Regrets in Collecting ?

I shouldn't really be here as I'm not big into collecting but, I was
Wondering if anyone might have a story or two. About items they
Regretted buying? or were cheated on ? Or indeed what they thought
Was one thing, and turned out to be another ? Or Items you've spent
Years trying to track down ?
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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Comments

  • Bond Collectors' WeekendsBond Collectors' Weekends Gainesville, Florida USAPosts: 1,882MI6 Agent
    Yes, yes, yes and yes. Great questions, all.

    My main collecting was books for over 30 years, since I was a wee tot. Then I started running Bond and spy collector events. With the help of some very nice people including some here at AJB, I experienced the joys and heartaches of collecting... collectors together.

    A visit to the lair of the Mantis opened my eyes as to moving from book collecting to props. Aided by some (more) book sales and the few props I'd collected from events and actor contacts, etc. I went after props in full tilt mode. Answering your questions:

    * I think everyone who has bought more than a few props has made regretful decisions--spending a bit too much or winding up with something not carefully checked before purchase. I've felt cheated on a few purchases but working with props was new--very different in some ways from Bond books and Flemingiana--and it was pointed out to me here at AJB and elsewhere that I could be cheating collectors unless I fixed my own sales pitches. "Caveat emptor" for everyone.

    * I've spent most of my life trying to track down Bond items I can source and afford. I remember a pre-eBay and pre-Internet life of this kind of action. Some people were very kind to me including Otto Penzler, John Gardner, Steve Kulakoski and other fellow authors and collectors. I remember when there were 50 and not 50,000 items for Bond on eBay! Now one has to be a genius and extend much time to find items on eBay and I'm not too good at this pursuit! I spent years hitting hardback book goals, then years culling paperbacks from around the world and all kinds of firsts, then some years pursuing props to get original and/or replicas from all 26 Bond films... and mostly casino items until recently, because I've spent years trying to find some of those. Still looking!

    The hunt is a joy and yes, sometimes getting that item is a joy, too. My advice for aspiring collectors is to focus. If you're going clothes, pick one 007 or literally pay the consequences. If you've got a passion for high end books, stick to British or American or foreign editions only and don't think you can afford it all. Locations can often be found for free so I collect those and take fans on locations tours, which are a blast.
    Seven (007) James Bond Tours! Mission: Mexico!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Some good advice BCW. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    I have never had any regrets of something I have purchased, but many regrets of things I hadn't...
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Very sage advice. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • ACACIA_AVENUEACACIA_AVENUE UKPosts: 1,774MI6 Agent
    Well having been collecting in one form or another for 40 years, my very first Bond collectable which I still have is the 'Man with The Golden Gun' Programme that opens out into a poster, this I purchased in the foyer of the Odeon, Leicester Square few weeks after the film was released.

    Over the years I acquired various items, but did not seriously start collecting until the early 90's, I have been buying items on Ebay since 2000 and acquired some real gems at stupidly low prices.

    I am happy to say that Mrs AA shares my enthusiasm for collecting* and sometimes finds items for me :x
    (*Mrs AA collects Handbags, Shoes and Clothes 8-) )

    Do I have any regrets? I have a few, but to few to mention. ;)
    One of us smells like a tart's handkerchief.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    You keep doing it your way ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    I once went for an item on ebay and bought it for a (for me) high price. when I received it, it imediately turned out as a fake and I was devastated. but luckily PayPal refunds for 4 weeks. so I (my mother actually) reported the seller to ebay and he gave us back all the money PLUS I could keep the item :))
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) Well Done.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    :)) Well Done.

    it must have scared the living daylights out of him :)) {[]
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Im not really a prop guy but wish I had picked up a golden gun (FE or SD studios)
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • SkippySkippy Posts: 446MI6 Agent
    Collecting... Let's see, over the years I have collected:

    Games Workshop Citadel miniatures
    Star Wars movie prop replicas
    Lord of the Rings collectables
    Indiana Jones gear
    James Bond gear
    U.S. Special Forces militaria from the Vietnam war
    British Airborne forces militaria from WWII
    Just various militaria!

    As someone with OCD collecting is a nightmare and I've had to really recognise that to stop myself going crazy with the spending!

    I've probably lost more money than I've ever made on selling stuff on. Certainly the LotR stuff I 'invested' in was a bum idea, because the franchise never took off like SW has over nearly 4 decades. That said I sold my GW miniatures collection with some profits in the hundreds of percents, but that's still not much when your talking about little lead figures bought originally for a few pence or pounds :))

    Bond stuff has a great appeal though because I buy the gear, not the props, so it's all very useable in day-to-day life, which is enjoyable. And Bond stuff tends to hold its value, so is a good investment if you do need to see some money back.

    Favourite pieces?
    Bond - the AM sitting in the garage and Omega on my wrist
    Indy Gear - got a Raiders style fedora that I wore on adventures around China and Mongolia, which was made by the same guy who went on to then make the hats for HF in Crystal Skull
    Star Wars - have an original MPP flashgun which is one of only a dozen in the world I know of that exactly match the one used in A New Hope to make Vader's lightsaber hilt
    Militaria - silver cigarette case of South African Battle of Britain ace Adolf 'Sailor' Malan. Made in 1939 and perhaps purchased to celebrate his promotion in 74 Sqn that year, there is a reasonable chance it was in his pocket when he was brassing-up those Luftwaffe aircraft

