Can we justify spending great amounts of money on our hobby? (1 Viewer)

[dea]

Hi all,
I posted this on another thread, but thought it was a good topic for discussion.
I have been checkin out Ebay trying to find aplayset #6 for my alamo, one came up about 2 weeks ago, and it went for an astounding total of over 750.00 dollars. I could'nt believe it. would you guys bet the house on a figure or set you really wanted? I'm still trying to shake this off so I can bid on another.
Phil

 

[PJDeluhery]

No I would not bet the house on any figure or set. I usually put in an initial bid of what is fair or what I want to pay. If it goes over that; well, better luck next time.

There are definitely people on E-bay, just as in auctions I have attended live, that have more money than brains or are so ego-centric that they must outbid everyone else to prove a point. I never try to compete with these guys. Don't let them spoil your quest or your enjoyment. There are good deals to be had on E-bay and at auctions if you are a smart and prudent bidder. It can get frustrating sometimes, but that's also part of the game.

Goiod luck in your future bidding.

 

[wds0855]

Phil I think I would have to seek alternatives before I went the "high price" route.

I am also a BIG ALAMO fan. Have large collection of books on the subject.
I never started on the Conte series though becuse I had huge doubts he would finish up. His figures and sets are excellent, it's just I did not have the belief the Alamo range would make it to completion. And even if it did the price would be very high after purchasing all the necessary sets. So I held off.

Now I have started the Alamo in 40MM metal. I really like this alternative because:
1. It is much more afforadble. Granted you have to paint the figures yourself, but I have always enjoyed painting wargamming and toy soldier figures, so works for me.
2. I have a high confidence level almost all I need will be available for this range. I may have to "make" the Chapel myself, none available in 40MM right now.
3. 40MM comes very close to the style and feel of 54MM.

Back to your question though, I could not see spending a very large sum on the set you were rrefrring to. It is a very nice set and good quality, but way overpriced at that amount.

Hobby Bunlker makes some real nice 54MM buildings that are suitable for the Alamo. and I think TSSD has a really nice 54MMchapel. Have you looked at thier selection?

Walt

 

[Njja]

Its all relevent to the individual, how much he considers to much. This is why

I keep track of current values of items I collect. It helps me decide what is a

fair market price for a particular item I might be interested in. To me its not

just a matter of being able to afford it. Its a combination of availability of the

item, condition, reputation of the person you are dealing with along with

current market values that make the final determination.

Case in point, I just purchased a nice limited edition print for $130 which I

would like to frame for the den. Wife had a 50% off coupon for framing at a

popular store so in we went. I wanted a nice frame (medium quality) a suede

mat with a bevel cut size was 28" by 22". Priced quoted was $265

after the discount! Are they nuts? Or do they think we are just stupid?

I am a collector as many of you know, I also like framed items particulary

with suede frames. I have quite a variety of items done this way including

Military Prints, Pennsylvania Railroad Calanders, Dinosaur Prints, Original

Drawings of Pets, Daughters Artwork, Degrees, Dinky Catalogs.......I even

have the first two issues of "Wonder Wart-Hog" (the Hog of Steel)

framed with a suede mat! I have over 50 custom framed items.....yes

including a framed "Kramer" in the collection and I have NEVER paid

over $500 for a frame in my life!

So they want you to believe at a time of 10% unemployment (actual

percent is closer to 17) that the cost to frame a medium sized print is $530

so they can give you a 50% off coupon? What a joke!

So its not really important to be able to afford something......it has to be

worth the price to you!

If not $10 is to expensive.

 

[eborris]

Gee, if I could get 750.00 a piece for my Conte Alamo sets 2 thru 7, I sure would sell them. Let's see that's like 3,000.00 profit.

 

[dea]

Thanka for the input guys, I feel better about the whole situation.
I have managed to get playsets #1-5 &#7 at what I believe was fair prices considering what the market is. It's just that I was shook by that auction.
Thanks guys,
Phil

 

[Jay]

Considering that some Marx sets have gone over $5,000, who knows? I wouldn't spend that (don't have it!!) but others do, and spend it. Wish it was me.

 

[bromhead]

Its all relevent to the individual, how much he considers to much. This is why

I keep track of current values of items I collect. It helps me decide what is a

fair market price for a particular item I might be interested in. To me its not

just a matter of being able to afford it. Its a combination of availability of the

item, condition, reputation of the person you are dealing with along with

current market values that make the final determination.

Case in point, I just purchased a nice limited edition print for $130 which I

would like to frame for the den. Wife had a 50% off coupon for framing at a

popular store so in we went. I wanted a nice frame (medium quality) a suede

mat with a bevel cut size was 28" by 22". Priced quoted was $265

after the discount! Are they nuts? Or do they think we are just stupid?

I am a collector as many of you know, I also like framed items particulary

with suede frames. I have quite a variety of items done this way including

Military Prints, Pennsylvania Railroad Calanders, Dinosaur Prints, Original

Drawings of Pets, Daughters Artwork, Degrees, Dinky Catalogs.......I even

have the first two issues of "Wonder Wart-Hog" (the Hog of Steel)

framed with a suede mat! I have over 50 custom framed items.....yes

including a framed "Kramer" in the collection and I have NEVER paid

over $500 for a frame in my life!

So they want you to believe at a time of 10% unemployment (actual

percent is closer to 17) that the cost to frame a medium sized print is $530

so they can give you a 50% off coupon? What a joke!

So its not really important to be able to afford something......it has to be

worth the price to you!

If not $10 is to expensive.

Cost and worth are always relative

 

[theBaron]

Buy what you like, but spend no more than you can afford.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hi all,
I posted this on another thread, but thought it was a good topic for discussion.
I have been checkin out Ebay trying to find aplayset #6 for my alamo, one came up about 2 weeks ago, and it went for an astounding total of over 750.00 dollars. I could'nt believe it. would you guys bet the house on a figure or set you really wanted? I'm still trying to shake this off so I can bid on another.
Phil

I decided long ago that what other people choose to do or value is of little interest to me. You have to set you own value and interests and if you bid on something, know that someone may want it more than you do. When that happens to me, they are welcome to it.

 

[Gebhard]

No I would not bet the house on any figure or set. I usually put in an initial bid of what is fair or what I want to pay. If it goes over that; well, better luck next time.

There are definitely people on E-bay, just as in auctions I have attended live, that have more money than brains or are so ego-centric that they must outbid everyone else to prove a point. I never try to compete with these guys. Don't let them spoil your quest or your enjoyment. There are good deals to be had on E-bay and at auctions if you are a smart and prudent bidder. It can get frustrating sometimes, but that's also part of the game.

Goiod luck in your future bidding.

Well said

 

[Grognard]

It's like with any hobby: chose one that you can afford!

 

[Scott]

Beware the hobby that eats.

Benjamin Franklin

 

[Spitfrnd]

Beware the hobby that eats.

Benjamin Franklin

Most hobby's eat, it is just a question of what and how fast; ask any sail boat owner. Personally I went from aircraft to horses, not much changed but the fuel.

 

[Grognard]

Most hobby's eat, it is just a question of what and how fast; ask any sail boat owner. Personally I went from aircraft to horses, not much changed but the fuel.

Do you have winged horses?

 

[Spitfrnd]

Do you have winged horses?

No mate but they can fly; with a relatively short aerial range but impressive altitude nonetheless.