The thin line between hoarding and collecting

[murfsteve25]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

This is a great topic. I used to be a hoarder. I'd hold onto unopen packs of cards thinking one day they might be worth something. I've spent so much money on dozens of MLB balls to go get signed. A lot of these balls are signed by a bunch of nobody's, so there pretty much worthless. I've got a bunch of stupid crap like street signs that have the sports theme, McFarlanes, game programs, little replica stadiums, posters, and game used SOCKS.

I've been a lot more smart this year (which happened to be my new year's resolution) and I only bought stuff that I really wanted. Justice jersey's and Dragons items.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

This is a great topic. I used to be a hoarder. I'd hold onto unopen packs of cards thinking one day they might be worth something. I've spent so much money on dozens of MLB balls to go get signed. A lot of these balls are signed by a bunch of nobody's, so there pretty much worthless. I've got a bunch of stupid crap like street signs that have the sports theme, McFarlanes, game programs, little replica stadiums, posters, and game used SOCKS.

I've been a lot more smart this year (which happened to be my new year's resolution) and I only bought stuff that I really wanted. Justice jersey's and Dragons items.

It's easy to have hoarding tendencies, when you are a collector. If there is no sentimental value or no monetary value; then you might be a hoarder. Newspapers and magazines are the worst. Just because I saved some worthless crap 25 years ago, doesn't equate to "sentimental value". I used to have a hoarding problem with Super 8 and 8mm film cameras. I have saved some of the top-of-the-line models, but many are basically worthless. You can't even buy Super 8 film in Hollywood.

[frikativ54]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

This is a great topic. I used to be a hoarder. I'd hold onto unopen packs of cards thinking one day they might be worth something

I know the feeling. Sorting through the possessions in my room, I've come to realize that I saved so much just thinking that it would be valuable some day. In reality, some of those stadium giveaways aren't worth the space they take up. And just to think, I used to imagine how much dinero I would cash in on those items in the future. Boy, was I wrong!

I've been a lot more smart this year (which happened to be my new year's resolution) and I only bought stuff that I really wanted. Justice jersey's and Dragons items.

That's cool that you are able to limit yourself. For me, finances are what limit my spending the most. If I had tons of cash, I would probably collect more players. But I have to limit myself, because finances are always tight.

[Dewey2007]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

Warren, I agree with you on how it's easy to have hoarding tendencies as a collector. I have lots of GS Warriors game programs, SI's, Sporting News magazines and sports books from when I was a kid. Held onto pretty much everything. Not sure if that makes me hoarder but for some reason I just can't throw the stuff out yet. Some of it has sentimental value in the sense that it represents a fun time in my childhood when I really began to love sports but other then that if I could sell it I would. Now one reason I justify holding onto it because it's good for future research and photomatch possibilites!!

The quick fix cure if you think you're becoming a hoarder is a storage unit!

It's easy to have hoarding tendencies, when you are a collector. If there is no sentimental value or no monetary value; then you might be a hoarder. Newspapers and magazines are the worst. Just because I saved some worthless crap 25 years ago, doesn't equate to "sentimental value". I used to have a hoarding problem with Super 8 and 8mm film cameras. I have saved some of the top-of-the-line models, but many are basically worthless. You can't even buy Super 8 film in Hollywood.

[jake33]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

The easiest way to prevent against this is set parameters and stick to them. I only collect rays or buccaneers game used items. To me anything that is retail is junk with manufactured scarcity.

I would never get an autographed authentic jersey or a autogrpahed mini helmet. The only retail sports items I own are a high end sweatshirt, 59/50 on-field cap, and MAYBE a high end T-shirt ($40 range), and 10 2008 world series baseballs that I get signed in person myself by rays players.

I will not collect any other teams or a player I liked from my team. For example, I like Eric Hinske but items of his from the Yankees, red sox, jays, do not fit my collection etc.... something like that opens the can of worms and you will be filling the never ending hole of consumerism.

I always tell myself, what I really want is always around the corner, so it is better to hold off. Plus how would a collection of all rays game used items and a random yankees batting helmet fit in my collect?

