When Does Collecting Become a Problem?

[Zodd]

The answer to all of your questions is yes. Like I already said, my life doesn't revolve around my collection - I have a fulltime job, a girlfriend, bills to pay, etc. It doesn't consume all my free time either, as I have other hobbies as well. Could I let my collection, or pieces of my collection, go for the right price? Absolutely. Am I struggling financially right now and need to resort to that? Not at all.

As far as picking up new games goes, I don't see how that makes me a hoarder. I am not out every day scouring the city I live in for new games to buy. I do, however, wait for new games to be released and will keep an eye out for price drops and good deals. I am thrifty and do attempt to save myself money whenever possible.

As far as gaining a backlog of games while still acquiring new ones, that is what collecting ANY hobby is about. I buy games used whenever possible to avoid paying retail, and have a list of games I want to purchase. When I see a game on my list for a good price, I buy it. That's a part of being a video game collector, in my opinion. I play my games and beat them when I have the time. I'm curious as to how you feel about people who collect old cars, sports cards, dolls, toys, etc...is every person who actively collects something a hoarder in your eyes?

Then you are not a hoarder......you buy your product that you collect and play and experience your product.

For the 3rd time again, when you buy games and don't even play it and then go out and buy new games...you are hoarding it. The definition of Hoard is to store......to acquire...to stock up.

Someone who collects and don't even care of the product that they are collecting is a hoarder.

Compulsive hoarding, based on the link posted by AppleQueso, is when it effect your surroundings (people, living space, etc) and the awareness of it is mentally shut down

[AppleQueso]

[

Compulsive Hoarding is actually pretty well documented, and it's not just acquiring a bunch of games you don't bother playing.

Basically, you're choosing a very board definition of "hoarding" so you have an excuse to insinuate that people are mentally ill if they choose to go about participating in the hobby in a different way than you do.

You really wonder why people are acting defensive when you're trying to paint them as being mentally ill?.

From your link, it states, "Compulsive hoarding behavior is a pattern of behavior that is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment. Compulsive hoarding behavior has been associated with health risks, impaired functioning, economic burden, and adverse effects on friends and family members"

So you mean to tell me that collecting video games never bring about ANY of those effects?

Can you depart with your collection tomorrow?
Does your collection cover large areas of your home?
Does your collection cause distress to your significant others?
Economic burden?

This is what YOUR link defined it as.......

The claim is that collecting won't inherently cause those adverse effects, and will only cause those problems if you let it get out of hand. This isn't the first time I've used (and italicized) the word "inherently," either. That's the key.

For those questions, while I doubt that most of us would part with our collections tomorrow unless we had good reason to, I think the vast majority of users on this forum could answer all of those questions with a confident "No." Most of us keep our collections confined to a single room, and when users talk about how their collections have caused them economic issues or problems with their family (like in this very thread), we tell them to cut it back or make it more manageable.

Hell, YOU were complaining about the number of people posting about how their collecting didn't cause distress with their family members or create an economic burden on them.

Besides, the stuff about creating economic burden, causing distress, making areas of the home unlivable... that's a FAR cry away from your definition of "hoarder", which seems to amount to little more than "buying games you don't plan to play right away."

[dsheinem]

For the 3rd time again, when you buy games and don't even play it and then go out and buy new games...you are hoarding it. The definition of Hoard is to store......to acquire...to stock up.

Someone who collects and don't even care of the product that they are collecting is a hoarder.

So anyone who develops a personal library of any sort is a hoarder?

By your definition if I go out today and buy two of my first ever video games, then go buy my third and fourth tomorrow, I am a hoarder.

Zodd: you are acting like an idiot.

[Retrogamer0001]

The answer to all of your questions is yes. Like I already said, my life doesn't revolve around my collection - I have a fulltime job, a girlfriend, bills to pay, etc. It doesn't consume all my free time either, as I have other hobbies as well. Could I let my collection, or pieces of my collection, go for the right price? Absolutely. Am I struggling financially right now and need to resort to that? Not at all.

As far as picking up new games goes, I don't see how that makes me a hoarder. I am not out every day scouring the city I live in for new games to buy. I do, however, wait for new games to be released and will keep an eye out for price drops and good deals. I am thrifty and do attempt to save myself money whenever possible.

As far as gaining a backlog of games while still acquiring new ones, that is what collecting ANY hobby is about. I buy games used whenever possible to avoid paying retail, and have a list of games I want to purchase. When I see a game on my list for a good price, I buy it. That's a part of being a video game collector, in my opinion. I play my games and beat them when I have the time. I'm curious as to how you feel about people who collect old cars, sports cards, dolls, toys, etc...is every person who actively collects something a hoarder in your eyes?

Then you are not a hoarder......you buy your product that you collect and play and experience your product.

For the 3rd time again, when you buy games and don't even play it and then go out and buy new games...you are hoarding it. The definition of Hoard is to store......to acquire...to stock up.

