My tiny collection

[winstoncds]

For 8000 Rs., I would want the Bugatti to be a hand made model with pressed copper plates for doors and fenders, just like the CMC MB SLRs. Not just mass produced diecast. The showcar versions of the Veyron cost 4000 Rs. How can I ever justify paying 4000 more for the same car with a little more enginnered parts gone into it.

[vaas2000]

Diablo Wrote:450 USD is crazy money by any stretch of imagination and Vasant you pretty much said it all. These are kept in the cabinet after all with no other useful function. Sometimes I wonder why I am collecting models too and I realise I have always loved cars from the time I can remember. I wanted to stand at the window seat of the bus to look down at cars. All my clothes had to have a picture of a car on them though my parents not always agreed with that. I wanted a compound full of Mercedes Benz but now I realise that it would be really stupid to do that. So when I had the means, I got into this hobby. When the disposable income increased a bit, I went into little more expensive cars. But thats all changed now. I always believe that I have been at the right place at the right time. I now have next to no place to keep the models, prices have gone through the roof and now with our new born, priorities have shifted tremendously. I might get that occasional model that I need but it better be within by set budget. No extravagant spending till my kids finish college and are on their own feet.

I too feel the guilt sometimes because i've been blowing too much lately on these midgets but thankfully sometimes saner logical part of me takes control and prevents me from blowing outrageous amounts on one scalemodel. I guess the impulsive buying is a bit out of control these days, need to watch over it.

[winstoncds]

I went to the mall today to get nappies for my son. I can get them at the local chemist too but the supermart has more variety. Dropped by the toy section and picked a nice black Burago Ducati 999. Put it in the shopping basket. After 5 minutes I went and put it back on the shelf. Vasanth, I thought of what you said those 5 minutes. Do I really need this bike. I have the red Maisto 999 and what good would it do to just have another one just for the color, however nice it looks.

[karansharma8783]

I didn't know that you all have this level of addiction for this hobby. Impulsive buying is something I have hardly ever done. I pretty much know what I really want and also, everytime I have a tight budget. So it's not more than one or two Maistos at a time and that too only those that are in my wishlist.

The only time that I can remember that I really splurged was when I had gone to Delhi on vacation and had gone to Modelart there. I had bought the Autoart Mustang and the Signature Pierce Arrow, totalling 6500 bucks. And the very next day, I had also bought 2 more Buragos, the Alpine Renault and the Corvette C5, which made it a total of 9000 bucks in 2 days.

And now that I am a student again, I am again out of money. But still I have bought 4 more diecasts after joining IIM from the money that my dad had deposited in my account just because I'm going out. Really feel guilty about this, since I have told at home that I just added 1 or 2 more after coming here. After I get the Stingray, I'll really have to control myself. No more spending someone else's money on your own hobby.

I look forward to the day when I am a bachelor and earning good money to spend freely on diecasts. But even then, we should set a fixed budget per month to be spent on diecasts because this can prove to be a really expensive one if our emotions get loose.

[kvsk4]

Guys, now you are making me really 'nervous' with all your wise talk

[karansharma8783]

KV, it's good you haven't reached to that level. Would make your purse full till when you do though

[Haroon]

Guys, even I go thru that dilemma - Lets call it PUAR syndrome (pickup and return syndrome)!! Even now I feel guilty at times, but if I see models that are not in my collection, then I just close my eyes and take it. Thankfully the 1:18 bikes are not as expensive as the scale cars. Wife also does not mind me spending on this hobby, but when I spend for accesories and costly helmets etc on my actual '1:1 bike', then at some opportune moment there will always be a passing remark by her 'A $400 additional helmet is fine, but when I ask for an additional blender for the kitchen, then you ask- is it really necessary'

Wife, house, kids, their school/college admission, marriage.....when do we live our life? Guess its all part of the package deal

[aritrim]

Haroon Wrote:'A $400 additional helmet is fine, but when I ask for an additional blender for the kitchen, then you ask- is it really necessary'

Often I have to face such statements. An easy solution is using cotton swabs (or your ipod) in your ear.

Haroon Wrote:Wife, house, kids, their school/college admission, marriage.....when do we live our life? Guess its all part of the package deal

We try to but we don't. There are 2 ways, either you stay single and live life your way (1:1s and 1:18s) OR you enroll in that M institution and give your family the priority. I am fine with the later BUT, I should not be questioned if I buy a Exoto (if I), neither my scale models should be compared to anything like that you said a mixer blender or painting the house or new furniture.

[winstoncds]

KV, no need to get nervous. The bike went back on the shelf because I have one sitting at home and duplicates are not the priority now. But if its something that I want and I don't have, I will be quicker than QuickGun Murugun in pressing the 'Buy it now' trigger.

Luckily for me, money has been always in short supply and all my purchases have been really thought before hand before taking the splurge. I do get buyer's remorse almost everytime I get a model home, but then I sit back and think why I have the model and I remember why I have the model and then all is well.

Haroon, well said. We only live once and I guess we should pamper ourselves once in a while. Our wives definitely don't mind having 10 pairs of shoes in the closet but that one new car is seen as a major waste. If my wife sees this, I am a dead man.

Ari, an ipod? How can I save money to buy an ipod when all of that is reserved for future diecasts. Besides listerning to music with ear plugs gives me a headache. So I would rather listen to wife's scolding and spend the ipod money for more diecast.

[amit V8]

this is surely a very very expensive hobby and is quite hard to collect if you'r a student. as in my case, i get a very nominal amount per month (which is quite a fair amount but not so for a die-cast model) i sometimes cannot buy the models i want.

but the good part is my mom and dad don't say anything when i buy them. not a single word. even my dad buys them for me sometimes. but, the biggest thing is, i always make it a point that i will not go for more than 2 models (max.) per month. the reason is space and saving M for the future.

kvsk4 Wrote:Guys, now you are making me really 'nervous' with all your wise talk

so Kv, don't worry. it's your choice. go for the models but keep in mind about the BIG THING in your pocket. i have been collecting models with my money from class 9 (9th grade) and i have faced not a single problem ever. so happy collecting.