Harvey's Harvest

Memorial Day a Day of Remembrance

2009-05-25T20:53:00.001-07:00

Many members of my family including Dad, Uncles, and now cousins have served in Americas wars, one ancestor of mine served during the Civil War. Thankfully most returned home alive and well, albeit with scars both mental and physical that those of us who never have been in war will thankfully never know.

I always talk of retail and collecting and the like. This is one day of the year when people should not be running to the malls and or stores, however that is exactly what this holiday has become to many. A time to run to the mall or the lake or the mountains and go hiking swimming or BBQing.

I must admit I enjoy having a day off from work myself and do engage in BBQ's with the family and the like.

But as Americans we must remember all of those that have paid the ultimate price, so that we are and have remained free today. Thanks.

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-10T06:24:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to all of the Mothers in the world. Happy Mothers Day! I love, cherish, and respect Mom very much. I am who I am because of her. I hope all moms have a great and happy day and are remembered and cherished by their children.

Fighting on.

2009-05-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Through the grace of God, we have been able to obtain more inventory and are going to push forward into Summer. I still have a feeling that we are going to see a turn around soon. It may even be this summer but think that the biggest improvement will be most evident in the fall.

Diecast is very diverse. There are diecast airplanes, construction, tractors, tractor trailers, Cars, Tractors and the like. And for the first time since opening our door we have at least one item in each of those categories.

Thanks, hope everyone has a great weekend, please check us out both online athttp://www.hh-collectibles.com/ and at Goodyear marketplace. Thanks

Hess Trucks

2009-05-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Anyone really into diecast collecting has at least heard of Hess Trucks even if you may not have seen them. We now are carrying Hess trucks and hope to bring even more in.

Overall this last weekend was medeocre. We did well at the Car show on Friday night and decent on Saturday at Goodyear. But Friday and Sundays sales were dreadful. I wish once more to thank everyone for your prayers and support. Thanks.

http://www.hh-collectibles.com/

Beginning of a new Month and vintage cars.

2009-05-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

April has come to an end and May has begun. I attended the Friday Night Car show as I always do anymore on Fridays. It was a pleasant evening and a great showing of cars. There were two 1949 Ford Mercuries there. I have really begun to like that particular car alot. It is the embodyment of why most people love vintage cars. The 1949 Mercury was power and grace all packaged in an artfully designed cars.

Many people love the 1957 Chevy Bel Air and the 1957 Crown Vic or the Thunderbird or the like. And trust me they are very nice cars but when it comes down to it. The 49 Merc is king of all of them in my book.

Please visit our site, http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ and please click on the links page to view our sponsored links and to check out our new Twitter page. Thanks.

Selling of collections

2009-04-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

When we first began our business we would have one person maybe every 2-3 months approach us to buy their collections, but now we have 2-3 people stopping us every week asking us to buy our collections.

Collections are generally and ussually a very good investment. However, if your selling when everyone else does, two things happen. First it drives the value of your collection and secondly it drives the value of everyones collections down.

Values of both NASCAR and Texaco collectibles have tumbled from highs obtained only 4-5 years ago. Now both are selling at rock bottom prices.

While I fully understand why people are selling their collections now it is indeed very frustrating to watch collection prices fall.

If possible the optimal time to sell your collections is during a good economy and the best time to buy is during a bad economy.

As always please visit our site. Thanks. http://www.hh-collectibles.com/

What makes a person start a business?

2009-04-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why people decide to go into business for themselves.

Some believe it cannot be that hard to do.

Others think they know best and thus feel they can run the business any business, including the one they are at currently, better than anyone else.

So really do have good ideas and want to see if they can do it.

Some want to get rich.

And lastly some are really tired of others telling them what to do.

For some budding entrepenuers, there is only one reason that motivates them, for others its a multiple of the reasons I listed above, plus other reasons I did not list.

For me personally it was multiple of reasons, I want to be better well off than I am now and know that working for others is ussually not the way to do it. Secondly I am tired of people telling me what or what not to do. And lastly I work hard at any job I have and am tired of other people reeping the rewards.

What got http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ Harvey's Harvest off the ground?

In the 1990's my parents lived in a small town in Kansas and my Brother and I lived here in Phoenix. My dad bought and sold diecast at local toy shows county fairs and the like. Dad kept trying to encourage my brother and I to move back to Kansas. But back then being supposedly far wiser than we are now, the thought of moving to a smaller town of 2,000 really did not appeal to either of us.

In 2003 after my Grandad passed away mom and dad decided there was nothing holding them back in Kansas and wanted to be closer to the Grandkids so they packed up the truck and drove down here.

After Dad got down here his interest in Diecast collecting and I got a bit infected by it. In addition I had always had a dream of being self employed. I had read many books on it and really wanted to give it a try.

