By then, it was known that they would appreciate in value and were popular collectibles. When new supplies arrived in our stores, they were so popular we had little old ladies fighting for the cute stuffed toys and swinging handbags at one another. This was the most exciting security event the local airport police from Alaska to Atlanta had to deal with in months. When we started stocking Beanie Babies in Singapore, there weren't any little old ladies showing their mettle. Instead, men and women in their 20s thronged our stores.
People do recognise an investment when they see one.
I heard there was a similar commotion over the Hello Kitty toys here. Sadly, I did not get to witness the hysteria. That's the downside of being an accidental expat. One has to move before one gets to feel the pulse of the place. He lives here alone.