What is a collector and why are they despised by many???

[JohnAspinall]

Interesting question. To me, a collector is someone who places more value on an
object just for existing, for being itself, while a non-collector places more
value on something that has purpose for the future. So non-collectors don't
like collectors because they drive up the price, and collectors don't like
non-collectors, because they don't appreciate history, or see beauty.

I think it's important to think of this as a continuous spectrum; very few of us
are pure collector, or pure non-collector. If you've ever put a picture on your
wall, you've got a little collector in you. And if you've ever thrown something
out that once had value to you, you're not 100% collector. Most of us fall well
between the two extremes.

 

[GK1918]

Ok Bill here goes, I already have been accused of hoarding Flxible bus parts. I grew up with these
being a family owned bus co. Inc. 1946. I know rivet for rivet from Buick straight eights to the age of
Detroit Diesels. So when my father and my uncle hung it up in the 1990s I was given rights for 48
states and I cleaned out the shop. I kept the remaining four buses and parts dept. I really tried to
hang on the family name until this high teck countrys lawers and insurance,DMV sucked me dry. So
these days the Flxible community labeled me a hoarder for this stuff. 1998 I sold all buses and kept
one for a conversion in that ill post a photo so you know what Im talking about, in which I sold this bus
qouple years ago for $20,000 in which town taxes and furnace oil sucked that dry. now no money no
bus. Hope im in the realm on this topic. So,,, I got no clue about ebay, CL, or even to climb a ladder
to the attic in the shop cause of Industrial acc in Nov., then comes packaging ups I dont know. And
then now and then I think of machining some hard parts copied from genuine Flxible nos. parts and
selling those.? I am probably off topic but stuff I have on the machine shop side, the modern young
man would scrap it. So the battle between father and son. I got my first car 58 Mercury they go for
$10000 and up 1959 Continental more that Mercury loaded I have had since '62. I need the money
Kid says no way, got files & files of Flxible factory invoices books etc. Kid says no way. The Flxible
owners group on Yahoo is a large group. So I remain as despised. I have had this stuff so long I just
feel its like part of me and my son , Im guilty him to. forgive me if im OT samuel

 

[Nelson]

It's interesting for me to even be branded as a collector. It just shows how little these people know me. I am anything but a collector. I USE everything I own, including Spode Christmas china I bought we use at Christmas, Montblanc pens, brass model trains- I use everything. We use Waterford lamps. The kids broke a few. So what. Don't want to be buried with them.

I own loads of clocks (probably over 50). Whatever ones work (about 10), I operate. The house shakes at 12 noon each day as they all strike. I am learning to repair the rest. Then I will wind them all.

I bought the machines I own, a lathe and 2 mills to make clock parts not to restore and take photos of. Not that there is anything wrong with it- I just bought them to use.

Of course, as a machine collector, do you learn anything about machining? I think not. To me, the idea is to use it to make something you can use. That is where the fun is at.

But, to each his/her own.


:tiphat:Nelson

 

[Redirish]

Plus 1 Bill. I have stuff that others tell me I should sell, simply because someone else wants them. My answer to that is "they can get out there and buy, or trade for whatever they want", just like I did. Like Nelson, and others here, I got this stuff to use but no one is going to tell me when to use it. And, yes, it is all about jealousy. Keep collecting, ignore the whiners.)

 

[Nelson]

Maybe Nelson will jump in here and post what was said to invoke this topic. Besides Measuring Tools I collect Model Airplane Engines. I can't repeat here some of the names I've been called. Yes there is a faction that despises Collectors. You may not have run into any yet but they are indeed there. If this thread goes where I hope you will clearly see the issues.

I found what I am looking for. Go to this thread and read post #13 by Nelson.

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/5867-A-lesson-on-giving-criticism-wisely


"Billy G" :biggrin:

Bill,

If you didn't like someone, and didn't really know them, you would have to find something they did to justify your dislike. That is what is going on.