I say always stick to a player or team for collecting. Stay narrowed and specific you will be happier in the long run. I budget every year for the rays throwback game used auction and figure out who will be on the roster that I would want, that keeps the waiting better too.

[godwulf]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

As with most other addictive behaviors, I believe that one major criterion to consider, before labeling what you do "hoarding", is whether or not it creates problems for you or others. If your living space is severely limited by the presence of your stuff, or if you routinely can't find the things you need because they're buried under your stuff...if moving your stuff, worrying about your stuff, trying to keep track of your stuff, is detracting from your quality and enjoyment of life, then it's a problem. On the other hand, if it's all securely tucked away in a storage room or basement, and not in anyone's way, okay, technically it may be hoarding, but who is it hurting?

[yankees506]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

I started to feel i was hoarding a while back, i mean i looked at some of the things i had purchased and just shook my head. I got that feeling so i thought the only way to make it right was to sell. I trimed down somewhat and now i focus on items that fit in the majority of my collection (yankee stars of the past 10 or so years). It is a very thin line, i think having multiples of one item is a serious sign of hoarding, but in this case its do as i say, not as i do

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

Not sure if that makes me hoarder but for some reason I just can't throw the stuff out yet. Some of it has sentimental value in the sense that it represents a fun time in my childhood when I really began to love sports.

Childhood memories are a bitch.

The quick fix cure if you think you're becoming a hoarder is a storage unit!

That's another show.

As with most other addictive behaviors, I believe that one major criterion to consider, before labeling what you do "hoarding", is whether or not it creates problems for you or others. If your living space is severely limited by the presence of your stuff, or if you routinely can't find the things you need because they're buried under your stuff...if moving your stuff, worrying about your stuff, trying to keep track of your stuff, is detracting from your quality and enjoyment of life, then it's a problem. On the other hand, if it's all securely tucked away in a storage room or basement, and not in anyone's way, okay, technically it may be hoarding, but who is it hurting?

Totally agree. If you have the space and keep everything sealed in those rubbermaid containers, you're just a passionate collector. If you have roaches, rats or dead cats under those wax packs, then...

[murfsteve25]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

...if moving your stuff, worrying about your stuff, trying to keep track of your stuff, is detracting from your quality and enjoyment of life, then it's a problem.

since i have been in japan for the past 3 years, both times i've visited home i've felt the need to inventory my stuff. i'd forget that i had certain items too. ive got a lot of boxes of stuff that i would never have bought if i could go back in time. lots of money would have been saved right there. i feel like i wont be able to re-sale those items because there is no demand for the stupid crap ive got. ive pretty much got to either store it away and forget about it or shamfully display it and make the most of a bad decision.

[godwulf]

Re: The thin line between hoarding and collecting

since i have been in japan for the past 3 years, both times i've visited home i've felt the need to inventory my stuff. i'd forget that i had certain items too. ive got a lot of boxes of stuff that i would never have bought if i could go back in time. lots of money would have been saved right there. i feel like i wont be able to re-sale those items because there is no demand for the stupid crap ive got. ive pretty much got to either store it away and forget about it or shamfully display it and make the most of a bad decision.

I know exactly what you mean. I spent the first seven or eight years of the DBacks' history buying anything and everything with the name or logo on it, and now I've got these huge plastic storage bins taking up half a walk-in closet. I could probably lose those things today, and not be able to tell you a single thing that was in any of them tomorrow.

How is the Baseball collecting in Japan, by the way? I've read 'You Gotta Have Wa' and some other things on the sport as played there, and I know that the fans there are pretty devoted, to say the least - I'd imagine that game-used stuff is fabulously rare and expensive. It's probably just another aspect of the collecting/hoarding malady being discussed here, but I've often thought that it would be cool to travel around to the various stadiums and collect, maybe, a pennant and one of those stuffed mascots from each team, something like that, and make a display. (Yeah, or fill another box in the closet. )

[kprst6]

Difference between hoarding & collecting

I know some of you out there are hardcore and have 100's to 1000's of articles of memorabilia. At what point are you no longer considered a collector and become more of a hoarder?

Are you a hoarder when you pick up a piece of memorabilia just because you got a good deal and could care less about the item?

