Just wondering what methods various people use to keep track of their collections?

1. How do you keep track of them?
Excel, text (word processor), handwritten list, individual 3x5 cards, Collectors Guide checklists special software?

2. How up-to-date is your list (Assuming you have a list)
Is it it right up to date, woefully out of date, somewhere in between

3. What kind of information do you keep track of? (Assuming you keep track)
HL#, name, when purchased, price paid, retail price? where it is displayed or stored, condition, etc. etc.

Bonus Question:
4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now?
Ones I've been to, ones I expect to visit, by region of the country or body of water, ones I think will have a higher value down the road or whatever your plan is these days.

Please keep your answers brief, follow the numbering pattern of the questions. Note to Bob M no quoting and commenting on everyone's responses!

P.S. Yes, I know the downloadable list at HarbourLights.com is out of date. That should be cured within 35 days.

1. How do you keep track of them?
EXCEL

2. How up-to-date is your list Current, Updated as I buy them

3. What kind of information do you keep track of? HL Number, Name, Year Released, State, Regend, Orig Price, Purch Price, Where Purchased, Has Box, Has Tent, Has COA, Is Signed, Is Displayed

Bonus Question:
4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now? Random Purchases of the regends I collect, depending on budget. Example of regends (San Fran Bay, Jersey Coast, Long Island, Boston Harbor Area, Gulf Coast)

1. How do you keep track of them?

EXCEL

2. How up-to-date is your list Current.

End of the year.

3. What kind of information do you keep track of?

HL Number, Name, State, It's number,
Purch Price, value, Where Purchased,Is Signed, location of the figurine. (is it in house or in storage?)

4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now?
Florida Lights and variations.

1. How do you keep track of them?
FilemakerPro database.

2. How up-to-date is your list (Assuming you have a list)
Very close. I haven't added all the second half 2006 pieces. I do not track LLOM, GLOW or Anchor Bay.

3. What kind of information do you keep track of? (Assuming you keep track)
HL#, name, retail price, date issued, date retired, if signed and by whom, where purchased.

Bonus Question:
4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now?
Ones I've been to, ones I expect to visit and ones with iron legs (screwpiles or Florida Keys).

1. How do you keep track of them?
Acess Database
2. How up-to-date is your list (Assuming you have a list)
Very ... I even know what I have ordered, but has not arrived
3. What kind of information do you keep track of? (Assuming you keep track)
HL#, name, state, category (Glow, LL, LE etc), plate No., if I have papers and box

Bonus Question:
4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now?
I ask myself if I like it and if the answer is YES, then I ask myself if I can afford it.

1) Access Database
2) Up To Date - needs an audit though.
Track all items from HL and AB.
3) HL#; edition #; Name; where purchased and when; purchase price; HL Status (available, retired); have box and papers; special notes; retail price; autographed or not
4)We only purchase those we have visited. Storage space is at a premium.

1. Word Perfect, V. 11

2. Right up-to-date

3.
Admirality Head
Washington
HL 101 # 649 of 4,400
$ 133.53
(1st of Original 17)
Origin: Canadian Mold with rod
Signed: B. Younger, '97
GBTru: $ 275
(B[#5], Commemorative Stamp, C of A, TC)

Issued: 01/1991
Retired:12/1994*

Seahorse Location: Near sidewalk on grass next to addition on house under window.

*Displayed in "Mistakes" cabinet.

4. Ones I've been to and/or ones I expect to visit.

Sandy

1. How do you keep track of them
Excel and in my palm

2. How up-to-date is your list
As I get them

3. What kind of information do you keep track of?
HL#, edition #, name, price paid,

Bonus Question:
4. How do you decide which HL items to purchase now
Ones I've been to

HCS

That's a difficult question to answer. Since 2001, I get one of every LE, AB, and lens so I know I have those. As far as the older pieces go, sometimes I use to forget exactly what I have. I'm an impulse buyer on the secondary market and sometimes I buy groups of HL's from other collectors. I just inventoried all my HL's over the last couple of weeks and feel I've got a pretty good handle on what I have in stock.

I just finished the inventory less than a week ago so I would say my list is now up-to-date.


Basically, I just note the product number, the flag#, if it has the original box, and if there's anything special like being a Canadian piece or having a lightning rod.

Two words: auto ship

Would I do anything like that?

Bob