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The problem is it’s only valuable to those who hold value to it because they grew up with it. Once those collectors get old and start dying off, the bottom fall
by hnlmorg 2y ago
The problem is it’s only valuable to those who hold value to it because they grew up with it. Once those collectors get old and start dying off, the bottom falls out of the market because subsequent generations don’t have the same nostalgia. and thus those once valuable collectibles are then basically worthless.
I have first hand experience of this happening too. My dad collected a specific type of model railway. His collection used to be worth thousands but by the time I inherited it all the other collectors were also dead and neither myself nor my brother wanted to maintain the collection. So we sold it for practically nothing.
Dad would be turning in his grave if he knew but frankly, he was the only person who had sentimental value to that collection and we needed the space. It wasn’t even about the money for us, it was literally just multiple boxes of stuff we knew we wouldn’t ever use and didn’t want to keep indefinitely just to honour the memory of dad (we have far better ways to honour his memory).
This isn’t meant to sound insensitive because I loved my dad and still miss him a lot.
I have a large collection of retro gaming consoles and 8 and 16 bit computers. Plus hundreds of games on physical media. I love my collection just like my dad loved his trains. But I know my family will sell it for a pittance the moment I pass away. And I’m fine with that. I own it because it brings me pleasure. I didn’t buy it thinking my family should honour my legacy by hoarding it too.
- bdjsiqoocwk 2y agoThis is sad because it's true. Thank you for writing this.
- ghaff 2y agoI enjoyed stamp collecting as a kid. I inherited a stamp album from a distant relative who I think was a clipper ship captain or something along those lines. Was probably worth some money once upon a time. I should look at it one of these days. I'm sure it (and my own collection) are worth nothing today.
- Basketb926 2y agoEasy thing to do with Unwanted Stamps is Donate to Oxfam Canada. Address to mail your donation to is at this link: https://www.oxfam.ca/take-action/support-oxfam/stamp-out-poverty https://www.oxfam.ca/take-action/support-oxfam/stamp-out-pov...
- BobAliceInATree 2y agoYeah, I'm really nostalgic for 90s era computer & gaming stuff — turns out, that stuff is pretty expensive right now cause all of us that grew up with it have the disposable income to re-buy it. 30-40 years from now when we're all dying & downsizing? I'm sure that market will crater.