"I'm getting out of the hobby".................... (1 Viewer)

[Warrior]

I was thinking about this phrase, it's one I've heard recently a few times just within the past couple of weeks.

I also had this past year one of my longest standing customers basically up and decide to stop collecting and sell his entire collection, which really was a shocker to me as he was one of the most enthusiastic collectors I've ever come across.

Speaking for myself, I've been collecting toy soldiers since my childhood, gave up on it for about ten years then got back into it and have never looked back (and boy do I regret getting out as I missed out on so many nice items that I had to pay an arm and a leg for in the aftermarket once I returned to teh hobby).

I am into other hobbies, but toy soldiers is and will always be my #1 hobby, there are others I'd give up on long before toy soldiers, I also love reading and studying military history, so the two are connected in my mind.

I was just wondering what other forum members think about this and was wondering if any of you should care to share your thoughts on reasons why you'd ever get out of the hobby and/or reasons why you'd never get out of the hobby. I have a few theories on this and was wondering what others think as well.

I also see a lot of forum members who come and go, not sure if the two are related, ie, they join the forum because they like toy soldiers, then stop posting because they gave up the hobby.

Anyway, I'd be curious as to what people have to say about this..........

 

[Louis Badolato]

I would never get out of the hobby George, like you I'm a lifer. However, a combination of space considerations, the expenses of being a husband and father, and the rather dramatic inflation caused by the incredibly weak economy and the Chinese workers' desire for better wages and living conditions, have made me cut back my purchases by probably 85% over the last 5-6 years.

Sadly, people on a fixed income (like retirees, this is, after all, a mature person's hobby) or people whose circumstances have changed dramatically as a result of the poor economy or a change in marital status (about the only thing more expensive than going from single to married with children is going from married to divorced) might chose (or be forced) to abandon the hobby.:redface2:

 

[Warrior]

Excellent points all around Louis, running out of space/financial resources as one gets older are factors.

I guess cutting back for a long time collector is not a question of if but when, dropping out altogether is another.............

 

[jazzeum]

The six words designed to put fear into dealers everywhere and make him or her wake up in a cold sweat:

"I'm getting out of the hobby."

(Actually seven words :wink2

 

[Mitch]

funny you should mention this as I have been looking at the LAH collection I have and, thinking of thinning the herd so, to speak by about a thousand. I have all but stopped buying LAH which, was the main collection for many years and, became rather an obsession where I wanted and did buy many, many, multiples.

I have spoke with a few people who have stopped collecting and know of four who have sold everything they have in recent months and, changed direction completely. I think many collectors have come to a point either by finances or, space where they have all but stopped collecting and, I know lots of people who are actually starting modelling in kit form than buying pre painted soldiers and AFV's.

My main collections are books and militaria so, I could stop collecting TS and still be in the hobby as its an interest in War not toy soldiers per se and, if kit makers made 1/30th or similar figures and AFV's I would go for them rather than metal
Mitch

 

[Rob]

I'm also a ' lifer ' I guess having started with the little plastic men aged about seven. I have had to cut back on Tanks for both space and dosh, but I will always pick up figures . Sometimes I think of other projects such as a big one I have planned one day for 1/76 scale, but this War thing hooked me young and now I'm in for the duration, but don't tell the wife:wink2:

Rob

 

[Sentaapua]

I'm also into the hobby for good, it's nothing short of a passion for me, but I think Louis nailed it when laying the reasons why collectors puchases might decrease and even drive some out of the hobby. I'm among those who's purchases have declined lately, but certainly not the interest!

 

[Isandlwana]

Finances and space are of course significant factors but don't underestimate one other, namely choice. People collect 'military miniatures' for multifarious reasons and if periods of particular interest to the individual cease to be catered for and/or the style of manufacturers takes on a displeasing appearance, then there is little reason to continue collecting.

Personally I would also like to hear from those itching to collect that find their period of choice unavailable, for example the ECW. Are you keeping your powder dry or are you collecting a period that you find interesting, just not to the same extent? When WW1 items were not available, I went down the 28mm route.

 

[lancer]

Interesting topic, George. I fall into the category of retired/fixed income and am dealing with the exact problems Louis and you have mentioned. Finding room is becoming a worry but not nearly as worrisome as the money question. I have severely curtailed how much I buy. In fact I buy very few figures at all anymore, as I have thrown what available money I have into WW1 aircraft. Even concentrating on this one area has proved problematic as I have several on my want list and the list keeps growing as I struggle to keep up. Problem is the aircraft are coming out faster than I can put the money together to get them.:redface2: I will not let the money/space factor chase me out of the hobby even if I have to further cut back on what I buy. For me, only a life-changing event, such as increasing poverty, hunger, or death, will end my participation in this hobby.:wink2: -- Al

 

[jager7080]

I grew up playing with the old Marx playsets which in turn led into Swoppits & Britains Deetail as a kid...As i got older i began to take up 1/35 scale modeling , late teens & early twenties lead me to abandon much of this as i took up boxing , girls & drinking i believe as most due at this age range...As i got into my mid twenties my passion for modeling returned...Then by chance i stumbled upon K&C's early Afrika Korps series in the 90's , while looking for Afrika Korps infantry kits for my AFV's i was building...I fell in love with the early K&C stuff...
I then attended a couple of Chicago Shows , & decided then i would always be involved in this hobby in some way...
I did for awhile stop building models & buying toy soldiers when i met my wife , after we got married & established i was back , because this is what i truelly enjoy...About a year ago i stumbled upon this forum & it's great league of members , of which has strengthened my enjoyment of the hobby as now i can see & share information with other like minded people...Great thread...Thanks ,

