A New Year A Rebirth and a Near Death

Hello once more from http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ Harvey’s Harvest, the end of 2008 saw an abysmal Christmas season which in the past has always been a good and strong time of the year. Leaving us wondering if we were going to be yet another victim of the economy as other rather big name retailers have been in the last 6 months, but January 2009 saw resurgence in sales. While not gaining over January 2008, we have been able to hold steady with last January’s numbers and in this economic climate that is a good thing, signaling a rebirth of sorts. We are looking to keep growing by bringing in new supplies. Goodyear Market Place has also stepped up their marketing efforts. Which I think we saw the end results of last weekend when we had the best weekend we have had in the last 5 months, we can only hope this will continue.

In today’s blog I mention a near death. That comes from the passing of New Legislation by Congress that was born out of the Lead based Paint Hysteria that swept the nation at the end of 2007. I addressed that in an earlier blog. But this bill could have been the death of both Harvey’s Harvest and many thousands of other businesses that resale older toys, even collectibles. It would have required all retail outlets pre test all pre owned toys for lead content before being able to sell them. The cost of such tests would have been cost prohibitive and would have made it impossible to sell them.

While we sell New Die Cast we also buy and sell people’s collections all the time. This would have basically signaled our death. Since Die Cast both new and used equals about 60% of our sales with New House wares and signs making up the remaining 40%.

But thankfully with just weeks before this law was to take effect Congress saw the stupidity in their actions and were convinced to reverse their bill. All new toys are still going to be subject to testing. By the manufacturers and May effect prices going forward, but we do not have to bear the burden of testing ourselves.

While I fully understand the danger of lead poisoning. This latest incident is more than proof positive of the adverse side effects of panic and hysteria.

As always please comment on my blogs and please visit our website. http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ Thanks for your continued support.