“I’m getting out of the hobby…NOT!” (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

I just read George’s (Warrior’s) thought provoking thread and thought I’d put in my tuppence worth…

As far as hobbies go in general guys drop out (and in) with amazing alacrity. Whether it be collecting toy soldiers…model trains… radio controlled aircraft… or even matchbox labels there will always be a certain percentage who decide for a myriad of personal reasons that this particular hobby is no longer for them. For the rest of us I’m always sad to see them go but I’m just as happy to welcome newcomers. And believe me not a week goes by where you do not meet the guy (or guys) who have just discovered the joys (and occasional perils) of collecting toy soldiers for the very first time.

So for me I still love this hobby…It’s why I got into the business. I’ve met more genuinely nice people through this hobby than anything else I’ve ever done in my professional life. I’ve also had the most pure, unadulterated FUN through this hobby than any other past time I’ve taken up. And from a work point-of-view. I look forward every single day to coming into the office to work with a great bunch of people both here in Hong Kong…and overseas.

Now, if all that is not enough to keep me in the hobby… then I don’t know what is. But seriously…best of luck and good wishes to those who move on…for me…I’m staying right here!

Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.​

 

[villagehorse]

I always envy those people that love their work so much they look forward to every day with relish. I guess most of us endure so that we can make ends meet and of course so we can afford this hobby. I have seen so many people that a natural calling for a job, but circumstances do not allow them to succeed, so it's pleasing to see Andy & Gordon have fallen on their feet. There is hope for us all yet, no doubt. Cheers, Robin.

 

[jazzeum]

I look forward going to the office to do what I do, attorney. I can't imagine not doing it, although I know my present job will probably end in a few years when I retire. I always look forward to matching wits with opposing counsel. Although today is a holiday here, I'm heading in soon for a supply agreement negotiation that should be interesting :wink2:

 

[wwiibuff]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Andy. I as well enjoy my work and it's such a blessing to have a job that you can look forward to each day. As far as TS's go, I'm a "lifer" in the hobby and enjoy it immensely even though my collecting trends may rise and fall from time to time.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

I too am one of the few who is fortunate to have a good job that most days I enjoy, feel respected, feel I contribute to society in an important way and get fairly well renumerated. As for toy soldiers my collection has definitely reached a "critical mass". What I mean by that is as a long time collector I'm truly running out of room and constantly fight the question when is enough enough? My interest hasn't subsided ( although it ebbs and flows depending on what's new on the market ) but now I don't buy nearly as much as I used to. I'm kind of at the point where I'm extremely selective. Generally if I buy an item I have to think what do I have to get rid of to make room. As Andy sometimes says..."c'est la vie, c'est la guerre!

 

[Rob]

I've been playing with Toy Soldiers since the age of about six or seven when I discovered Airfix 1/72 scale. Being of that generation of Soldiers, Action Man, Commando Comics and those classic War films , collecting toy soldiers is kind of in my blood. Its just something I've always done and will always do. I wanted to ask my fellow collectors if they have kids who've really got into them and whether they think they will carry on your tradition?

Rob

 

[sammy719]

I've been playing with Toy Soldiers since the age of about six or seven when I discovered Airfix 1/72 scale. Being of that generation of Soldiers, Action Man, Commando Comics and those classic War films , collecting toy soldiers is kind of in my blood. Its just something I've always done and will always do. I wanted to ask my fellow collectors if they have kids who've really got into them and whether they think they will carry on your tradition?

Rob

Hi Rob,

I recieved my Marx WWII battleground playset when I was 6-7 yrs. old in the mid 70's and nothing ever brought me as much joy as that Christmas present, hours upon hours upon hours of playing with it brought alot of good times which indeed was and is my connection to why I am still in this hobby today, as my little one (Connor) picked up some soldier habits as a youngster, he is now 15 years old with that we have X-BOX, high school, girls, but at the moment he has a nice little collection of K&C Civil War, and some plastic Marx,mix of plastics, he really enjoys showing off my dios to his friends that come over, so hopefully it's in his blood and he will stay with it in his adult years once the school, girls come and go...Sammy

 

[Iron Brigade]

I have been a "toy soldier" collector for 21 years now and counting. When I first started the end of 1991 I never thought I would have become a long term avid collector. I have been at it too long to to stop now!