The reality is this has been a lot of fun, very educational, and even if we do end up closing our doors, I have no regrets in doing this. But the reality is, I think we most likely will survive this. Has it been tough? Yes but nothing worth while ever comes easy.

If you ever have any dreams or desires, it is better to act on those dreams and desires than to never attempt them in the first place.

Thanks

Jim

Small Business in America is in Bad Shape

2009-04-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard the news about the big name businesses going under recently. Circuit City, K-B Toys, Linens N Things, Car Dealerships, both Ford and GM are going under, big name financial institutions like Bear Sterns, Citibank and others have all gone under.

Every day you turn on the news you hear about them. But what you do not hear is the news about the small business in America. America was built upon small business and free enterprise.

Bush Sold TARP based on getting money to the banks to start lending again. Obama passed 2 Trillion in additional Deficit spending also in the name of getting it to the banks so that small businesses can start borrowing again.

But the reality is that Small business loans are down 30% and that is after the two different Stimulus packages have been signed.

The reality is that everyone holds blame in this, it is not just a Republican or Democrat or Walmart caused problem.

Banks loaned money to people to buy homes they could not afford. Those people were buying $800,000 homes with no paper loans based all on the idea that in a couple of years when their ARM came due, they would simply sell the home.

Congress pressured the banks to keep up the lending aided by a bill signed into law by President Clinton in 1999 that allowed the banks to ease up their lending practices all in the goal of getting most Americans in homes.

But the reality is too many people that should not being owning homes got homes and they started walking away from those homes. Causing the banks money to dry up, when it dried up, they stopped loaning money to other businesses.

When those businesses no longer could get loans they stopped ordering products and began laying off employees. Larger businesses had bigger amounts of reserves so they were able to weather this a bit better.

But smaller businesses are relying on nothing more than will power and stamina right now.

What disgusts me is that the politicians are still playing the games. Obama says he is engaging in deficit spending because he inherited this debt. But the reality is that you cannot spend your way out of debt.

Again everyone is at fault in one way shape or form. Yes America will pull out of this latest recession but at what cost? More small businesses will be closing their doors, to date with prayer and support from friends and other sources we have kept going. But it will be a sad day for America if Small business dies. Thanks for letting me vent on this. As always I hope you will keep frequenting our Online store, http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ Please also keep clicking on and supporting our Sponsors. Thanks.

Summer's Here

2009-04-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

Anyone spending any time in Phoenix Arizona knows that the summers start early and end late. This year is no exception. The winter visitors have left and our summer season is beginning. We topped 100 Degrees for the first time this year yesterday.

Normally this would mean that our good months were behind us. But since this last season produced no good sales months, I am hoping that this summer will see the beginning of a recovery. I could be wrong but Recessions rarely last 3 years. This would be the third summer. Keep praying for us, and please keep visiting our website. http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

PS. Mothers Day is May 10th and Fathers Day is June 21st. Please keep us in mind for any gifts.

Car Show Does it Again

2009-04-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

On Friday Night I attended the Car Show on Northern and 91st Avenue in Peoria, as I have for the last several Friday nights. It was the first weekend in over a month with warmer temps and no wind. Thus we had a good turn out and I ended up selling a lot of diecast vehicles. Without the car show we would definately be a bit worse off than we are now.

We are now entering into Summer. The last of the winter visitors have already headed back to cooler locals or are going to be within the next couple of weeks.

This summer will be tough, ussually we are strong enough stock wise that we can basically making it through the summer making enough to pay our bills and then start strong again in September gearing up for Christmas.

That is not the case this year. Please keep us in your prayers. Also please support our Sponsored links. And as always please be sure and go to www.hh-collectibles.com and help us by bumping our search numbers. Also keep in mind Mothers Day is Sunday May 10th. Thanks.

Collectibles value from Appeal

2009-04-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

What exactly are collectibles? They are normal items that appeal to people. That appeal creates the value in them. This can be said of all collectibles whether it is plates, salt and pepper shakers, Figurines or Die Cast Vehicles.

People collect these items whether or not there is any true value in them. Any value is an added bonus of sorts. The one challenge is that people tend to collect them not thinking of any return in value and thus do things that may hurt the value of their collectibles down the road. Things like throwing the boxes away or repainting or gluing them. The reality is that as an item ages any signs of wear only add to the value, as long as the damage does not change the overall look of the item. Old Tonka toys with a bit of rust is actually a good thing, an old Tonka toy covered in rust is not a good thing. People always say that collectibles are only meant to look at, which is true if you are trying to get the money you put into it. But if you don’t just want the item to sit on a shelf collecting dust or hidden in a box because you are afraid the kids will break them it is ok to handle them on occasion and the like.

Once again, I hope you check out our site www.hh-collectibles.com and click on our sponsor links and help them out. Jim.

