So what percentage of collectors collect "above their means"?

I think it's gotta be at least 50-60% if not more.  No offense to anyone who does, as you are perfectly entitled to spend your money however you wish, but I've been frustrated quite a bit lately.  We've all seen the tell-tale signs of people who collecti above their means:

1) Someone gets in quick and then instantly turns around and sells a bunch of stuff because they either need money for school, or their car broke, or their girlfriend is pregnant, etc. 

2) People reach out to the community for help only to turn around and make a "WTB something super-fucking expensive" thread

3) Someone buys a really high end rare item only to turn around sell very quickly and usually at a loss (not directed at JJGames as he seems to have a lot of disposable income)

4) Someone wants to buy a bunch of your FS items, but wants you to mark them as on hold for the next week or two while they sell XXXX ebay auctions, wait for their paycheck, or wait a few months for their 2010 tax return to come in

Man it's frustrating.  The biggest piece of advice I can offer is that collecting is not a race and retro games aren't going anywhere.  It doesn't matter though, I'm sure that goes in one ear and out the other for 90% of the community.  It's all about must complete the set ASAP, and then when you get a completed set, what do you do?  Stare at your bookcase everyday?  Of course not, you move on to another set and spend even more money. 

I dunno, I'm just looking for some rough ball park guess here because it seems like way too many people, especially some of the new guys are almost in over their heads.

Comments


  • yeah, ive done this recently. (#4 put things on hold) its definately not good. some items dont come up all that often and i trust the seller as i have made deals with them in the past and they have allowed me to do this. but yeah, not something i like doing.
  • This has got to be one of the funniest threads i have read in a long time but i totally know u mean it to be a serious one.
  • I got to around 600 games and just got bored, and sold them all off. I am sure I took a loss on them. I moved onto arcade machines and was having a blast with them but again realized that at the rate I was going I was never going to see an "end" and luckily I had the foresight to sell them before I had to move to a smaller house, which did happen! I love to collect things, but have realized that its never ending and had to decide what I REALLY wanted, and be realistic about it. That is very hard to do because I always seem to change my mind but I think I am on the right track now and have a very small and focused collection going of things I really enjoy and want to keep forever.
  • Originally posted by: jonebone

    I think it's gotta be at least 50-60% if not more.  No offense to anyone who does, as you are perfectly entitled to spend your money however you wish, but I've been frustrated quite a bit lately.  We've all seen the tell-tale signs of people who collecti above their means:

    1) Someone gets in quick and then instantly turns around and sells a bunch of stuff because they either need money for school, or their car broke, or their girlfriend is pregnant, etc. 

    2) People reach out to the community for help only to turn around and make a "WTB something super-fucking expensive" thread

    3) Someone buys a really high end rare item only to turn around sell very quickly and usually at a loss (not directed at JJGames as he seems to have a lot of disposable income)

    4) Someone wants to buy a bunch of your FS items, but wants you to mark them as on hold for the next week or two while they sell XXXX ebay auctions, wait for their paycheck, or wait a few months for their 2010 tax return to come in

    Man it's frustrating.  The biggest piece of advice I can offer is that collecting is not a race and retro games aren't going anywhere.  It doesn't matter though, I'm sure that goes in one ear and out the other for 90% of the community.  It's all about must complete the set ASAP, and then when you get a completed set, what do you do?  Stare at your bookcase everyday?  Of course not, you move on to another set and spend even more money. 

    I dunno, I'm just looking for some rough ball park guess here because it seems like way too many people, especially some of the new guys are almost in over their heads.


    hey man. are you directing #2 towards me?
  • Not at all, we've seen people fall into #2 category before, like Marioshroomed.
  • I think jonebone has a good message behind his post. (even though I don't agree with him and his NFL thoughts lol) And I also think he isn't directing it anyone in particular (as many people come and go, I am new here and can see that)



    For myself I just casually collect CIB SNES games over the past couple of years, I am only up to about 60 CIB and about 50 or so lose or just manual or box. I am not trying to collect all of them, but just the ones I want or deem good. I think people who start collections should start off by just getting the ones they want/deem good games (to play etc)Then move on to obtaining a complete collection.



    The only issue I have is my megaman obsession, I must have MM1-6 Factory sealed lol. (but its not like its crippling my bank account or anything, just diminishing it lol)
  • I think as times get tougher out in the "real world" we're seeing a lot more people overstepping their means.



    I think a lot of people get into a zone where they think the money is always going to be there, and they aren't careful about their spending.
  • Originally posted by: jonebone


     The biggest piece of advice I can offer is that collecting is not a race and retro games aren't going anywhere. It doesn't matter though, I'm sure that goes in one ear and out the other for 90% of the community. It's all about must complete the set ASAP, and then when you get a completed set, what do you do?


    I find this funny considering that you acquired hundreds of boxed games in less than a year, and you yourself are selling out.  You went BALLS out from the start and are now on the cusp of nearly completely selling out.

    That's some pot calling the kettle black shit right there.
  • Originally posted by: BeaglePuss

    Originally posted by: jonebone


     The biggest piece of advice I can offer is that collecting is not a race and retro games aren't going anywhere. It doesn't matter though, I'm sure that goes in one ear and out the other for 90% of the community. It's all about must complete the set ASAP, and then when you get a completed set, what do you do?


    I find this funny considering that you acquired hundreds of boxed games in less than a year, and you yourself are selling out.  You went BALLS out from the start and are now on the cusp of nearly completely selling out.

    That's some pot calling the kettle black shit right there.

    LOL!!!! Dude, you also know I funded my entire collection by reselling right?  I still have an entire BB collection, 100 SNES CIBs, 100 N64 CIBs and about 75 NES CIBs.  I didn't sell out my entire collection, I changed my collection goals.

    Oh yeah and I made about 7 thousand dollars, despite not having a single penny of my own personal money invested in my collection.

    If you want to take shots at me, now is not the time or place.  STFU I'm not in the mood for you tonight.





  • I'm not sure if it would be as high as 60% of the collectors here, but it would be a significant percentage, for sure. I've seen instances of all of the signs you've mentioned as recently as within the last couple days...



    My advice echoes jone's- take it easy, take it slow. Everything comes back up for auction sometime, no matter how rare.



    I, personally, haven't paid a dime for any of my collection. In fact, I'm up several hundred dollars. If you're smart about collecting, it can pay for itself easily.
  • Jonas, I might ask what is/was the point of this thread? We all know people collect beyond their means and everyone is different and since you already seem to know this, why make a group of categories showing the different demographics? Not trying be an ass here, just a little confused...
  • Alright, this shit is not going to fly. I'm not in the mood.

    Jonas. Matt. STFU both
  • Originally posted by: qixmaster

    Jonas, I might ask what is/was the point of this thread? We all know people collect beyond their means and everyone is different and since you already seem to know this, why make a group of categories showing the different demographics? Not trying be an ass here, just a little confused...

    The point was for people to take a step back and try to realize that their hobby isn't going anywhere.  I was speaking from personal experience on my behalf, as well as what I've observed on the forum.  You get burned out when you go from 0-60 in a second, and quite frankly I think you lose an appreciation for some of your collection.  You just watch your bookcase fill up and don't even have time to appreciate the games as they trickle in.

    If there's something wrong close it up, doesn't matter to me either way.  If someone wants to have no savings and 1000 games on the wall then so be it.
  • Edit: can't deal with E-tough guys tonight.
  • oh come on guys. This is so stupid. Do i need to remind you

    http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=24&threadid=17067



    Jonas, if you have a problem. PM me or another moderator. This thread was just asking for it IMHO.

    Locked up
This discussion has been closed.