| Finding
Pez Dispensers
|
|
Knowledge
is really the key in successfully collecting older Pez.
Read and learn as much as you can about Pez dispensers.
This will provide you with a good foundation for identifying
older Pez dispensers and help you develop a sense of value when
purchasing both vintage and new Pez dispensers. Currently, there
are numerous newspaper and magazine articles, books, newsletters, and
internet websites available on Pez collecting.
These are all a definite must for anyone interested in Pez,
whether they are a beginner or a advanced collector.
Even with a considerable knowledge about Pez, finding older Pez
dispensers can be tricky. I
have tried garage sales, flea markets, antique stores, thrift shops,
friends, neighbors and relatives, all with very limited success.
A lot depends on luck, being in the right place at the right
time. |
 |
One
of the most reliable sources for finding Pez (both old and new) is a Pez
convention. I traveled to my first Pez gathering in 1995 and since
then have attended both the
Cleveland
and
St. Louis
conventions numerous times. Pez conventions offer the collector
exposure to many other collectors and dealers who can provide a wealth
of information, and also allow the opportunity for purchasing Pez that
otherwise would be hard to find. Often when searching for specific
Pez dispensers, comparison shopping is an additional advantage when
attending the larger Pez conventions. |
| eBay
makes
it easier |
| Another
good source for locating Pez is through eBay auction sales.
This internet auction house has become one of the easiest sources
for finding Pez both in terms of variety (old and new) and price
(reasonably low to unbelievably high).
For me, however, one of the drawbacks with eBay is the fact that
you cannot actually see and feel the item you’re bidding for.
This
makes it difficult to buy with confidence the older vintage Pez,
especially if you are fussy, like me, about details such as color and
condition of the dispenser. Color
variations and subtle differences in appearance or the actual condition
of the Pez can sometimes be masked or not at all apparent in the eBay
photo(s) used by the seller. You
must take the initiative and ask the seller as many questions as you can
prior to bidding on an item of interest, otherwise purchasing on ebay
can result in a sometimes frustrating if not disappointing experience.
On the other hand, there are often many good quality Pez
dispensers up for sale on eBay. The
ease and convenience with which you can purchase a Pez that you have
been dreaming about cannot be beat.
Many Pez dispensers that are unique and cannot be found anywhere
else have sold on eBay. |
 |
| Internet
or travel? |
| The
internet provides the collector access to a wide variety of web pages
devoted to Pez collecting. The Pez Company has their own website
and offers, by mail order, all the current Pez dispensers as well as
special or limited edition Pez dispensers. Many private websites
also offer Pez for sale and are an excellent source for Pez hunting.
In addition, there are also web chat pages devoted to Pez
collecting which provide the opportunity to easily connect with other
Pez collectors. This can be extremely helpful in learning who the
reputable Pez dealers are that provide both good products and service. |
 |
Since
Pez dispensers were originally only made in
Austria
and
Germany
, and continue to be manufactured in some parts of Europe and Asia,
travel outside of the
United States
can prove to be rewarding in locating some difficult to find Pez.
Also, certain Pez dispensers (both vintage and current) were only
targeted for distribution in countries other than the
U.S.A.
, and often cannot be easily or cheaply located here. Even travel
to
Canada
can result in finding some of the Pez that are only marketed and sold in
Europe or
Asia
. Finding Pez dispensers in other parts of the world usually has
an added bonus in that they will be in different packaging and may come
with Pez candy flavors not seen in this country. |
| Persistence
pays off! |
| With
knowledge comes wisdom, that expression is also true when it comes to
collecting Pez candy dispensers. With a little luck and some
patience, Pez collecting is both a rewarding hobby and a good way to
spend some time with your kids. Have fun and good luck finding
your next treasure. Below are some more resources to help in your Pez
collecting adventure. |
|
Articles
“Collectors are popping up to say PEZ”, Barbara and Ken Beem, Antique Week,
Vol.26, No.11,
June 7, 1993
“Pez dispensers joy to kids of all ages”, by Lisa J. Adams, The Detroit
News,
October 21, 1993
.
“Pez – Candy Dispenser Turned Pop Culture Icon”, by Sue Sternfeld,
Baby Boomer Collectibles, Vol.1, No. 4, January, 1994
“Boomer or Bust”, by Jennifer Foote, The
Detroit
News,
January 7, 1995
“Collecting Pez”, by Sharon Korbeck, Toy Collector and Price Guide, Vol. 7,
No. 1, February, 1996
“Unexpected Treat – Let’s Dispense with the Small Talk: Collectors are
Developing a Sweet Tooth for Pez Containers”, by Jeffrey Steele, Chicago
Tribune,
October 27, 1998
“A Pez of History”, by Margaret Mittelbach, Country Accents Collectibles,
Flea Market Finds, Vol. 7, No. 4, Winter, 1999
“Legend Connecting Pez, eBay a Bit Exaggerated”, Staff reporter, Chicago
Tribune,
June 30, 2002
Books
Pez Newsletter
Pez Collector’s News, published Bi-monthly -
PO Box 14956
Surfside Beach
,
SC
29587
(e-mail:peznews AT juno.com)
|
Pez Conventions Currently Planned
http://www.collectingpez.com/conventions.html
http://showcase.netins.net/web/skipper/conven.htm
Cleveland – Pezamania 16,
July 20-22, 2006
Cleveland
, Ohio
Holiday Inn,
Independence
1-800-Holiday or 216-524-8050
Connecticut
– The 8th Annual
Northeast PEZ
Collector's Gathering, March 30, 31,
April 1 2006
at the Westin
Stamford, Stamford, CT
06901
Minnesota
– MN PEZCon 11,
August 10-12, 2006
,
Ramada
Inn
Airport & Thunderbird
Convention Center
,
Bloomington
,
Minnesota
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