Hav you slowed down collecting? if so why?

[Hey Charger]

Just going over some of the threads, looking at what people want produced,are still after,price discussion of the Sierras, etc etc and the thought struck me and wanted to know from fellow collectors have you slowed down your purchases whether
1) the fire has dimmed
2) being more selective
3) being a speculator ie waiting to make a stag profit
4) low on cash for time being
5) the heavy discounting or waiting for the bairgain
6) Other

For me its points 2) and in particular point 5. Its very distressing to see a $170 purchase being flogged off at $99 bucks elsewhere. I know some might say buyer beware and if you want it you by it cos you like it...but not at such a price difference...$20 to $30 yeah fine but not close to half price. To me such discounting suggests that the market has shrunk or its there but is now influenced more so by all or some of the points above, anyone elses views/thoughts?

I know this has been dicussed..but that was, if i'm correct to say a very long time ago and it didn't go into it as the points raised here

[V8SS]

I'm now at a stage where I can be choosey with what models I buy as I have all the old releases that I had to buy when I first started collecting so basically I'm just waiting on new releases.
Saying that, when the VY SS comes out, I may be tempted to wait and see if I can get one cheaper in a few months as its not a "must have" but one I will get if I see a cheap one.
As for models in my themes, I buy at release price as I'm more worried about missing out and then having to find one on ebay.
So I guess my buying slows and speeds up depending on new releases and my themes limit the amount of models I buy.

[zeitgeist]

Originally posted by Hey Charger
Its very distressing to see a $170 purchase being flogged off at $99 bucks elsewhere. I know some might say buyer beware and if you want it you by it cos you like it...but not at such a price difference...$20 to $30 yeah fine but not close to half price. To me such discounting suggests that the market has shrunk or its there but is now influenced more so by all or some of the points above, anyone elses views/thoughts?


Well said. Another thread seems to surmise that "true collectors" should care little of such a precipitous drop time and time again. I beg to differ.

"True collectors" can care very much about their initial cash outlay for a model and it shouldn't bring their motivations into question.

My reasons for slowing down are both 'other'. (1) The crap-all value of the U.S. dollar has increased my costs dramatically and (2) as I first started collecting, I had some catch-up to do with the older releases. Recently, though, I see new ones consistently not selling out. So why not sit back, relax and think about it for awhile?


IMHO, the market is stagnating. Perhaps some people entered the game not only because they loved Aussie cars, but, when looking at the values of some of the older cars, figured they had an instant profit realization should they decide to sell off the collection. What a bonus!

I think, now, people are realizing that, for the most part, it simply isn't going to happen and have reduced their purchases. If each release isn't guaranteed to increase in value, a buyer needs to be more selective. They won't be able to sell off cars later without realizing a loss..... perhaps a BIG loss. Good or not, I think this is a motivating factor.

With RARE exceptions, even older models that were quite expensive a year ago have been dropping in price. Check out some Ebay sales, not pie-in-the-sky retail establishments.

BC

[KiwiRallyFan]

Another reason might be the relative size of 1/18 models and the available display space a collector may have. When you only have a few models, and lots of display space (eg. a brand new cabinet), it's very easy to buy new models to fill that space. As the number of models increases, and the available display space decreases, some collectors probably become more selective about which models they buy.

[Road Runner 72]

6)

[V8SS]

Originally posted by KiwiRallyFan
Another reason might be the relative size of 1/18 models and the available display space a collector may have. When you only have a few models, and lots of display space (eg. a brand new cabinet), it's very easy to buy new models to fill that space. As the number of models increases, and the available display space decreases, some collectors probably become more selective about which models they buy.

I went through that phase when I got my flash new cabinet and filled it instantly. Then bought a few more models, squeesed them in, bought another second hand cabinet and then realised I should have just bought some more glass shelves for my original cabinet. Doh.:D

[berkut76]

Originally posted by Hey Charger


2) being more selective

4) low on cash for time being

5) the heavy discounting or waiting for the bairgain

6) Other



Since points 1 & 3 don't apply to me, I won't comment.

2) Since models of Aussie cars is not the only theme in my collection, I'm now focusing on buying models for my other subject matters since...

5) I can get a bargain on some models on eBay and classified boards that I couldn't afford earlier like Edelbrock's Shelby Mustangs and Kimi Raikkonen' F1 cars.

5) It's no surprise to me that Sierras are not selling. Too many were made in SUCCESSION for not the most popular drivers and/or appealing paint schemes AND Sierras are not "unique" models since Minichamps have also released a bunch of "german"-themed ones.

4) This is always the case no need to comment.

6) I've recnetly bought a house, prefectly fitting the description the "worst house on the best block" so it needs lot of very expensive TLC to pretty it up.

