During These Bad Economy Times, Are You...

[theantiquetiger]

Selling off some (or all) of your collection to help, not buying nor selling, or buying up stuff at low prices right now?

I understand if you lost your job (my collection will be the 1st to go), but if you are just taking a beating on your 401K, lose in pay due to cut backs (no overtime, etc), and just overall worried, what are you doing collecting wise?

[wolfie]

Nothing has changed for me, everything is the same as before the so called recession.

I can hear people yelling " lucky you " from here and they are probably right.

[Megospidey]

Not much has changed for me either collecting wise. There are still things that I am looking for, and when I find them at the price I want to pay, I usually buy them.

Now my 401K taking a beating...that's another story.

[The Sentry]

A little bit of both, getting rid of some things to make space for some of the new things I'm planning to get. Since this has happened, I have got some AWESOME deals here and there though...........

[rche]

Being a musician, I am used to the lower tier of the economy. My kids, medical bills, and the big gas prices last year are more of a slam to my collecting habits. If anything, I am picking up on some good deals as others sell off.
Buy low; right?
On the other hand, I do seem to have some problems getting some of the prices I would like for some items. So, the economy comes back at you there. Seems like anything under 40 bucks isn't too hard to sell, but between there and 200 - not too easy to get rid of things. I have been dropping prices below what I would have a year and a half ago. I don't typically deal with things over that price bracket so I have no input there.

rche

[HardyGirl]

Nothing has really changed for me either. I'm doing less Ebaying these days, but that's only b/c I don't have a Paypal account, and I'm not sure I want one.

[SUP-Ronin]

I've scaled back some, and I am a little more careful about how I spend my money as with all things. I think in down times it is also important to focus on the things that bring you happiness, and my collection does that. So my budget is smaller for non-essentials, but there is plenty to focus on that doesn't cost a ton. The bigger ticket items on my wants list will have to wait...unless I see the right deal, of course.

[trekercollecter]

I have been oow for over a year now and I have mainly stuck to trading with some of the members that way it does not cost me that much just shipping and I get to continue building my son's collection and others get cool vintage and modern stuff that they like as well. I plan to do a post soon some megos and non mego toys. Keep an eye out!

[david_b]

I'm doing fine. My home value has me sick, with home equity loans to pay, etc.., but nothing I'd put on the economy.. It's more my decision that, hey, sometimes things work, sometimes they don't.

I wouldn't mind buying more, but the way I have things set up at home is that I only buy using funds from my toy sales. Nearly nothing from my income, which makes my wife pretty happy. Luckily I bank-loaded a LOT of GI JOE, MMM, C/A and other collectibles before I got married.

The only exception was using some funds from my Army pay overseas in Kuwait to purchase some guitars last year, AND the Spock/Andorian set, which got me back into Megos just about a year ago now... Yes, making $125K did have some perks.

david_b

[Hotfoot]

Scaled back some but not all. Debating on starting to sell some things. Don't have any high priced items so its almost not worth the effort!

[megoscott]

We worked on a worst case scenario budget (which is looking pretty likely) and I zeroed out the toy collecting line. I'll be selling some high ticket items this year.

[kingdom warrior]

I flat out stop Collecting. Nothing No comics, No toys except for my kids. I'm not a high end collector anyway. Even if i had the money I'm not one to drop big money on toys.

I feel for myself my priorities are my family first.......toys are fun but non essential

[thunderbolt]

Nahh, we spend pretty conservatively here anyway, so it doesn't really bother us. The 403b has taken a hit, but I'm over 20 years from having to use it, so I'm in it for the long haul.

[txteach]

I haven't really felt a recession EXCEPT believe it or not the supermarket. We spend a little more there each month but that's about it. I'm happy I can win good auctions cheaper.

[garagesale]

Here in OK we're feeling the recession less, much like Teach down in TX. Nothing's changed all that much for me. I never counted on that 401K, just like I never counted on social security or any other retirement plan. I figure I can keep teaching school for as long as I can drag myself into the classroom. Prolly keel over in the middle of a lecture when I'm 80. No heavy lifting, that's the good thing about teaching.

JamesD