What is the Reasonable Amount of Time to Own an Item Before Getting Bored of it?
This is a spin-off thread from another topic, but I'm curious for public opinion. First let's consider the two extremes:
1) Someone buys an item, makes an "OMG, Happy to add this to my collection!" thread. Tomorrow they make the "OMG, changed my mind, it's for sale!" thread. I think most collectors unanimously shake their head at that.
2) Someone buys an item, makes the "OMG, Happy to add this to my collection!" thread, and carries it with them to their death bed. This represents holding it forever.
And then there's everything in the middle. Keep something for a month before you're bored of it? A year? Multiple years? It can also be applied to collections as a whole. Someone buys up an entire set, keeps it and then puts it for sale several months or years later. Some of this is natural progression as a collector, opinions change (maybe you want MINT), hobbies change (collecting a different platform) or life changes (kids, buying a house, marriage, etc.)
So where do you draw the line? Do you roll your eyes at anything flipped less than a month? Less than a year? At what point do you think the item has naturally "ran it's course" and you can understand someone wanting to sell it.
Poll incoming...
1) Someone buys an item, makes an "OMG, Happy to add this to my collection!" thread. Tomorrow they make the "OMG, changed my mind, it's for sale!" thread. I think most collectors unanimously shake their head at that.
2) Someone buys an item, makes the "OMG, Happy to add this to my collection!" thread, and carries it with them to their death bed. This represents holding it forever.
And then there's everything in the middle. Keep something for a month before you're bored of it? A year? Multiple years? It can also be applied to collections as a whole. Someone buys up an entire set, keeps it and then puts it for sale several months or years later. Some of this is natural progression as a collector, opinions change (maybe you want MINT), hobbies change (collecting a different platform) or life changes (kids, buying a house, marriage, etc.)
So where do you draw the line? Do you roll your eyes at anything flipped less than a month? Less than a year? At what point do you think the item has naturally "ran it's course" and you can understand someone wanting to sell it.
Poll incoming...
Comments
Altho everything I buy that I really want I have no intent of getting rid of ever. I was like that with guitars, kept every guitar I owned except two (one was broken, the other was good but cheap and got it just to pratice with). Heard too many horror stories. "I had this guitar, traded it for this, and now its really expensive. Should have held onto it!". I noticed that the players that kept trading in their gear for other or 'better' gear, we're never really skilled and were trying to search for something to make them sound great by buying it, and not by actually getting better at their instrument. So I buy to hold if im really into it.
Say I bought a game that I'd been after for awhile. Get it home, make a nice thread about it, the works. The next day, a friend tells me that the game popped up for sale locally and it's in better condition than the one I just got the day before. Should I have to WAIT a certain, arbitrary, amount of time in order to satisfy some BS 'honor code' in the collecting community? No. Buy the nicer one, sell the other.
Now, the interesting thing here is that in the scenario above many people would deem that flip 'justifiable'. But here's the thing, as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing.
I say do whatever makes you happy. But I do think it's silly when people quickly flip something that they were so happy to get, or it was their "holy grail". What's that time period? I dunno, probably a year. If you run into some kind of life change or deep debt, then I wouldn't think you were silly if you had to sell next day.
1 day.
Say I bought a game that I'd been after for awhile. Get it home, make a nice thread about it, the works. The next day, a friend tells me that the game popped up for sale locally and it's in better condition than the one I just got the day before. Should I have to WAIT a certain, arbitrary, amount of time in order to satisfy some BS 'honor code' in the collecting community? No. Buy the nicer one, sell the other.
Now, the interesting thing here is that in the scenario above many people would deem that flip 'justifiable'. But here's the thing, as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing.
I took this as not asking what was the right answer, just what do you think? Like, I'm not going to criticize anyone for what they buy or sell or when. But I might think to myself, "Huh, I thought they were super into that thing. Why are they getting rid of it?"
Also, selling something to buy an upgrade is not the focus imo. This would be about selling the thing and that's it. No replacement.
Depends on motive. I roll my eyes at the generally new members that pop up, want YOU to tell them what's rare/sought after, buy everything at a premium, and then end up wanting more than they paid within a year. If you collect to play, I think one day is fine. You hate a game, why would you keep it?
