Wipeout | 27 Feb 2015 11:02 a.m. PST |
As someone famous once said, quantity has a quality all of its own. And, playing with kids (and being a big one myself, some might say!), having as many soldiers and models as possible generally is deemed to be good. But have you reached the stage where you've said "I've got enough, now" and avoided buying more stuff? As someone with lots of unpainted soldiers, I perhaps should say "enough" for now. But being a plastic soldier fan, with new sets coming out all the time – and with the fear of not getting them before they go out of production – I'm constantly tempted. What's your take on this. And, if like me, you keep going, how do you justify it to the other half!? My wider musings on my blog: wipeoutwargames.com/blog Regards, |
MajorB | 27 Feb 2015 11:05 a.m. PST |
When do you have "enough" stuff in a hobby? When you run out of storage space. |
Mick the Metalsmith | 27 Feb 2015 11:10 a.m. PST |
According to my wife, when I got started. I have come to the conclusion that I must stop buying figs as I cannot paint the figs I already have, and can barely get the time to game with the ones I already have painted. Storage of painted figures has become a real issue. I had to stop buying board games for the same reasons. Although I have managed to sneak in a few more purchases this last year I have quit buying figs and games at the same levels as years past. I might switch to buying painted figs, but that is very much part of the hobby for me and I really can't say I will do it without a strong sense of loss. I am investing more in the environment of play, and playing surfaces then I have in the past. |
whitphoto | 27 Feb 2015 11:11 a.m. PST |
When you're either dead or your wife is threatening to leave you over it (depending on the wife). |
Inkpaduta | 27 Feb 2015 11:15 a.m. PST |
I really don't know if you can ever reach "enough." The nature of a hobby is to collect. Now, things like not having money, no more room or losing interest might make you stop but if those aren't factors one keeps finding new stuff to get. |
galvinm | 27 Feb 2015 11:26 a.m. PST |
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x42brown | 27 Feb 2015 11:30 a.m. PST |
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Rrobbyrobot | 27 Feb 2015 11:37 a.m. PST |
What a strange question. My wife once said I had bought enough figures that I'd never get them all painted. I stopped buying any for a couple of months. Then she saw me actually run out of figures to paint. She doesn't say such things anymore. Besides, I told her I could say the same about some of her hobby stuff. That really took the wind out of her sails. |
Xintao | 27 Feb 2015 11:50 a.m. PST |
This year I hit 50 and I have started to look at what I am likely to actual play with and what I won't get too. I will be prioritizing my game systems and projects. Ones that I can reasonably get too, will survive, others will go to the HMGS flea markets. I am not opposed to getting new figures, but they will be focused on specific genres I want to game and am likely to game, not just every crazy shiny new game that comes out. Xin |
ordinarybass | 27 Feb 2015 12:08 p.m. PST |
I'm stretching the limit of my storage space. I've should slow down my acquisitions but more likely I'll just drastically rearrange my storage space. Again. |
Ragbones | 27 Feb 2015 12:09 p.m. PST |
It's a question I'm struggling with, too, as I get ready to retire later this year. Disposable income will shrink and then, too, the question of storage is becoming an issue, mainly because of my obsession with building and playing a 54/60mm Siege of the Alamo using Conte and Toy Soldier of San Diego buildings and figures. I don't know what the solution is but I do know this hobby and my friends in it are just about the only thing that's kept me sane (relatively) over the years and I'm not about to give up! As others have said, I'm taking a long hard look at what I think I'll be playing with in the future and what will just be sitting around gathering dust. I've already made the decision to not start any new projects. I will only add to existing collections or projects to fill gaps. |
Razor78 | 27 Feb 2015 12:14 p.m. PST |
When the shed is full……buy another shed |
Timmo uk | 27 Feb 2015 12:16 p.m. PST |
I've often asked myself this but in the end I realised that you just know when you've got enough. If you're still asking yourself the question then the answer is you haven't yet reached the point to stop. I have ten main armies and am now only really adding to three of them although I still do the odd half dozen figures for the others if I feel like it – perhaps once a year or so. |
nickinsomerset | 27 Feb 2015 12:19 p.m. PST |
This is a situation which should never be allowed to occur, Tally Ho! |
Pictors Studio | 27 Feb 2015 12:19 p.m. PST |
I thought I had enough. Then they released more and I knew I didn't any more. |
The Gray Ghost | 27 Feb 2015 12:22 p.m. PST |
never because there is always new and better stuff coming out |
Axebreaker | 27 Feb 2015 12:26 p.m. PST |
There will likely always be something I want so I won't kid myself in thinking I've ever had enough, but I have become more discerning in my purchases then I used to be. Christopher |
Thomas O | 27 Feb 2015 12:35 p.m. PST |
