Can you become too addicted to your collection?

[Articulation Junkie]

Don't get me wrong I love my collection and I love collecting, but my family is without a doubt my highest priority. I would never sell out my family by opting for a triple digit collectible over paying the bills.

 

[King Darkness]

My best friends wedding was this past weekend and I was asked to be the best man, sadly I had to decline the offer because it was my regularly scheduled weekend for dustying my collection.

 

[Cap'n Cook]

1/6 is my drug of choice and SSF is my dealer, always coaxing me back for more.

 

[vodoun]

My best friends wedding was this past weekend and I was asked to be the best man, sadly I had to decline the offer because it was my regularly scheduled weekend for dustying my collection.

/me chuckles

 

[SanShouXMA]

For me yes I'm addicted in a bad way. All the extra money I have I spend on here. Crap I've work back to back shifts 12+ hours just to get one figure. I don't think I've been so tired in my life that week. My girlfriend and I have gotten in numerous arguments because I've spent so much money on figures. But my excuse is I've new to this hobby and I'm occupied with catching up on all the figures I've missed in the past. As of right now I'm caught up. I have all the figures I've wanted that is not being produced anymore. So I should be calming down and becoming normal now. But who knows. I'm eyeing a Apollo Creed, Rocky IV, and Ivan figure. But who knows. I may not get it. Do I have an unhealthy addiction to 1/6 collection. Yes, and admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery...

I think it's the forums that are more addicting than the collectibles. I bet most of us wouldn't have near the amount we do if it weren't for fansites. We get our figure or statue, mess with it for a few minutes then stick it on a shelf and it's back to the messageboard to see what's next.

If it wasn't for the Internet, I wouldn't even know that most of these collectibles exist. I wouldn't have bought alot of things if it weren't for the Internet.

This site is addicting. If it wasn't for this site I'd have so much more money than I do now. This site is a great resource for the next up and coming figure. I wouldn't have known about the OC Batman, Superman Returns. Back in the day I would look at these figures and see the price and be like yeah ok $200+ for a figure. I'll pass. But now I'll say $200 yeah that's worth it. I'm even trying to make my own figures now. I see all the nice customs and I want one. Right now I'm working on a League of Shadows Bruce Wayne armor. Ughh damn this site.

 

[Raymond F.]

I spend way too much money on it and have
way too much clutter but other than that it's healthy enough for me because I decided back in jr high school or so that I may be introverted or past the age that buying toys is normal bit it won't stop me from being well liked and comfortable in social situations.

I'm just the kind of guy who can go to a party and have a good time then quickly get board quite frankly, but won't really get relaxed until I'm doing something creative on my own or chilling absorbing myself in my interests. It recharges my batteries.
I've made it a mission of mine just to be sucessful at everything so no one can hold it against me as a negative, get far with my career, find a few decent women hopefully Just one down the line, raise done good kids maybe... Make enough money so that no one can bag on me for spending so much of it on toys.

those who know my collecting habits about me think it's s fun or cute quirk and part of the general oddballness that makes me and also fuels my creativity and talent to be sucessful in my field. I've learned to accept it as a unique part of me that makes me be proud of wh I am, someone who's not drinking beer on a Sunday watching the game as part of the mass mindless cog in the wheel populaton that clock on, clock out and live a general uninspired or uninteresting life devout of interest or appreciation for the arts. Not saying that's a bad existence it's just not me and I'm proud to be different.

I don't belive that any particular interest can and should be used as a crutch to tell yourself why you're not who you want to be.

I may grow out of interest on some of this stuff as I get older or perhaps responsabilites will shift before my income goals are in place and I might have to cut back but I figure, pun intended, that this will be a part of who I am forever. If someone doesn't get it I'm at the point in my life where that fact makes me just a little bit prouder to be unique.

 

[Master Wayne]

I spend way too much money on it and have
way too much clutter but other than that it's healthy enough for me because I decided back in jr high school or so that I may be introverted or past the age that buying toys is normal bit it won't stop me from being well liked and comfortable in social situations.

I'm just the kind of guy who can go to a party and have a good time then quickly get board quite frankly, but won't really get relaxed until I'm doing something creative on my own or chilling absorbing myself in my interests. It recharges my batteries.
I've made it a mission of mine just to be sucessful at everything so no one can hold it against me as a negative, get far with my career, find a few decent women hopefully Just one down the line, raise done good kids maybe... Make enough money so that no one can bag on me for spending so much of it on toys.

those who know my collecting habits about me think it's s fun or cute quirk and part of the general oddballness that makes me and also fuels my creativity and talent to be sucessful in my field. I've learned to accept it as a unique part of me that makes me be proud of wh I am, someone who's not drinking beer on a Sunday watching the game as part of the mass mindless cog in the wheel populaton that clock on, clock out and live a general uninspired or uninteresting life devout of interest or appreciation for the arts. Not saying that's a bad existence it's just not me and I'm proud to be different.

I don't belive that any particular interest can and should be used as a crutch to tell yourself why you're not who you want to be.

I may grow out of interest on some of this stuff as I get older or perhaps responsabilites will shift before my income goals are in place and I might have to cut back but I figure, pun intended, that this will be a part of who I am forever. If someone doesn't get it I'm at the point in my life where that fact makes me just a little bit prouder to be unique.

I agree. 100% Feel the exact same way!