Someone who collects and don't even care of the product that they are collecting is a hoarder.

I guess I wasn't clear about your definition. What I meant to ask was, what about someone who collects something that can't be "enjoyed" the way a video game can be? A person who collects paintings of horses, for example. How can you define if they are "experiencing" their collection of horse paintings? What if they both buy AND sell the paintings? What if they have a closet full of them that they haven't looked at in years?

[Hobie-wan]

Somebody get Jay Leno some help!



Also anyone that has a collection of books. Especially if they're some old school encyclopedias. I doubt they've even bothered to read 5% of them!

[Zodd]

So anyone who develops a personal library of any sort is a hoarder?

By your definition if I go out today and buy two of my first ever video games, then go buy my third and fourth tomorrow, I am a hoarder.

Zodd: you are acting like an idiot.

The topic is....
When Does Collecting Become a Problem?


My answer is.....
When you don't care for (or experience) the product you are collecting,yet, continue to collect it.

When you collect something you don't care for but still collect it.....what is it called?

[AppleQueso]

The topic is....
When Does Collecting Become a Problem?


My answer is.....
When you don't care for (or experience) the product you are collecting,yet, continue to collect it.

That's fine. Anyone who feels like they're just going through the motions on this sort of thing should stop and evaluate why they're doing it at all anyway. I think, however, that the vast majority of game collectors care very deeply about what they're collecting, even if they don't have time to play them regularly.

When you collect something you don't care for but still collect it.....what is it called?

I don't think this actually applies to anyone here so I don't think it matters much. Why would someone collect games if they didn't have a passion for them?

[prfsnl_gmr]

So you mean to tell me that collecting video games never bring about ANY of those effects?

I do not think that any of our members has argued (or would argue) that video games collecting will never have a deleterious effect on finances or personal relationships.

Your use of the term "hoarder", however, implies that there is something wrong with anyone who purchases video games without the intent to play them extensively and anyone who owns games that he or she does not play on a regular basis. I am not sure whether that was your intent, but if it was, then I think that you are mistaken and that your use of the term "hoarder" is offensive.

My wife collects art pottery. She has a lot of it, and it is displayed thoughout our home. Nonetheless, she does not use her art pottery as vessels (and she would probably be motified if someone put something into many of her pieces). She likes educating herself on art pottery, organizing and re-organizing her collection, discussing art pottery with fellow enthusiasts, and finding new pieces to add to her collection. (She is particularly thrilled when she adds a rare or valuable piece of art pottery to her collection for a good price.)

Similarly, I collect video games. By my last estimate, I have 2000+ games stored in my closet and attic. I generally play them one-at-a-time and to completion. I often play the same game multiple times, but I have some games that I play very infrequently. I also have no intention of revisiting some of the games in my collection. Nonetheless, I like educating myself on video games, organizing and re-organizing my collection, discussing video games with fellow enthusiasts, and finding new pieces to add to my collection. (I am particularly thrilled when I add a rare or valuable game to my collection for a good price.)

We are both collectors, but I do not view our collecting habits as problematic. We are successful in our careers; we are responsible with our finances; and we have good personal relationships with our children, colleagues, family, and friends. We enjoy "hunting" together for new items to add to our collections, and we often discuss our hobbies with one another.

Nonetheless, you would very likely characterize both of us as "hoarders" and, in doing so, imply that there is something inherently abnormal or problematic about our hobbies. There is nothing wrong with our hobbies, however, and I find this characterization offensive. I also think that many of our other members find this characterization offensive, and this is probably why you are receiving such spirited responses to your posts.

Again, none of us are implying that video games collecting will never have a deleterious effect on finances or personal relationships, but many of us find your characterization of all people who engage in the hobby as "hoarders" incorrect and offensive.

[Luke]

So anyone who develops a personal library of any sort is a hoarder?

By your definition if I go out today and buy two of my first ever video games, then go buy my third and fourth tomorrow, I am a hoarder.

Zodd: you are acting like an idiot.

The topic is....
When Does Collecting Become a Problem?


My answer is.....
When you don't care for (or experience) the product you are collecting,yet, continue to collect it.

When you collect something you don't care for but still collect it.....what is it called?

@ Zodd: Some people only enjoy the hunt. I have a few antiques that I will never use for their original purpose, and I'm fine with displaying them as decorations. I have framed art that I'll never "use" as well.


My succinct answer is...

Collecting becomes a problem when you own every episode from every show during abc's TGIF lineup in the 90's, on DVD.

[SpoonyBard]

So you mean to tell me that collecting video games never bring about ANY of those effects?

When diagnosing something like that, you need to meet all of the criteria.

I cough a lot, which is a symptom of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. But I don't meet any of the other criteria for that infection. So to tell me "It might be TB" after I cough would be a pretty outlandish assessment.

Calling someone a hoarder because they collect things and don't use them right away is equally ridiculous.