Touche... but that's what rentals are for? Or you'd hope that a person would read review before buying the game. Sure, maybe you make a bone headed move every now and then but those would be exceptions, not the norm.
1 day.
Say I bought a game that I'd been after for awhile. Get it home, make a nice thread about it, the works. The next day, a friend tells me that the game popped up for sale locally and it's in better condition than the one I just got the day before. Should I have to WAIT a certain, arbitrary, amount of time in order to satisfy some BS 'honor code' in the collecting community? No. Buy the nicer one, sell the other.
Now, the interesting thing here is that in the scenario above many people would deem that flip 'justifiable'. But here's the thing, as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing.
I'm not talking about selling dupes. Most people do sell or trade those as they get them, that is natural. I'm talking about when a collection item (or a collection set) has ran its course for you, and you want to move it.
Originally posted by: jonebone
Originally posted by: br81zad
1 day.
Say I bought a game that I'd been after for awhile. Get it home, make a nice thread about it, the works. The next day, a friend tells me that the game popped up for sale locally and it's in better condition than the one I just got the day before. Should I have to WAIT a certain, arbitrary, amount of time in order to satisfy some BS 'honor code' in the collecting community? No. Buy the nicer one, sell the other.
Now, the interesting thing here is that in the scenario above many people would deem that flip 'justifiable'. But here's the thing, as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing.
I'm not talking about selling dupes. Most people do sell or trade those as they get them, that is natural. I'm talking about when a collection item (or a collection set) has ran its course for you, and you want to move it.
In that case, the only relevant thing in my original post is this:
"as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing."
If you get bored with something, or even just have buyer's remorse, there's nothing wrong with letting it go immediately. It's up to each individual to decide what's best for them.
Let people buy and sell what they want, when they want, right? It is their money and time. If they want to buy something and sell it 4 hours later, so be it. Even if it is at a loss.
I buy and sell all the time. It makes me happy, whether i own something for a week, a month, a year, forever. The high of buying and selling are just as enjoyable as the items themselves sometimes. Sometimes you realize you overspent when you shouldn't have. Sometimes you realize you bought something because of hype. Sometimes you just sit there and realize, damm do i really need this?
I am selling DBZ prints i just bought 2 months ago. Could really use the money, and have no space to hang them because the Chrono Trigger prints take priority.
Also selling a Mario RPG model i just bought also 2 months ago. No space to display it at all really. Doesn't change that i am in love with it, i just no longer see the point of physically having it at this moment in time.
To each their own.
And usually my loss ends up someone elses gain, usually here on NA, and i get to watch someone else enjoy my stuff and it still feels like it's in the family
I selected one month, because at the very least i think people should at least just take the time to really think about their decision. Nothing worse than selling off something quickly only to regret it. But if they can make that decision in a day, totally cool too. I just personally need time to mull things over usually.
In that case, the only relevant thing in my original post is this:
"as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing."
If you get bored with something, or even just have buyer's remorse, there's nothing wrong with letting it go immediately. It's up to each individual to decide what's best for them.
Yes, there's no legal or morally proper answer here, I'm just asking to see what is popular opinion.
Think of it like "How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?" If someone says 100 times day, you may think, whoa, they must be vain. Sure there's nothing wrong with doing it that frequently, but the community at large may have a certain opinion about that. Similar concept here, just gauging community opinion, not looking for cut/dry answer.
In that case, the only relevant thing in my original post is this:
"as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing."
If you get bored with something, or even just have buyer's remorse, there's nothing wrong with letting it go immediately. It's up to each individual to decide what's best for them.
Yes, there's no legal or morally proper answer here, I'm just asking to see what is popular opinion.
Think of it like "How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?" If someone says 100 times day, you may think, whoa, they must be vain. Sure there's nothing wrong with doing it that frequently, but the community at large may have a certain opinion about that. Similar concept here, just gauging community opinion, not looking for cut/dry answer.
Makes more sense that way... I think the confusion is the word 'acceptable.'
2-3 years is the way I answered the question, but I think it can be 'acceptable' in one day. I'd just roll my eyes at it, as you said!
