When Does Collecting Become a Problem?

[Zodd]

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.

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.

Thanks for the reply..

Collecting video games or whatever it is you collect is perfectly fine.....but it does cause problems....we can't deny it. My main point was that the current level of video game collecting now is no longer about collecting.

The author of the thread stated that he took a break and then dived back in a year ago because he was bored and needed a hobby. His words were "I bought a lot of stuff just to have it knowing I'd never play it. I simply wanted to get my collection to grow as large as possible."

That right there is NOT a collector's mindset..

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

[johnny turbo]

People can suck it. I have a 1,500 square ft. Basement with nothing but turntables, video games, speakers, LD players, TV'S, ect. It's clean and everything is meticulously organized. I get much more enjoyment out of owning video games then actually playing them. I've spent days just looking at manuals, box arts, ect. Most of my peers don't play video games, but they still find it interesting. After all, I have no kids and live in a 3,000 square ft. home. What else am I going to use that space for? The day I quit collecting is the same day I stop smoking cigarettes.

Half of your house is the basement?

Shot in the dark: You live in the Midwest don't you?

I live in TN. The house is built into the hillside. I inherited it and the farm when my father passed. So instead of selling it. I continued the farm and such. My rather built this in 1977, so it was built well. I raise Hereford cows. Have about 300 head.

You know I get sick of this shit. I have a huge video game/ record collection but it has never hindered me in any way. Is it excessive? Sure. But when you spend within your means I don't ever find it bad. I know I find just as much enjoyment in having my video games as I do playing them. If it were not for the fact that I work so much I'd play them a lot more. I understand that I'll probably never play all the games I own, but that is fine with me.

Just because you have a large collection doesn't mean your fiscally irresponsible. I'm not saying its alright for you to neglect your family over it. That shit isn't cool. Haha the outside of my house is pretty messy. Sorry bout that. Those are the doors that lead into the basement. They certainly made it easy to get my MVS cab in their.. Just backed the truck to the doors and hauled it in.

[AppleQueso]

Thanks for the reply..

Collecting video games or whatever it is you collect is perfectly fine.....but it does cause problems....we can't deny it. My main point was that the current level of video game collecting now is no longer about collecting.

I'd say it's less that it does cause problems and more that it can. It's important to be careful that you don't let your spending or collecting get out of control. Most people here thankfully are good about spending within their means or not neglecting their other responsibilities to family, etc.

The author of the thread stated that he took a break and then dived back in a year ago because he was bored and needed a hobby. His words were "I bought a lot of stuff just to have it knowing I'd never play it. I simply wanted to get my collection to grow as large as possible."

That right there is NOT a collector's mindset..

It's definitely not a mindset I agree with. Collecting should not be about competition to see who can get the most games, it should be about loving video games. Perhaps a way of phrasing your original stance might be that collecting becomes a problem when you care more about the size of your collection than you do about the content of it.

Personally though, I don't think "quantity over quality" is inherently a problem either, at least not in the sense that this thread is referring to, so long as it's not causing other problems for you. In the OP's case, it obviously did.

[Retrogamer0001]

People can suck it. I have a 1,500 square ft. Basement with nothing but turntables, video games, speakers, LD players, TV'S, ect. It's clean and everything is meticulously organized. I get much more enjoyment out of owning video games then actually playing them. I've spent days just looking at manuals, box arts, ect. Most of my peers don't play video games, but they still find it interesting. After all, I have no kids and live in a 3,000 square ft. home. What else am I going to use that space for? The day I quit collecting is the same day I stop smoking cigarettes.

Half of your house is the basement?

Shot in the dark: You live in the Midwest don't you?

I live in TN. The house is built into the hillside. I inherited it and the farm when my father passed. So instead of selling it. I continued the farm and such. My rather built this in 1977, so it was built well. I raise Hereford cows. Have about 300 head.

You know I get sick of this shit. I have a huge video game/ record collection but it has never hindered me in any way. Is it excessive? Sure. But when you spend within your means I don't ever find it bad. I know I find just as much enjoyment in having my video games as I do playing them. If it were not for the fact that I work so much I'd play them a lot more. I understand that I'll probably never play all the games I own, but that is fine with me.

Just because you have a large collection doesn't mean your fiscally irresponsible. I'm not saying its alright for you to neglect your family over it. That shit isn't cool. Haha the outside of my house is pretty messy. Sorry bout that. Those are the doors that lead into the basement. They certainly made it easy to get my MVS cab in their.. Just backed the truck to the doors and hauled it in.

...is your name Dwight Schrute?

[fastbilly1]

I live in TN. The house is built into the hillside.

Where about in TN? I just moved from Atlanta to south of Nashville.

[johnny turbo]

Yuma TN. It's about 2 hours from Nashville. Unincorporated town with about 150-200 people. 45 minutes from a Walmart and the only gas station in 20 miles has 1 pump, if that tells you anything about this god forsaken town.

[fastbilly1]

You are honestly not that far from where I use to live in Hampshire, my inlaws are near Centerville. Yuma is a tiny town though, but if I remember correctly, atleast yall have a stoplight.

[johnny turbo]

The town next to us has a stop light. You may be thinking of clarksburg our neighboring town. Theu at least have a gas station and a local grocery store.Our "attractions" consist of a post office that is open 1 day a week and a church of Christ. With 16 me members. All of which I'm related to.

[o.pwuaioc]

I live in TN. The house is built into the hillside.

Where about in TN? I just moved from Atlanta to south of Nashville.

As a former Tennessean, I'm sorry.

[fastbilly1]

That sounds like Hampshire, but we have a general store and a "Museum" that is full of random car parts and taxidermy. We moved to Spring Hill since I work near the airport in Nashville and the hour and a half to two hours each way drive was hell. But we are getting way off topic.

Lets get back on topic, Collecting is something that should be done in moderation. That is collecting of anything.