And so it begins.....

[ScruffyLookingNH]

If I was in the business consultancy trade I would call this a "restructuring" of my collection.

What I actually mean is I have made the decision to take a step on a rather severe road of self-flagellation in terms of my collection. I am on a mission to raise considerable funds my April-ish time next year and so my various collections of comics, medals, Lego and SW are being hit and hit hard. Nope, I am absolutely not getting out of any of them but I figure if I sell of 3/4 of each collection I can be mortgage free by Easter. For the first time in way, way too long I'm putting my financially sensible head on and putting my family's quality of life before my selfish need to own. Bit embarrassed it's taken this long.

Jez has been the trailblazer (in other words, I blame you entirely, mate ) showing you can have a major sell off, at decent but fair prices, retain what you really love and still love SW. I'm not giving up collecting, I'm just partially depressing the reset switch and it's for all the right reasons.

BUT (and there always is) there is an upside! If I can get mortgage free then I will have a fair amount extra each month to rebuild an all new and wonderous collection! Hell, if I can achieve this in time I don't think it would be out of order to reward myself with a trip to Celebration

What is definitely staying is my oddball stuff, my Palitoy Death Star, Land of the Jawas and Cantina along with either my Palitoy 41/45 backs or my Trilogo Last 17 (plus the odd MOC here and there I just can't part with).

In the meantime, I will be selling bits and pieces off starting in earnest at Farthest From in December where I'll have a table selling off my boxed vehicles, a couple of 12" figures and a few Made in Mexico MOCs. I'll also be listing the 30 back FX-7 both here and on eBay (promotion on fees this week makes it worthwhile). Please don't message asking about various MOCs that I may or may not be selling. I'm not being difficult but I honestly don't know what I'm going to sell and what I'm not at present. It depends how much I raise from comics and medals. And although prices will always be cheapest here please remember I'm doing this to raise funds not to sell my collection off cheaply That's not to say there won't be some bargains!

Oh, and just because I'm cutting my own collection don't be surprised if you get a PM when you're selling something I truly, truly need :lol:

 

[Richard_H]

Guys, I've been speaking to Simon about this a lot. He's been inspired by Wayne Rooney's new look and is on the waiting list for Regaine treatment. Please don't take the piss with prices. He needs a full head of hair.

 

[Michael Sith]

Simon, it's always good to see a post like this ( I mean that in a good way) as it serves as a reminder to all that perspective and family first is always a priority in life.
You are absoloutely doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.
Genuinely wish you the very best of luck with it mate

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

Guys, I've been speaking to Simon about this a lot. He's been inspired by Wayne Rooney's new look and is on the waiting list for Regaine treatment. Please don't take the piss with prices. He needs a full head of hair.

I'll have you know this time of year is particularly challenging for the follically challenged amongst us.

Simon, it's always good to see a post like this ( I mean that in a good way) as it serves as a reminder to all that perspective and family first is always a priority in life.
You are absoloutely doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.
Genuinely wish you the very best of luck with it mate

Michael, you've got a way with words that goes beyond mere wordsmithery. Thanks you

 

[Lom]

I have a way with words too...

Sounds like a flounce to me!

Mind you, I'd flog my collection for a full head of hair.

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

I have a way with words too...

Sounds like a flounce to me!

Mind you, I'd flog my collection for a full head of hair.

Who rattled your cage?! :lol: Balls to hair, mate. The warm glow of being debt free will be much better than that fangled hair stuff. You down at FF? About time you bought an AT-AT off me to go with all those bloody Drivers you've got.

 

[Lom]

You're probably right about the hair - I've had none for more than half of my life now so cant remember what it's like! I'll be there next week; it's looking like it's going to be a good one - and now possibly an expensive one too!

Just seen the FX-7 for sale thread - it's a beauty.

 

[mumbo]

Good luck with the sales sensible Simon, sounds like a wise move

Would be interested in anything with this image on it............

 

[Cazza]

Gutted for you Simon, but as others have said, your decision (and Jez's before you) serves as a reminder to us all that there are more important things in life that need to be prioritised sometimes. All the best with it all mate.

 

[spoons]

Nice one Simon - family should always come first. Looking forward to seeing what you have for sale

 

[wrighty]

Collection can come and go. You can always start again or pick up the same pieces in the future. All the best with the sales!! 8)

 

[SublevelStudios]

Simon, this is something I can relate to wholeheartedly mate. There's a line that must be drawn between the joy of the hobby and the welfare of family. If it's time for the hobby to start paying you back then that's all good mate - good luck and I hope you land yourself some decent sales

See you at FF for a few ales

 

[Jez]

Hey mate, I totally understand your actions, well i would wouldn't i??
Slightly impressed with the whole mortgage free malarkey though, wow!!

OK so i am proof that you can have a full on shift/change in collecting but still retain massive interest: I am still actively looking at everything, loving what i have kept, appreciating the loose figures even more, having fun with the podcast, checking ebay and the forums daily, going to FF and will be at the front of the Rogue 1 queue.

Best of luck mate. Not that you need it with your examples.

Top man.

 

[Joe]

As I said a little while ago Si, if parting with your collection can pay off your mortgage at your age..go for it and don't look back.

Wish you all the best mate, I'm sure you'll be back spending every last penny on toys once you've paid off the house!

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

Cheers fellas. It's through this place my love of SW just gets stronger and stronger. The trip up to Leicester this weekend, FF next weekend, Celebration next year.....? All examples how you don't have to buy a single piece of SW to have a cracking time with the members here.

18 months ago if you had told me I'd have walked around a derelict warehouse in the freezing cold, getting excited about parking signs before retiring to a pub, eating enough meat to stock my butcher's shop for a week and then share a bedroom with Romba himself whilst watching some collagen implanted tart having her genital warts frozen off on TV, I would have probably had to pick myself up off the floor having laughed myself silly. That's all thanks to the forum and people found lurking here.

 

[Lom]

If Edd ever needed an advertisement for this forum then there it is; genital warts and all!

 

[Grant_C]

I really need an FX-7 on the ROTJ card to remember you by.

Sail away sweet sister....

 

[Mr-shifter]

Just remember guys, the title says "and so it begins.....". It doesn't say "here's where it ends"

Good luck Simon. I look forward to watching you struggle not to drop a massive amount of dough at Orlando in April in the room sales and this time next year you limelighting some ridiculous 30back early Christmas present to yourself.

 

[Robstyley]

You've got to do what feels right man. To be fair you have a pretty hefty collection Si, you could sell half of it and it would still be bigger than most! You'll no doubt appreciate those favourite bits you're keeping more as well. Good luck with it

 

[edd_jedi]

Good on you, have had to do the same myself in the past. Collecting is supposed to be fun, if your collection is stopping you make "real life" easier then it's time to reevaluate what you need.