While most bikers purchase patches to put on their jackets, vests, bags, and other items, some purchase patches to collect. These patch collectors sometimes buy extra patches so that they have something to trade with others. There are several reasons for this. Sometimes, patches are only available for a limited time or at limited locations, while other times patches have been discontinued or aren't easy to find. Other times, patch collectors simply see patches they think others will like, so they grab a few extras just in case they have a friend who might want a copy.
Most of the large biker rallies like Sturgis or Daytona Beach put out collectable patches each year, and once these patches are gone, no more are ever made. This means if you can't make it to that rally and don't think to order one of those patches online ahead of time, you may never get one. Also, sometimes patches are given out by motorcycle companies at special launch events for new bikes and other products that are, likewise, very limited. For that reason, if you do attend one of these rallies or events, you might want to pick up patches for your buddies or for other patch collectors. You can then trade them for patches from rallies you were unable to attend.
Patches aren't always massed produced for years. Sometimes, the company that produced the patches goes out of business or retires a design. Then those patches become highly collectable, so anyone who has extras to trade becomes very popular. Sometimes, when it seems like a company is selling out of a rare patch or is going to discontinue one, they will buy up a number of copies to trade or sell once the demand for that design rises.
