Ryan and I are in the exact same boat collecting-wise. I gave myself 12 months to downsize/upgrade my collection last November after watching a grail of mine slip away because I had too much money tied up into smaller items that I couldn't sell fast enough. I have sold off 18 years worth of collecting over the last 10 months, roughly 80% of my collection, and reinvested that money into fewer higher quality items. I, too, own only 1-5 items per show I enjoy and make sure they hit hard. I agree with Ryan that people put importance on things they own because they own them, yet if they had to bid to own it today they would pass. They cling to their past interest and do not realize just how few of people actually want some of the items they think are highly coveted. Quantity wise I probably went from 600 items to 50. I now own things I didn't think was possible for me to own. I've spent money I didn't think was possible for me to spend. I now have less stress with quantity for myself and my family, no storage in the closets, easy outs for money if needed, less COAs, and simply more enjoyment in what I am looking at. My collection is a lot less niche. People want what I have. I don't have to explain the scene something was used in, pictures are a choice. I was worried about downsizing down the road due to the quantity of items, the interests in them 20-30 years from now, what would I do if I needed money fast for my family, etc.. This is no longer something I worry about. The biggest fear for most is not knowing if they will win something after selling items....and I can assure you there are SO many nice things out there that you will certainly upgrade with a handful of goals and patience. I do not have a single regret on anything I've sold. If you have been smart on what you've put your money into, the wins will outweigh the losses. The biggest struggle I've had to-date is continuing to want big ticket items outside of my normal budget and wanting to sell more to get them only to realize I do not have much left to sell. I have hit the wall of 3-5 pieces a year as my budget allows it. While fewer boxes are coming to my home, the items are much higher quality. It is hard to downsize fast and then shut the lifestyle off. I collect privately and quietly and am proud of myself for what I've accomplished. Sorry this was long winded, I enjoyed the podcast regarding something relatable to myself.
Good episode! It’d be interesting to hear a follow up to this episode as you probably have had some time to review options and your inventory items. One option I’ll mention is that Heritage does offer comprehensive cataloging and grading services. When I decided to finally let go of the large collection of comics assembled over the years (with a couple of full run of favourites), I shipped the entirety of it to the auction house. They have an incredible staff, and the team catalogued and picked out issues that were worthy of the expense to grade and slab, handled all the back and forth, and then included items over different auctions.
Ryan and I are in the exact same boat collecting-wise.
I gave myself 12 months to downsize/upgrade my collection last November after watching a grail of mine slip away because I had too much money tied up into smaller items that I couldn't sell fast enough. I have sold off 18 years worth of collecting over the last 10 months, roughly 80% of my collection, and reinvested that money into fewer higher quality items. I, too, own only 1-5 items per show I enjoy and make sure they hit hard. I agree with Ryan that people put importance on things they own because they own them, yet if they had to bid to own it today they would pass. They cling to their past interest and do not realize just how few of people actually want some of the items they think are highly coveted. Quantity wise I probably went from 600 items to 50. I now own things I didn't think was possible for me to own. I've spent money I didn't think was possible for me to spend. I now have less stress with quantity for myself and my family, no storage in the closets, easy outs for money if needed, less COAs, and simply more enjoyment in what I am looking at. My collection is a lot less niche. People want what I have. I don't have to explain the scene something was used in, pictures are a choice. I was worried about downsizing down the road due to the quantity of items, the interests in them 20-30 years from now, what would I do if I needed money fast for my family, etc.. This is no longer something I worry about.
The biggest fear for most is not knowing if they will win something after selling items....and I can assure you there are SO many nice things out there that you will certainly upgrade with a handful of goals and patience. I do not have a single regret on anything I've sold. If you have been smart on what you've put your money into, the wins will outweigh the losses. The biggest struggle I've had to-date is continuing to want big ticket items outside of my normal budget and wanting to sell more to get them only to realize I do not have much left to sell. I have hit the wall of 3-5 pieces a year as my budget allows it. While fewer boxes are coming to my home, the items are much higher quality. It is hard to downsize fast and then shut the lifestyle off. I collect privately and quietly and am proud of myself for what I've accomplished. Sorry this was long winded, I enjoyed the podcast regarding something relatable to myself.
Good episode! It’d be interesting to hear a follow up to this episode as you probably have had some time to review options and your inventory items.
One option I’ll mention is that Heritage does offer comprehensive cataloging and grading services. When I decided to finally let go of the large collection of comics assembled over the years (with a couple of full run of favourites), I shipped the entirety of it to the auction house. They have an incredible staff, and the team catalogued and picked out issues that were worthy of the expense to grade and slab, handled all the back and forth, and then included items over different auctions.
It's funny how you can track when the episode was recorded just by the intro. "The original props podcast" saga
@Dave: “Don’t be greedy Milton!”.
This is my therapy as well. 😂
Dave sell it all and just keep the Giant Size X-Men 1 cover and the X-Wing.
"Thinning your collection"... nice problem to have!
just sell me your Blade Runner collection - that will help thin things out and all will be well with the world 😊
RYAN STOP DEVIATING FROM THE REAL STORY IN HOD! SEASON 2 WAS BORING PLEASE DO BETTER OR QUIT 🐉# DRACARYS
Wow!!! Easy big guy…🧌