Lossing interest in collecting. (1 Viewer)

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Hi guy's I have been absent for awhile and I started to sell off my collection of toy soldiers and tanks. At first I thought how would I fell about this and would I regret it. Well I was quite surprised that it had no effect on me at all. In fact I like selling things and using the money on things we can all use. My wife got a new dish washer and the kids got a new xbox. And I still have money left over and put away for a rainy day. Don't get me wrong that I am short of money and needed to do this to get the extra things for the family. I just felt alittle selfish about the amount of money I had spent over the years on myself on toy soldiers that the only one in my family to get enjoyment out of them was me. I haven't sold any on ebay yet just locally to keep them in Brisbane with the collectors here. Just my thoughts and are there others who have felt alittle guilty about what they are spending on themselves. Simmo.

 

[Al Fisher]

If I may offer some advice: Keep your favorites for a later day when you may decide to get back in the hobby!

Al

 

[marco55]

That's me also but then I feel I'm missing out on something that I like.That's why I'm collecting on a much slower pace and realized I don't need "every" set.
Mark

 

[maddadicus]

I take care of my wife and home responsibilities without any complaint and she is not denied anything nor are home needs ignored. My hobbies are a reward for all my hard work. I am not reckless with my purchasing and therefore no guilt. Michael

 

[Currahee Chris]

I'm with you 100%. If I spend half of what I have spent in the last couple years, I will be surprised. In fact, I am going to a toy show this weekend and selling some of my stuff off. Figure I can get myself out of WW1 before I get too far in and can't get out.

It's also not helping that my township is making us hookup to public sewer in 2011- that will run me about $7-10k. MFers

 

[Mitch]

Have to say that every now and then I think holy cow! did I spend that much on a set but, as has been said here my home is mine and the family don't want for anything so, spend it while you can is my motto. You only get one crack at life so, no regrets no guilt. As long as your happy its all that counts whether you have one set or a thousand.

Mind I bet the kids are happy with a new X Box?
Mitch

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

I have never lost interest in collecting. Toy soldiers are a passion and a hobby that gives me hours of pleasure. It gives me an escape from the day to day grind and all the pressures that brings. My families needs and all my responsibilities are taken care of. In fact they come first. I'm lucky that I usually have a little "hobby money" left over so I don't have regrets. Yes I've spent a lot but it does not come at the expense of others needs. Regretably I am only able to spend a modest amount and as prices have increased I've made far fewer purchases these last few years. It used to bother me a lot that I couldn't collect everything I wanted but I must say it has gotten easier over the years to pass on items I've really wanted. In fact it probably makes me appreciate what I have even more.
I'm at the point now where I really should part with some of my ever growing collection. If for no other reason than to make room for new purchases. To date I have lacked the resolve to do this. I respect and admire those of you on this forum who are able to part with your little treasures so easily. Maybe someday I'll arrive at that point....but that day hasn't arrived yet!

 

[thebritfarmer]

I have never lost interest in collecting. Toy soldiers are a passion and a hobby that gives me hours of pleasure. It gives me an escape from the day to day grind and all the pressures that brings. My families needs and all my responsibilities are taken care of. In fact they come first. I'm lucky that I usually have a little "hobby money" left over so I don't have regrets. Yes I've spent a lot but it does not come at the expense of others needs. Regretably I am only able to spend a modest amount and as prices have increased I've made far fewer purchases these last few years. It used to bother me a lot that I couldn't collect everything I wanted but I must say it has gotten easier over the years to pass on items I've really wanted. In fact it probably makes me appreciate what I have even more.
I'm at the point now where I really should part with some of my ever growing collection. If for no other reason than to make room for new purchases. To date I have lacked the resolve to do this. I respect and admire those of you on this forum who are able to part with your little treasures so easily. Maybe someday I'll arrive at that point....but that day hasn't arrived yet!

Hit the nail on the head here! Couldn't agree with you more CFM

 

[Mitch]

CFM...

Great post

Mitch

 

[gk5717]

I too have learned I don't have to have everything. I also found if something catches my eye, if I hold off buying for a couple of weeks that 'have to have" urge starts diminishing.
I might sound like I'm contradicting myself but it's great there is so much new and different products out there by different companies, but on the flip side there is too much out there.
It,s starting to remind me of when I collected baseball cards. So many companies, with so many lines started coming out that it just killed the hobby.
Gary

 

[marco55]

When i collected baseball cards there was only Topps.Guess that shows my age.
Mark

 

[Gideon]

There's an ebb and tide to many collectors. Sometimes things (and they are pretty much just that) lose interest to us over time and we regain interest or truly move on to other things.

I've sold plenty of things from my personal collection(s). Some I regretted, others I never really thought of again.

I just recommend that you save a few choice pieces and put them away for a while. See how you feel in a few months or a year, or so.

 

[mestell]

Its not that I am loosing interest in collecting as much as I am starting to be concerned about the increasing cost associated with collecting. In light of the recent King & Country price increases and adjustments going in to 2011 and today's announcement of the Wm Britain minimum advertised pricing (MAP) guidelines that all of their retailers have been asked to adhere to, our hobby will certainly be more expensive going into the new year. I for one will be concentrating my collecting on one manufacturer and one historical time period next year rather than continuing several "fronts" of interests . . . .
Mike

 

[gk5717]

When i collected baseball cards there was only Topps.Guess that shows my age.
Mark

Mark, if just Topps baseball shows your age (1956 thru 1979), how about me there were Topps & Bowman, or did you forget about those. In the early fifties they were the small cards until 1953 when they became the size of Topps.
Gary

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Yes it has become less of a hobby and more of a investment for me at times. This seems to of been the reason I have lost alittle interest. I at first did not get into this for the money at all but because of my interest in Military history. The prices of toy soldiers and tanks have gone crazy and I just can't warrant the expense anymore. I may still outlay the price of a Tiger or a Panther but not alot more. Getting to dear so sad to bad. More thoughts Simmo.

 

[marco55]

Mark, if just Topps baseball shows your age (1956 thru 1979), how about me there were Topps & Bowman, or did you forget about those. In the early fifties they were the small cards until 1953 when they became the size of Topps.
Gary

I don't remember any Bowman.I collected cards from about 1963-1970.
Mark

 

[wayne556517]

I reckon if you try and collect everything that is released and believe me i have its not a hobby anymore its a obsession you just have to have some discipline and stay on track with your interest.I started on K+C knights and Romans now im going to sell them lost interest,and just concentrate on my original interest which got me in this hobby in the first place WW2 Germans,just my 2 cents worth hope you stay on the forum Simmo i like your wit and Dio,s even tho if you sell everything there goes the Dio,s bit.

 

[marco55]

Over the years I have collected ACW,Romans,Vikings,Crusaders and have gotten rid of all of them.I seem to have found my niche but I have also sold off a lot of them.
Mark

 

[jazzeum]

I don't remember any Bowman.I collected cards from about 1963-1970.
Mark

Mark,

Bowman were from the 50s and wonderful looking cards.

In the 80s more companies started to make cards like Upper Deck and Donruss. Unfortunately, there was a glut and the market crashed. I used to collect but just only Mets but even there it became too hard and expensive to collect all the cards being issued and I gave it up. I can see this happening here.

 

[marco55]

Yeah Brad I remember how they basically ruined the charm of collecting baseball cards.I remember guys running around with cards in plastic holders.I think the courts ruled that Topps had a monolopy which explained the rise of so many companies.
Mark