I know that I’m a total ‘newb’ to this hobby and to the boards, but since this is the internet and everyone gets a voice… I’m going to chime in.
<Please understand that I’m trying to state my opinion on this matter and though it will not be in line with many of you, it’s just that, MY OPINION… I’m not intending to insult, berate or anger anyone…but I’d like to at least share MY OPINION. Hopefully, as the new guy you don't just skip over my .02>
First, I think it’s important that I explain that I have a number of hobbies and am pretty involved in each.
My primary interest is a collectible card game: Magic the Gathering. For years, I dealt in the original paintings done for the game.
Initially, there was very little involvement in this aspect of the hobby and I would often purchase original pieces of artwork from the artists in the range of $100-300 each. All was good. I had a small group of fellow collectors and we aided one another in searching out our wants.
As with most hobbies, word caught on and new individuals wanted to enter into ‘our’ market. We did our best to be accommodating and help them get started. Popularity grew and the paintings went from a few hundred to a few thousand. Also, it became an all out, every man for themselves market.
Initially, I was very turned off by this. Collectors that I helped teach the hobby were ‘outing’ pieces and costing me money- but more importantly pieces I wanted!
I wrestled with this for some time and then realized something… this is a hobby involving rare items (in that instance one of one paintings.) Whether I like it or not, the reality is deepest pockets win. I could want an original Hidlebrandt more than anyone else- but if the guys next to me can pay more, he wins. Period.
Ok… so do I get upset with the collectors ‘outing’ the available pieces? I could… but I feel that would be very selfish of me. I’d think it naïve to believe there aren’t other people in my hobby that would want the same things as me…and frankly they deserve the same right as me…if it’s available I want to know and they should too.
(Mind you, I was a dealer… so the casual collectors not only cut into my ability to collect, but to make money. - The game had to change and it took me awhile to come to grip with that.)
A few years ago I tried to get involved with coin collecting. I was new to the hobby and I stopped at a small coin shop. The gentleman there was extremely rude. He acted like the comic book guy from the Simpsons... I was a nuisance and not worth his time. In fact, I tried to join a number of forums as well and that was a general vibe I got from folks. Also, everyone was trying to help the fellow dealers on the site and the rest be damned. I said to hell with it and never bought another coin.
With posters, I didn’t know what to expect. Some folks here were great! I received many PMs from folks introducing themselves and making me feel welcome… what a wonderful feeling and one that makes me want to be a part of this hobby.
Then I see threads like this…
I understand both sides, but it comes across in my eyes as the big dogs upset because they are missing out on their wants and/or their ability to make more money…but in doing so, you are ostracizing the little guys that help make a hobby what it is…
What’s worse are the little ‘digs’ I keep seeing toward Mel…I only hope that they are in jest or stem from very strong friendships with him that I don’t know about… Frankly, Mel acted as an ambassador to me. Without his enthusiasm and welcoming nature I don’t know if I’d still be interested in this hobby. You need people like that or what good is the hobby in the long run?
Just remember the next time a poster you want gets ‘outed’, there’s someone on the other end of that auction that’s just excited about the piece as you… and in a hobby dealing with rarity deepest pockets win and every collector deserves a shot.
