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When will the new 2008 Guide be ready?
We are still very early in our production of the new 2008-2009 edition Bentley Guide, but right now, we are on schedule to start shipping the new books sometime during mid-to-late July 2008. Orders will be shipped in the same order that they are received, with subscriptions going first.
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What is the Fabric ID Index?
The Fabric ID Index is a complete list of fabrics offered by the Longaberger Company, along with photo shots of each one. This will help you identify what fabrics you have and need. [Picture of actual Index coming soon!]
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How's the Secondary Market Doing?
We are still pretty early in Guide production to get a real good idea of what values will look like in the newest 16th edition, however we recently have had some very good feedback about the market, on a whole. Since January, there have been reports of increased activity in the market, specifically for Pottery, Wrought Iron and Regular Line pieces no longer offered. While many Feature and Collector items have had a tough time in the recent market, due to the huge supply of so many of these items, there is still an apparent demand for items from 1992 and prior. One of the interesting trends developing in the Market right now is that many of the different market avenues are closing, or have closed. Several online communities no longer update their websites and many one-on-one dealer shops have closed. Basket only auctions, in general, are poorly attended, but a good place for anyone to find a deal. eBay continues to offer the most items and the most variety, but the number of items selling on eBay has decreased as more and more sellers are starting to stick to their selling prices, rather than offering items with no reserve. The items that still do well on eBay are those that are TRULY rare, such as prototypes, but we also see many Pottery and Wrought Iron pieces hold their own. In general, the market is smaller than the past several years, but be assured that the true Collector is still out there. This fact is made evident all the time when observing the prices that are being paid for truly rare collector pieces. At the Longaberger Company's Collectors Club event in May, many items sold over the $1000 pricepoint through a silent auction setting. The Collector is still out there ... they are just more selective about what they consider to be a collectible ... as they should be. For the other items ... keep using them and loving them and handing them down to the next generations! That is what this Collectible is all about!!
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How often are products added/updated?
The Bentley Collection Guide (book) is published once a year, in June and that new edition will carry all changes and additions that have occurred in the year. However, the Bentley Online service is updated with product information at least once a quarter so that you can continue to inventory and access information on new products throughout the year.
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How often are values and photos added/updated?
Right now, values and photos will continue to only be updated once a year for both Bentley Online and the Bentley Guide Book, in June, when the book is published. It is possible that we might be able to increase how often photos are done, but it is unlikely that values will be modified more than once a year, just because the market does not change enough to justify more frequent updates.
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COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Longaberger Trademarks
The products on this site are published by J.Phillip Inc. and are in no way affiliated with, authorized, endorsed or licensed by The Longaberger® Company. The Longaberger Company in no way sets, reviews, approves or determines the secondary market prices published in the Guide. All trademarks, including basket and collection names, are trademarks registered and owned by The Longaberger Company and J.Phillip, Inc. has no interest therein.
Bentley Guide Online (BGO) & Bentley Guide products
All materials on the Site or within our publications, including without limitation text, images, software, audio and video clips, databases, and Fee-Based Services (collectively, the "Content") are owned or controlled by J.Phillip, Inc. (JPI), which retains all right, title, and interest in and to the Content. The Site and Content are protected by the copyright and trademark laws of the United States and other countries, international conventions, and other applicable laws.
You may not download, display, reproduce, create derivative works from, transmit, sell, distribute, or in any way exploit the Site or any portion thereof for any public or commercial use without the prior written permission of JPI.
You agree not to use any trademarks, service marks, names, logos, images or other identifiers of JPI or its employees, licensors, independent contractors, providers and affiliates (collectively, "Affiliates") without the prior written permission of JPI or the relevant Affiliate. In addition, you may not use our trademarks:
(a) in, as, or as part of, your own trademarks or those of any third parties;
(c) in a manner likely to cause confusion; or
(d) in a manner that implies that JPI, Collectibles Database®, or Bentley Guide Online™ sponsors or endorses or is otherwise connected with, your own activities, products and services or those of third parties.
2006. All rights reserved.
Bentley Collection Guide®, Bentley Guide Online™ and Collectibles Database™ and other related marks used on this site are federally registered trademarks of J.Phillip, Inc.
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What items are and are not included in the Bentley Guide?
The Bentley Guide is a historical reference tool that includes most items produced by The Longaberger Company and distributed to customers or Consultants through Home Shows and includes items from 1979 to present day. This includes Longaberger Pottery®, Wrought Iron (Foundry), WoodsCrafts, Liners, Protectors and other miscellaneous other items offered.
