Thinking about quitting this hobby.

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

soo.. who has every single Hot Toys figure ever made??

Maybe addicted 2 collecting, he's damn close

LOL good luck with those $600-900 Bruce Lee figures.
If you're using those figures to get yourself out of debt you might be in trouble.

 

[Lejuan]

I'm not whining. I saw the problem and I fixed it. Just because I ask for peoples opinion on this situation doesn't necessarily mean I'm whining. I was on the fence about selling some figures so I presented the dilemma. But you can think what you want. There's always one or two in the crowd so whatever. I'm the kind of person who likes to hear what others think so be it.


ANYWAY... Thank you everyone who gave me their opinions.

I was being harsh, but I stand by it. It's a really, really simple equation:

disposable income = luxuries

action figures = luxuries

debt = no disposable income

Just to be clear, these are the main points about your post that I found irritating:

When I was younger I managed to dig myself into a bit of a hole financially and have been trying to maintain a healthy balance between digging myself out and remaining in the hobby.

...but then you say:

I've kind of splurged with adding Ezio, King Leonidas, and Barney Ross to the mix but that's it.

"kind of splurged"??? You're talking around $500 on figures that don't fit in with your completist theme? Bad decision when you're trying to pay down debt. Stupid decision even.

But with everything that's coming out (Capt. America, Mark V VERY SOON, then Mark IV etc) things seem to be getting too hard. I even had to pass on the suit up gantry!

I even had to pass on a $330+ environment? One could be forgiven for reaching for the sick bag. So buy the gantry if you're an IM completist but sacrifice another figure to do it. This just reeks of entitlement. I've had a big bills month and I'm in the position of cancelling Cap, and he's right near the top of my so-called 'must have' list. I prefer food, heating and clothing to dollies myself, but knock yourself out if you think prioritising dollies over paying down debt is a good move.

I now need to seriously cut back on figures but I'm not sure I can because I'm a complete-ist.I can't give up any of the Iron Man Marks because I would be bothered by having Mark I, II, III, VI and not V or IV. I want to have the hall of armor. I would feel incomplete if I had CR Superman but no Keaton Batman or Joker. I passed on Spidey and New Goblin but there is still a large list. I figured if I can't have a complete set I may just give up the hobby and sell off what I have... Which is a lot.

..so keep the IM line going and give up other stuff. If you're a completist, complete what you're financially capable of completing. If you can't bare to pick up CR Supes without 89 Bats and Joker, but can't afford all three, then don't buy any of them. Am I missing something here?

If I sold off my Enterbay Bruce Lee figures I would probably be able to get myself out of debt.

Uh, so maybe sell your Bruce Lee figures to get yourself out of debt?

I've tried talking to friends and family but no one can understand the need / love of this hobby. To them they're toys. To us it's artistic appreciation and a lot more.

I don't blame them for not understanding this need of yours. I'm a 1/6 collector and I don't understand it. You sound like you're looking to frame your DEBT PROBLEM as some sort of honorable pursuit of aesthetics.

Please counsel me friends.

It's a pity all you seemed to get from my post was an accusation that you were whining, when the most important line in my post was "Don't buy what you can't afford."

You're a nice guy SanShou, and I enjoy your posts. But if you put yourself in the position of buying a non-essential item ahead of extricating yourself from owing money, you have a real problem and you need to get bloody real mate. There's no way of sugar-coating it.

 

[FLOSI]

I think it comes with time. In 2006 I wanted every frickin thing and run my self into the ground. Here is my breakdown:

1. Collected everything that was a good deal
2. Collected specific lines but had to have everything produced
3. Ventured into lifesize and statues
4. Masterbated
5. Focused on particular lines
6. Quality over quantity

Speaking of quantity, there's only so much I even have room for. Now I let the number of Detolfs I own dictate the size of my collection. (And I haven't bought a new Detolf in almost two years)

And I never masturbate around my figures because I'd never be able to tell if Batman had oily abs or not.

 

[laudel7]

You can't have everything, I sold venom, spidey and carnage to get optimus.

 

[SanShouXMA]

I was being harsh, but I stand by it. It's a really, really simple equation:

disposable income = luxuries

action figures = luxuries

debt = no disposable income

Just to be clear, these are the main points about your post that I found irritating:



...but then you say:



"kind of splurged"??? You're talking around $500 on figures that don't fit in with your completist theme? Bad decision when you're trying to pay down debt. Stupid decision even.




I even had to pass on a $330+ environment? One could be forgiven for reaching for the sick bag. So buy the gantry if you're an IM completist but sacrifice another figure to do it. This just reeks of entitlement. I've had a big bills month and I'm in the position of cancelling Cap, and he's right near the top of my so-called 'must have' list. I prefer food, heating and clothing to dollies myself, but knock yourself out if you think prioritising dollies over paying down debt is a good move.



