Seriousness about getting into debt with this stuff!

[The Craw]

I think this whole board is a bunch of enablers. Had I not joined here I would not have anything more than the James Bond figures and some Star Wars figures. No Marvel, PF's, no Gentle Giant, no DC Direct. Golly my collection would be boring if I had never joined here...

i agree. people's pics on this site look so much better than company's pics. so items that i may not have bought somehow seem to find their way into my collection. thanks for the empty wallet you *******s.

 

[Darth Loki]

I've been really good about not overdoing anything. Catching up with a line is where you can really get in trouble. I probably shouldn't have ever gotten into the Marvel line because it cost almost 3K to get all the pieces I wanted. I think I've got my collection under control at this point so I feel good about what I have and what I have on order.

 

[The Craw]

it's also bad how people point out stuff from other companies that i would never know existed. now that i think about it maybe i shouldn't visit this board anymore. it's evil.

 

[Bardoon]

I paid off all of my debt (home mortgage aside) a couple of years ago and will NEVER go down that road again.

I now use cash or check card for all of my purchases, including collectibles. NO MORE DEBT. I want to be able to enjoy what I own without the weight of what I owe constantly on my shoulders.

In a lot of ways, I feel like an ex drug addict who has been clean & sober for 2+ years and feels better than ever.

That's how I do it...with a Check Card...I know people have heard this before but I'll say it again "Credit Cards give you the IMPRESSION that you have money". That's exactly why I use my check card so it automatically deducts from my checking account and I don't have to worry about thinking I have the money for something.

Credit Card is ONLY for emergencies in my book.

 

[Khev]

I almost got in trouble with debt last year over this hobby. Luckily flipping the Grey Hulk, Negative Spidey, and exclusive/regular Captain America PF's paid for the rest of my items. That was a huge wake-up call.

Right now all I own are the Frodo PF and eight 1/6 scale SW figures and it feels great. I got incredibly excited over the Creature, Anakin and Aragorn PF's but at the end of the day I'll probably only pick up Aragorn if I get any at all. As others have decided nothing goes on a credit card anymore, I buy everything with money in the bank or I don't buy it.

Sleeping peacefully at night > An impressive display room to post in "Show Your Selves."

 

[Mudshark]

That's how I do it...with a Check Card...I know people have heard this before but I'll say it again "Credit Cards give you the IMPRESSION that you have money". That's exactly why I use my check card so it automatically deducts from my checking account and I don't have to worry about thinking I have the money for something.

Credit Card is ONLY for emergencies in my book.

Credit cards are definitely a black hole for many people. When I finally broke down and got one years ago, I only used it to hold reservations while traveling and for an occasional meal. Where I am, there are no time payments, and no interest, so the whole amount has to be paid at the end of each statement. That really helps keep things from getting out of control. But I can see how easy it would be to get in debt under the other system.

I think part of the problem is how the marketing system for collectibles has changed in recent years. About ten years ago, when something came out you could go to some local shop and see it before you bought it, and pay cash for it. There were fewer things being released, and there was often more time between releases, so it was easier to save up the cash for things you wanted beforehand. Prices were also less exorbitant than they have become in recent years. But that's not all...

"Collectibles" companies introduced the "pre-order" system, which in most cases demands the use of a credit card. It's very difficult now to know exactly when an item will be released. It often takes months, and a person's financial situation may have changed a lot since the time the order was placed. One of the things that bugs me most about it is when several items are released at the same time, forcing you to either give up on something or spend more money than you would like.

I personally don't care for the current system at all. I much prefer the old system of cash and carry, and I wonder if things will ever go back to the way they used to be. Probably not...

 

[Bodie The Cursed]

I only buy at retail or less.. Everything I own has doubled to quadrupled in value.. Im so cool..

 

[amarcord]

Wow I did not realise people could get themselves in serious debt problems.
Hope they can manage to get even as soon as possible.

I think not being into the Star Wars and PF lines has saved my wallet.
(the most money I lost -still loose- is on import taxes and shipping costs- most frustrating!)

 

[gdb]

I personally don't care for the current system at all. I much prefer the old system of cash and carry, and I wonder if things will ever go back to the way they used to be. Probably not...

Totally agree. I want to go to the store, consider it and buy then and there or not. Or maybe come back later and stare at it some more before deciding. For somethings it's a benefit, but by and large, pre-ordering blows...

 

[Mudshark]

Totally agree. I want to go to the store, consider it and buy then and there or not. Or maybe come back later and stare at it some more before deciding. For somethings it's a benefit, but by and large, pre-ordering blows...

I guess people just sort of accept it now, or maybe they don't remember when it used to be different. I did a lot of return visit shopping for stuff back in the day, sometimes it was gone, and sometimes I got lucky and scored something really nice 'cause I was there at the right time. That still happens from time to time, but for the most part, the thrill is gone. Like you said, there are benefits in being able to pre-order stuff, like getting a lock on something rather than taking your chances after it's released, but there are a lot of headaches that go with it that often overshadow the benefit.

 

[Shai]

A lot of us have the same disease here.

 

[Mudshark]

Man, ya got that right. We're providing the grease that keeps those big wheels turning...

 

[KitFisto]

Like many people I have cut way back. My Gandalf PF just shipped and the Godfather PF ships any day now. After that I just have the Thing PF and Aragorn PF on order from SS and a few Star Wars and Harry Potter busts from GG on order.

 

[Boba Fett]

What's working for me is setting aside money from my paycheck and putting it in savings every time I get paid. When I get notices from Sideshow stating that a certain item is coming in 15-20 days, I make sure I budget that amount and set it aside until I get their second notice.

It's working for me so far. For higher-end items, I budget using their FlexPay or use my credit card, which has a very small limit so I don't overspend.

But right now, my problem isn't money. It's space. I have spots reserved for my Gandalf PF and my future Aragorn PF, but no space to place my future Thing PF.

 

[Khev]

Like many people I have cut way back. My Gandalf PF just shipped and the Godfather PF ships any day now. After that I just have the Thing PF and Aragorn PF on order from SS and a few Star Wars and Harry Potter busts from GG on order.

So in other words in a few months worth of time you'll have *only* spent about $1500 on collectibles?

 

[Bonehead15]

This stuff can be VERY addicting.

The key is to spend only what you can afford and keep your collection focused. Just concentrate on the items and lines you really like. I think one of the major problems with collectors is that they like to branch off into other licenses.

 

[thedarkknight]

[/QUOTE]
Credit Card is ONLY for emergencies in my book.[/QUOTE]

Agreed.

 

[Jamal]

Thankgod i only collect Alien/Predator stuff and its limited stuff at that because im very picky. I feel sorry for you guys that collect multiple lines

 

[devilof76]

What are you guys talking about??? Junkies are cool.

Ok, just keep telling yourself that *******.

Who you calling *******?

How many maxed out credit lines do you have?



That's what I thought. *******.

 

[uscmhicks]

wow , only just got back to this thread and I see alot of people have/had the same problem. Its actually good to know its so easy to get addicted and im not just weak to all the wonderful things sideshow produce .
Thanks for all the tips and stuff guys , appreciated .