    Highs from the pleasure. Lows from the pocket pain. C'est la vie :007)
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) I'm glad I was never " bitten by the bug" ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Smithers500Smithers500 Spectre IslandPosts: 1,341MI6 Agent
    Great topic TP - like Mantis, I have regrets over missed opportunities. I especially ballsed up by not buying the Sideshow Legacy figures. I wasn't keen on the packaging nor the outfits chosen and the sculpts looked very alike the previous ones they'd done. Ironically these are some of the more valuable figures out there...
    Japanese proverb say, "Bird never make nest in bare tree".
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Firstly I'm in awe of all you guys, the collectors. {[] half the stuff I've
    See here when someone or other, shows an interesting item, or collection
    I didn't even know existed. :D and just thinking about the research, time and
    Effort put into getting that one special piece {[]
    Same with the clothes, I've learned so much from reading about where people
    Have bought the same clothes, shoes etc. The cut of the different suits, in my
    Opinion all help to give an insight into the films , beyond cinema facts and figures.
    On regrets, I was told something similar by my big brother years ago, but it was about
    Women. " The ones you think most about, are the ones you regret not asking out." :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • texas007texas007 Houston, Texas 77041Posts: 2,346MI6 Agent
    On regrets, I was told something similar by my big brother years ago, but it was about
    Women. " The ones you think most about, are the ones you regret not asking out." :D

    I think that is a mirage though :))
  • Donald GrantDonald Grant U.S.A.Posts: 2,241Quartermasters
    I've been collecting Fleming and Bondiana since the early 70's in pretty much all areas. I collect guns, posters (mainly U.S. 1 sheets), books, magazines, watches, die cast, props etc. I have no regrets in any of my purchases. I collect Bond items that I truly like and want. I know my collection is valuable, however that is not why I collect because I will never sell. My children will reap the rewards of selling my collection if they care to.

    As for regrets, like Mantis said, I only regret the items that I should have purchased and didn't. Like the TMWTGG villains 1 sheet that I came across in a collectibles store for $15.00 or $20.00. What a mistake that was!

    DG
    So, what sharp little eyes you've got...wait till you get to my teeth.
    image_zps6a725e59.jpg
    "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,774MI6 Agent
    My 10 Pence on this after 23 years (and counting) of collecting.

    Collect something because you enjoy it, and you cherish it. If sentimentality or happy memories tie into it, so much the better. Never collect as a financial investment. - That path will always lead to regret and sorrow.


    I don't regret the collectables I missed out on. There are far worse things to miss out on or loose in this life.

    on a brighter note - Starship 54 is released in a couple of weeks. Plus (in spite of demand) I nearly have all the Tracy brothers. Happy day! :D
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • Agent007_1Agent007_1 Posts: 137MI6 Agent
    I'm with Mantis. I regret the things I haven't done. Such as starting sooner.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • MrZarebaMrZareba Krakow, PolandPosts: 1,775MI6 Agent
    My collection is modest, probably one of the smallests around here, mainly because of my small monthly budget, but there is one regret I have and it's connected actually with selling something off - the Zara shirts. As most of you know I sold 6 or 7 of them here, can't even remember. Knowing that they are very valuable I always preffered selling them to other members, knowing that they will be treated with caution, and for that money I was buying usually other Bond related stuff (the XPERIA T for example). However since the Zara shirts are gone for good now I realised I might never have my own screen accurate one, especially that the size L is absolutely the rarest one... Naturally there are a lot of other things I might never have in my collection, but this situation is different since I had the item in my hands... So there you have it, I regret not keeping one of them for myself :)
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Sorry to hear MrZareba, but you never know what might turn up someday. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BOFFERBOFFER Posts: 331MI6 Agent
    Not buying more of the FE Golden Guns when they first came out a few years ago at around $299.00 and a few quid more for the signature editions. Now trading at nearly a grand for a standard one and around 12 or 13 for a signature one if you can find one. Knew they were going to be popular but not this popular. I even pulled my face at the postage and import duty as that added about another 60 quid. Cant win em all.
  • Bond Collectors' WeekendsBond Collectors' Weekends Gainesville, Florida USAPosts: 1,882MI6 Agent
    Oh, yes, indeed. I could have bought a CR J. Cape first many years ago. One more bit of advice... don't hang onto to everything you've ever purchased. Once you get "into" trading and selling items you can help fellow collectors meet their goals while meeting yours...
    Seven (007) James Bond Tours! Mission: Mexico!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    That's a very nice sentiment, Bond Collectors' Weekends. {[]
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • rebentonrebenton Birmingham ALPosts: 276MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    I have never had any regrets of something I have purchased, but many regrets of things I hadn't...

    I think mine is the things I wanted to buy and never got the chance. The QoS stuff comes to mind here, when I was still in school and broke. I'd have loved to rock the Greene party suit.
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    rebenton wrote:
    The Mantis wrote:
    I have never had any regrets of something I have purchased, but many regrets of things I hadn't...

    I think mine is the things I wanted to buy and never got the chance. The QoS stuff comes to mind here, when I was still in school and broke. I'd have loved to rock the Greene party suit.

    You still can - there are many practical alternatives out there. It's probably the best, and most timeless, suit which DC has worn so far. -{ though if you're thinking of buying a Tom Ford original, it will leave you broke even longer. :))
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    I came late to collecting gear. Sure I have had the watches and sun glasses but I once missed out on a pair of Jack Purcells from CR and have never seen them since in my size. eBay is great if you are patient most things (especially more recent) come up from time to time but these are rare as rocking horse droppings!

    As they say regrets are generally the things you have never done! But no use looking back better to look forward they will come up one day

    Cheers :-)
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    maybe not a regret but a negativ aspect:
    ...knowing you can't have everything Bond-related that serves as promo in public because "you might sell it on ebay" and they instead throw it away
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I guess there is always the feeling that no matter how
    Much you have, there's always something more. You just
    Need ! :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    the thing is that people rather throw it away than giving it to you
    that's what's a real pee-off at some times
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
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