Happy collecting, "Iron Brigade"

 

[kilted vampire]

Andy I have maintained throughout, that this hobby has the best people in it. The most friendly, helpful, enthusiastic group of friends I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. With the internet I do not need to go anywhere else to get my toys, but meeting the men and women at the shows is one of my biggest draws to a show. The Forum opened up huge avenues for me and I have never had so much fun with inanimate objects..... Train people are enthusiastic too but the older they get.......... Well ^&grin

 

[buffalohibernia]

Guys,

Hello from California. I am a retired high school vice principal and enjoyed the ever changing situations which kept you on your feet. The kids were great and rewarding so I lasted 32 years but had a difficult time in dealing with the higher ups who knew very little what was happening at the sites. I've been retired now and have started a second career as a chemistry lab tech. I have always looked forward to working which allows me to continue to be in this hobby. I enjoy life and collecting, which started many many years ago with 29 cent bags of plastic soldiers and 50 cent Match Box military vehicles. I still have them. Collecting keeps you in your youth but with working you can buy the items you couldn't as a kid. Like many of you space is a problem but cycling your soldiers is a great way to keep in the game!
Fran

 

[MarkeytMaker]

I think I'm the oddest collector to come aboard (this is where Brad/jazzeum may chime in:wink2 When I aquired a collection from an estate I had no interest but to sell and make my money and move on! I did sell but failed to move on{eek3} Here I am today with a pretty nice collection of older K&C glossy sets. At first I was buying as an investment/resale type attitude and then it progressed into a need to fill voids to build up the collection. This need to fill voids has led me to pay much greater prices then I would have earlier on. This in away throws the investment/resale ideas out the door. Of course there was also a love of the figures and sets I didn't foresee attacking my heart as it did. I have beautiful thoughts of how I will display it all and what it's going to look like all set up. There is also the vision of owning my own toy soldier shop. In my eyes, my collection would make an awesome store display with the ability to lure in people, creating the ability and foundation to make a small business at this...and it's something which I enjoy. There have been and still are feelings of just selling it all to provide a little finacial boost in our move. Afterall it wouldn't be impossible to re-build another collection again later. Though there is this consistant little voice in my head that tells me I'm better off with the collection then without it...meaning there would be an emotional detachment which could physcologically play havoc on me, let alone throw a TS shop idea right out the door. I'm currently still looking to buy more sets to fill voids and periodically buy and sell to reduce the actual cost of what my collection itself costs...something I think many collectors miss because of the disruption, or noise here on treefrog that makes it sound unethical to buy something and resell it for more. If you ask a collector to reduce a price on something here on treefrog and your intentions are to flip it at his expense doesn't settle well with me...though outside of the forum I consider it a flea market and an opportunity to buy and sell so I can aquire more K&C glossy's at a discounted rate. "These are the days of our lives" as the soap opera's motto states...for me, I enjoy collecting and comminicating with people here I consider friends. For now I'm in!

Markey

 

[sammy719]

Andy I have maintained throughout, that this hobby has the best people in it. The most friendly, helpful, enthusiastic group of friends I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. With the internet I do not need to go anywhere else to get my toys, but meeting the men and women at the shows is one of my biggest draws to a show. The Forum opened up huge avenues for me and I have never had so much fun with inanimate objects..... Train people are enthusiastic too but the older they get.......... Well ^&grin

Look forward to seeing you Kilt at the West Coaster...Sammy

 

[Rob]

Look forward to seeing you Kilt at the West Coaster...Sammy

Don't forget that camera mate!:wink2:

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think I'm the oddest collector to come aboard (this is where Brad/jazzeum may chime in:wink2 When I aquired a collection from an estate I had no interest but to sell and make my money and move on! I did sell but failed to move on{eek3} Here I am today with a pretty nice collection of older K&C glossy sets. At first I was buying as an investment/resale type attitude and then it progressed into a need to fill voids to build up the collection. This need to fill voids has led me to pay much greater prices then I would have earlier on. This in away throws the investment/resale ideas out the door. Of course there was also a love of the figures and sets I didn't foresee attacking my heart as it did. I have beautiful thoughts of how I will display it all and what it's going to look like all set up. There is also the vision of owning my own toy soldier shop. In my eyes, my collection would make an awesome store display with the ability to lure in people, creating the ability and foundation to make a small business at this...and it's something which I enjoy. There have been and still are feelings of just selling it all to provide a little finacial boost in our move. Afterall it wouldn't be impossible to re-build another collection again later. Though there is this consistant little voice in my head that tells me I'm better off with the collection then without it...meaning there would be an emotional detachment which could physcologically play havoc on me, let alone throw a TS shop idea right out the door. I'm currently still looking to buy more sets to fill voids and periodically buy and sell to reduce the actual cost of what my collection itself costs...something I think many collectors miss because of the disruption, or noise here on treefrog that makes it sound unethical to buy something and resell it for more. If you ask a collector to reduce a price on something here on treefrog and your intentions are to flip it at his expense doesn't settle well with me...though outside of the forum I consider it a flea market and an opportunity to buy and sell so I can aquire more K&C glossy's at a discounted rate. "These are the days of our lives" as the soap opera's motto states...for me, I enjoy collecting and comminicating with people here I consider friends. For now I'm in!

Markey

I remember the Good Fortune Estate Purchase and Great e-bay Sell-Off (boxes sold separately) {sm2}{sm4} But not oddest. You would have a long way to go to achieve that position and dethrone the current champions. ^&grin^&grin

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

Mark,

I think your story just shows that it can be the smallest thing that can get you interested in the hobby and its various offerings.

Brad