A collector thats nearing the end
 

Hi collecting community.

I've been collecting all things 6 inch for 14+ years. i have amassed a MOC collection of over 1000 figures in that time. I have collected many types of lines from Marvel Legends to DCUC to Mezco to Sota etc..i don't put things in boxes or containers. Everything is displayed and open for all to see. I keep them in two dedicated rooms in my basement, away from light and too much mositure. I'm in my 40's, married and with 2 middle age children. It seems that with every year, more and more cool and interesting figures get realeased. I could buy forever and never think twice about it. But recently i've taken a look back and thought, when is too much, am i too old for this or when will i stop. My kids are not interested in them. Do i just keep buying and just keep doing what i have been doing for 14 years? When is enough? Than i think, What do i do with all of this???????? Who do i plan on leaving it to or burden with having to sell or deal with? What to do?? i'm completly confussed and need some insight. This community is the only one that understands the collector mentality. What to do?

you could give them to meeee especially the marvel legends ....
for me i have had it kinda all figured out for me cause i know what i want to do and that's to make a really nice looking animation.
you could make an online photo gallery and yeah doesn't feel the same
it really depends what you want to achieve a collector..

despite "not" playing with them ;] , i had this issue with lego i still have it's just in the garage or loft somewhere although im younger it does seem, as in what do i do , who do i give it to etc , you might be better off selling them if your kids want them or just picking ones you love the most

I can say I'm collector only to make animated movies in stop-mo , depends if your satisfied with what you've done over the years collecting all those awesome figures. I do too wonder what I'll do soon It takes 4 years to make an animation roughly so i dunno in 30ish years time i might not have 2-4 depending on how long it is

Really a hard call to think these things.

I just watched a show on the BBC in England called "Collectoholics"
It addressed that very question. From an old lady with a vintage doll obsession to a Star Wars collector with 35,000 pieces.

Bottom line, it WILL be a burden when you pass. So, perhaps it is time.to thin the herd. Cut down to one room, with pieces that mean something to you. Apparently the time is now if you find yourself asking when is enough enough. The answer to a compulsive collector is never. It will never end until you decide it to.

Display.the really nice pieces...maybe make a large diorama. Sell one room and get away for.two weeks somewhere for a trip.of a lifetime. You never where fate will take you.....

I agree with cataloging and photographing your collection for your own memories, and suspect that you may have already. I personally haven't done this with my stuff yet, but I understand how you feel about 'Is it time?'

I also agree that a vacation is a good idea, but maybe before you decide what to do with your figures etc. Take a break to clear your head, if only as to decide what to keep or sell or continue on with. I've said it a lot to my gf who is very supportive, and luckily has enjoyed it to an extent as well. I used to want an MOC and a displayed set, but I realized MOC doesn't matter in my long term plans.

Like any major decision in your life, those closest to you will give you the best advice, and if they know that this hobby is your passion (aside from them, of course), then they will support any choice you make regarding your collection(s).

I always ask myself when I leave my LCS with $500 receipts, 'Am I crazy?' And before I drive off, I peek into the boxes, and answer, 'These figure F@ckin' Rock!', and off I go as happy as can be. When I can't be that happy about my figures any longer, I'll know it will be time to start something else, or maybe take that vacation.

Good luck with everything, your post rings true with all of us eventually.

Good point, my thing is if my kids don't want it. I would straight up and sell them all, so that my wife isn't burden by doing so. I'm glad I'm very picky, although starting to get more of the ML lately...

ah found it on iplayer , looks intresting

I hear ya about the "is it time". I been collecting toys and comics for going on 25 years, and over the last 3 years I have been selling off a lot from storage. Stuff I did not want anymore, stuff I had forgotten about, and stuff I just was not sure why I got it in the first place. It is hard to let go , start small. Most everything I have sold off I have NOT missed at all. I have a VAST Marvel Legends and DC Classics collection (pretty much ever figure made with a few exceptions, Damn Dragonman) and I don't see selling them any time soon, but a lot of stuff I look back on and just have no interest in anymore. I sold my complete set of Marvel Famous Covers, every one made, and have not thought twice about it. Sold off my complete set of the first 5 lines of Living Dead Dolls too. Just nothing there for me anymore. I have just decided to let go of a lot.

I have been collecting over 30 yrs....I know most every piece I have to the dismay of most people I come across in the collection world. When you start to question why do I have this or that then its time to take a break and reflect on why you collect. If the thrill is gone then it may be time to part with insignificant pieces and take that vacation. If you truly cant let anything go then ask yourself are you a collector or a hoarder? there is a difference. I often joke to my wife that she should just bury my stuff with me when I go but her plan is to sell everything off for $1. To me that's ludicrous as its my life per se but in the end I wouldn't know.. Take joy in what you have... revisit why you have it and cherish the fact that you did it your way. Photos or video catalog the collection and disperse what you can live without to a worthy cause. Toys for tots, shelters, sale it whatever brings you joy.

there is a difference in COLLECTING and simply AMASSING items. Or maybe, it is time for a room UPSTAIRS as well!!!! ;)

if your not into it anymore sell it off, if you can get yourself into unloading it with the same passion you collected it with you can make your money back. but be sure you really want to let it go, sometimes collectors get into a funk and unload there collections, then for what ever reason they get the bug again and once you have a great collection it can be impossible to rebuild! if you have enough room to store it and pass it down, one day you might be that cool uncle that puts his nephew through college.

Haha I get that now:P

If you like it and you enjoy your collection, keep doing it. Don't let age or circumstance dictate your collecting. You're never too old to be a kid at heart.

The age old question. When is enough, enough? Every few months I take a step back and look at my collection. I try to assess what is too much and then what do I really love. Then I thin the herd a bit. The money I get back I use on newer stuff and the cycle continues. This keeps me sane. So far, the only thing I regret selling off was the SDCC Indy set.

Its important to assess whether you are a collector....or a hoarder. Don't become a hoarder. It's not healthy and can be damaging mentally and emotionally for your family.

Also crossing 40 this year... I have been in the process of selling off over 6000 Transformers toys--started in 2010, still only about 2/3 done. I've been profitable on most everything, and broke even at minimum, but it has been a miserable and time consuming process. I have absolutely no attachment to them anymore and wish I'd never bought any of the damn things. 'Completionist' burnout is definitely a thing.

All I buy now are Hot Toys Iron Man products, and even keeping up with just those is starting to feel like an obligation.

Get out from under them and spend that money on your family instead.

Maybe take up knitting..... I could use some Marvel scarves.

got any classics or generations toys your trying to sell still? i can give them a good home.

I think every collector goes through a period where they're "done" collecting. Some return to it after a while (usually through some new release), others never come back. The situation is different for every collector.

My suggestion would be to pick a smaller part of your collection that you have little to no attachment to anymore and try to sell it. If you don't miss it, try another section. Work your way through to narrow down what you've got.

Who knows, you might get to a point where you decide not to keep any of it anymore.

Sent ya a PM over at TFW, ams. It couldn't hurt to copy-and-paste a new sales thread here, too.