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Toy Collecting-
Is it for me?
Collecting
can build cognitive skills such as pattern sequencing
and visual discrimination and promote repeat activity.
The enjoyment of collecting is a 4 step process:
1.
Acquire – There is an entertainment factor
and exploration principle of looking and finding.
2. Save – There is an entertainment factor
and exploration principle of looking and finding.
3. Display – Window boxes, shelves and decoration
around the home or office.
4. Trade & Sell – To make money on your
collection investment.
How do trends for a collection
start? Getting children to collect "something in particular"
is easily done through word-of-mouth hype. Starting
a trend, promoting a gimmick along with marketing and
promotions create the hype. This hype turns into a must-have
that becomes a fad. Kids want what other kids have and
many times, parents want to be sure their kids do have
what those other kids have. This is when consumer-buying
behavior begins and the trend turns into sales and profit.
The popularity of a collections can be based on trend,
such as Beanie Babies, a personal hobby, such as football
cards or a current hype that kids are talking about
(Pokeman). Other successful collections include: Matchbox
and Hot wheels cars, model kits, stuffed animals, Barbie
dolls, POGS dollhouse furniture and Dickens Christmas
Villages.
Remember that a collector
never buys everything from the same store. One of the
joys of collecting is to search for new items to add
to the collection.
Some collectors purchase
by price point.
Look for displays of all
the collections in a single area. There is usually a
special place in the store that collectors can find
new products. It takes too much time for a collector
to search a whole store, if they already know that when
new product comes in and you have it in one area, that
will entice a collector to visit more often.
Remember that collecting
is for all ages. Kids learn to collect while adults
enjoy it as a pastime providing an escape from everyday
pressure.
Be aware some collections
may affect a child's character development. Promoting
a collection of licensed merchandise from an adult-focused
television show or cartoon is not in the best interest
for a child. Be aware that there are more products like
this on the market. The toys we buy for our children
today may greatly influence who they become tomorrow.
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