things, such as Editions, Understamps, General Definitions and many others. Whether you are a "New" or "Old" collector the review of these subjects will provide you with an informed view of Bearstones and the necessary tools to be an informed collector and wise purchaser. CHOOSE A TOPIC (Just Click On Your Choice)
EDITIONS collecting Boyds Bearstones! The Bear Collector.com is a reference site for Boyds Bearstones. This means you can find the information you need (and you always need it) to be an Intelligent Collector of Bearstones.
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