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It's happening again! I've sold only a handful of cats/kittens to the UK but it seems whenever I have a "good" sale day on ebay I find one of my cats or kittens that I've sold to the UK is up on ebay 
I'm not specifically naming my collectors. Each time the piece is being sold in the UK it's by a person who is not the original buyer? IS it just me? OR maybe coincidence? I've had this happen three times in the last year but only in the UK! Why would collectors buy just to sell to another party who then sells the piece? My cat Damariscotta is now up for resale on ebay and he looks so sad. I feel really bad for him. Please! I'm NOT asking anyone to buy him! That will just encourage this type of buying and selling. I don't know what the answer is, it's just sad.
Karen
MerBear OriginalsKaren - if I were able to afford one of your cats it would have a permanent home with me for my lifetime! I can't imagine how anyone would be able to let one go.
Marion
I've had this happen too Karen .. not particularly with UK collectors, sometimes it has been US collectors, but either way it's very frustrating and you have my sympathy.
Little Bear GuyKaren we have had this happen to us as well, we didn't even sell the bear on Ebay we sold it through our website and then we found out from another lady that she bought it off of Ebay in the UK. It is very frustrating, I can't imagine buying one of your beautiful cats and then turning around and just reselling it .
Big hugs
Shane
Flying Fur StudiosDoesn't make any sense to me.
I mean, bears sell for the most from the artist. I find they never make as much when it's a resale.
Soo weird and I can see how you would feel insulted
It's happened to me too... and I do understand and am not hurt anymore.
Sometimes something happens in a person's life unexpectedly and they need the money.
Sometimes they sell one piece in order to buy another piece....
Sometimes they realize they need to downsize...
And sometimes they've just changed their mind.
I know that I also have re-homed some of my artist bear collection on eBay also. I think that's what helped me understand it more and not take it personally.
Thanks! Everybody,
It's been a long hard day! I Know, I should be happy my cats are worthy of resale 
I think maybe I personalize each of my cats and kittens and I know it's strange but I, generally, remember each of my collectors and I worry when someone I know sells a cat!? I know; I'll get over it 
Karen
Tami Eveslage Original Teddy BearsIt is hard Karen. I had one collector who lives relatively near to me begin reselling part of her bear collection on ebay and I dreaded the day that she would start list something I had made. It did happen, and it stings a bit, but just think, your bear will go to a new loving home!
Brandon BearsOn the other side of the coin, I've purchased artist bears off Ebay that the collector is reselling. In fact I keep watch out for them. Its a great way for me to afford owning bears made by my favorite artists. When possible I send a email to the artist and thank them for making the beautiful bear. Letting her know just what I like about the bear and attach a photo of my new bear at home with new hugg friends. I am wondering now if I have offended the original artists.
Donna a.
If you'd written me such a note, Donna, if you'd have bought one of my resold pieces (and it happens with my bears like with everyone else's), I'd have put that note in my "bit o' kindness" binder, where I keep extra-special notes from collectors and fellow craftspersons. I can't imagine an artist would be offended, knowing that you went the extra mile to send a personal note of appreciation for his or her work.
I do agree with Karen and everyone else here, though, that as illogical as it may sound -- we are, after all, essentially offering a "product" -- it sometimes does sting a little bit when a piece is resold, even for reasons that make perfect sense. Maybe it's because most of us feel as if we're not just "making sumthin" but are actually creating a little being -- giving birth in a way, even -- that we feel this way. I get over it pretty quickly but the initial feeling of, "Aw, you don't like my baby anymore?" always registers when I see a piece being resold.
Sunnie BearsI am the recipient of one of Donna's Notes. And I have to say that it made me feel great! Especially when after recieving the bear from the ebay seller, she asked me to do a custom order for her. It can sting sometimes when one of our pieces resells, but in the long run, I have found that the new owner is very grateful to be able to get the bear.
Sonya
this thread has helped me too
i saw a rat bag on ebay once quite by chance - how many have i missed?
i would love the note idea - and the file of complements what a lovely thing for a rainy day
cheers guys
hope you feel better karen
cat xxxx
I've had lovely notes from new collectors and after purchasing on the secondary market, they have subsequently gone on to order direct from me, so all's well that ends well! I love to hear from the new owners, so Donna, you certainly don't cause any offence by contacting the makers, I'm positive of that.
Over the past couple of years, quite a few of my bears were sold through Ebay at very low prices. Oddly enough, I didn't mind at all. I recognised each and every one of them as they were auctioned and knew they all came from one particular collection. The collector had supported my work for about a decade and was passionate about teddy bears. Sadly, she passed away quite suddenly and her husband inherited her vast collection. As Ellen says, I could perfectly well understand his need to find new homes for his wife's bears and took no offence at their sales. I have since heard from some of the new owners and as a result of my collector's passion for her bears, they are thrilled to have been able to purchase their bears at a price they could afford ... some of those new collectors couldn't have hoped to raise the full price for a current All Bear.
I've said it before, but it bears a repeat, a bear (or cat!) may start his journey with one owner, but that may just be the beginning of a fascinating journey. Those of us with vintage bears in our collections are drawn to them because of this history, because of their untold stories. We make our creations with care to ensure longevity, so that hopefully, one day, they too will have silent stories to share.
That said, I still find it wrankles when a brand new bear is sold within just a few weeks of purchase on the odd occasion! However, if the customer has paid in full, in my book, that gives them the entitlement to do as they please, whether it wrankles with me or not!
Posts: 1,836This has been an interesting read. Thank you for posting! 
I haven't had this happen yet, but I'm only a year into selling at this point. I'm guessing if I think about it now I won't take it to heart if it ever happens. I had a hard time even selling in the beginning...simply because I really get attached to things I create, especially when I think they're animated and "lifelike". Yah know...we give them lil' personalities. So I worked on the letting go piece for a while (am I nuts? 
)
This thread made me grab my latest copy of Home Companion Magazine. It reminded me of an article I had just read about an artist who makes the most amazing paper items. I was going to try to use her philosophy when creating and selling. I thought I'd share it here!
Anandamayi Arnold is from Berkeley California. She doesn't have a site that I can find, none was listed in the article. If you google her name you'll find little write ups and bits about classes she teaches. Here's what she said and what she makes.....her pieces are just awesome! And here's the thing...she spends hours making these detailed little pieces of perfection so that someone can rip it apart!
Those aren't real bulbs and flowers! She's constructed them from German Crepe Paper! Look at the lovely lil' birds! Amazing....
Inside each piece is a trinket or toy...she WANTS you to rip apart her work.........
Her words here are pretty cool. I would hope that no one would ever "destroy" what I/we make here...but I like the simplicity of her words and how it brings her peace about her work. 
:hug:
~Chrissi
