Collecting for fun or profit????

[Danmark]

Hi guys,
I've been thinking, how many of us purposely collect to make a profit, how many buy knowing that they are paying top dollar for a 'must have' item and fully aware that they may not get their money back - and how many don't care either way?

What I mean is, you go on a holiday, spend thousands of dollars, have a great time and end up with a very expensive photo album!!! From a sterile business perspective that is bad economics but we all brush that logic aside to enjoy the trip ( or we would all be hermits and never go outside ) We rationalise it by saying " that is the cost of living" or "the cost of running a vehicle" ....... and for us, "the cost of collecting".

I for one know that with my helmet buying and having to add $30-$50 onto each for shipping to Australia that in many cases I will NEVER get my money back when I sell ( let alone make any ) and frankly, I don't care! For me, it is ..... a) the thrill of the hunt, b) the capture & the study and imagining the stories they tell, c) I am helping to preserve history.

That's my reasons, what's yours?
Cheers, Dan

( not sure which section discussions like this fall into so please move if necessary )

[Adrian]

It's my hobby and what I enjoy. Yes, it's an expensive one and some may think it's a waste of money because I will never see my money again - I don't care. My daughter will benefit from my collection when I'm gone and I hope she does well out of it.

I get immense pleasure from my hobbies, which ever one it happens to be and don't ever regret spending money on what I enjoy.

Spending money on what makes you happy is never a waste and nor should be regretted. Spending money on bills and such is a waste........

[Thanatos]

Same logic as yours Dan.
I collect for me and the enjoyment it give's me.Not for profit.
Cheers mate
Dave

[Sir Payne]

I am exactly like you Dan, I buy for the enjoyment of owning a piece of history and the thrill of adding to the collection. Money is nothing but a barrier that keeps me from owning a trillion helmets.

Corey

[Danmark]

Thanks for moving it to the correct section Adrian ( don't know how I missed that one? )
Cheers, Dan

[Larry C]

My wife accused me of spending money on this stuff , which she shows no interest in so it is irrelevant to her,, but I remind her of the loss she makes when she goes to the casino and comes home with nothing. I collect for the fun and the History of it,, and maybe later if the market is good when I retire then a nest egg,,( but no hopes ) The more I acquire of these TR examples the more teaching tools I have. Regards Larry

[Adrian]

No worries.

Everyone can chime in on this one, doesn't need to the TR specific.

[Walkwolf]

I agree with the others, but I also factor in shipping/postage when buying overseas.
If it is not worth the 'all-in' price, then I do not need it.

There is the financial aspect to collecting militaria, but that is really secondary
as it is more about the history, the chase, and the occasional spectacular
bargain that I think we all enjoy to a greater degree.........

[AmericanKraut]

I can only get things at a lower price at this point in my life so I love to hunt for bargains and cannot pay retail most of the time. I often buy things that Im not particularly interested in if It is a good price and I resell them to fund the purchasing of items I really do want. To me the hunt for all WWII items is exciting just to save from garage sales, dumps, stores etc.
I would consider myself a collector I only sell to get more lol

[ObKrieger]

The only money factor for me is the fact that I love it when I find something and pay far less for it than its market value. The vast majority of my collection has come from Craigslist, auctions, flea markets, antique shops, etc. I always pay a fraction of what the thing is worth. When I buy from a dealer I don't really get as much of the excitement. If it's being advertised to everyone then where's the thrill of the hunt? The best finds are those bits and bobs from flea markets and auctions that you manage to snatch up before someone else can.

Now that I think about it, I have only bought militaria for full price from a dealer on two occasions: once last weekend for my M43 Heer HBT tunic, because I am never going to just run into one of those for a steal, and once from Klaus Butschek because he had a document for a wound badge in black to a man in the same battalion that I had an erkennungsmarke from.