M.I. Hummel Going Out Of Business In The U.S.

Sadly it appears that the German porcelain collectable maker M.I. Hummel is closing up shop in the U.S. according to this March 12, 2014 news report. Some of the most important bits from the article:

Hummel, headquartered in Germany, has been in insolvency court, and while a purchaser has been found for the German holdings and intends to continue selling the company’s much prized china figurines, the U.S. operations are being liquidated, according to a legal notice issued late last month.

The unidentified purchaser of the German holdings of Hummel has stated that they are interested in continuing to distribute Hummel porcelain in the United States, but that same purchaser declined to purchase the U.S. operations.

“The U.S. affiliates will sell all of their assets expeditiously and make a distribution to their creditors of all amounts recovered,” the notice states.

The fate of the Hummel collector’s club is still in flux. Membership payments made after Oct. 22 may be refunded, and “an appropriate transition for the members of the Hummel Club is still being discussed with the purchaser,” the notice said.

We’re greatly saddened to hear this terrible news. Hummel figurines and other fine collectables have long been an important part of the decorative porcelain market and they are beloved by many collectors around the world. M.I. Hummel’s contributions to this industry over the past 79 years cannot be understated. This is a devastating blow to the world of porcelain collecting.

{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Carole Sand April 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

I sent my club membership money in last March 2013 and I did not recieve my free figurine called Parlor Pal or my money back. When I called them they said I would get it.. My name is Carole Sand and my membership # is 0430270. thank you for your time.

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Louise Jennings April 8, 2014 at 1:16 pm

I sent my club membership money in for last year and did not receive Parlor Pal. Was told they were out of stock and as soon as they came in, I would get mine but I never did. Do we get anything for not getting our free Hummel?

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Anton April 8, 2014 at 2:44 pm

You’ll need to contact the Hummel Collector’s Club directly to try and rectify this. Good luck.

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DALE A GODDARD April 9, 2014 at 8:38 am

I TOO PAID FOR MY MEMBERSHIP AN NEVER RECEIVED MY FIGURINE. IT WAS AUTOMATIC WITH DRAWN FROM MY ACCOUNT. PLEASE REFUND MY MONEY OR SEND MY FIGURINE I WAS PROMISED. I AM A CLUB MEMBER FOR 17 YEARS. I HAVE BEEN IN GOOD STANDING I LIKE FOR YOU TO DO THE SAME. CLUB #0960749. THANK-YOU

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Anton April 9, 2014 at 10:09 pm

Hi Dale, this web site is not affiliated with Hummel or the Hummel Collector’s Club in any way. You’ll need to contact them directly. We were just informing collectors about the news.

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Sandy Bogardus April 10, 2014 at 11:53 am

I too paid for my membership in 2010 as well as 2013. I called and were told that my figures were on back order. Finally the last call they said that they were out of business. My club # is 0783113. ai have been a member for 24 years and would like this resolved.

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Anton April 10, 2014 at 10:34 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience Sandy, we hope that the club soon finds a way to make things right for all of its members.

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alan betz April 15, 2014 at 1:16 pm

does anyone know a way to contact M I Hummel club directly or the representatives. I have been trying for 3 months and get disco numbers and invalid web addresses. thanks for any assistance in this matter. alan

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Anton April 17, 2014 at 11:57 pm

We unfortunately have no idea but hopefully someone who does will respond here soon – preferably an official representative.

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Romaine April 29, 2014 at 9:57 am

I also did not receive the Parlor Pal last year and they have not returned my membership fee!

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Anton April 30, 2014 at 2:24 pm

Thank you for your comment, we’re still holding on to the hope that Hummel will make things right for their club members.

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Judie Whitaker April 30, 2014 at 12:16 pm

I too was a member and was told I would be getting the Parlor Pal for renewing my membership so now what are they going to do about crediting us and sending us our figurine? my phone # is ——— and my address is ——–. I too hope the club will find a way to make things right. Member # 1054602. Thank you Judie Whitaker

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Anton April 30, 2014 at 2:33 pm

Very sorry to hear that Judie and as the owner of this site I wish I could help but The Prudent Collector site is not affiliated with M.I. Hummel or any of the other companies we write about. Hopefully by helping publicize it maybe we’ll have an impact somehow. We’re still hoping that Hummel will make things right for their club members!