- it could be that they don't know anything about machining
- it could be that they have never operated a machine
- it could be that their machines don't run yet, so they are collectors
- it could be that someone said they copied information from another site
- it could be that they made a competing site where people have to be civil to each other
- it could be that they were banned from a site or sites for defending themselves when they were attacked
- it could be that they are an attorney- everyone hates attorneys
- it could be that they wear a red tie and eat roast beef

Whatever you need to justify it. When you take time to actually think what they are doing, you realize how sad and pathetic this is in a HOBBY context.

That is why complaints should not be made PUBLICLY, but rather in PMs to Tony, Walter or me. Putting something out there only gives these haters more fuel when they come here to read something that they can use to justify their hate.

:tiphat:Nelson

 

[PIKEMAN]

I collect Farmalls, Evinrude/Johnson 3hp outboards, guns,Shakespeare rods and reels, old machinery,Vw's, and cribbage boards. What I do not do is rip off a new guy who is not aware of the value of what he is buying/selling. I do not use my knowledge as a weapon to prey on the less learned. I try to help when asked, and keep my trap shut when appropriate. My steadfast rule for anything I buy or sell is " that if it is not a good deal for both of us, I won't do the deal".I have left clubs because of how I was treated as the new guy. All of it comes down to how you treat your fellow man, and if the way you treat them allows you to sleep well at night.

 

[ScrapMetal]

I think it's all in how you decide to view thing. Personally I have nothing against "collectors", other than they tend to have more toys than I do. :biggrin: If it weren't for the collectors there would likely be nothing left for the future, especially with our "old" equipment. If they hadn't held on to things they would have been scrapped or used up by now and as the collector won't live forever (or decide to let items go) those tools survive 'til the next generation is ready to put them to use and take care of them.

In my book, hate for "collectors", for the most part, just comes down to jealousy.

-Ron

 

[Charley Davidson]

Collectors if hated are so mostly because of jealousy, but sometimes because of unethical practices in aquiring things or because of greed.

Hoarders on the other hand are hated because they do nothing with what they hoard and have no real purpose in what they do other than they have mental issues (I'm talking about the extremists)

I love most collectors and am envious of them, I love the collector who proudly displays his collection in some form and also uses some of his collection. My friend Doc of Doc's Harley Davidson http://www.docshd.com/Museum.php
http://www.docshd.com/Docs_Creations.php actually drives all of his cars & bikes & has let me drive some of them also. A great example of the type of collector I like and would like to be.

 

[Hawkeye]

When it comes to motorcycles, it is said that you are a collector when you have more bikes than helmets. I think I just moved into the collector category on Friday. I picked up a 1966 CT200 Trail 90. That brings the stable up to four bikes - two on Collector Plates, all of eligible age.

My brother keeps hounding me to give him the '77 CB750-Four K. He's a collector, too. He's not getting my K7!

Whether it's bikes or tools, all mine have to be used. The K7 is on the disabled list and has been for some years. Mostly because my shop has been taken over by machine tools - no room to work on an engine. :biggrin:

I'd rather see a machine used than 'collected'. I'd rather see a machine 'collected' than scrapped.

 

[Campy]

Some people collect and don't use. Some people collect and use what they collect. The good news is that most every collection ends up back in the market at sometime. What hurts is when the value of things get so great that we have to sell as we can't afford to keep them. I heard Earl Shruggs banjo is valued at over 1,000,000.00. Will his boys be able to keep it or have to sell it? Me I am a collector user. Why have it if isn't used? I have lots of motorcycles not quite one for every day of the month but close. I like old BMW airheads and have 7 in the garage plus old Yamaha's. Someday the collection will be divided and then someday sold. I do ride and my family rides so all the bikes get driven and they aren't garage Queens. Even the R90S gets lots of miles. Steve McQueen had an awesome collection and now it is spread out. Jay Leno has an amazing collection and someday it will be available too. Campy