Hobby involvement for insulator collectors depends on a number of factors. Some people have an all consuming interest, and do not hesitate spending hundreds of dollars for new additions. Others have an equally high interest, but cannot afford to spend as much money. Still others are not as intensely interested, because they spend their leisure time pursuing several activities. Regardless of which category we are in, there seems to be one constant frustration we encounter: Acquiring new additions for our collections becomes increasingly difficult every year. 

It is my contention that very rare and valuable insulators are still available. These pieces not only survived their useful service life, but have also escaped capture by us as collectors. They are ours for the finding, but the most frequently used methods of obtaining them will not work. Today, we must really "shake the bushes" to obtain these jewels. The purpose of this article is to offer collectors some suggestions for obtaining them. Some of my ideas may be novel to you. They may or may not appeal to you, but if used correctly, they will definitely result in greater exposure for you as a collector. The more you increase your exposure, the greater your chances of success.

If you decide to try it, the first thing you will need is collector cards. Here is an example of such a card:

This is not the card I would design to send or give away to other collectors. If this had been my objective, I would have designed it differently. Remember, I am using these to appeal to individuals who are non collectors. This is why I stress the fact I am a collector wanting to buy. The shapes at the top hopefully pique their concentration, and below I list the colors I want.

You can do as well regarding card design, probably even better. Take your time and doodle with it. Think it over, and soon you will have the design you want. Then decide on your colors. My cards are a manila color, and the ink is a deep bright green. It makes a very snazzy card; but that does not mean other color combinations would not be even better. Another consideration is the size of your card. I recommend the standard size of business card -- 2 x 3-1/2 inches. This size fits easily into your billfold or purse. Also, most printing businesses can offer customers a larger selection of paper color and quality. Just be sure to keep your hobby cards separate from your business cards. Otherwise, something embarrassing might happen. Visualize this: You are at work. You are making calls, and you walk into a client's office. You shake hands, and flop out your ---- insulator collector card. Oh, no--how embarrassing!

Next stop is the printers. Don't hesitate to do some comparative shopping before you make a decision. These cards will probably cost about $45 for a box of 500. That's about 9 cents each. That's mighty cheap advertising, you must admit. And 500 will go a long way, and last a long time. 

Now let's assume you have your cards. Where are you going to distribute them? You can undoubtedly think of as many places as I can. But remember, this is 1984. Today we have to be more original in our planning than we were in years gone by. Instead of walking down to a busy corner and handing them out, we've got to be more original. Think of the many places we see bulletin boards for public use: Grocery stores, variety stores, super markets, laundromats, drug stores, bus stops, filling stations, etc. Many businesses furnish a large bulletin board for community use. Why not put your card up there? Just remember to always keep cellophane tape and a package of thumb tacks in your automobile glove box. Believe me, you are going to need these items. Neighborhood bulletin boards NEVER have extra unused thumb tacks! Train yourself to look for these boards. And as your cards disappear, make sure you replace them quickly. Remember, your cards are not worth a penny to you unless you use them. Now, hang onto those cards. We are going to discuss some other subjects, but we will be referring back to them.

Have you ever placed an ad in your local newspaper wanting to buy insulators? Sometimes the most workable possibility does not come to mind. If not, I suggest you try it. Some daily newspapers offer a reduced advertising rate for four and eight day ads. Word your ad as briefly and concisely as possible, but be sure you say all that is needed. You can expect to get some nuisance calls -- there is no way to escape them. But you can reduce the wild goose chases which waste your time and gasoline. When your responses begin, and a caller tells you he has some blue insulators he is willing to sell, you must ask specific questions. If you have any doubt about what a caller is describing, just ask him to read the embossing to you. If he responds that the insulators are embossed Hemingray 42, you will obviously tell him, "Thank, but no thanks." But if he says Mulford and Biddle, you will quickly say, "I'll be right over!" 

Another category of nuisance caller is the individual who is just "sniffing around". This person has some insulators which may or may not be collectible. Chances are four out of five he has no intention of selling them -- he just wants to dangle that apple in front of you. These people are a real pain! They always remind me of the game we played when we were kids. Remember teasing another child and saying, "I've got something you don't have, and you're not gonna get it! So how do you outsmart these people? It's easy -- you just don't play their game. The best method is to first determine if they do, indeed, have something you want to buy. Given that, you then ask, "Is this insulator for sale?" If they respond, "How much will you give me for it?", this is the giveaway. They are "sniffers", not sellers. It is at this point that the game stops. Handle the situation however you think best. My observation has been this: If a caller has something to sell which you would like to purchase, the telephone conversation usually proceeds smoothly to an appointment. Otherwise, there is very little chance you will get to buy anything.

Don't forget the possibilities other newspapers offer also. Many weekly publications exist in every state. Some of these are free give away papers which enjoy a wide circulation, and offer cheap advertising rates. Others are neighborhood shopper types. Even so, they, too, may be worth a try. What about out of town papers? Have you ever considered them? If you have relatives you will be visiting, send them your ad and ask them to place it in their paper. When the calls come in, they can take a name and phone number. Later, during your visit, you can return those calls. During those car travels, check the gas stations and restaurants for bulletin boards. Also look for give away papers. Rural area give-aways are outstanding. They are often circulated over a large geographic area where readers have opportunities to encounter good stuff. It may take months from the time you get a call until you can finally make contact with the seller, but, so what? 

