WOW.....
Just spent a "litle" time reading through these posts. I'll say it again, WOW........
What the hey, I spent all that time reading, I'll add my two cents.
This had happened in other hobby areas. I am a diverse collector, Gas, Oil, Cars, Bottles, Soda, Antiques, Trains, Firearms, Decoys, you name it. I actually do some writing for a small soda pop magazine. I am also somewhat young, 36 with two young daughters, so my wallet is extremely limited and often empty.
I have one original globe (Mobil Special) that my dad gave me for Christmas one year that he actually traded a guy work (house painting) in order to get this globe for me. That globe will never leave my possession at any time. Common globe, not worth a ton, but to me.....priceless. That's what hobbies and collecting are all about.
When something you enjoy starts to get and feel like work, then it's no fun. The hobby is ruined for you.
Someone had a post about tearing apart a man's globe to see if it is a repo. Excellent point. Look at the classic car hobby for instance. This is where this will head, I see it at auctions all the time. Buyer beware.
I buy stuff because it strikes a passion within. Sometimes all I can do is admire other peoples stuff because I can't afford or find stuff like they have. That's cool. That's why I love this site and others like it. I hope it doesn't change.
There will always be people that are in it for the money and not the love of it. Those people are easy to pick out and I just won't buy from them no matter what. What's the point.
Great posts, great topic, don't let a few bad apples ruin it for everyone else.
Have a good night, God Bless.