Does owning 10 bats/sticks for the same player, from the same season, for multiple seasons make you a hoarder if they are all lower level "common" players?

In my opinion, having too many items especially of the same player, detracts from your collection.

I'm just curious what everyone's opinion is on this subject.

[otismalibu]

Re: Difference between hoarding & collecting

In my opinion, having too many items especially of the same player, detracts from your collection.

Some people just collect certain players, some HOFers, some common players. I don't think it detracts from the collection.

I realize it's tough to display everything, but if you have boxes of stuff and you don't even remember what's inside, then you're flirting with hoarding, IMO.

[frikativ54]

Re: Difference between hoarding & collecting

Does owning 10 bats/sticks for the same player, from the same season, for multiple seasons make you a hoarder if they are all lower level "common" players?

I don't think it matters whether they are common players or not. Having over ten bats of the same player from the same season - superstar or not - means that you are a hoarder. Sometimes people on the forum post photographs of their lumber, and I have to wonder what drives that sort of obsession.

Why can't people share? Are they like adult kids who are insecure that somebody else may have access to their toys? Are they so possessive that they need every bat a player used in a given season? Is it an issue of needing absolute control of the market?

I definitely understand wanting a bat from a guy's every year in the big leagues. It's cool to collect different styles of game used stuff. But it just seems really selfish to accumulate over ten of the same bat of the same player from the same season.

[jake33]

Re: Difference between hoarding & collecting

To me, if I cannot display it and have to put it in storage or in a box, I don't want it. I hate clutter and have mountains of stuff makes it looks like a joke. All i get is game used. I don't buy retail memorabilia. To me game used is the only way to go, everything else is junk. But I know many sports fans & collectors view it the other way around.

The best thing to do i pre-set parameters and stick to those no matter what. Every month, I can say i find items that are out of my collection scope. All I have toa sk myself is , "Wow, this Bengals jersey would look awful next to the $6,000 in buccaneers game used items I have." It doesn't make sense to have items out of the main concept of your collection. Stick to what your scope is, make a "dream" want list, then a realistic want list and actually plan on where and how you would display it.

I always am amazed how people jsut want to collect "game used jerseys" from any team or league or year. Then you are filling the never ending bottomless pit of hoarding and you will never be satisfied.

[gingi79]

Re: Difference between hoarding & collecting

I don't think it matters whether they are common players or not. Having over ten bats of the same player from the same season - superstar or not - means that you are a hoarder. Sometimes people on the forum post photographs of their lumber, and I have to wonder what drives that sort of obsession.

Why can't people share? Are they like adult kids who are insecure that somebody else may have access to their toys? Are they so possessive that they need every bat a player used in a given season? Is it an issue of needing absolute control of the market?

I definitely understand wanting a bat from a guy's every year in the big leagues. It's cool to collect different styles of game used stuff. But it just seems really selfish to accumulate over ten of the same bat of the same player from the same season.

It always amazes me that collectors can feel this way. If someone collects a player and wants to add as many bats as possible than why is that bad? It doesn't have to be a devious undertaking or a desire to control the inventory and therefore pricing. The sheer number of bats used per player per season must be near 150 or more. Even a 4 season player would use over 600 bats. Superstar players like Derek Jeter over his 16 seasons using only 100 bats a season would have gone through 1600 bats. Puts a guy with say 100 of them or 1/16th of them in perspective, doesn't it?

I tried and continue to try to limit my collection to Sami Salo and Matt Diaz. I have picked up a few others for reasons as intelligent as "He was my dad's favorite player" to dumb and wasteful:"Hang it on the wall as a Super Bowl decoration" I hope to have every style jersey each wore. If I can do that (and odds are I can't as some are locked away in team set collections,) I'll switch to adding special patched shirts. The odds are, I may own every Devil Rays jersey Diaz ever wore and technically I could then say they are worth $2500 each. Since no others will ever be for sale, (including mine but I digress) does that constitute hoarding? Of course not, I am just a collector.

We all marvel at the collectors who have diverse collections of the same player and admire their length and breadth. Why is being so focused on one item from that player any different or less impressive?