COLLECT OR DEATH just kidding you're right, I think lots of collectors feel this way at one point or another. I don't have any other friends, at least locally, that collect toys and sometimes they think I'm extravagant and nuts. but like Frank pointed out, everyone spends their money on something, and I think it's crazy that some of them spend it all on records or fancy bikes or partying or whatever it is they do. but you also shouldn't let it get in the way of other things. I made a concious decision to scale back a bit recently because other things I like to do (and subsequently other collections) have suffered. I'm trying to go back to basics for a bit, but I'm sure I'll start buying toys heavily again at some point.
I hear you, and I think it's good to look at why we collect. A lot of impulse spending, trying to keep complete on a figure/line, competition to have the "best" or largest collection, and just plain habitual buying lead to all kinds of collections filled with stuff people don't want. But when you're caught up in the "collecting habit" you just buy, buy, buy. It's during the pauses when you catch your breath that you realize you may have bought some (or maybe many) things you don't really want. At the end of the day, yeah, these are just material objects. Having collected for 8 years, I've learned (for myself, anyway) the experience of collecting is more important than the possession. A collection is an end goal, and it's nice to decorate one's home with a nice set of figures or assemble a rare set, but the friends and memories I've made while getting there are what's really valuable. That's why many of the pieces that stay in my collection the longest are the ones with memories attached to them. I once traveled from Germany to Slovenia in search of a figure. Every time I look at it, a flood of memories come back.
There's some really great stuff out there to collect. (and a lot of it happens to be vintage) and then there's a lot of really mediocre stuff out there that is capitalizing and exploiting on the greatness of the other stuff, and the mindnumbing willingness of many to step in line and buy everything manufactured and artificially deemed "rare" that is: clear, filled with things, has a skull on it, has metallic paint on it, and ultimately.. is something that is desired by everyone else. Nothing like that old peer pressure for buying toys. Some things never change. How many items are there in each of your/our collections that were purchased more for the fact that someone else thought or told you/us it was cool ? How manyof those same items in your/our collections do you still think are cool ?
That is a good question, and every few months I ask myself that. I don't have a lot so most of my stuff is strictly what I think is tops. Also I have a wife who stops me from going overboard. But every now and then I realize I don't need something and try to sell it.
Just to add to the general milieu: I often feel my habit is out of control. Lately I have tried to focus, and have cut down on the number of brands I collect, but I still "focus" on too many things. Other things in my life definitely suffer. So its a problem. I tell myself that atleast its not going in my arm (or in teh case of a certain female rock star, up my ass), or that I could always sell stuff. But when I think of selling I feel very non-RFSO and weird about it. One of the main things that keeps me coming back fro more is the community I feel here. I hate it when people get picked on, and BS starts, but I love the way people help each other out and get genuinely excited about things. Its all so anti-cynical. I loved meeting people at SDCC this year. And now that LA has its own little scene going, and I've met people face to face, and they are all very cool. A world away from the possibility that online facelesness could have resulted in. So, if I gave up my collecting I feel I may lose touch with that. I like Missy's comment a lot, about being well rounded and going places. I should also think about that more. In the end, every day I look at my detolf's and I love what I see. I love the SB, Gargamel, Real Head, Biskup and Kaws I see every day. What I don't love is constantly having no money that my love/obsession and lack of self control seems to result in. One day, maybe not too far away, I'll have to seriously investigate this trade off.
"How many items are there in each of your/our collections that were purchased more for the fact that someone else thought or told you/us it was cool ? How manyof those same items in your/our collections do you still think are cool ? " Easy....none and all. I can honestly say I haven't had the urge to jump on the Skullbrain/Bees/Goga/Bemon/Pus train (not that I begrudge anyone else, of course). The designs don't do much for me so I figure I'll leave 'em to you folks That's primarily why I haven't jumped into the "new kaiju" area. Some cool designs, but no attachment for me. I grew up with Godzilla and Ultraman, so it's primarily "old kaiju" for me (the Sunguts and some of the Gargamel stuff is patterned after the "old kaiju" which is why I like it, I think). I still think all my stuff is kickass. My main dilemma was with the "accumulation of stuff" aspect. That can be applied to any type of collector, though.
yep I started collecting toys to get away from drugs so I love it. I have a very addictive personality so I guess its better I am addicted to vinyl instead of something else that will kill me!!
i love my toys. why bother buying something someone else likes? we live, sleep, breathe with our collections, so we BETTER like them!
alls well in moderation-I was getting really carried and totally burned out last year and part of this one too..I'm a huge gaming fan but hadn't played in a long time so i decided to get some more games and also started some online gaming-its nice to take a step back and chill..Has made my collection something special for me all over again..