..so keep the IM line going and give up other stuff. If you're a completist, complete what you're financially capable of completing. If you can't bare to pick up CR Supes without 89 Bats and Joker, but can't afford all three, then don't buy any of them. Am I missing something here?



Uh, so maybe sell your Bruce Lee figures to get yourself out of debt?



I don't blame them for not understanding this need of yours. I'm a 1/6 collector and I don't understand it. You sound like you're looking to frame your DEBT PROBLEM as some sort of honorable pursuit of aesthetics.



It's a pity all you seemed to get from my post was an accusation that you were whining, when the most important line in my post was "Don't buy what you can't afford."

You're a nice guy SanShou, and I enjoy your posts. But if you put yourself in the position of buying a non-essential item ahead of extricating yourself from owing money, you have a real problem and you need to get bloody real mate. There's no way of sugar-coating it.

Honestly I get what you're saying, but even before posting this thread I have everything sorted out. Maybe part of me posting this thread was trying to get peoples attention but not pity. When I said counsel me I mean give me your opinion. I have made a lot of sacrifices to get myself out of debt. I have considered selling figures. But lets be real here. These figures are only a part of who we are. I have many other hobbies and interests. I've given up more than anyone here knows. I don't need to justify my posts or myself. So when you come here and tell me to get a dose of the real world you're missing a crucial part of the real world. The world is 3 dimensional and this is only part of that. I dont know you as a whole just as a collector. Keep that in mind when you tell me to get a dose of the real world. Until you've seen me in person and see the sacrifices I've made and CONTINUE to make take it easy.

 

[pixletwin]

It's a pity all you seemed to get from my post was an accusation that you were whining, when the most important line in my post was "Don't buy what you can't afford."

You pretty much just explained why sometimes tact in a response is important if you want your point to be taken seriously. sanShou may have taken your point for what it was worth had you expressed yourself with more civility. Bravo.

 

[Corrose]

My rule of thumb is simply if I don't have cash on hand, I don't get it.
Nothing in my current collection is something I owe on. When that processing notice hits, if the money is not in the account, I cancel it.
I have given up a few pieces I really wanted, but that's the only way to handle it IMO.

Being debt free is such a great feeling and as I'm sure you know, once you get sucked into that hole, it's a mother to get out.

When I was in college I got approached by Visa and Mastercard reps in the school bookstore (why do the schools let them in!!??) and I signed right up for credit cards. I never missed a payment but both were always maxed out and it wasn't until about 10 years later that I was able to get them paid off. And what did I have to show for it? Nothing that was worth the stress of debt.

I think the best way to deal with this kind of issue is not necesarily to go cold turkey, but to know your limits and stick with them. So what if you have Mark 1-5 and not 6, at the end of the day it's plastic and rubber that looks pretty, it's not worth the headache if it puts you in a bad place.

 

[Lejuan]

Honestly I get what you're saying, but even before posting this thread I have everything sorted out. Maybe part of me posting this thread was trying to get peoples attention but not pity. When I said counsel me I mean give me your opinion. I have made a lot of sacrifices to get myself out of debt. I have considered selling figures. But lets be real here. These figures are only a part of who we are. I have many other hobbies and interests. I've given up more than anyone here knows. I don't need to justify my posts or myself. So when you come here and tell me to get a dose of the real world you're missing a crucial part of the real world. The world is 3 dimensional and this is only part of that. I dont know you as a whole just as a collector. Keep that in mind when you tell me to get a dose of the real world. Until you've seen me in person and see the sacrifices I've made and CONTINUE to make take it easy.

You pretty much just explained why sometimes tact in a response is important if you want your point to be taken seriously. sanShou may have taken your point for what it was worth had you expressed yourself with more civility. Bravo.

Yeh, fair enough on both counts. Tact has never been my strong suit. I'm glad you have this sorted out Sanshou.

 

[Voorhees27]

Speaking of quantity, there's only so much I even have room for. Now I let the number of Detolfs I own dictate the size of my collection. (And I haven't bought a new Detolf in almost two years)

And I never masturbate around my figures because I'd never be able to tell if Batman had oily abs or not.

Agreed on both counts.

 

[SanShouXMA]

Yeh, fair enough on both counts. Tact has never been my strong suit. I'm glad you have this sorted out Sanshou.

Yeah it's cool. You just hit a sensitive spot with the post. I get it and yes I've learned that lesson the hard way. Always wondered why people would buy a figure and sell it later down the line. Now I totally get it. It's hard to let go of but I'm working on it. Already selling a few of my figures. I've sold a considerable amount of stuff ranging from my surround sound for my tv to my motorcycle. I've also cut down on the firing range. I miss my guns!!

 

[Webb]

That's why I buy everything in cash.

 

[azurepred]

My rule of thumb is simply if I don't have cash on hand, I don't get it.
Nothing in my current collection is something I owe on. When that processing notice hits, if the money is not in the account, I cancel it.
I have given up a few pieces I really wanted, but that's the only way to handle it IMO.