The Allure of DieCast Collecting

2009-04-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Someone I know always kids and jokes with me that collecting DieCast Vehicles is an old persons hobby. That modern day kids are more into video games and flashes and bangs and the like. And to a degree kids do get drawn to video games. But they are first drawn to DieCast Cars.

We see kids as young as 2-3 years of age immediately make a beeline to our Cases filled and topped with diecast cars. I often have to wipe their finger prints and facial smudges off of the glass. Both boys and girls are often fascinated by them. The reality is that the love of DieCast vehicles is often engrained in kids at an early age, and they may not collect for many years, but eventually when older find themselves drawn back to diecast models.

My own Dad got his first DieCast tractor when he was 5. His Dad, my granddad had gone to the local John Deere Tractor Dealer and bought a new tractor. As part of the purchase my granddad was given a diecast Model D tractor. He promptly gave it to my dad, who promptly played with it and eventually it was lost to time. But that started a life long passion for diecast collecting.

We see and here this often with many diecast collectors. It often starts with a collector buying only the cars they have owned. Then they may move on to vehicles they have always admired. We also see this with military diecast. Often times people will by the diecast version of the plane or tank or even ship they served on. And then move on to other models. Truck drivers may buy only Peterbuilt Trucks.

The Reality is that even in this day and age of kids being drawn to the flash and bang of Video games they are still drawn to diecast, and so even if there is a period in their lives, where more money goes to Video Game Consoles and Places like Game Stop. The reality is that they will always have a love for diecast and will eventually come back to diecast.

And of course we hope to always be there and participate in this passion for collecting. Since starting this business, we have moved into figurine collectibles, Salt and pepper Collectibles, Collectible glassware and plates, Collectible signs and even collectible belt buckles, but my true passion is and will always remain DieCast vehicles. I am not worried that those sharing my passion will disappear.

As always please support Harvey's Harvest and our True Family Business, http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ And also please click on our Sponsor site Links. In addition if anyone has a business that wants to share links, please let me know. Thanks.

Car Show

2009-04-12T20:18:00.001-07:00

Sales have been slowly rising since December, but we are still struggling deeply. So I found a Local Car show that is held every Friday Night on 91st Avenue and Northern in Peoria AZ. It costs nothing to set up a table there and the funny thing sales have not been bad.

They will not make us rich but are giving us a boost in the arm helping provide an additional revenue stream. Please keep praying for us and keep coming to check out our site and the sites of our Sponsors as well this helps all of us grow our presence on the internet, thanks.

In addition if anyone knows of Additional Car shows, or other venues we maybe able to set up at, please let me know. Thanks.

Jim
http://www.hh-collectibles.com/

A New Year A Rebirth and a Near Death

2009-02-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

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.

A little about the business.

2009-01-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

A little truth about our business. So far my blog has been about collecting and a bit stiff. But with the New Year I have decided to spice it up a bit.

As I have previously mentioned I along with my brother, sister, mom and dad opened http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ . We have a physical location at the Goodyear Marketplace Swapmeet.

I tend to shy away from the fact that it is a swapmeet that we operate at. Why? Well I have been told by people oh but I cannot wait till you open a real store.

It is a real store. We may have canvas walls and not brick and motar, but we have inventory that we keep out there, we have shelving and Glass display cases and even suppliers.

I remember when a Friend of mine sounded shock and said you have suppliers?

The reality is that yes Harvey's Harvest, has suppliers like a real business, has to pay rent like a real business, pay taxes like a real business and even runs the risk of going out of business like a real business.

I also have little or no savings left, and no time off to speak of. When thinking of starting your own business, people often warn you that it is not easy. So you think you know what your in for when you first start it. But then you realize that the reality is that it takes over your life, all you start thinking of is the business. It effects everything you do, you think about, and even what you do on the very little free time you may have.

You may be thinking that sounds awful. But in reality a small business is far more than just that. It is also the joy that owning your own business brings. The joy of a kid as he is given a $5 tractor by his parents and he rolls it around, is not the same if your just the clerk in a store and not the business owner. Or the Mennonite German speaking Farmer who lives in Mexico and who looks like he barely has $10 but sees the $350 Farmall tractor you have and buys it after deliberating with his wife, in German.

For the past three years, we have faced freezing cold, and melting heat all in the attempts of accomplishing our dreams.

But in the meantime, I have accumulated tons of memories as well. I will start revealing weekly experiences and the like every week. Yes that means the girls in low cut jeans with Tramp Stamps, to fat people wearing spandex.

Happy New Year!!!!

2008-12-31T22:39:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to All from Harvey's Harvest. 2008 has been a tough year for every one and I want to wish everyone who has supported and ordered from www.harveysharvest.com a very happy New Year!

