FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I sell my village collection?

A: I often receive inquiries from collectors wishing to sell some or all of their village collection. Although I do not buy or sell collections on the secondary market, I can offer the following suggestions for selling your village pieces.

  • Place an ad in your local newspaper. This may be the best way to attract local buyers.
  • Contact a Department 56 club near you. Search the National Council of 56 Clubs for a Department 56 collector’s club in your area. Many of the clubs listed provide contact information, and a club representative may be able to connect you with a buyer near you.
  • Join the FREE Yahoo Department 56 discussion group. This group is very active and one of its many members may be interested in buying your pieces or may be able to offer advise as to where in your area you can sell them.
  • Sell your collection on eBay. The best time to sell Department 56 on eBay is coming up on the holiday season (September-December). That's when you should get the best price for your pieces. eBay is also a good source for what the current market is willing to pay for a particular piece.
  • Donate your collection to charity. With the declining value of Department 56 collectibles, sometimes the tax benefit can be more profitable than a sale. You will also have the pleasure of knowing that your village is being enjoyed rather than collecting dust in your basement.

Q: What is the value of my collection?

A: Village D-tails is the definitive source for current secondary market values for Department 56 villages.

Q: Where can I buy village replacement parts?

A: Department 56 Consumer Services division carries over 1,000 different replacement parts for easy to lose items, bulbs, and adaptors you can purchase for you Village, Snowbabies, and some giftware items. To order a part, call their toll-free customer service number 1-800-548-8696 any business day between 9 AM and 4 PM Central time.

Q: How do I repair a broken or malfunctioning part?

A: Department 56 does not offer repair services, however they recommend contacting the Collectors Information Bureau, a company that deals in contact information for a wide variety of collectibles. They can recommend services providers that do repairs for most collectible problems. They can be reached at 1-800-352-8039.

Q: What's the best way to clean my houses and accessories?

A: I personally use a lint-free, non-treated dust cloth to remove dust from my pieces. Here's what Department 56 recommends for cleaning your village items.

"We recommend using a soft brush or feather duster to remove surface dust. Collectors have shared with us that using a hair dryer on a low, cool setting, or using canned air (used to clean computer components) is also effective to remove dust. Do not use a liquid spay, water or a soapy water solution to clean your buildings or accessories as this may damage the finish."