Please note that we deleted your personal information to protect it from spammers.

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Sally Zorko May 5, 2014 at 4:59 pm

I too was scammed by the Hummel Club. Our money should have been refunded automatically when they shut down. HOW DO WE GET OUR MONEY BACK!!!!!!!???????

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Anton May 6, 2014 at 2:57 pm

Have you filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau? We’re not sure how much good it will do but it couldn’t hurt.

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Diane Phelps May 7, 2014 at 3:06 pm

I renewed my membership on 1-14-13 and never received my renewal gift, Parlor Pal. When I called on 9-20-13 they said it was on backorder. Today I called and the phone number 1-800-666-2582 had been disconnected! I would at least like my membership dues returned. Sad to see it end.

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Anton May 7, 2014 at 7:02 pm

We agree, it’s very sad that it has ended like this. We certainly wish Hummel had handled this better to put it mildly.

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Roxanne May 14, 2014 at 6:14 pm

what a kick in the butt, my husband has been getting me my membership every year for the past 20 years, paid for membership no. 0913788 back in august of 2013 and had to find out about this on the web, M.I. Hummel should have returned the fees a long time ago.

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JULIE May 22, 2014 at 7:39 am

Have been a member for 24 years and have had the same experience as others. For several years club fulfillment figurines were “backordered” but I always received them eventually. I made several phone calls again last year and was assured they were getting a shipment and I would recieve. I would like a refund of my membership #0773645. At least some information. They stole money from many loyal customers!!

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Sherri June 19, 2014 at 1:14 pm

I have been in the club since year 3. It is sad to see it disappear. I have never received my Parlor Pal either 🙁

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Tom June 19, 2014 at 4:37 pm

I am glad that I was sent to this site. I have been calling (now sex hot line 80-666-2582) to find out about my gift or renewable fees. I only know as of today that they are out of busines. I have been collecting and a member since I was station in Germany in the year of 1984. Bad news today

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Francine Vasques July 16, 2014 at 8:27 am

I paid my dues and never received Parlor pal what happens now to my dues or will we get some figurine
membership #0977076 member for 15+ years

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The Prudent Collector July 21, 2014 at 1:13 pm

Based on comments from other Hummel club members it doesn’t look like M.I. Hummel is honoring their membership agreement. It’s truly a shame to see a once fine company reduced to this.

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Renate July 28, 2014 at 8:49 am

My member number is 1129847 and my renewal was Aug 2013. I never received the CY13 Cuddle Bear figurine. They just sent the Parlor pal from the previous year in Jul of 2013 just before they collected again. Any chance of getting the figurine I paid for?

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The Prudent Collector July 29, 2014 at 2:35 am

Unfortunately it’s not looking likely with Hummel completely exiting the U.S. market. We’re not even sure if they’re active in Germany at this point.

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Connie Crihfield November 3, 2014 at 6:39 pm

I just received the figurine called “The Love Lives On” 2014 for my membership. It is totally white with just a little bit of paint on the face. I am truly disappointed in this figurine. It does not go with the rest of the collection hence I will not be displaying it. A better selection could have been made.

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Pat November 11, 2014 at 10:56 am

I too received the white figurine. Does not fit in with my display. Were we supposed to receive 2 pieces?

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Linda March 13, 2015 at 9:36 pm

I’ve only received the white figurine. I paid for the three gifts with membership and the order says still processing. This is terrible. It shouldn’t be taking so long. The white figurine is a disappointment.

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Todd April 6, 2015 at 10:36 am

According to an email I received from the new club headquarters, those that didn’t get Parlor Pal won’t get it. Apparently a legal problem prevented the new owners from producing Parlor Pal. The new owners explained that the gift of the white polished figurine was to make up for that (I don’t like it either.) I’ve received my first gift (the ornament) and my second gift (the white polished figurine.) The third gift (Who You Are) has just arrived in the US from Germany and will ship within the next two weeks. They also explained that the price increase (almost double) was because production costs in Germany have risen.
Not happy…

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The Prudent Collector April 6, 2015 at 5:02 pm

Thank you for sharing that information, it’s greatly appreciated.

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