What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

[Provencal]

I was wondering how other game used collectors' spouses view their game used collecting. In particular, for those of you whose spouses give you resistance to purchasing, how do you handle this situation? My wife has taken the hard line and told me I am banned from buying more game used items. It is not about money. She feels that: 1) buying game used memorabilia is an addiction; 2) The memorabilia is junking up the house and taking over some of our common space; 3) The hobby is juvenile and not appropriate for grown men. My hobby has hence been mostly shut down, although she recently let me purchase a couple of small items for my birthday, and says I can also buy again later during Christmas. I've offered to store items in the closet and not on the walls, and I've told her that although I agree it is an addiction, I don't see any dangerous elements to it or ill health effects (on the contrary, the hobby has cheered me up on many a down day!), yet she won't budge on her position.

I would love to hear about other game used collector's experiences with their spouses, and how they handled it. Thanks!

[yankees506]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

I couldn't be with a woman who didn't "understand" my hobby. I don't need her to be into it just let me do my thing. I don't think id want to be with someone who diminished my passion by calling it "childish" but that's just me. Luckily i've had no issues with this but it would suck to be married and get "the eye" everytime a package showed up.

[Sioux4Ever]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

Luckily my fiancé thinks Chris Herrmann is a good looking dude so she doesn't mind me putting Game Used items up as long as I have some of my framed pics of him up too! She hates knowing how much I spend so for her benefit everything costs 1/2 what I paid when she asks!!

[JackHE]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

My wife isn't too supportive but in fairness I have pretty much taken over the basement with GU jerseys. A few battles on the $$ I spend but we're not on welfare either. I guess just kind of an "understanding" with us.

[JDF5244]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

My wife doesn't say a thing....however, my collection is confined to a closet currently. I break it out every now and then to admire it.
With that being said, I have been able to turn the tables and am using the game used items as a negotiating chip - she wants to buy a bigger house and I have advised her that we won't buy a bigger house unless I can have a room in which to display my treasures (in the new house). Making lemonade out of lemons fellas.......

[wfl1974]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

For years my wife just sorta tolerated it, no animosity or anything, just an occasional comment relating to how much space it might be taking up. Several years ago (5 or 6) she took a more, I guess tolerant and even participatory approach. She encouraged me to do a makeover of my study and was genuinely excited about a few additions to my collection. Now, granted, if I spent a really large amount on a jersey or helmet, that would be questioned I'm sure. But, she really doesn't raise too much fuss about it. Now, granted we have been married 35 years and we've both sorta "settled" into our respective hobbies and passions, but we both support and take active roles, as much as practical, in each other's hobbies. I really have to commend her for being a good sport about it for all this time.

[TBM]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

My wife does not support my hobby of buying "dirty cloths" and broken bats but she does not hinder it either. She even buys me framed pictures to hang on the walls for birthdays and Christmas. She does not know how much I spend and I occasionally feel bad for buying something expensive.

My collection was relegated to one small corner of the house and a closet until recently. We just bought a house and I now have a man/fan cave (ooohhhh yeaaaa!!!!) that is not as big as I would have liked but its infinitely more than what I had. Bad thing is that now she will see just how much I have I will be posting pictures when I get it all set up.

[mrjohnmalton]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

I am banned from buying more game used items

she recently let me purchase a couple of small items for my birthday, and says I can also buy again later during Christmas

Nothing personal, but it seems as though your wife treats you more like a child than a husband. I can understand coming to an agreement when it comes to money spent, display space, and whatnot. To go as far as "banning" you from purchasing items, or telling you when you can and cannot buy stuff, seems completely ridiculous to me.

My wife will often ask "how much?", but no real issue other than that. I am respectful when it comes to displaying my items. I love my collection, but even I think having an entire home covered in collectibles, of any kind, comes off tacky.

[Vintagedeputy]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

I have our basement walls filled with stuff. Wife isn't in love with the stuff, but her office is filled with scrapbooking crap,so....

[3arod13]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

My wife supported me, but didn't really care for it much. But when I sold a piece and used the money to buy a chandelier for our foyer, she then saw the value and no longer had an issue with it

[Kelly12]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

My wife does not really have an issue with it. It was def made clear when we were house searching that the house would need to include a Buffalo Bills room no questions asked. Being a teacher I work a lot of side jobs in the summer which helps fund my collection but I "always" make sure to throw the wife some cash to go shopping lol. I am very lucky, one of her favorite things to do is travel to Buffalo to see Bills games!

[helmets]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

Interesting thread - and interesting to read the different posts and to learn how lucky I am! My wife doesn't have a problem with it at all and supports my hobby of collecting helmets. I counted this morning and I have multiple helmets displayed in some form or another in six (6) rooms of the house along with two large display cabinets in the upstairs hallway. Additionally the garage has racking around the perimeter that are full of helmets - modern on-field style sold to high schools and youth leagues. Two years ago we moved to a larger house - after 19 years - just for me to have more room to display. Her one requirement - which I try to stick to but is difficult is that they need to be in cabinets and not out in the open - so she won't have to dust them! She tells friends and family that do not "understand" - that I could have worse hobbies such as sitting in a bar drinking, gambling, or other things guys do! I have convinced her over the years that it is an investment - that it is not "throwing money away". If I am torn between selling/trading a helmet, I talk to her about it - and normally, she talks me out of it. Couldn't ask for a better attitude towards my hobby.

[memorabiliaunlimited]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

one of the most common considerations i hear from people when i negotiate sales is that their wife will be mad about the purchase.

also, a number of times i was told i have to ship to peoples offices instead of their homes so their wives dont find out about the purchase - pretty funny.

[STLHAMMER32]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

I've been blessed I supposed with a significant other who is supportive and trusts in me and the decisions I've made and continue to make whether it's investments, career choices or hobbies.... however, I do believe relationships are a productive of what we expect and allow to take place early on.

Your hobby is not the issue in my opinion, it will just transfer over into other areas of your life if you never bought another game used item again. Her problem probably isn't the hobby, it's probably the perception that you give it more attention than she's getting and there's jealousy involved and hurt and resentful feelings revealed in how she describes something she knows you care about.

Include her, share with her why you enjoy it. Change her perception, be a leader with firm decision making and make her feel as if she has a strong leader she can support and trust in. Also, support her in her interests and set aside time to listen and know what she likes.

[Raidersfan]

Re: What do your spouses think of your game used collecting?

Mine refers to it as her retirement fund so I take that positively.

Bill