Joe

 

[Napoleon1er]

I'm getting out of the hobby- and into the obsession!{sm4}^&grin

 

[sammy719]

I'm ''hoping" to be in the hobby for along time, I know I truly enjoy collecting and the forums of toy soldiers but with a teenager coming up it's goint to get exspensive real soon, legos and match boxes don't cut it anymore so even if I cut back here and there I plan on being around the hobby for sometime...Sammy

 

[mgw]

Interesting thread. I am at the stage where space is a serious problem so purchasing KC/WB/Figarti/Conte/TGM is far more selective. Even with that, I've gotten to point of storing new pieces in boxes (something I swore I would never do) or just lining up items on a shelf instead of incorporating them into larger dioramas. My solution has been to go back to modeling, mostly aircraft in 1/48 scale where one can have sufficient detail without 2-3 foot wing spans. Also, it takes much longer to build your own rather than open up boxes, so shelving space lasts a bit longer. As long as I am able, I will stay in the hobby of military miniatures, but it will morph with circumstances.

 

[W T Allison II]

Like everyone, I plan to continue collecting but space is a problem. The next question is what do you do with your collection if you decide to stop. I tried giving mine away to several museums, colleges and libraries who all wanted an endowment to take it. Some of you mentioned friends who stopped collecting and sold out. How did they do that-ebay, auction houses or fellow collectors? What are the pros and cons of each? How do you arrive at a price? Or do you say I just want to enjoy my collection and collecting and let someone else worry about it? I am afraid there are no good answers but something to ponder. Tommy

 

[Poppo]

I was thinking about this phrase, it's one I've heard recently a few times just within the past couple of weeks.

I also had this past year one of my longest standing customers basically up and decide to stop collecting and sell his entire collection, which really was a shocker to me as he was one of the most enthusiastic collectors I've ever come across.

Speaking for myself, I've been collecting toy soldiers since my childhood, gave up on it for about ten years then got back into it and have never looked back (and boy do I regret getting out as I missed out on so many nice items that I had to pay an arm and a leg for in the aftermarket once I returned to teh hobby).

I am into other hobbies, but toy soldiers is and will always be my #1 hobby, there are others I'd give up on long before toy soldiers, I also love reading and studying military history, so the two are connected in my mind.

I was just wondering what other forum members think about this and was wondering if any of you should care to share your thoughts on reasons why you'd ever get out of the hobby and/or reasons why you'd never get out of the hobby. I have a few theories on this and was wondering what others think as well.

I also see a lot of forum members who come and go, not sure if the two are related, ie, they join the forum because they like toy soldiers, then stop posting because they gave up the hobby.

Anyway, I'd be curious as to what people have to say about this..........

I stopped buying items a few months ago( and I m happy I save the money now!) as I have got what I wanted in dios and uniforms, and the space is over.
This hobby is not like collecting stamps or coins: until you don' t sell and buy again it is going to finish one day.
I love to look at my collection everyday, I don' t know if stop buying new stuff is considered getting out of the hobby....{sm2}

 

[PanzerAce1944]

George, A great topic for a thread. I would tend to say people decide to get away from the Hobby more for Financial reasons than most others. Job loss, change in marital status, unexpected emergency, etc may drive some to sell
based upon their current situation and needs.Being able to maintain a large,healthy collection is an accomplishment in todays economy. My curio cabinets look happy when filled to the brim with metal hand painted Toy Soldiers and Vehicles :smile2:

 

[Warrior]

The six words designed to put fear into dealers everywhere and make him or her wake up in a cold sweat:

"I'm getting out of the hobby."

(Actually seven words :wink2

I'm looking at it more than from a dealers perspective; several of the people I noticed getting out of the hobby lately were not customers of mine.

It just got me to thinking and wondering why someone with such a keen interest would up and get out is all.

Regardless of whether I'm a dealer or not, I'm in for the duration.

I continue to buy, continue to collect, everytime I think I'm all full up, I see something of interest at a show, on Ebay, or a new company pops up selling figures of interest to me, or an existing company comes out with additional figures I want............

 

[sammy719]

George, A great topic for a thread. I would tend to say people decide to get away from the Hobby more for Financial reasons than most others. Job loss, change in marital status, unexpected emergency, etc may drive some to sell
based upon their current situation and needs.Being able to maintain a large,healthy collection is an accomplishment in todays economy. My curio cabinets look happy when filled to the brim with metal hand painted Toy Soldiers and Vehicles :smile2:

I don't agree with you Panzer, if I only collect a few sets here and there and the enjoyment of collecting those few pieces are there, then I don't need tons of cabinets filled to the top to make it a enjoyable hobby, I realized awhile back I don't need to have as much as the next guy to enjoy my collection, but kudos to you for having plenty curios filled up...Sammy

 

[uksubs]

I don't agree with you Panzer, if I only collect a few sets here and there and the enjoyment of collecting those few pieces are there, then I don't need tons of cabinets filled to the top to make it a enjoyable hobby, I realized awhile back I don't need to have as much as the next guy to enjoy my collection, but kudos to you for having plenty curios filled up...Sammy

I'm the same as you Sammy cut my collection down with having two young kids running round the house but never been happier with my collection .

 

[zulucollector]

I guess it is how do you define getting out of the hobby My personal opinion it is when you sell but some say it is when you stop buying. If the latter is the case than another rationale is that you simply complete your collection. I did that with both my corgi 1/50 AFV and soldiers and britian deetails. As these manufacturers no longer produce them when you finish your collection you are done. Now saying all that I returned to toy soldiers last year when I saw the excellent britains zulu war line.