Buying Longaberger Baskets
There’s no doubting that Dave Longaberger hit upon a winning idea when he started up his basket making store in the 1970s. Working off the success of his father his edge was the quality and craftsmanship that went into each of his handmade baskets.
Dave also came up with a clever means of distributing his baskets. Not happy with the sales levels of traditional marketing at malls, department stores and various retail outlets, Dave Longaberger he hit upon the idea to sell his Longaberger baskets through home shows where a home consultant would highlight the craftsmanship that went into each basket. The sales method has proven particularly successful and Longaberger baskets have continued to be greatly sought after.
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The range of Longaberger baskets is continually turning over with short-run commemorative baskets, special occasion baskets and regular retirements of lines making every line extremely collectable. Baskets marking the Presidential Inauguration, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas and Easter are all some of the occasions for which special weaves are created.
Each of these baskets come with a brass tag as authentication and are only available for a short period of time. The popularity of all Longaberger products, whether they be baskets or the pottery or linen is consistently high. Any product that is released in limited quantities is going to attract a premium price, and when collectors are involved, demand is inevitably going to outstrip supply.
Longaberger Baskets such as the Inaugural Basket, the Dresden Tour baskets and the seasonal baskets such as the Easter and Christmas baskets have solidified a thriving secondary market for collectors. Browse through any auction containing Longaberger goods and you will find heavy bidding and strong prices are the order of the day.
Although you can use them as functional baskets, Longaberger is more valuable as a collector item. Many of these baskets appreciate in value and do best if kept in prime condition. Enjoy your Longaberger by sitting it in pride of place.
