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Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Collecting: Did You Intend to Go This Far?
« on: August 25, 2007, 01:41 AM »
I was gung ho with POTF and POTF2 getting most of the figures. With Episode I and POTJ I got at least one of every figure (usually multiples). Then with Ep. II I backed off and collected those figures I really liked and wanted since I felt some of the Saga Wave left something to be desired. I went full balls out with Ep. III because I really liked that line, and stayed up with the figures through the post Ep. III. This year though I think I really shocked my wife. I have only purchased about 20 figures that either I or my son has wanted. I display only those figures that reflect a scene, or that I personally like in my office. I basically have stopped actively collecting the 3 3/4 line. I do still collect, but it is more Sideshow, Weta etc for LOTR and SW and it is items that I want to have and display. The all consuming fire ended for me and it will stay that way. Do I love Star Wars? Yes. Am I still a huge fan? Yes. Do I feel I am still a collector? Yes. But in the end, I feel I am now in charge of my collecting and collecting is not in charge of me. Part of that is age, (I'm 42), and part of that I think is finding other avenues that are just as rewarding personally.
Maybe another question is for those who have basically really backed down or stopped on the 3 3/4 line, how did you do it? I know I quit coming to boards, watching for my patterns of when figures were going to hit the shelves, not actively hunting (and I have to say I have picked up ALL of the figures I have wanted this year by going in during normal store hours) and staying close to a friend who also wanted to back down. Basically, or 5 or 6 weeks, I stopped collecting. Now I save about $300 or $400 a month (depending on how active the current line is) and I use that money to fund playing golf with my son, being part of a local hiking club, and saving most into either my 401K or into investments, or into our vacation fund so we can go to places in the country and world we want to take our kids (who are now 13 and 14) before they are too old and too involved in things.
Maybe another question is for those who have basically really backed down or stopped on the 3 3/4 line, how did you do it? I know I quit coming to boards, watching for my patterns of when figures were going to hit the shelves, not actively hunting (and I have to say I have picked up ALL of the figures I have wanted this year by going in during normal store hours) and staying close to a friend who also wanted to back down. Basically, or 5 or 6 weeks, I stopped collecting. Now I save about $300 or $400 a month (depending on how active the current line is) and I use that money to fund playing golf with my son, being part of a local hiking club, and saving most into either my 401K or into investments, or into our vacation fund so we can go to places in the country and world we want to take our kids (who are now 13 and 14) before they are too old and too involved in things.