Regards,

Sergey

[terrine]

i honestly dont think the numbers bought by serious collectors would have diminished at all. sure there will be guys who put forward good reasons why the games up, but there will be many more happy campers going about there usual business, the business of collecting.
hey, some big collectors and some very successful retailers arent into the discounting business at all.
the only factor i can see that has put some fans on the backfoot is the absolute masses of great product now available from several manufacturers in evergrowing varying scales.

r/peter

[KiwiRallyFan]

Originally posted by V8SS
....I should have just bought some more glass shelves for my original cabinet.
I've been through this exercise as well. The problem now is that there's no more space in the cabinet for extra shelves.
I think it's time to think about another cabinet (which brings me back to my point above....it's just a great big crazy circle!).

[Gan88]

I think the rate of release of cars is very fast.

I'm sincerely hoping August and September are going to be quiet because May, June, July have had a tonne of cars either released or scheduled to be released.

May was a killer. I picked up the 3 SBR cars, one FPR car, 3 Sierras and one LMS car.

I am steeling myself for the nightmare June-July period where there will be:

1) Ambrose EC
2) Johnson'n'Johnson
3) Skaife/Kelly
4) Murphy/Kelly
5) 4 CC FPV GTs.

I hope I don't have to spend any money until October when the Brilliant CAT and Ford Credit/FPV cars come out.

[Hey Charger]

Another point/possibility is that i think we're now waiting to see what the manufacturers are going to do ie will Carlectables attempt to release the XY or XW and the same for Biante with the Charges and XR Fords. We know that the benchmark has been set so are we spoilt, to expect better and more, if we wait for the next gen of die cast model car??

[Dingo]

I've got a couple of older releases that I've got my eye on getting - Morris 76 Torana, Ambrose/Ingall BA, the ever-elusive Brock #28C and #1 - plus anything that is reasonably priced and fits my collection. To pay for some of them, I've put up my slightly damaged Dick Johnson 84 Falcon XE on eBay :(

But then, I knew it would be expensive when I got into this hobby :D

Oh, and as to why my collection is slowing down -
7) lack of appropriate releases for my collection...I've got the Johnson collection up to date, now I'm fixing up my Brock collection (sans Targa Tasmania cars) and the next car of my interest isn't going to be out for a little while.

[castkrazy]

In my earlier collecting there were models produced less frequently therefore I could afford pretty well any model I was interested in as I had time to save up the money , But now as there are more companies and that produce models alot more frequently it impossible to buy every model i'm interested in or would like to have .
now I find the need to pick a theme of interest or just be very selective in which models I MUST have and even then it can be a struggle to afford every must have model or within that chosen theme .

So I guess you could say my primary reason for slowing purchases is being selective due to lack of funds .

The problem is there are so many fantastic models being made so often & not enough money to keep up with the frequent releases . :(

I definately Have to agree about the amount of room a collection of 1/18 cars can take up , it can be a bit of a problem sometimes when your running out of space and trying to find a place for your new models .
Mind you I always manage to fit them in somewhere .. :p

Cheers

Jim..

[biante11500]

the first couple of years i started collecting i was tearing up the web buying cars. mainly because i was starting late and there were alot of cars i missed out on. the releases didnt come as often then and money seemed more plentifull. i had a intrest in drag cars,exotics,muscle cars, trans-am racers,austrailian street & racing. it was to expensive trying to keep up a usa collection & a aussie collection. since the start of this year i have noticed alot of reasons why i have slowed down.
first- our economy, the us dollar is crap right now
2nd- i havent gotten a raise in two years,but my boss tells me we should be glad we have a job.
3rd inflation every thing keeps going up
4th every manufacture has increased production on models and there are to many hitting the shelves at one time.
5th- running out of space again.
6th- had to give up one of the collections- sticking with aussie models mainly. may buy and occasional lane,gmp or hwy61 car.
7th with all the cars hitting the market now you have to be selective. or soon file for bank ruptcy.
this is some of the main reasons i have slowed down. at this time i dont want to sell off half of my collection at a loss. just so i can have room to buy more cars. weres the logic in that? i see people do it all the time. sounds like and addiction doesnt it.:D

[Hey Charger]

Hey biante11500...I just clicked.....ur in the states...man I feel ur pain.....when the Aussie was dead to terminal...(now its off life support but still in intensive care)......I was paying thru the nose for imports...still am for some......At times I wish there was a dollar parity all over the world...would make a collectors life ideal

[camshaft]

Here's my 2 bobs worth.I think that the reason the modelcar scene is slowing down or stagnating is due to the fact that manufacturers are flooding the market with cars which nobody wants,and for the average punter they can only afford so much.5 years ago their was no such thing as an Australian 1/18 modelcar,now have a look,it would have to exceed 500,000.If manufacturers were to release cars in a constant manner e.g 2 per month and reduced the run to say 2000-3000,it would benefit all.

