G
Guest
·Saying Hello, just to say Goodbye...
The one thing I have learned about the die cast collecting hobby is that there are many facets to it - all of which do not entail collecting models.
For me one of the best parts is seeing a new collector come through the door and announce their presence as it represents the hobby has took one step further in its growth. Unfortunately, there is a flip side to that - and perhaps the next saddest thing in the hobby - saying Farewell... to a collector as they drop out of the hobby all together or move on to other interests, family issues or the many other reasons that can and have pulled them from our beloved hobby.
The one thing that is a fact about collectors of the hobby is they all have various reasons for getting involved in the hobby - some more personal than others - while some are more trivial than others. Nonetheless, it makes for some good times as the enthusiasm, passion and friendships generated by these gems are often too much to describe with words.
Expectations on ones estimated tenure in the hobby is not something that is always at the forefront of discussions, but in theory it is, as the face of the hobby is consistently changing - ever ask yourself: "I wonder what happened to so and so" - they haven't been around for some while now ?
So what happened to them?
Hard to say definitively - but its safe to say, we see the emergence and then disappearance from those who have not been collecting for very long more than any other.
Anyone who has been in the hobby for any amount of time, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year or even 10 years - we have all been new at one point - couldn't have known when they started the hobby how long they would around in the hobby - or even what they were getting themselves into. But everyone soon finds out.
A few categories can be identified by newer collectors in the hobby - none of which can be labeled as a negatives: young collector, casual buyer, trader, part timers, accumulators, interest collectors and collecting enthusiast. Long time collectors can emerge from any of these groups and I am sure have too.
Upon entering the hobby, budget models often provide a easy, accessible and satisfying approach to the hobby - no matter which category you fit in. Purchasing that first model introduces a new collector to the hobby. As a collection grows (sometimes instantly or over night), a reintroduction into the world of collecting begins - brand knowledge, details, accuracy, pricing, themes, required commitment, "must haves" and constant new releases can all be a huge hurdle to overcome.
Going from collecting budget models(providing thats what you cut your teeth upon entering into the hobby) to premium models can be something that doesn't come with an initial shock - that usually comes after a few models costing $100 or more.
This is where the crossroads often start - for those who are able to moderate their purchases, they are able to curb their buying habits which results in them sustaining themselves in the hobby. As this can easily become an expensive hobby - it often does. An old saying about "collectors" of anything is that it is often reserved for the rich and wealthy. Not so - but at times a few grand of disposable income wouldn't hurt the cause.
The difference between buying a $20 model and a $100 model is huge when you think about it - often not at first. The feeling of getting "that model" is often numb, regardless of the cost - particularly if its your first premium model. Some do this very early in their collecting days and its magical as they truly find a passion and commitment that these models can bring from ones heart. And they go on with out ever looking back and often amass a brilliant collection of models.
Unfortunately, this isn't the norm for every new collector into the hobby.
For some who travel down the aforementioned path - the expensive part of the hobby reveals its face. For the casual collector or part timer this can represent a problem as spending this type of money for a model car that is still considered a toy by most if not all, is not their priority.
Young collectors, meaning kids in college and/or still live at home with their parents can also discover the problems which can arise from devoting X amount of dollars into a collection every month. Especially when they start going out with friends and/or get their first taste of puppy love - they are hit with a lifestyle change.
From what I have seen, these are the types that have come in and made the most impact with some of the hobby's latest and greatest model purchases in such a short time only to say farewell or disappear without a hint of their whereabouts. New interests with even greater satisfaction can easily replace a collection of model cars - so their departure can easily be understood.
Another common and abrupt exit comes from bad online shopping experiences. With the absence of hobby and model shops on every corner, alternatives come in the form of Ebay, online retailers, message forum classifieds and other online activities. Being that some models are fragile as eggs, shipping from point A to point B can be an act that results in a damaged model. Imagine paying $100+ for a model car and it arrives in the mail, met with great anticipation - only to be discovered that its damaged in some way or another. Even if this person owns stock in super glue, having that first experience go worng is enough to deter a 2nd time - if ever at all.
But if not so much for the expensive side the hobby can show, there is a level of commitment that is required to maintain a collection. This can be more expensive than any dollar amount ever spent - even if its not monetary. Some discover this side and find it to be a bit much - but the most ironic thing - some never reach the point of discovering the commitment it takes - EVER!
Those are only some of the obstacles a new collector will face - there are still many unknowns as to why some leave the hobby after a brief extent.
However, farewells are not just reserved for newer collectors, unfortunately the hobby have lost some of its long time community members and leaders to unforeseen and personal reasons. Often these reasons require a collector to put off some purchases momentarily or indefinitely - and/or come to the realization that their participation in the hobby has come to an end. Regardless of the reason - selling off a collection can remedy or subdue any financial burdens and allows for a clean break. Selling a collection that has grown over the years, with thousands of dollars spent, numerous hours of searching for and caring for models has got to be painful, no matter how you look at it.
The hobby of die cast collecting has been around since the turn of the century and there still seems to be a new feel about it. Not because I have been in it for a short period of time - but more so due to the fact that we consistently see collectors come and go. What ever happened to those collectors who bought their very first models 25 years ago, 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago? Certainly they all have not packed up for greener pastures - I certainly hope history doesn't repeat itself in that regards - thats a lot of new and old faces coming and going in between.
As we make our next purchase, tenure in the hobby is not something that is on our mind while opening the wallet. The collector that introduced himself isn't on our minds either as we open the wallet and neither is that farewell we just read and responded to by saying "best of luck".
So for those who have been at this for a while or even a short time - are we immune to this "come and go" syndrome - or is it just as much a part of the hobby as those who have been around for a long time?
