How "Social" Is Collecting For You?

[Wee67]

An interaction with a co-worker about 10 years ago led me to do an internet search for some long lost toys by a company called Mego. I came across the Museum, but it wasn't until I picked up my first "new" Mego that the rush of nostalgia and the collector bug overtook me.

Now I love my Megos and enjoy collecting 'em all, BUT...

A really big part of why I am a collector has got to do with the social aspect of collecting. I've made new friends, shared minor finds/victories, been driven on seeing other toys that I suddenly "have to have" and unconvered new areas of geekdom I didn't even know I had. I'm pretty sure I would still have begun collecting Megos again, but I honestly don't know if I would have had the same dedication if it were not for the social circles I've joined.

Now clearly if you are here, there is a social aspect to your collecting. But just how of collecting is social for you? If I am honest, I have to say its pretty big for me.

[Werewolf]

I first came to the Museum because of the toys. I stayed all these years because I like the people here. That pretty much sums it up for me.

[Mikey]

Before the Museum when I was collecting from the mid 80's all the way to 2001, I basically had no collecting social action whatsoever.

My biggest contact to the collecting world was reading Lee's letters to the editor section.... and that was about it.

That and reading books and collecting publications.

It was a lonely time, but strangely I almost miss it.
I was more intense back then.

[Wee67]

Mike, you're one of the most social guys here! But clearly you would be a collector if you had no social system with wich to share it. I guees I still need to tlak about my new old toys I don't know how enthusiastic I would be or how much I would enjoy collecting if I didn't have friends to share it with.

One end of the spectrum would be a person who would collect Megos even if they never, ever talked about it to anyone else while the other end is someone who really wouldn't enjoy it unless they could share every piece and every detail of their hunt and finds with everyone they knew.

I'd put myself somewhere between the middle of that scale and the latter guy, but hopefuly more to the middle.

[megoscott]

My Mego collecting nearly stopped when I left the online groups. My Mego collecting skyrocketed when I started hanging out socially (in person) with some other collectors and caught the bug again. We encourage/enable each other.

[Marvelmania]

I'd still be a collector but not nearly as much of one if i didn't have people to share it with. Sometimes I buy more of 1 of an item just to give it to someone I know will appreciate it as much as I do. Plus I'd not know about so many things if it weren't for others knowledge. One of the reasons I've stayed here for such a long time is the friends I've made.

[vulcan2074]

The only other person that I have gone Toy Hunting with is my Sister. None of my friends collect Toys. As a matter of fact I don't think they really collect anything. They all know that I'm a Die Hard Collecter. I've been collecting Toys for a very Long Time. I Love them all so much but My MEGOs are by far my Favorite. This is why I come here. If it wasn't for this place I guess I would be the Lone Wolf of Collecting. Here at least I feel like I have the same interests as others
Sammy

[Dave Mc]

The social aspect is what keeps me collecting. I got the toy bug before I was online, but being around the Mego community is what keeps me interested. If not for that aspect, I would have bored once I completed the Mego lines and probably moved on.

[HardyGirl]

Well, to be honest, until recently, I was never really all that social about my toy collecting. I think mostly because the people that I interact w/ on a daily basis aren't really into toys, (though they really get a kick outta my toyroom). I would do some social activities involving Star Trek, but not really w/ my toys. I would just quietly enjoy my hobby and thought for a LONG time that I was one of the few adults on this Earth who still enjoyed playing w/ toys. Of course, now that I've found the Mego Museum, that's all changed. (which is why the FIRST site I visit when I turn on my PC is this one. )

[UnderdogDJLSW]

My thoughts pretty much echo everyone else. My wife and close friends are just not collectors of things. I have held onto packaging and neat things I've owned all my life. Some has been saved some has been lost, but until I found the MM, I never really had anyone to talk to that understood what it is to thoroughly enjoy collecting. It is not just the toys to play with. To me it's the preservation of a little bit of pop culture history.

[kryptosmaster]

My thoughts pretty much echo everyone else. My wife and close friends are just not collectors of things. I have held onto packaging and neat things I've owned all my life. Some has been saved some has been lost, but until I found the MM, I never really had anyone to talk to that understood what it is to thoroughly enjoy collecting. It is not just the toys to play with. To me it's the preservation of a little bit of pop culture history.

I know what you mean. That's why I started the bric-a-brac threads with photos of misc things I've been finding in boxes that I saved over the years. It's fun to see that others besides yourself have memories of these things.

Rich

[Werewolf]

I'd still be collecting. Just wouldn't be enjoying it as much.

[ScottA]

I have one close friend who collects something (Star Trek) so he and I always have a lot to talk about. Not one person in my family ask me what I found at FX when I got home. Need I say more?

[raider5gt]

I have a brother who collects some things and my friend is into Star Trek,he is a manager at toy's r us,so i guess he is in his element.We chat alot about what we have found or any new stuff coming out.

[mego73]

If it weren't for the Museum, I probably would not still be collecting. I had tapered off throughout the early 90's and then I stumbled on the museum, thought it was great. Heard there was a tape of commercials, got the tape, heard there was an email list, joined it. I thought "I love talking to people that share a love for these figures, like me, but I have all the Megos I want". Until I saw a Wicked Witch on Ebay (which was the only WOZ figure I didn't have so, okay, I'll bite) and then I saw Isis (ohh, if only I saw her when I was collecting...okay, I'll get it anyway), and then I saw Dracula (had all the monsters, except for him, can't disappoint Dracula).

So, I was pulled back in again.