Here are some helpful hints on collecting from the experts at Enesco:
- Focus on why you are collecting - for viewing pleasure, for investment purposes, as a hobby, for decorating purposes or simply because you like it. Why you collect will influence how you collect.- Determine in advance of making key purchases how much of your income you can afford to spend on your collection.
- Collect for the long term, not the short term. Half the fun of collecting is watching your collection grow.
- Display your collection around your home. Not only will you be constantly reminded about your collection, but you'll allow others to enjoy it, too.
- Make collecting a family event. Starting children on a collection teaches them responsibility, money management and many other valuable lessons.
- Learn as much as possible about your collection. Whether you are collecting baseball cards or figurines, learning about how your collection is made, and its value or special attributes will enhance your collecting pleasure.
- Join a collectors club or association that specializes in your collection. This is a key way to learn more about your collection or to locate hard-to-find pieces. For more information, call your local retailer or look for or post a classified ad in the local paper.
- Surf the Internet: Many clubs and organizations post information on collecting and collections on the Internet. Prodigy offers a collectibles bulletin board.
- Consider having your collection insured on a special rider to your homeowners insurance, even if you aren't collecting for investment purposes.