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Jcfrog | 27 Feb 2015 12:51 p.m. PST |
Probably never.. But as was said, when you move, and have a storage problem… Then calculations about( optimistic) probable games per year and such, give a sobering need to concentrate on a few subjects and a few more quickies on the side, to actually have some sort of proficiency and 5-7 games possible of each, each year. That said… Well no doubt I might get some Persians sooner or later, a side effects of my Russians 1812… Then I still have all those turks in packs… Actually I already gave up / sold four periods, so to speak. |
20thmaine | 27 Feb 2015 12:53 p.m. PST |
I'm way beyond out of storage space – on the plus side though I definitely do buy less than I used to. So, I guess I feel like I already have almost enough whilst in reality I already have more than enough. It's not logical – but this is wargaming we're discussing. |
Texas Jack | 27 Feb 2015 12:55 p.m. PST |
There are some very fun answers here! I particularly like Mick the Metalsmith´s parenthetical advice. I have decided not to buy any figures this year (at least until Christmas- I´m not that crazy!). I have so much to paint and I would really like to get the pile down to a mere pile from a mountain. I have been helped in this decision by my wife, who insists she never sees me play, only paint, and by the bright minds of the Czech National Bank, who have the nasty habit of devaluing the crown anytime ordering abroad becomes affordable. Right now I am working on some 1812 Russians I got for Christmas (2013), and I am quite content so far. |
GarrisonMiniatures | 27 Feb 2015 1:07 p.m. PST |
'When you run out of storage space.' No, it's after that. |
Dynaman8789 | 27 Feb 2015 1:38 p.m. PST |
> No, it's after that. Yup, WELL after that. As for the other half, there has to be SOMETHING she has way too much of as well. |
Cyrus the Great | 27 Feb 2015 1:46 p.m. PST |
When the pry my last hobby purchase from my cold…dead… hand! |
GarrisonMiniatures | 27 Feb 2015 2:02 p.m. PST |
'by the bright minds of the Czech National Bank, who have the nasty habit of devaluing the crown anytime ordering abroad becomes affordable.' So, even if you can't afford it, it would really save you money in the long term… |
Texas Jack | 27 Feb 2015 2:05 p.m. PST |
I reckon I should send them all a big thank you note! |
D A THB | 27 Feb 2015 2:09 p.m. PST |
Having just turned 54 I started to look at what I have and can reasonably expect to paint. I expect to be able to play as long as my eyesight holds out but painting stuff could be an issue. I've limited to buying just one new period, Late WW1 in 28mm. Anything else is just expanding on what I already have. The problem now is I still want to research and buy things so have started buying up Vietnam period equipment, and other things of that era. My partner has not found out that I have bought a few early 70's Playboys and am looking for 60's editions. They make interesting reading as I really enjoy reading first hand accounts from vets so it helps me understand the culture of that time. Dan |
John the OFM | 27 Feb 2015 2:13 p.m. PST |
The title is :in a hobby". Ours is a collecting hobby, so the answer is obvious. If my hobby was gazing at my navel, then I already have enough navels. |
legatushedlius | 27 Feb 2015 2:15 p.m. PST |
I worked out that I have 70 years worth of figures to paint so I have started to eBay them. I feel much less stressed already! |
VonTed | 27 Feb 2015 3:12 p.m. PST |
I vote we ban the OP. BURN HIM! |
Martin Rapier | 27 Feb 2015 3:32 p.m. PST |
When you run out of space, although my solution was to move house and build an extension. Seriously, space is a real limiter. I am at the stage of one in, one out these days. |
Okiegamer | 27 Feb 2015 3:51 p.m. PST |
Interesting discussion! I'm nearly 63 and have been wargaming, in one form or another, for well over fifty years. Some things I've learned, at least for myself, are, first, never sell figures that I've painted myself unless there's a real good reason. The return is usually not worth all the time and effort I put in on them. And, invariably, there will come a time when I wish I had them back. Second, as a general rule, it's better to paint my own figures than buy from someone else. This is a rule I sometimes break, however. For instance, when starting a new period I may buy a painted army to form the core and then add bits and pieces to it. That way, I can get a faster start, and also conform more to the painting style and basing of the other person. I never expect the opposite to be the case, and almost always end up repainting and/or rebasing when I buy figures to add to an army that I did myself. Third, although there are again exceptions, I make it a rule to build "games" rather than "collections." The former have a definite goal and a finite starting and stopping point. The latter are, by definition, never quite finished. Most of my games are fairly small, usually no more than a few hundred figures. There is only so much playing time, and so much table space, regardless of whether I am playing solo at home with our club down at the local wargame shop. So, except for one or two of my favorite periods, I try to keep the games manageable – meaning that they can be played on a 6x4 to 8x5 sized table, and can pretty much be played to a conclusion in about four hours. This same rule of thumb works well when I take my games to put on at a con. To more directly answer Wipeout's original question, I think it is important to ask one's self some straightforward questions. First, "how much money do I realistically have to invest in my hobby over a given period of time?" and, second, "how much time do I have to paint and play?" Last year, I spent a lot more time painting than playing, and got a bit frustrated as the result. So this year my New Year's resolution is to spend more time playing. I think I'll tend to stay more motivated and also get more return for my investment. Third, "how many friends do I have to game with regularly, what will their contributions be, and how many different time periods can we fit into our gaming schedule?" The answers to these will, of course, be different for each individual. But they may help guide one in determining how big his collection is to be, how many periods it should encompass, and how big or small each period should be. OKG |
(Phil Dutre) | 27 Feb 2015 4:41 p.m. PST |
Yes, storage space is an issue. For the past five years or so, total volume has not increased, but quality has. In other words, I no longer expand my collection, but I upgrade: better terrain mats, better scenery, … Also, I have consolidated the collection and sold off or given away loose ends. |
Ottoathome | 27 Feb 2015 4:46 p.m. PST |
You have to define "enough." |
redbanner4145 | 27 Feb 2015 5:41 p.m. PST |
I don't like to think about it. |
Cardinal Ximenez | 27 Feb 2015 6:19 p.m. PST |
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Jemima Fawr | 27 Feb 2015 6:28 p.m. PST |
We don't have to stand for this sort of filth! |
Henry Martini | 27 Feb 2015 6:41 p.m. PST |
That's why they make office chairs. |
Silurian | 27 Feb 2015 7:22 p.m. PST |
I almost just typed the comical "never!" But then I thought, I don't have enough, seriously. I will never have enough! That sounds terribly greedy and first worldy, and what-not, but I look at the projects I'm working on now, and I'm thoroughly enjoying working on them, and they're not complete. And then I get genuinely excited thinking about the projects that I'll be working on next, and all the figures, terrain, and models they will require. And so on, and so on. Maybe at some distant point in the future I'll consider selling off old projects. I doubt it though. |
Murphy | 28 Feb 2015 7:28 a.m. PST |
I have hundreds/thousands of figures, and I know that I will probably never ever paint them all..(In fact last weekend I found a bag of over 100 Dixon 28mm figs (Pirates and Cowboys mostly), that I had completely forgotten about. And I have 15mm figs I haven't touched in a year… Storage is a bit of a problem due to my other hobby, but we are looking at building my "Man cave" soon… As for storage; well allow me to put this in perspective some….. I have two hobbies…..(Well I actually have more, but I have two major ones); Gaming and American Civil War Reenacting…. If you want to see something that takes up space, visit a reenactors house. Now when I go reenact by myself, I bring my sleeping roll, shebang, gear, spare pair of socks, etc… I can fit everything I need in the back seat of my truck. When my wife (Gawd bless her!), goes along, we also take: A: The A Frame Tent B: The Fly Cover C: All poles, pegs, pins and rope. D: ALL of the camp cooking gear. A lot of hand forged cast iron in a shipping crate…VERY HEAVY E; Food, Drink, etc… F: 3-4 different outfits for her. G: What we sleep one. H: Chairs… Etc… It's like moving a small house to a field for a weekend. With me alone, I am set up in 15-30 minutes. With my wife it takes us 4-6 HOURS to set up. Now based on that, I look at my gaming stuff and say "Whew!" it's a lot but not as much as THAT…. |
davbenbak | 28 Feb 2015 9:03 a.m. PST |
Never. My wife asks that question all the time. |
DuckanCover | 28 Feb 2015 6:43 p.m. PST |
…Been collecting wargaming, RPG, and miniatures goodies for almost fifty years. Doesn't look like "have "enough" stuff" is ever going to happen. My wife and I both have our fields of interest, hobby-wise, and she's certainly okay with mine. That's got to be good news for at least half a dozen or so manufacturers currently. Duck |
Great War Ace | 28 Feb 2015 8:04 p.m. PST |
At any point along the way, the core question ought to be weighed against the needs of others we share responsibility for. Is our "man cave" (game room) depriving children from having a room of their own? Is the money we spend on our hobby depriving our family of needed things? Do we neglect saving for the future because we spend too much in the present? If we can answer these value judgments honestly and have money available to make room for our gaming and all the stuff it entails, then in my opinion there is never anything to be said against how we spend our treasure. Take care of the necessary things, and any extras will feel right when we indulge in them. If we never feel right about spending any of our treasure on ourselves, then a value adjustment is in order. Because treasure is to be shared, not given to everybody else and never ourselves…. |