The Bentley Guide does not include items sold through Dresden stores or the Longaberger Homestead, with the exception of a few special event items that have crossed over into Home Show promotions. Occassionally an item that is sold only at The Homestead is featured in a Fun Fact in our Guide to bring attention to the item as a potential collectible in the market. We have taken this stance mainly due to the enormous amount of items that are carried each year in The Homestead retail establishments and the difficulty in researching/tracking everything offered there, but also due to the fact that many items do not show up in the secondary market as a collectible item.
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I can not locate my item, what do I do?
If you are not able to locate your item,
it is possible that you might have an item that we do not
feature in the Bentley Guide/Bentley Online, or it might be represented under
a different name or form number than you are using in the
search parameters. In the Guide, try using the Quick Find or the Dimensional Search reference tools in the back. The Quick Find lists everything in alphabetical order and shows baskets that use the same form, to help you identify other possibilities for what you have. The Dimensional Search sorts all the baskets by shape and dimension to help you identify what you have by taking a quick measurement of the item.
Within Bentley Guide Online, try searching in the TITLE field with
as few letters as possible, so that all possible spellings will
appear.
If you are still having trouble locating
the item, please fell free to email us at research@jphillip.com
for assistance.
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Where do I find form numbers for my accessories?
Due to space limitations, we do not list every form number used for all of the items listed in the Guide. We list basket only simply because most product tags with a basket in the market will have the basket form number, not Combo form number. For accessories, in order to match up a basket's accessory with the basket, we must assign the basket form number to the accessory, as well. However, within our own internal database of files, we do retain the accessory form numbers and if you are in need of identifying an accessory by form number, please feel free to email us and we will do our best to help you with this information.
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Can I use images provided to sell items on eBay?
All of our images, both with the Bentley Guide book and the Bentley Online website, are protected by our copyright and trademark agreements, so you will not be able to download any images from the site for your own use.
However, within Bentley Online you are able to easily upload your own personal images of your item so that it attaches right to the file. Then when you send your FOR SALE report to someone, it will include your own images and will also help you to organize your information so if you do decide to sell on eBay, the image is also readily accessible.
To upload your own images, simply select the item you want from within MY COLLECTION. Choose to modify the entry and when window opens, look for the YOUR IMAGE field. Simply enter the URL location of your image (if you have access to an online server), or the path to locate it on your PC.
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Bentley Online: What if I collect an item not listed in Bentley Online?
One of the flexibilities of this service
is the ability to add items that are not listed in the Bentley Online. A miscellaneous category (#99999) is available for you to use and will be stored in the Miscellaneous Theme. Click here to view a DEMO of this feature:
Add a Miscellaneous Item
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Bentley Online: How does this service compare to the Collectibles Datbase software?
Our current Collectibles Database inventory tool is actual software that comes to you on a CDrom for you to install directly onto your computer's harddrive. While the installation process is not difficult, working from a web-based application, is much, much easier.
Web-based means that there is nothing to install and your changes are saved as you go. This type of application also allows us to update more frequently and more accurately, as we do not need to wait for the next update to make changes. We can make changes immediately and the next time you access your information, the current information is automatically accessible to you.
Another feature, is the ease of backing up your information. With the Collectibles Database sofware, you need to be sure that you are backing up each change in your inventory. A web-based application "saves as you go", which means that you do not need to remember to "save" as you make each change. It automatically updates and saves onto our server.
HOWEVER, we do recommend that you run regular back-ups to save your inventory files on your computer's harddrive to reduce the risk of server errors.
Other benefits to this web-based application include much, much, MUCH MORE user friendly, more frequent updates, access from any location (not just your computer) and it is now Mac-accessible (FINALLY!).
We are THRILLED to bring this new service to you and we think that you will be THRILLED, too! We hope that you'll give us a try!
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Bentley Online: What are the little key icons?
 These little keys are just another example of how flexible this service can be. We've added these icons to tell you when there is more information available to you. For example, there is a key next to the symbols column when choosing the market value for your item. By clicking the key icon, a window will popup to allow you to view the images of the actual symbols to help you identify which one marks your piece. We are thrilled to finally be able to share these fun features that we've been wanting to share with you for quite some time!
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Why is inventorying my collection important?
We recommend taking the time to inventory your collection for many reasons:(1) Keeping track for insurance purposes.
