I definitely play the "collector's game" to the chagrin of my all-too-understanding wife. There's a certain thrill I get when I both identify and then am able to acquire a precious videogame or computer collectible. Luckily I've been able to justify a huge increase in that practice over the past couple of years due to the nature of the book I'm writing. It really is research and photographic material!
With that said, with 200+ systems of all types now collected and a seemingly countless number of books, software, add-ons, literature, doo-dads and thing-a-ma-jigs, I also find with everything else factored in I don't have the time I would really need to devote to this stuff to go that next level of joy - full usage. If the magic money fairy ever came my way and made me independently wealthy I could turn my obsession into usage and writing heaven, but until that time, sadly, the actual hunt and eventual acquisition take precedence over usage and utilization. I know SOMEDAY I will be able to maximize my collection, but until then I will have to put up with a certain amount of guilt and longing. Nevertheless, in my unending quest to be a well-balanced person, that's the way it has to be.
As for eBay, I've been doing 95% of my collecting on there for at least the past three years. I have very specific searches that target very specific items and categories. Occasionally I even catch an amazing deal, but it's certainly true that for the most part competition is fierce and prices are high. You have to pretty take it all into consideration and decide what's worth it for yourself. Usually when systems - any system - exceeds around $200 or so with shipping, I have to bow out. Usually when it passes that mark there's a rarity reason and you'll often see prices soar to $500+ real fast anyway, which puts into the realm of people either with lots of extra money, or truly devoted to that one particular platform. I don't have that luxury. Same thing with software. I usually cap out around $60 or so. Anything else and best of luck to the winner, especially when certain titles go in the hundreds or thousands. I'd have to be REALLY wealthy to justify that, often just because of the packaging (let's face it, a LOT of the old software is available in other manners that cost nothing).
I definitely play the "collector's game" to the chagrin of my all-too-understanding wife. There's a certain thrill I get when I both identify and then am able to acquire a precious videogame or computer collectible. Luckily I've been able to justify a huge increase in that practice over the past couple of years due to the nature of the book I'm writing. It really is research and photographic material!
With that said, with 200+ systems of all types now collected and a seemingly countless number of books, software, add-ons, literature, doo-dads and thing-a-ma-jigs, I also find with everything else factored in I don't have the time I would really need to devote to this stuff to go that next level of joy - full usage. If the magic money fairy ever came my way and made me independently wealthy I could turn my obsession into usage and writing heaven, but until that time, sadly, the actual hunt and eventual acquisition take precedence over usage and utilization. I know SOMEDAY I will be able to maximize my collection, but until then I will have to put up with a certain amount of guilt and longing. Nevertheless, in my unending quest to be a well-balanced person, that's the way it has to be.
As for eBay, I've been doing 95% of my collecting on there for at least the past three years. I have very specific searches that target very specific items and categories. Occasionally I even catch an amazing deal, but it's certainly true that for the most part competition is fierce and prices are high. You have to pretty take it all into consideration and decide what's worth it for yourself. Usually when systems - any system - exceeds around $200 or so with shipping, I have to bow out. Usually when it passes that mark there's a rarity reason and you'll often see prices soar to $500+ real fast anyway, which puts into the realm of people either with lots of extra money, or truly devoted to that one particular platform. I don't have that luxury. Same thing with software. I usually cap out around $60 or so. Anything else and best of luck to the winner, especially when certain titles go in the hundreds or thousands. I'd have to be REALLY wealthy to justify that, often just because of the packaging (let's face it, a LOT of the old software is available in other manners that cost nothing).
There are articles in all this somewhere.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[ My collection ]
[ http://www.MythCore.com ]
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.