5/10//07

Well, I don't believe it, but we're back!

Hard to believe the last time I posted to my page of CB's was almost 5 whole years ago.
I got to admit I was afraid that maybe Boss Lady had lost interest in the hobby as so many have seemed to do lately. As it turned out, she just was very busy, as so many of us are nowadays.  I know around here in Memphotown, a lot has changed, but then again, nothing has changed also. Several have gotten out due to various reasons, but then there are still plenty of scalpers, too. We've lost some great guys due to them moving or loosing interest & even one or two to death itself. These guys are & will always be missed.

(Ok, soapbox time now)

Those that have gotten out of the hobby because they're not making any money...I say good riddance. This is a hobby...for fun...with toy cars. Now before some of you shop vendors and/or professional dealers get all up in arms, I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about the guys that send people out & even go out themselves to cherry pick cases at the normal retail stores & then try to make an obscene profit on what would have been a  $1 car had a collector been given the chance to get one off the pegs. If a dealer is buying his inventory by the case lots & can sell his cars for more than a buck, more power to him. Just don't ruin our hobby by hording & scalping from the normal retail market.

(Off the soap box now)  

Over the past few years, I have continued to collect but at a slower pace than before. Part of it is probably because I have acquired so much that I didn't have before. But a big part of it is due to just plain common sense. A lot of my collection is Johnny Lightning, & there's a limit to how many different paint schemes and/or packaging variations I can justify throwing money at. And as most collectors know, JL's cost more than your average Hot Wheels.  Then there's the storage problem. I like having my collection displayed, but I have limited space (currently two rooms of nothing but cars & working on part of a 3rd), so a lot of what I buy now ends up in one of the boxes in one of the 4 closets or under a bed. I still haven't lost interest & I still consider it fun. Will I ever get rich from it?  Of course NOT! I also have to admit that when I total everything up, it makes me wonder sometimes if it’s all worth the trouble & if there might be something better to do with the money I spend on it.  But, it keeps me out of any other type of trouble & gives me something else to do on some of the road trips/vacations that my girlfriend & I enjoy. Then there's also the fact that I'm helping a couple of possible future collectors get started, by helping said girlfriend (K), as she picks & chooses cars to put back for her 2 infant/toddler grandsons to enjoys once they're old enough. How long will I continue to collect?  Who knows... but when the time comes to get out, I'll know & I'll have a heck of a (I edited this just for you Trish)  (Thanks so much for the self editing.  And I'd better get to go through your garage sale Hot Wheels, etc.,  first when you decide to get rid of them...like that is ever gonna happen.  :-)  ) garage or estate sale. 

But for now I'll continue to throw perfectly good beer & pizza money at my hobby, while I enjoy & share my collection with pretty much anyone (within reason) that wants to see it.

Glad to be back & I hope to have some pictures posted on down the road.

Keep it real; keep it fun, & Happy Hunting,

Stoneman