How Many Is Enough?

[kriztof]

I was just thinking about this today and I'm sure you've all pondered the reason when you drop a few hundred clams on a new cross only to find yourself, mere hours later looking for another one!

What is it? Is it shopping/spending addiction, do we need to have them ALL, are we simply making up for an Iron deficiency
Is it the fact that we need to have something to post on the forums and need to constantly upgrade the collection for this reason?

I started like everyone with 1, which, soon multiplied into a lot and continues to increase. I don't even have my crosses displayed, I look at the photo's instead.

I don't know what it is but one of my reasons is that I love to hunt for something new and then I must have it. I'm not content with another persons photo's, I must fondle it for a few days then photograph it and finally, put it into a dark, cool place never to see light again. And of course I have no life

Curious to hear how you all explain this buying frenzy and the need to have hundreds of examples when REALLY a few would do.

Chris

[Mac 66]

Chris for me its 1. addiction 2. thrill of the hunt 3. makers stamps & logos that i do not have yet

Back to the Hunt

Cheers Scott.

[Martin Burr]

For me its just the compulsion of collecting. You cannot explain (certainly to wives !) why you need to buy yet another example of something you already have. It's just the curse of the collecting mentality.

[ekhunter]

Addiction

The first step is admitting that you have an addiction. You are there.

[streptile]

Chris, you sound just like me .

I see something I can't live without -- I figure out how to buy it -- I eagerly await its arrival -- I look at it and study it in depth -- I catalogue it and file it away in an acid-free museum-quality archival storage box -- I see something I can't live without -- I figure out how to buy it (which often involves selling what I just bought) -- I eagerly await its arrival -- repeat.

I don't think I've ever owned more than 100 EKs at a time, and it's usually closer to 40. At the moment I am also selling a lot and trying to focus on fewer, nicer, more diverse pieces, precisely because the constant rodeo you described above can be a little pointless, it seems. In short I am trying to get my collection "right where I want it to be" so I can ease off the constant buying and selling. Once I get it there I will figure out some sort of display.

But no matter how many times I resolve not to buy another EK2, there is always something that grabs my attention.

I guess a major difference between me and you is that I never look at my own photos -- I have the crosses out and on my desk and in my hands all the time. I find it very rewarding to actually hold the little things for study and appreciation.

[kriztof]

The virus is infecting all of us but we have slightly different symptoms.

I think I've found the answer, well, maybe? I was/am a "floater collector" I see what others are posting and think HEY, I love those and then concentrate on them for a week, maybe two, then I see something else and so on.

Like you Trevor, I'm now trying to focus on one maker or type and collect all the variations instead of floating from one to another.

So far my brothers it's working well, the temptation is there, oh yes, but I'm fighting it. One maker, one maker....

Chris

[Don D.]

Once you have one of everything by type, maker and style you will have enough. Until then, the hunt continues.

[Sergeant 08]

Once you have one of everything by type, maker and style you will have enough. Until then, the hunt continues.

Correct!

[ekhunter]

Once you have one of everything by type, maker and style you will have enough. Until then, the hunt continues.

One of everything? So basically, the hunt never, ever, ends!

[kriztof]

Once you have one of everything by type, maker and style you will have enough. Until then, the hunt continues.

How many would we have then about 300

[gregM]

The first step is admitting that you have an addiction. You are there.

My name is Greg and I'm an addict--------an Iron Cross addict

[VtwinVince]

Every time I buy something, I get the usual 'but you already have one of those' lectures from the better halfNot much you can say in your defense.

[Tim B.]

I started like everyone with 1, which, soon multiplied into a lot and continues to increase. I don't even have my crosses displayed, I look at the photo's instead.

I don't know what it is but one of my reasons is that I love to hunt for something new and then I must have it. I'm not content with another persons photo's, I must fondle it for a few days then photograph it and finally, put it into a dark, cool place never to see light again. And of course I have no life

Boy, can I relate. Venture out into new areas, sometimes you can find cheaper items to collect and they can fill the void just as easily.
Tim

[kriztof]

Not only am I an addict but I've become an expert/professional at justifying it to myself.


Chris

[HERMSDORF]

Ha, you Guys are totally normal; the most of you is specialized in EK´s or other Medals and Badges... Me, I have always a new affectation for.. I like Breadbags, so I collect them till I have 30 or 40 different ones, than I Like Canteens and now I have a huge Case full of that, than I collect Helmets and I have 20 or more, same with Badges, EK´s, Goeffels, Buckles, Rings, Awards, Pocket Lamps, Butter Dishes, Mess Kits, Map Cases, Dog Tags, Insignias, Rucksacks, Dienstglasses, Zeltbahns.... aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Every Weekend at the Flee Market, every Day Internet Researching, not a single Day without Collectibles



Best Regards

Andy