Hopefully 2009 will see an end to the challenges and a beginning of regrowth, financially for everyone. Thanks Again.

Jim, Harvey, Phil, Debbie, and Glenda.

The Harvey's Harvest Team.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-09T19:36:00.001-08:00

This has been a tough year for all. Every body is worried about their jobs. Sales are down and people are more concerned about putting food on the table than purchasing collectables.

It is in this time that I hope everyone remembers why Christmas is celebrated World Wide in the first place. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christs birth. Leading to ultimately his death on the Cross and Our Salvation!

It is in the tough times that we should remember this the most. Thus I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope all of our Customers a Happy New Year and Good 2009.

As always please visit http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ and support a small truly family oriented business.

2008-10-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

Is Buying “Made in China” Evil?

Running a retail outlet that sells collectables of all types we try all the time to sell items made in the USA. We sell pottery made by an artist who lives in Phoenix, and I sell Old Wood signs and Bird Houses made by a retired gentleman who lives in Sun City, Arizona.

But when it comes to die cast Cars Trucks tractors and Airplanes, none are made in the US. If you wish to collect such items you must purchase Chinese. Only Wood Toys are still made in the US. Die Cast toys are not.

I get people that stop and admire the die cast toys and then ask if they are made in America and then get a rather snooty look when I state no they are not and walk off stating they buy only American.

The reality is that if they were really a collector they would already know they cannot buy US made Die Cast.

The reality is that despite being made in China, the die cast toys are very well made, the details now are better than they have been in years. And the reality is that the prices of the toys purchased are cheaper than if made in the US.

So is it bad to purchase something that is well made and something you like even if not made in the US??????????

I personally think it is not. Keep in mind the toys may be made in China but myself my Mom and Dad, my Brother, and my sister who own and work the business on top of working full time jobs are American and are trying to better ourselves by selling products people collect at http://www.hh-collectibles.com/

Let me know if you think I am wrong or agree with me. Thanks.

How To Clean and care for Collectibles

2008-10-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hello, once more Jim here with http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ with a new posting about how to care for clean up generally up keep your collectibles.

The biggest challenge all collectors run into is the collection of dust on their collections that they start to aquire. Keeping them in their original boxes, or putting them in Curio Cabinets, or Glass or Plexiglass display boxes, will keep some of the dust off of your object you are collecting, but you will always at some point be faced with the need to dust your collection, whether it is Diecast Cars, Tractors or Tanks, or a Doll.

You want to stay away from detergents or oils that will either strip the shine off of your collectible. In other words no Endust, or Sunlight. You will want to use a Clean Cotten Cloth with water and gently wipe off the object. Do not wipe to hard or with to much force. Especially if the object has very Precision detals.

If you find that the dust covering your object is not coming off with just water, use a 3 to one Water/ Windex mixture. This will allow the Windex to clean off any oily dust that has settled on your collection without removing any shine from the object itself.

Please check out http://www.hh-collectibles.com/ if you are interested in purchasing or adding anything new to your collection.

Please let me know if you have any questions comments or challenges. Thanks.

Collecting for the Beginner and Advanced

2008-09-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

Lead Hysteria

Hello my name is Jim DeWald and I run a collectibles business called http://www.hh-collectibles.com/. It is coming around to Christmas time again this year, and once more people are beginning to think in terms of gifts to buy.

Last year, the Lead based paint hysteria that gripped the nation, and was driven by the News Media looking to make money by sensationalizing something that in all reality is something we have lived with for hundreds and thousands of years.

First off let me state that yes if Lead is injested it can be dangerous and deadly. And no, nothing that could be handled by a child or put in its mouth should be covered in lead based paint.

But last year at the height of the hysteria there was a news story on TV of a man that spent hours putting up his Christmas lights only to tear them down within minutes, all because he read the box of one of the sets of lights he had bought, and it said contains lead.

The News Story went on to state that the guy later found out that the lead was a small little piece of it used to insulate the plastic casing from the hot wiring within the christmas lights.

In other words the only way his kids could have been poisoned by the lights is if they were licking the inside of one of the Light assemblies and only after chewing through plastic. But yet the guy was going on and on about not being to careful for the sake of ones kids.

Again I am not suggesting selling or purchasing toys for your kids covered in lead based paint. But Lead by itself is not dangerous. I make and collect both Lead based, and Pewter soldiers, mid evil knights and other diecast figurines. The reality is that you can work with lead and handle lead for your entire life and not die from it.

Yes you must clean your hands after doing so, but you should wash you hands after handling anything. Germs are just as deadly as ingested lead.

These are my opinions. I will be posting articles and thoughts periodically, please let me know if you agree or disagree, or are an avid collector yourself. Thanks and if interested please check out http://www.hh-collectibles.com/