Maybe you never intend to sell your items, but it is still necessary to track and value your items for the purposes of insurance. Taking the time to know what items you have in case your home is involved in a tragedy, such as a flood or fire is a necessary thing to do. Many do not think that they will ever be a part of such a tragedy, but the reality is that less than 20% of collectors are properly insured and when faced with a tragedy, are forced to take far less than what they have invested in their collections. The tendency is to not only underestimate the number of items, but also the value of the items by more than 40%. We can help make sure that you and your insurance agent are fully aware of what you have, how much you paid and what it's worth today so that in the time of need, your collection is safe.
(2) Keeping track for the fun of it!
If you know what you have, you can then start making your lists for what you are missing and what you need! This service allows you the ability to mark items as "WANTED" so that when your Mother-in-law is asking what you would like for Christmas, you can just print the list for her!
(3) Keeping track of your collection for your family.
Many collectors have expressed interest in being able to inventory their collection so that they can note now what items they would like to hand down to whom. It's a very responsible and necessary thing to do. Or perhaps you would like the ability to mark items as possible gifts for upcoming special occassions. You can easily do all of this through this application.
(4) Keeping track of values.
For those that have bought, and are still buying, for investment purposes, find it necessary to keep track of their items, as well as their original prices and current market values. If you are not aware of what your investment is doing, you will not be pleased with your overall investment. If you stay up on what you paid and what it's going for, you will not be disappointed or surprised. When to sell, when to buy ... it's all about keeping track and staying educated.
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Bentley Online: Is it possible to transfer my files from the Collectibles Database software to this new service?
Yes! And very easy to do so!
If you are a current Collectibles Database customer (meaning that you have updated to the current edition Bentley Guide information) you can send us your inventory files and we will upload and transfer your information into this web-based application at no additional charge to you. All you have to do is contact us to arrange to have a recent back-up of your files sent to us and we'll do the rest! We will waive the $15.95 transfer fee for the service and you can continue inventorying under the automatic-renewing service. Can't get easier than that!
If you have not updated yet to the current edition of Bentley Guide information, we can still upload a recent back-up of your files, but you will incur the $15.95 setup fee for the service (as if you were a new user to the service), but we will save you the time and cost of having to re-enter all of your basket information over again. As a courtesy of being a past customer with us, there is no charge to upload your inventory files for you, as long as it is in a current back-up format.
To arrange for this transfer of service, we ask that you do so via phone so that we can be sure we fully understand your needs. Please call us at 800-407-4147 and ask for our tech support.
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Bentley Online: How do I backup my collection information?
While our server is saving information as you go, it is your ultimate responsibility to back-up your collection information on your own computer. While server errors or crashes are unlikely and unforseen, they do happen. So, to be safe, you should back-up your information after each inventory session.
To do so, simply go to the ACCOUNTStab and find the BACK-UP YOUR FILESparagraph at the bottom of the page. When you follow those instructions, you will be saving a text file to your harddrive. The file is going to look jibberish, and that's ok. It's not meant to be a readable file to anyone but our system. It is formatting your data into a format that is easily re-loadable, if that should be necessary. The whole process takes less than a couple of minutes.
Please note, if it is necessary to have a readable back-up of your data, for example, for insurance purposes, then you should use the REPORTSfunction of the application which will allow you to to print a variety of reports from which to choose.
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Can I email my FOR SALE lists?
Yes you can! This features gives even more function to this great service! By being able to email someone your report, you can now easily send a perspective buyer a list of items you are selling, email your insurance agent your most recent inventory your collection, or even send your Mother-In-Law a list of items on your Wish List!
PC USERS:
- Run the report
- Place your cursor in the report window go to TOOLS. Choose MAIL AND NEWS then select SEND PAGE.
- When your email window opens, the report is already in the body of your email messageready for you to send.
MAC USERS:
- Run the report
- Choose PRINT from your FILE MENU
- When your PRINT window pops up, select SAVE AS PDF (if you have an older Mac that does not offer SAVE AS PDF, you can still SAVE AS FILE, but choose the EPS preview so that it saves as an image. The only thing to note is that not all PC users can read an EPS file, so this way may not be infalliable. The best option is to add the SAVE AS PDF to your printer.)
- This file will save to your hard drive
- When sending the email, locate the saved file on your hard drive and attach to the outgoing email.
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Bentley Online: Can I print reports with images?
Yes ... there are many features in the reports area, including four Quik Reports that are designed to give you a fast report of parameters we have found to be commonly requested. Only the WISH LIST shows pictures. However, through the CUSTOMIZED REPORT option, your options are almost unlimited. It is under the Customized Reports you will find the option to add pictures to your reports under the DETAILS section. Checkmark the box that says Pictures and they will show up, in thumbnail size only. It is not possible to print a larger view of the images.
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