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rufnut Rufnut Teddy's
Victoria Australia
Posts: 2,725

Hi just wanted to know your experience in selling your bears or critters as a set rather than a single bear item?

From your experience have you had -

More luck selling as a matching set?

Or better luck selling as single items?

Any comments are welcome.   Thanks again  bear_original

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

Yes, does anyone have any experience of this please cos i'd like to know too

Pen  :hug:

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Could I respond as a collector?

Price/affordability would be my biggest concern.

Second, do BOTH bears speak to me? If one does the other must too!

If it was a Mama/Baby sort of thing or a bear with his pal froggy or something like that it would definitely work.
Maybe he and she bears in co-ordinating outfits, something with a theme that is as endearing as their faces.

Now I'm rambling!!! Too bad I can loose my voice but not the ability to type, huh!?  bear_laugh

I Love Teddies South Florida
Posts: 1,684
Website

I agree with what Daphne said.  I can respond only as a collector because I am only a collector.  I have bought pairs of bears before and I liked both of them.  Price is number one.  A pair can be expensive.  Plus, I have to like both of them or it's not worth it.  Sometimes I like one of the pair but not the other so I just won't buy it regardless of price.

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

Zis iz verry interestinc - i must interrogate you furzer...........

If you liked one bear enough would that put you off buying them as a pair, i'm talking about absolutely adoring a bear not just thinking 'oh he's nice' .....would that still put you off from buying?

Penny bear_flower

Delartful Bears Delartful Bears
Australia
Posts: 3,518

Personally, I don't think I would buy a set, just because of money, and most sets don't appeal to me.

But I'm on my lonesome here - it's just personal taste!

Danni

kbonsall Kim-Bee Bears
Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,645

I should have asked this... I have a panda set I am working on, a bro and sis... so do you think I should split the pair up?

starlite Starlite Bears
Renfrew,Scotland
Posts: 1,676

hair.jpgI have had success with sets but usually commission pieces - I do a fair amount of different types of wedding couples
I have posted a thread with a picture of a set just completed in Miniatures
Other sets - again usually commission are bear scenes for specific occassions eg I created a hairdressing vignette for someone to mark the opening of a new salon
The one set I tried on ebay - went to an existing collector but not much interest other than that
:hug: :hug:
Anne

kbonsall Kim-Bee Bears
Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,645

How cute is that!  Very creative!

JanetandBears Janet Ann Anderson and Bears
Breckenridge, CO
Posts: 264
Website

I have made several set over the years... a boy and girl bear dressed in coordinating costumes.
My experience has been to offer them individually or together.  Collectors who have bought them individually usually at a later date find they want both and will order the other one or pick it up another show. A few times someone has wanted both right then and there so that is fine too.  It has not been my experince that it makes any difference if the number in the edition does not match if they buy a pair at one time.   Janet

Eileen Baird'sBears
Toronto
Posts: 3,873

bear_original Beautiful, Fran!  :hug:

You're a genius with the detail!

I think sets make sense if there's a real reason for both bears. I'm not sure about bro & sis, if they're the same bear in different outfits. Maybe they should be doing something together, taking different but mutually necessary roles, maybe one pulling the other in a wagon, or one on a tricycle and the other standing on the platform behind, or one bopping the other with a 2x4 , little bro ripping the head off little sis's dolly. . .  you know, sibling stuff.

That said, I can't imagine my little Lily without her teddy, Mr. Grizzle. They've existed together in my mind since I first began the project.

Eileen

kbonsall Kim-Bee Bears
Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,645

I'll have to think of something catchy to sell them together.. I dont want to split them up... I think my bears sell cheap enough that someone will adopt the pair... ok, so what can I have them do... I wish I could somehow make a big fortune cookie (not real) and it was somehow hinged and opens up and the little two pandas are in there... I dont know how to make it come to be though... hmmm.. Maybe I will have a dream like I usually do and wake up with a good idea!  LOL

Densteds Densteds
Posts: 2,056
Website

Meredith--Misty-Blue-Small.jpgHi Karen,
I just sold a twosome on Ebay, a bear with a little cat, but I don't think I'd make two bears to sell together, too much work involved, the cat only had one joint so it was relatively easy. I was happy with the outcome of the auction as it was the first time I'd sold two together like that.


hugs,
Denise

Shelli SHELLI MAKES
Chico, California
Posts: 9,939
Website

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

I saw these; they were awesome, Denise.