[roboneill]

mine is basically lack of funding and being a new collector with so many models to collect, plus the ones being released, at this point i ahve about 200 models still to buy....


better go and get that powerball ticket

[Esses]

Definitely lack of funds here. I've hardly bought anything this year. I'll blame the DVD Player I bought for Wifey. We've bought 25 DVD's since Febuary. Being more selective, too.

[Kiwiracing]

I have slowed as we have a baby due in a couple of weeks, so money is a bit tighter, plus the damn Cabinet is almost full.

Room for the 2003 Bathurst winner of course:D

Cheers
Kiwiracing

[teambrock50]

I slowed a year ago but now have fully got back into it. Im really collecting the cars and drivers i like. And if a bargain pops up along the way i will buy it. The hardest thing to keep up with is all the new minicars.

[jager]

7) The wife says so !

8) The girlfriend says so !

9) The wife AND girlfriend say so ! ! !

[the_goldie]

I have become more selective than anything and stick to my theme in 1:18 and 1:43 - easiest way on the $$$s and also room in the cabinet. Plus if you collect Bathurst Winners once you catch up on previous Bathurst Winners that have been released you can normally count on 1 every 2or3 months or so...

[bortall]

For me, my collecting slowed a lot in 2003. When there was little or nothing that I wanted. That will change with the 2003 & 2004 v8s Commodores arriving soon I'll be back in full swing. :)

[vt2envy]

pretty much the same as you bortal.Last year i picked up 6 cars and so far this year I have 12 with alot more to come...I didn't really slow down last year just bought more military models instead.Some of the aircraft I buy are just over the $300.00 mark so the more cars I buy the better the pocket feels..:)

[XR8]

Well for me it is a number of factors.

I'm trying to pay off my house.

I've just got hold of a set of Simmons wheels for my ute.

I've got most of the Johnson collection that has come out,
and now I'm waiting patiently for more XD and XE race or road cars to come out.

I'm aslo waiting patiently for the EB/ED/EF/EL Fords to come out as well.

They're what I like, and most of the newer touring cars don't interest me in the 1/18th scale as I've built a good collection of 1/43rds.

As they come out I try to get them, but money is tight at the moment.

As for prices, well I don't really care what happens to them, as I simply don't want to sell my collection!!

Ed :)

[wayno]

Don't know if I've really slowed down all that much, but I do find it harder to actually find models that fit in my theme. The last 12 months have been REAL expensive for me as I filled the gaps in my 1/18 F1 world champs collection as the old Schumacher Bennetons and the '93 Prost (plus the two Hakkinen West edition cars) were very expensive.
Think I'm in for a scary couple of months though as the amount of Holden competition cars due is looking scary!
Then I'm hoping for a 'financial recovery break"!

[V8SS]

I bet the people who collect all the minicars aren't noticing a slowdown:D

[the collector]

(2)

[biante5485]

My reasons are

2 & 4) I am now concentrating on my Australian collection (for reasons of space and money).... Still getting the first cars that came out.... Prices are high and it takes time to save the cash to get them.... Also saving $350 and $100 board a fortnight out of a $590 paycheque doesnt leave me with money to spend on diecasts...Ive got a lot to get yet and it will more than likely take me the next 10 years to achieve

6) Space... its a majopr issue atm(well not so much now that Ive gotten rid of 11 American models) but it will be once I fill them up again

The total of all the casrs Im yet to get exceeds $3000

Try that on for size..... Used to be over $7000 until I decided to just go Aussie

[KRAKA05]

I have slowed my collecting slightly and have changed my collecting theme.

I was predominantly a nascar diecast collector however when the aussie diecasts started appearing in 1:18 and i noticed the quality, i changed to 1/18 Bathurst winners.

Now I'm hooked and cant get rid of the addiction. At least i got rid of the other one....tobbacco inhalation.

KRAKA05

[singer]

I have slowed down due to a lack of space and semi retirement with the resulting reduction in income

[Esses]

Yeah, Ken, you've really slowed down. I haven't delivered a model to your box for, oh, at least a week.:D

[singer]

Originally posted by Steve
Yeah, Ken, you've really slowed down. I haven't delivered a model to your box for, oh, at least a week.:D
I've been using my clubs points well haven't I, Expect to bring another couple of parcels. Its people like me who keep you working :D

[Esses]

Gee, ta. Like I don't have another 80 or 90 drops to do!:)