Being debt free is such a great feeling and as I'm sure you know, once you get sucked into that hole, it's a mother to get out.

When I was in college I got approached by Visa and Mastercard reps in the school bookstore (why do the schools let them in!!??) and I signed right up for credit cards. I never missed a payment but both were always maxed out and it wasn't until about 10 years later that I was able to get them paid off. And what did I have to show for it? Nothing that was worth the stress of debt.

I think the best way to deal with this kind of issue is not necesarily to go cold turkey, but to know your limits and stick with them. So what if you have Mark 1-5 and not 6, at the end of the day it's plastic and rubber that looks pretty, it's not worth the headache if it puts you in a bad place.

at the same time though, aren't we all ALWAYS in some sort of debt? Whether it's school loans, CC bill, car bill, mortgage, business loans. I would say a large % of the population is always in debt in one way or another. The biggest thing is if you are struggling just to make ends meet with said debt. Like you said, if it's stressing you out, then it becomes a problem.

 

[Coriolis]

Do you guys remember these fan-made Sideshow ads ? The "Collect like you give a damn " ones ?

Fan favorite winner :
https://www.sideshowtoy.com/videos.php?videoID=412&key=type&val=Collect Like You Give a Damn

and Second place winner :
https://www.sideshowtoy.com/videos.php?videoID=412&key=type&val=Collect Like You Give a Damn

are echoing this thread in a very disturbing way ...

 

[SnakeDoctor]

If you can't control yourself, quit.

Better answer is to man-up and learn some self-control. Buy what you can afford. Learn to live without the rest. Get over the "completist" nonsense. Nobody has everything. Choose wisely.

SnakeDoc

 

[Cereza]

I would not consider selling any of my stuff if I decided to leave this hobby.

If I bought them is because they mean something to me, and they would be a great " memory " in the future, if you leave the hobby or not. I buy what I like, what I am. I could never sell ALL my stuff.

I would tell you not to leave the hobby, it's a pretty amazing world. But if things are getting out of your control, well ... that's for you to decide.

Hope you keep collecting, or at least keep your stuff !

 

[batfan08]

I love this hobby. I love the fact that they're the toys we always dreamed of as kids, and I love the fact that it gives me the ability to feature characters that I love in my own home. More to the point, however, I would not hesitate to sell a single one if push came to shove. The fact of the matter is, these are toys. Expensive as hell, but toys nonetheless. Some of us say that we couldn't fathom selling anything, but I think that every single one of us would take the plunge if necessary.

I'd miss my figures if I ever had to sell them, but I'd get over it. Life is much larger than collecting, and I'd rid myself of it entirely if I ever thought I'd become a slave to 12" pieces of plastic. Luckily, that day hasn't come yet.

 

[Gates70]

I say quit if it's stressing you out. I used to buy tons of figures and statues and now I hardly do except for the odd statue, but I'm mostly done with HT. Beleive it or not, it's a big weight lifted from my shoulders not having to constantly be checking my balances and CC bills, and I make a 6 figure salary ! It just got to be too much and I'd rather spend my money elsewhere now. I didn't totally quit, just buying very little and whatever I absolutely can't go without. My sales thread is constantly being updated with new stuff

 

[meanstreak]

I think if you make a thread about it, you've already made up your mind.

Quit. Sounds like you have debt or other things that need to take the priority over the figs. You can always come back into the hobby once you have some more disposable income.

 

[ProgMatinee]

at the same time though, aren't we all ALWAYS in some sort of debt? Whether it's school loans, CC bill, car bill, mortgage, business loans. I would say a large % of the population is always in debt in one way or another. The biggest thing is if you are struggling just to make ends meet with said debt. Like you said, if it's stressing you out, then it becomes a problem.

I would say if someone's debt (not talking about a measly $1000 or so) doesn't stress them out, they have a serious maturity problem...that's part of why America is in ruins. People borrowing and not worrying about it until it was much too late.

 

[SAB]

Really? What are they going for these days? Haven't checked.

You might want to check and follow some listings for the Enterbay Bruce Lee figurse on ebay.

And don't be fooled by the odd listing at $1000. They never actually sell. You can list it for $5000 if it makes you feel good but no one is going to buy.

The Hot Toys Enter the Dragon DX caused a large price crash in many of the Enterbay Lee figures (the EtD ones mostly of course)...because rare figures aren't that desirable when something better comes along that is much cheaper.

The new Enterbay Game of Death also pushed down the other older GoD figures for the same reason.

Way of the Dragon still has some value but you don't normally see them go for over $450 ....and I'd get on that fast because I sense that Enterbay is going to be announcing a new Way of the Dragon figure in the next year.


But even at the highest possible sell prices 18 months ago, you didn't really see the Enter the Dragon ver.B's (the most sought after one) actually selling for more than $600