I think psychology again plays a part.  If you put a pair of bears together for $200 each, the temptation might be to think, "Well, $200 is expensive enough, so I'll just buy one."  But if you group them and sell them as a pair, I think the collector might think instead, "Wow... $400 sure is a lot to spend, but I get TWO bears for that price!  And they look so cute together!"

Of course, this kind of thinking doesn't put cash to burn in empty pockets.  But I think that it might be more advantageous, if you're wanting to create a pair, to PRICE them as a pair.

This is just intuition on my part, and a projection about how I would feel, faced with something similar.

Karen Drayne -- of BARRICKLOW BEARS -- runs auctions on eBay which inevitably feature two bits.  So does Penny Noble.  They always sell theirs as a pair.  One teddy/critter is usually dominant (meaning larger, and also, more the focal point), and one is subordinate.

Just some thoughts to add to the mix... bear_original

kbonsall Kim-Bee Bears
Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,645

Denise, I love your twosome... if I were rich.... I would be broke LMAO  They are adorable, not eve being a cat person, the kitty is adorable and I love the color combo!  bear_original

Dilu Posts: 8,574

The other thing collectors need to remember, is the other half might not be available when they have the money-kind of like buying artist ooak on e-bay.....you might get lucky or you might just really loose......so what about discounting the pair a little


Santa is 200
Mrs is 200 but together they are 350

just a thought from someone who has never sold a pair but did try a year ago.... :lol:

bear_tongue

SueAnn Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 21,915

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Tolley-for-TT.jpgThe-Hug-for-TT.jpgDoodle-Doos-for-TT.jpgI definitely think sets can sell.  I just think the figures in the vignette need to look like they "fit" together.  I'm showing three different "sets" here.  Another is the recent set of the huge standing bear leading his pet rooster on a leash.  All of these sold without a problem.

Dilu Posts: 8,574

Awwww  Tooo cute Miss Sue Ann....too cute!  bear_wub bear_wub

doodlebears Doodlebears
UK
Posts: 7,414

doodlebears Celebration Ambassador

areturned-filesearly2-3820.jpg-Rosemary-and-Dill.jpgI have made quite a few pairs and offered the as a pair or to be sold as single bears. I also made the Three Little Maids from the Mikado. These bears sold seperatley well two I still have one left. I do intend to replace the two which I sold to make the set complete again.


Sue Ann I just love those pictures! Is it hard to get the cockerels to stand?

Denise I've said this before, this couple are so cute, I just love the colour which you chose.

Anne What a great piece of work! The salon looks beautiful.

Jane.  bear_original

Densteds Densteds
Posts: 2,056
Website

Anne, I love your little salon, what a cute idea, it's great!! :clap: :clap:

Sue Ann, oh!! the chickies are fabulous,  bear_wub love your other little teds too, especially the pandas..

Jane..love your Oriental ladies, I saw them on your website, did you make their kimonos????? yeah!! probably, why can't I sew clothes  :doh: :doh: :doh:

hugs,
Denise.

Eileen Baird'sBears
Toronto
Posts: 3,873

bear_original Ooooh. Beautiful sets, Fran and Denise and Sue Ann and Jane! I think you  have answered the question.  :hug:

Eileen

rufnut Rufnut Teddy's
Victoria Australia
Posts: 2,725

Thanks for the wonderful comments and photos everyone I think you are spot on $ count and somethings appeal to some and not to others, you have to admit its worth thinking about sometimes.  :hug:

psichick78 Flying Fur Studios
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,073

Denise, Love that pair. Too bad I didn't see it on ebay. Missed out on that one I guess!!

Ann, how did you make such a real looking salon soo small?? Amazing work!!

Sue Ann, I would kill for one of your roosters, but that panda pair is to die for!! :love:

jane, what a beautiful set of ladies!!! WOW!! Did you make the clothes yourself?? And the shoes?? OMG amazing!!!!

Heather

kbonsall Kim-Bee Bears
Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,645

Jane and SueAnn, LOVE your bear couples!  Love the pandas and the geisha girls!

Gatehouse Bears Gatehouse Gallery
Lockwood, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 227

Seaside-set.jpgI tend to make pieces that can be sold individually, but can create a 'set' appearance, if the collector wishes.  Hope that helps, Glenys

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