 

[FLOSI]

You must OWN YOUR COLLECTIBLES.

and NOT LET YOUR COLLECTIBLES OWN YOU.


Stick to that, and everything else is cream cheese.

There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now you stick to that, and everything else is cream cheese.

Awesome reference!

 

[Reinhardt]

not me, once I get all 4 turtles & the x men in 1/4...I'm done

I can't remember how many times I have said "once I get... then I'm done"

Good luck!!

 

[SanShouXMA]

Yeah. There is no bottom line. There will always be something else. I hate to admit it but once you're hooked you're hooked. You'll get something else. I guarantee you.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

I can't remember how many times I have said "once I get... then I'm done"

Good luck!!

Same here. That's when you start to realize that it's not owning the pieces that gives you the rush, it's the anticipation of the next one. I think that's why when a lot of people really do quit this hobby they sell off most or all of their collections. Without the buzz of incoming pieces, the old stuff loses it's appeal.

 

[Wanderer]

My best friends wedding was this past weekend and I was asked to be the best man, sadly I had to decline the offer because it was my regularly scheduled weekend for dustying my collection.

I've seen pics of your collection ... that wouldn't surprise me ...

Yes you can. This hobby is a drug. But by its very definition, collecting is a form of obsession is it not?!

BTW Josh B of collectiondx rocks ... but that dude who's started reviewing Hot Toys figures makes me laugh. He hasnt got a f'kin CLUE!

 

[Kenbenobi]

I can't remember how many times I have said "once I get... then I'm done"

Yep, that's me! I've been collecting the SW Hasbro line since the resurrection in '95, and they do SOOOOO many new sculpts of the same figures that I really should stop and only buy the brand new never-done before-figures. I tell myself every year that this is the last year of being a completist. But I don't listen to myself very well...

The same can be said for Sideshow. I buy practically all of the SW 12" line, even if Hasbro already made the same figure years ago. Sure, Sideshow does a better job, but do I NEED the same character again? I know the answer is NO, but I buy them anyway. I know my hobby keeps me sane since it gives me something to do that I enjoy, but I also realize that it truly is an addiction. Collecting is like crack! Once you start, you can't stop!

I also spread myself into other product lines like LOTR, even though SW has always been my main focus, and I know I shouldn't do that either. Do I have room to display even 25% of what I own? Hell no! But I do my best, with the space I have...

 

[tylerdurden]

I think it's the forums that are more addicting than the collectibles. I bet most of us wouldn't have near the amount we do if it weren't for fansites. We get our figure or statue, mess with it for a few minutes then stick it on a shelf and it's back to the messageboard to see what's next.

so true.

i've stopped collecting for a while to let my finances recover, but i've never stopped coming to this site and checking out the latest releases. it's become a habit.

but once i start my new job in a couple months' time (with a much better pay), boyohboy i am so gonna get right back into the craziness!

 

[The Ringer]

so true.

i've stopped collecting for a while to let my finances recover, but i've never stopped coming to this site and checking out the latest releases. it's become a habit.

but once i start my new job in a couple months' time (with a much better pay), boyohboy i am so gonna get right back into the craziness!

Congrats on the new job man!

I have really slowed down, but love coming to this site. Sometimes the pictures are enough for me.

 

[tylerdurden]

Congrats on the new job man!

I have really slowed down, but love coming to this site. Sometimes the pictures are enough for me.

thanks, man!

yeah, other members' pics keep me going when i can't afford any new stuff. i believe it's called "living vicariously".

 

[Nige]

I think it's great to have an interest and pass-time. There comes a point when any interest borders on the obsessive (with me anyhow). After 15 years collecting, my purchasing has slowed down considerably. I sold a whole bunch of low end figures last year (Star Wars mostly), and after all said and done - got back about 80% of what I paid for.

OK, so you buy one figure, then a few more - the display options grow, and more figures looks better, until you have no more shelf space and the collection starts to look a little stupid and obsessive. You loose interest, then you can sell - give them away or whatever. I can't say the same if I was addicted to tattoos, you run out of space or loose interest - you're just left looking stupid

I've probably spent $20,000 over 15 years, spent many, many hours in my room scrutinizing every detail and looking after my collection. I've had a blast really - hunting and anticipating. In the next few years, I will sell two thirds of my collection and display the rest - the way I always intended and wanted. I can't wait for that day.

 

[Kibishii]

the x men in 1/4...I'm done

I have way slimmed my collection down over the last six months or so JUST in preparation for the 1/4th X-Men I know are coming. Got rid of all of my Bowen and any nonMarvel/Star Wars PFs. Once I get the following, I will probably be done as well:

1. core X-Men in 1/4th
2. 1/4 Ms. Marvel to finish off my Avengers display
3. Daredevil & a new Spiderman in 1/4th
4. RotJ Darth Vader & Emperor PFs

I may still buy the GI Joe 1/6th, and Deadpool may tempt me...but I have been focusing on the whole less = more idea.

Hell, I am thinking of thinning out the last of my Hot Toys and even more of my Star Wars PFs. Now let's hope that Sideshow actually listens to us and gives us a Phoenix/Dark Phoenix PF.

 

[GrueSam]

I used to be addicted but took a break and was able to pay off all credit card debt.

It feels SO good that I will not do it again for collectibles. I'm only buying what I really want and pay off the balance immediately.

It's working for me and I'm sleeping much better!

 

[V!C]

Addiction and collecting go hand-in-hand.