What Is a Collection from The Bradford Exchange?
A collection is a series of related items created around a common theme, design, story or subject. The items in a collection are intentionally connected - they're designed to work together as a growing series instead of unrelated items that happen to be sold on a recurring basis.
A collection is usually offered with a subscription plan, and the first item you receive is the first issue in the series. Customers who order a collection will receive additional pieces as they become available according to the collection's schedule. By the time a collection is complete - or at any point along the way - what a customer has is a curated, coordinated series of collectibles, not a random assortment.
One distinction worth making clear from the start: when you participate in a subscription plan, it only means you are interested in that particular collection. It does not mean you are enrolled in a general shopping membership or that you will automatically receive unrelated items.
Why Collections Work the Way They Do?
Here at The Bradford Exchange, storytelling is one of our biggest passions, so many of the designs we create are part of a larger story we want to share with our customers. For example, a series of pocketknives inspired by the whole Armor of God from scriptures, an HO-scale model train that grows car by car into a full COCA-COLA® Christmas display, twelve pairs of holiday hoop earrings - one for each month of the year so you can always be in style, or a coin for every NFL team each carrying a piece of genuine leather from a game-used NFL football. Collectibles like these are meant to expand their story over time, developing with each new piece as it becomes something more complete, more meaningful and more impressive in its presentation.
That's why the collection model exists. Carefully concepted and designed by us to maximize joy as the collection unfolds, it's a way for customers who are genuinely interested in a particular theme or series to receive so much more to love (and discover some special finds along the way too). The themes vary widely - from Disney characters and entertainment to NFL teams, faith-based designs, seasonal jewelry, holiday collectibles, military and patriotic subjects and so much more.
How a Collection Works?
The process follows a straightforward sequence. Here's what happens at each stage:
Step 1: You Order the Collection via a Subscription Plan
When shopping The Bradford Exchange, you can identify collections because the word "Collection" will be beneath the thumbnail image in a black bar and used within the name of the item. Once you place your order, it begins your participation in that particular collection. We encourage customers to review the offer details before ordering - including what the collection includes, how many pieces (which are called issues) might be offered, the price per issue, and the shipping schedule.
As an example: The Complete NFL Silver Dollar Proof Coin Collection begins with Issue One, the Green Bay Packers coin. Issue One is the first coin you will receive in the collection. After that, customers will continue to receive coins for each of the remaining 31 NFL teams, one by one, until the full set of 32 is complete. That's the process that begins when a customer places an order for the collection.
Step 2: Additional Items Are Sent Over Time
Subsequent items in a collection are generally shipped within a couple of weeks to approximately eight weeks after the previous item in the series has shipped and been paid for. The exact timing varies by collection, often depending on availability, how quickly the previous issue is paid for, and the craftsmanship and production requirements involved. Also good to note is that some of our collections are open-ended, meaning we are still creating more for our customers to enjoy, so the length of the collection is still to be determined.
The COCA-COLA® Through the Years Model Train Collection, is one of our most beloved series. It begins with Issue One, the diesel locomotive and delivers more train cars over time as the collection progresses. A classic model train car and free 14-piece HO gauge track and power pack arrives as Issue Two, and a passenger model train car as Issue Three. Customers will continue to receive additional COCA-COLA train cars as they become available, helping their real working electric model train grow with each new issue.
Step 3: The Collection Continues Until the Series Ends or the Customer Cancels
Customers will continue to receive new pieces as the collection develops, building toward a complete series. However, customers can cancel a collection at any time with no obligation, simply by contacting us.
Can I Cancel a Collection?
Yes, we want you to enjoy the pieces and feel at ease when you order a collection. So, at any point, if you no longer want to receive future items in a collection, you can contact The Bradford Exchange to cancel at no obligation.
There are several ways to reach us: by phone, e-mail, or postal mail to contact our Customer Service team, or through the Contact Us page on our website
In addition, if you receive a collection item that isn't right for you, items may be returned in accordance with the applicable return policy for that item. For most items, the same satisfaction guarantee that covers the first issue covers all subsequent issues in that collection.
Details vary by item, so we encourage customers to review the return policy specific to their collection. For most collections, return shipping is covered by The Bradford Exchange for qualifying returns. You can find the details of our return policy here.
What Are Collections Designed to Do for Our Customers?
Each aspect of the collection model is intentionally designed to help our customers build a series over time. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
You don't have to track or order individually for what comes next
For someone who enjoys a design or follows a collecting passion, ordering a collection eases the ongoing effort of monitoring releases, remembering launch dates, and placing separate orders for each new piece. The subscription plan handles that for you automatically. Each issue ships when it's ready, without requiring the customer to take additional action.
