Why People Collect Beanbag Toys

A large number of collectors got started collecting Bean Bag Plush when their children expressed an interest in having "just a few" of their favourite Bean Bag Plush. Parents were thrilled that their children were asking for non-violent, inexpensive toys that could even be educational. Reports from parents stated that their children were learning about animal habitats, counting, and reading the poems. This was an ideal toy for both parents and children. Teachers were bringing them to school and using them in the classroom as teaching aids.

As the secondary market began to take off, many parents decided to buy an extra Beanie of each type they had. The extra Bean Bag Plush were kept in mint condition, so that they could, at a later date, be given to their grown children as part of a valuable, complete Beanie collection. This habit, in some cases, was how Mom and Dad got into the act, and before long, admitted that they too were avid collectors. With more than one collection in a household, extras were purchased to be sold or traded for some of the older retireds that were no longer available on the retail market.

There are collectors who were already Teddy Bear collectors and could not resist the cuddly beanbag bears. Several collectors only collect certain types of critters, and these collections are called "subcollections." These collectors do not hunt down every style, but they go to great lengths to have the particular styles that fit their collection criteria. For example, there is a boy from Illinois who collects ONLY ladybugs with complete spots, and a collector from Florida who only collects marine life animals. Jungle cats are popular subcollections among children. Whatever your taste, you can be sure there is a beanbag toy out there for you.

As mentioned earlier, secondary market appeal has drawn a lot of new collectors to this area of toy collecting. The media hype and the proclamation that Bean Bag Plush were listed as the hottest collectable of the year has fuelled Beanie collecting. Also, Bean Bag Plush have been on the list of the top 10 most requested toys during the holiday season for several consecutive years.

The Internet is also believed to be a driving force behind the huge success of these collectables. The secondary market basically got started with a few savvy collectors who posted on collectors’ boards, newsgroups and web sites on the Internet. These early collectors posted information about what they had to sell and trade and their "wish" lists. This created a forum for collectors who could communicate with each other from all over the world. Collectors met in chat rooms awaiting news of expected retirement announcements. The buzz on the Internet drew new collectors who were curious to see what all the fuss was about, and what on earth a beanie baby is.

Each of the two hugely successful McDonald’s promotions with Teeny Bean Bag Plush in the Happy Meals brought new collectors aboard as the media blitzed the airwaves with tales of long lines, shortages, and mayhem at McDonald’s restaurants. McDonald’s employee Teeny Beanie pins, hats, and displays are among spin-off collections in the Bean Bag Plush arena.

Many McDonald’s toy collectors are now Bean Bag Plush collectors, having gotten hooked on the toys when they purchased Teeny Bean Bag Plush as part of their McDonald’s toy collection. Of course, having the Teeny Bean Bag Plush matching Beanie Baby would be just the perfect addition!

Whether people collect Bean Bag Plush because they are attracted to the thrill of the chase, the secondary market value, or just because they are adorable, the number of collectors is amazing. There are thousands of people who continue to enjoy their collections, as well as new collectors just starting out. Collectors share information on the Internet, and at Collectables Expos and Shows.

It is interesting to note that when a collectable is retired or a new group is released, the first question that is often asked among collectors is, "What’s it going for on eBay?"

The preceding material was written by Myrtle Cecil. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.