sceic2 said:
I don't know sometimes how many of the comments made by some of us on this forum are jokes or jokes hiding a reality. Some of them are very good jokes. But, with some of the associated behavior of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a collector could become shall we say overly involved in their purchases. I hope that is not true of any of us, but with the population statistics as they are, some of us are bound to be as a simple statistical matter. I speak from practical experience. Seek medical assistance and get help. Help does exist. Good help. Either therapy or medication or a combination can definitely help.
Someone started a similar thread to this on a US diecast aircraft forum that I frequent, and it had a huge response. I was surprised at the number of guys that admitted they do have a problem - they just can't stop buying model aircraft. It was causing financial and family problems and several said that have attended counciling seassions to try and reduce their mania, which is what it can become apparently. I guess we have all seen tv programs showing some sad individual (in our eyes) that can't stop collecting newspapers etc to the degree that they end up with few place where they can sit down. If you translate that to lack of shelf space for figures etc - well you guys get the message.
With over thirty years experience in collecting I've managed to control (mostly) my 'problem' by sticking to one period, being World War Two and in that I concentrate mainly on Germans. They don't have many opponents to fight but they haven't complained yet - if they do, I guess I'll really have a problem
If I do happen to cross the 'period' line and buy a WWI or Napoleonic piece that I really, really like, I just treat it as an 'error' rather than let it become an excuse to go wild on more pieces from that period. More often than not I end up selling (at a reasonable price) or trading the 'error'.
Here are a few collecting tips to help control the 'problem':
1) After you establish your favourite period, stick to it as best you can.
2) Adopt a cooling off period. If you collect Napoleonic and see a WWII piece 'you must have'. Just say to yourself: "I'll give it a few weeks and see how I feel then". I can assure you that in several weeks you have most likely forgot about that piece and feel pleased with yourself that you didn't buy it.
3) Don't be a completist. It's stupid to buy every figure or vehicle in a range as you
always end up with stuff you didn't really like but just bought because it fits.
4) Just buy the pieces you like. Don't be persuaded into buying a figure or set just because someone else on a forum says: "I'm going to get it", OR "it's sure to become rare" OR, It's soon to be retired", OR "It will appreciate in value heaps and you'll make a fortune selling it".
5) Avoid 'investment' buying. I know it's tempting to buy a rare piece even if you don't collect that period so you can resell it to finance 'your' buys. Just remember you are removing a piece from the shop shelf that some poor 'fellow collector' that does collect that period is trying to get.
I'm sure I'll get some critical or sarcastic (the lowest form of wit) remarks about my suggestions. But you may not be aware that they may be the same people that sell on eBay at high 'Buy It Now' prices etc. And their eBay 'handle' is not always the same as their forum name - some have several 'aliases'. How do I know, let's just say I spent many years in bank fraud investigating and debt recovery so I've learnt some tricks of the trade. Of course there are also the Labrador pup types that run around the forum saying how great 'something' is, but they don't mean any harm - they're just excited
So yes, the man is correct: "you be carefull out there".