Authored by Darrick(DiecastX)
The one thing I have learned about the die cast collecting hobby is that there are many facets to it - all of which do not entail collecting models.
For me one of the best parts is seeing a new collector come through the door and announce their presence as it represents the hobby has took one step further in its growth. Unfortunately, there is a flip side to that - and perhaps the next saddest thing in the hobby - saying Farewell... to a collector as they drop out of the hobby all together or move on to other interests, family issues or the many other reasons that can and have pulled them from our beloved hobby.
The one thing that is a fact about collectors of the hobby is they all have various reasons for getting involved in the hobby - some more personal than others - while some are more trivial than others. Nonetheless, it makes for some good times as the enthusiasm, passion and friendships generated by these gems are often too much to describe with words.
Expectations on ones estimated tenure in the hobby is not something that is always at the forefront of discussions, but in theory it is, as the face of the hobby is consistently changing - ever ask yourself: "I wonder what happened to so and so" - they haven't been around for some while now ?
So what happened to them?
Hard to say definitively - but its safe to say, we see the emergence and then disappearance from those who have not been collecting for very long more than any other.
Anyone who has been in the hobby for any amount of time, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year or even 10 years - we have all been new at one point - couldn't have known when they started the hobby how long they would around in the hobby - or even what they were getting themselves into. But everyone soon finds out.
A few categories can be identified by newer collectors in the hobby - none of which can be labeled as a negatives: young collector, casual buyer, trader, part timers, accumulators, interest collectors and collecting enthusiast. Long time collectors can emerge from any of these groups and I am sure have too.
Upon entering the hobby, budget models often provide a easy, accessible and satisfying approach to the hobby - no matter which category you fit in. Purchasing that first model introduces a new collector to the hobby. As a collection grows (sometimes instantly or over night), a reintroduction into the world of collecting begins - brand knowledge, details, accuracy, pricing, themes, required commitment, "must haves" and constant new releases can all be a huge hurdle to overcome.
Going from collecting budget models(providing thats what you cut your teeth upon entering into the hobby) to premium models can be something that doesn't come with an initial shock - that usually comes after a few models costing $100 or more.
This is where the crossroads often start - for those who are able to moderate their purchases, they are able to curb their buying habits which results in them sustaining themselves in the hobby. As this can easily become an expensive hobby - it often does. An old saying about "collectors" of anything is that it is often reserved for the rich and wealthy. Not so - but at times a few grand of disposable income wouldn't hurt the cause.
The difference between buying a $20 model and a $100 model is huge when you think about it - often not at first. The feeling of getting "that model" is often numb, regardless of the cost - particularly if its your first premium model. Some do this very early in their collecting days and its magical as they truly find a passion and commitment that these models can bring from ones heart. And they go on with out ever looking back and often amass a brilliant collection of models.
Unfortunately, this isn't the norm for every new collector into the hobby.
For some who travel down the aforementioned path - the expensive part of the hobby reveals its face. For the casual collector or part timer this can represent a problem as spending this type of money for a model car that is still considered a toy by most if not all, is not their priority.
Young collectors, meaning kids in college and/or still live at home with their parents can also discover the problems which can arise from devoting X amount of dollars into a collection every month. Especially when they start going out with friends and/or get their first taste of puppy love - they are hit with a lifestyle change.
From what I have seen, these are the types that have come in and made the most impact with some of the hobby's latest and greatest model purchases in such a short time only to say farewell or disappear without a hint of their whereabouts. New interests with even greater satisfaction can easily replace a collection of model cars - so their departure can easily be understood.
Another common and abrupt exit comes from bad online shopping experiences. With the absence of hobby and model shops on every corner, alternatives come in the form of Ebay, online retailers, message forum classifieds and other online activities. Being that some models are fragile as eggs, shipping from point A to point B can be an act that results in a damaged model. Imagine paying $100+ for a model car and it arrives in the mail, met with great anticipation - only to be discovered that its damaged in some way or another. Even if this person owns stock in super glue, having that first experience go worng is enough to deter a 2nd time - if ever at all.
But if not so much for the expensive side the hobby can show, there is a level of commitment that is required to maintain a collection. This can be more expensive than any dollar amount ever spent - even if its not monetary. Some discover this side and find it to be a bit much - but the most ironic thing - some never reach the point of discovering the commitment it takes - EVER!
Those are only some of the obstacles a new collector will face - there are still many unknowns as to why some leave the hobby after a brief extent.
However, farewells are not just reserved for newer collectors, unfortunately the hobby have lost some of its long time community members and leaders to unforeseen and personal reasons. Often these reasons require a collector to put off some purchases momentarily or indefinitely - and/or come to the realization that their participation in the hobby has come to an end. Regardless of the reason - selling off a collection can remedy or subdue any financial burdens and allows for a clean break. Selling a collection that has grown over the years, with thousands of dollars spent, numerous hours of searching for and caring for models has got to be painful, no matter how you look at it.
The hobby of die cast collecting has been around since the turn of the century and there still seems to be a new feel about it. Not because I have been in it for a short period of time - but more so due to the fact that we consistently see collectors come and go. What ever happened to those collectors who bought their very first models 25 years ago, 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago? Certainly they all have not packed up for greener pastures - I certainly hope history doesn't repeat itself in that regards - thats a lot of new and old faces coming and going in between.
As we make our next purchase, tenure in the hobby is not something that is on our mind while opening the wallet. The collector that introduced himself isn't on our minds either as we open the wallet and neither is that farewell we just read and responded to by saying "best of luck".
So for those who have been at this for a while or even a short time - are we immune to this "come and go" syndrome - or is it just as much a part of the hobby as those who have been around for a long time?
Authored by Darrick(DiecastX)