I think there is a sense of accomplishment when you start to gather a collection of any type. Frank said it best with "the toys fire my imagination and help me do my creative work." One of the best things about a collection is when you can share it with your friends and they can get inspired by it too. Especially if they know nothing about the collection of items. A group of similar items has an impact! You should not focus on the expense because everything costs money. If you don't have the money today that toy will most likely come around again and if you really want it you will get it. Or figure out a side flip to get extra loot! Stock Market! Real Estate! Art! Check my idol CW Peale! This dude didn't stop, if he wanted it, he went out and got it!
Collecting via the internet is too easy. You can now quickly assemble a collection of whatever - cigar bands, antique hot water bottles or japanese vinyl toys. It is also easier to spend a large amount of money in a short time. Personally, I have collected a number of different things over the years. At some point I just had enough of whatever it was and moved on to something else. But I still enjoy each of these collections. If you think your collection is useless crap but someone else will buy it for good money then you have an easy way out. Just be thankful you aren't a collector of beanie babies.
I'm definitely having to rethink my habits - this year I went kind of nuts, and dug myself a reasonable-sized hole re: credit card debt, which I've never had a problem with before. Part of it was due to discovering JP vinyl , but some was just my packrat/collector personality, which compels me to purchase things on impulse. The unfortunate thing is that the limited nature of these toys encourages impulse buying - but the longer I'm here, the more I realize that Isaac is right; things do turn up later, and don't necessarily need to be grabbed immediately. I can't say I totally regret anything I've bought (toy-wise, at least) because, as Andy and Carl said, much of it is linked with positive memories. However, I certainly have to focus, as many on here have said, as well as live in the present, financially speaking. I haven't the desire (or the means) to try to outdo others in the size or scope of my collection; I just want to continue to walk past my shelves and smile.
this is exactly why I won't let myself get a CC!! now a couple times I have had to sell shit I really didn't want to and have been called a fipper or whatever for it but I am glad I have no dept, that would be something that would stress me enough to quit.
I hit this wall many times over the years. usually, I'll do a big sell off, focus my collection further, get into some new stuff, peel off to buy some art, travel, come back to toys. I run hot and cold. First, it was Toyers, i HAD to have every fucking toyer....then once i had em all, i sold em. Then it was [expletive deleted]....for a awhile there i was keeping up, had like every 8 inch [expletive deleted] at the time...then got burnt on them, sold em all (except for like 6 super groovy ones).....then it was SB and Japanese vinyl. Fortunately by this time i was smart enoguh to know not to go nuts, so i didn't....but i did collect a lot of stuff i ultimately did not 'need' and wound up selling to many of you (Obake sell off!!)...which is cool because it has focused my japanese vinyl collecting to colored clear vinyl, which i really dig. But my collection always firms up with old school bxh goods, Unkle, KAWS. Lau and other goodies that i see as above 'toys', i see as 'art'.
i seem to go through this in a soft way once or twice a year and in a MAJOR way once every few years. i'm sorta in one right now. one thing i will say FOR SURE...although i have thousands of pieces - which is probably why it doesn't hurt - but i've NEVER, EVER been bummed after selling stuff or GIVING STUFF AWAY (tons)...NO REGRETS. that's weird.
I just limit myself ONLY to Balzac toys. There is so many other cool toys but I don't want to open that can of worms, my wallet can't afford to.
I only collect pushead items. I'm into everything Pushead - records, toys, prints, boards, etc. Lately, I started limiting what I'm willing to pay for. For example, I don't really like the fudge Damnedron. I don't think it's one of Pushead's best pieces (no offence to you who like them). On the other hand, if I was to get one for a reasonable price, I would buy it. I'm also thinking of selling some of my stuff off to buy new stuff. I have all five of the Metallica glasses but I'd rather have some more prints or to complete my collection of Mecha Terror toys - I need three. There's some pieces I would never sell such as my Hydrobaby, Rising from Her Shadow Blood, my skullpirates, my handpaints, prints, and records. I do agree with the original writer though - sometimes we have to stop to think when we're paying hundreds of dollars for something that only costs cents to make. On the other hand, I can remember many meals that I've spent hundreds of dollars for and only got a turd in return. I don't eat out much now but I do have a hell of a collection.