Our Disney The Haunted Mansion Candle Collection illustrates this well. It begins with a sculpted flameless candle of Ezra, one of the three Hitchhiking Ghosts, and continues with Phineas as the second issue, followed by Gus as the third, then additional Haunted Mansion characters, each character is a separate issue. A customer who wants the complete collection doesn't need to check our website each month to see whether the next character has launched. The next candle ships automatically when it's available.
Each piece is designed to be a part of a complete concept
Items in a collection aren't chosen randomly. They're specially designed to carry out an idea or purpose, which means every piece is intentionally created to complement what came before and what will come after. For example, if a collection is designed to commemorate an important historic event, the pieces you receive are well researched and planned, and they are designed to fit nicely together to commemorate that event. When you shop with us, enjoy the stories and imagery that explain each collection, so you can choose a favorite. Our designers and artisans work diligently to bring our customers an enjoyable experience.
Your price per issue will rarely change in a collection
Once a customer begins a collection, the price of individual items within that collection is usually not increased, even if our production or operating costs rise. The price per issue that a customer sees when they place their order is the price they can expect to pay for subsequent issues in that same collection.
Our Big Daddy Roth® Rat Fink™ Zippo® Lighter Collection, for example, includes up to nine or more genuine Zippo® lighters plus a custom-sculpted Rat Fink display. A customer who starts the collection with Issue One can complete the entire series at the same per-issue price they paid at the beginning and have the ideal display to show them all off.
You have the control if your plans change
Ordering a collection, a.k.a. a subscription plan, is not an obligation to complete the collection. Customers have options at any time:
- They can contact Customer Service to cancel future shipments
- They can return qualifying items under the applicable return policy
- Each collection's specific terms are available on the item detail page and through Customer Service
These options are intended to make shopping with us easy and enjoyable. Collections are designed for people who want to build a series, but we understand that life changes over time. That's why the ability to cancel or return is a genuine part of how the collection model works.
Our Year of Cheer Seasonal Earrings Collection features a full calendar year of seasonal hoop earrings with hand-enameled charms and colorful crystal accents. A customer who starts their collection in October and decides in March that they would like to stop, all they have to do is cancel. They continue to enjoy the earrings they've paid for and received, and we will cancel your subscription so you will not receive any additional bills. It's that easy!
Who Might Find a Collection Useful?
A collection may be a good fit for someone who:
- Wants to build a complete themed series over time
- Collects a specific subject, character, team, artist or theme
- Enjoys displaying a coordinated set of pieces rather than individual items
- Prefers to spread purchases over time rather than making one large purchase
- Wants to avoid having to actively monitor releases to avoid missing a piece
If you're interested in a specific item and aren't sure whether it's offered individually or only as part of a collection, check the product detail page or contact our Customer Service team before ordering. Some designs are available as single purchases; others are only available through a collection.
The Armor of God Knife Collection, for example, includes a custom wooden wall display with a sculpted medallion centerpiece that arrives as Issue Three - a $75 value included at the same issue price. For a customer who wants that complete display, starting the collection is how to ensure they will.
Before You Begin Your First Collection: What to Check?
If you're considering starting a collection, reviewing these details in advance can help you make a more confident decision:
- Is the item I want part of a collection? Review the offer to confirm.
- What types of items will arrive in future issues?
- What is the price per issue?
- Are there shipping and service charges, and if so, how much?
- How frequently are issues typically shipped?
- How do I stop future shipments if I decide to?
- What is the return policy for this collection?
Our Customer Service team is available to answer questions about any specific collection before you make your purchase, and our subscription plan FAQ page covers every detail in full. We want you to start your collection with a clear picture of what to expect, with zero surprises (except for the joyful surprise of opening each new issue and falling in love with the collection all over again).
Thanks so much for reading. If you have additional questions about how collections work, our Customer Service team is always happy to help. And if you're exploring collections for the first time, we hope today's post gives you a clear starting point. Happy shopping!
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The Complete NFL Silver Dollar Proof Coin Collection: ©2026 NFL Properties, LLC
COCA-COLA Through the Years Model Train Collection: Coca-Cola graphics ©The Coca-Cola Company. COCA-COLA, COKE, the Contour Bottle design, the Red Disc Icon and the COCA-COLA Santa are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved.
Disney The Haunted Mansion Candle Collection: ©Disney
Rat Fink Zippo Lighter Collection: ©2026 Roth
,"ZIPPO", 
, and 
are registered trademarks in the United States in the name of the Zippo Manufacturing Company. All Zippo® lighter decorations are protected by copyright. © 2026 Zippo Manufacturing Company.