Originally posted by: jonebone
Originally posted by: Br81zad
In that case, the only relevant thing in my original post is this:
"as long as nobody is getting scammed or screwed (and you're operating within your financial means), you shouldn't NEED to pass a justification test just to buy and sell! I really don't see why this has become a thing."
If you get bored with something, or even just have buyer's remorse, there's nothing wrong with letting it go immediately. It's up to each individual to decide what's best for them.
Yes, there's no legal or morally proper answer here, I'm just asking to see what is popular opinion.
Think of it like "How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?" If someone says 100 times day, you may think, whoa, they must be vain. Sure there's nothing wrong with doing it that frequently, but the community at large may have a certain opinion about that. Similar concept here, just gauging community opinion, not looking for cut/dry answer.
I'm sure answers are going to run the gambit, here. lol.
(Looks like a pretty even distibution so far)
Edit: And I see what you're saying now. As Bronty put it, the word "acceptable" is what lead me to believe that you were looking for commentary on the underlying morality of the topic
Depends on motive. I roll my eyes at the generally new members that pop up, want YOU to tell them what's rare/sought after, buy everything at a premium, and then end up wanting more than they paid within a year. If you collect to play, I think one day is fine. You hate a game, why would you keep it?
Touche... but that's what rentals are for? Or you'd hope that a person would read review before buying the game. Sure, maybe you make a bone headed move every now and then but those would be exceptions, not the norm.
You're right, that would kind of be extreme, but I know people who do it all the time. Basically you're going to find a used copy of ANY new big name title for PS4/XBone within a week of release. Would I do that? No, but I still think it's 'acceptable'. Either the game is not for you or you beat it really quick and want some cash for the next one.
More in tune with NA/collecting (non-casual gamer) I voted for 6 months, but it depends on so many things like price, rarity, personal situation, etc. There are things I plan on keeping forever, but I'd definitely sell if someone made a high enough offer. That's why I mentioned motive in my first post. It's usually pretty transparent to me when people are more into it as a fad/gimmick/profiteer than those who are passionate about collecting.
Here's another example.
Guy's wife is 8 months pregnant. He goes out and buys a Corvette. Posts it for sale 1 month later after baby comes because he no longer can use it. Sure, he's entitled to do that but I'd look at it as "WTF were you doing buying it in the first place?!?!" Basically just boils down to how impulsive vs. rational your personality type may be.
I voted a year, but that's only if it's an "expensive" item. For cheaper stuff it doesn't really matter.
Poll has been changed from "Acceptable" to "Reasonable", if that clarifies what I'm asking a bit better?
Here's another example.
Guy's wife is 8 months pregnant. He goes out and buys a Corvette. Posts it for sale 1 month later after baby comes because he no longer can use it. Sure, he's entitled to do that but I'd look at it as "WTF were you doing buying it in the first place?!?!" Basically just boils down to how impulsive vs. rational your personality type may be.
What does it really matter though to anyone else but the people involved? I try to reserve judgements as much as possible now.
Dumb decision to buy a corvette, sure, as it isn't practical. But i have made a fair share of my own bad decisions so how can i judge others?
Maybe he wanted to enjoy it for a month before his whole life changed and wouldn't get the chance? Maybe it was his way of dealing with freaking out about the coming baby?
You just never know, it isn't your money or time, so why judge? Just my 2 cents
Originally posted by: jonebone
Poll has been changed from "Acceptable" to "Reasonable", if that clarifies what I'm asking a bit better?
Here's another example.
Guy's wife is 8 months pregnant. He goes out and buys a Corvette. Posts it for sale 1 month later after baby comes because he no longer can use it. Sure, he's entitled to do that but I'd look at it as "WTF were you doing buying it in the first place?!?!" Basically just boils down to how impulsive vs. rational your personality type may be.
I see what you mean. I see that (but not always on here). Look at all this great stuff I bought, then a month later "Car needs new tires, selling". I never have that problem personally, cuz I make sure what I buy and how much I spend doesnt get in the way of anything major I might need to take care of.
This is a spin-off thread from another topic, but I'm curious for public opinion. First let's consider the two extremes:
1) Someone buys an item, makes an "OMG, Happy to add this to my collection!" thread. Tomorrow they make the "OMG, changed my mind, it's for sale!" thread. I think most collectors unanimously shake their head at that.