If you travel during the work week, this is all for the better. You may be in many different areas and have more opportunities to locate different advertising mediums. If you have a specific travel territory, and stay at the same motels, you might ask the proprietor to take calls for ads you run. He might do this for you, if you are a regular customer. 

The next method of getting your news out is radio. Every marketing survey shows that the most effective advertising medium is radio. All you have to do is find a way to advertise free! You can do this easily. Hundreds of radio stations across the country sponsor such programs. They go by different names, such as Tradio, Trading Post, Garage Sale, or Swap and Shop. The formats of these shows are nearly identical. Most are morning shows, and callers are allowed use of radio time to advertise items they want to buy or sell. Perhaps you are thinking, "Oh, I've heard those shows, but I could never call and talk about insulators. I would be too nervous and embarrassed!" Well,. my answer to you is, "Why not? Maybe it would be good for you to try something new and daring." Going further with this idea, you must check the radio dial to find these programs. Check at various times of the morning, or consult your newspaper for program listings. 

I cannot emphasize enough that these shows work. They work because of the sheer volume of listeners. It is very possible that thousands of people will hear your call. Our local Tradio show began in 1981. Within three months, the show had become so popular it was very difficult to get an open telephone line into the station. I was the first hobbiest to use the program. But very soon other collectors were using it to locate railroad china, bottles, old guns, stoneware, postcards, and baseball cards. I have been able to buy several dozen super insulators using this program; and every time I was on the air, I received more than one call. Oh yes, don't forget to turn your radio dial as you travel in your work or visit relatives. You may be able to adjust your schedule to use programs from out of town stations. And ask your relatives to find these programs for you. During your subsequent visits, you can call in and try your hand at being a radio personality.

Another approach to explore is collector clubs. Several years ago I bought some very good insulators from a record collector. We had met at an estate auction, and I gave him one of my cards. Six months later he found these insulators, bought them, and referred to my card to contact me. Soon he came to town to attend a swap meet for record collectors, and that's where we made connections. Their show was very enjoyable. I located two old rock and roll albums I had been after for years. Another time I bought some beautiful CD 151's during a baseball card show. So pay attention to newspaper ads for upcoming collector shows and make plans to attend. Then take the time to talk to people and pass out some cards. 

And go one step further. Don't be content to simply ask people if they have any insulators for sale. Remember, these collectors go to swaps and shops, flea markets, estate auctions, also. Be sure to concentrate on the bottle collectors in your area. Local bottle clubs are constantly having meetings and shows. Their hobby is more popular than ours, and many bottle collectors display a few insulators or have some packed away. Again, don't forget to take your cards and ask for referrals. Even if you do not locate anything to buy, you will have accomplished at least two things. Not only will you have met other individuals involved in different collectibles, but by attending their shows you will have profited by learning about their hobby.

In the preceding paragraph I mentioned asking for referrals. Don't confine this practice to other collectors only. Make this a standard question to ask at flea markets, antique shows, estate auctions, and during telephone conversations with advertisement responders.

The last suggestion for locating good insulators is to actually go out and look for them. Don't be lulled into believing that every mile of every road in every county of every state has been scoured and picked clean. This simply is not true. During the later 1960's and the early 1970's many collectors were hunting and finding valuable items. This does not mean you will not be successful. Good stuff is still being found today, but not enough collectors are out searching. As proof of what I am saying, I refer to the article published in this magazine in August of 1983. This article was written by Ray Klingensmith, and he explains step by step how to succeed. Believe me, I know this guy. If he can do it, it's got to be simple! (Don't get huffy, Ray. I was just teasing.)

During your travels don't forget to look for unusual lightning rod balls and weather vanes. And when you drive though rural towns, check the restaurants and gas stations for bulletin boards. Did you remember to bring your cards along? And what about old telephone signs? Did you check the store fronts as you drove through town? 

Since this is 1984, it is essential to use more original methods of locating good insulators. Those tried and true methods of ten years ago rarely work today. Have you ever had an experience such as this? You walk into an antique store and look around for a few minutes. Then you approach the sales lady. She is thin, about 55-60 years old. She has grey hair and is ALWAYS wearing half glasses -- the kind that only have lenses on the bottom half of the frames. Those frames are pushed down towards the end of her nose. She is looking down at something on her desk, or is doing needlepoint. Her head remains pointing down as you approach, but she lifts her eyes above the glasses and says, "Yes, may I help you?" You proceed to explain what you are hoping to find in her store. As you complete your explanation, her nose begins to twitch, and this causes her glasses to wiggle. She coolly answers, "Oh, heavens no! We don't carry any of THOSE!" she reacts as if you had requested spoiled stinking eels! Well, I, for one, have given up on antique stores. 

We will all admit how much our hobby has changed during the past ten years. The old days are gone for good. Therefore, doesn't it make good sense for us to change also? Try some or all of the suggestions mentioned in this article. Or use your own imagination, and you may invent even better locating methods. Just remember, good insulators still exist outside our hobby, but to capture them today, we must adopt different methods.