...
So where do you draw the line? Do you roll your eyes at anything flipped less than a month? Less than a year? At what point do you think the item has naturally "ran it's course" and you can understand someone wanting to sell it.
Poll incoming...
I think some of it is going to be very situational.
In the extreme short-timer case you mention, "buyer's remorse" is a very real phenomenon that many (maybe most) people can't predict ahead of time.
Sometimes the IDEA of a thing is way more exciting than the thing itself, and you don't realize it until you have it (then feel like you massively overspent).
But personally, I feel like if you've had that happen to you more than once, it's a big flashing neon sign to slow down on your buying, in general, and reassess what you want and why.
Poll has been changed from "Acceptable" to "Reasonable", if that clarifies what I'm asking a bit better?
Here's another example.
Guy's wife is 8 months pregnant. He goes out and buys a Corvette. Posts it for sale 1 month later after baby comes because he no longer can use it. Sure, he's entitled to do that but I'd look at it as "WTF were you doing buying it in the first place?!?!" Basically just boils down to how impulsive vs. rational your personality type may be.
What does it really matter though to anyone else but the people involved? I try to reserve judgements as much as possible now.
Dumb decision to buy a corvette, sure, as it isn't practical. But i have made a fair share of my own bad decisions so how can i judge others?
Maybe he wanted to enjoy it for a month before his whole life changed and wouldn't get the chance? Maybe it was his way of dealing with freaking out about the coming baby?
You just never know, it isn't your money or time, so why judge? Just my 2 cents
It's not about judging people, I would just view that as an "unreasonable" decision. I'm a big advocate in a little bit of planning goes a long way. Just merely seeing what others think and nothing more.
Or a situation where someone asks for our help to build a complete set, citing how they always dreamed of having a full set when they were a child, etc.
You know, sob stories, things that get communities like this to pull together to help them.
Especially when they leveraged our kindness and connections, when it turns out they were just a profiteer looking for a quick flip, some of us are left feeling very betrayed--They took advantage of the kindness of the community.
Box upgrades, dupes, common games you thought you'd like but you didn't, that's all fine. That's not what we're talking about here.
It's not a matter of length of time so much as it's a matter of circumstance. If the community really pulled together for you or somebody did you a huge solid, you'd better have a pretty good reason for tossing it to the wind for cash even five years later, IMO.
Yeah, yeah, people have the right to do whatever they want with what they own. But, call me crazy, I believe moral codes are important. I believe in not being a dick.
Generally, I'd say to each his own -- some people collect very socially and others are very personal with it, and I'm not just talking about lurkers but people who collect only for themselves and don't share it with everyone. If we're talking about an intrinsic motivation like that I really think there's no right/wrong with how long the person keeps the item. But most collectors are social and very public, and when that's the case I think it really depends on the item. I only find issue with holding it for a short amount of time when it's extremely unique, high-end and/or scruitinzed sales (high end sealed, one-of-a-kind like CC/PF carts, NWCs, art, etc). Regardless of the situation of the buyer it signals to me an automatic conflict between passion/profiting on his behalf and resembles the behavior of the sharks that make other hobbies (once in their maturity) very unappealing (all the negative aspects of high-end comic collecting today, for example). That's all based on my definition of passion, however. I understand that everyone defines it differently.
You bring up a lot of good points. There are so many people (more and more each day it would seem) that have no interest in adding anything back to the hobby in any meaningful manner and are only in for profiteering or fad chasing.
If someone is going to publicize their collecting and purchases, then they open themselves up to criticism as well. Not everyone is going to shower them with praise and kiss their ass and nobody is required to welcome questionable people into this hobby with open arms. As cliche as it is, respect is earned, not given.
My personal thoughts are to hold on to it, only letting something out of my collection if i get a dupe or upgrade. but who knows what i will think in another 10 years.
As for other people, whatever they want to do is fine by me. I understand we all come from different walks of life and there is money to be made.
Really quick sells that occur within a few months after obtaining the item without the occurrence of unforeseen financial issues are purely flipping. It'd be hard to argue that they ever even thought they wanted the item in their collection or are very bad at managing their finances and spent beyond their means.