Collecting Or Hoarding? A Fine Line.

When does collecting interesting items cross the line to hoarding? It's said 3 or more of a similar item makes a collection. I have 3 Argus C-3 cameras. If I buy 50 more, am I hoarding?

A story of the Collyer brothers, Famous Hoarders:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyer_brothers

Good question and I guess it depends on what you're collecting or hoarding. If you have a fine collection of 50 cameras I wouldn't consider that hoarding. If you have collection of 50 cameras, a collection of 50 garbage cans, a collection of 3000 empty plastic coca-cola soda bottles that are the same thing, a bunch of empty potatoe chip bags, every receipt you collected over the last 20 years and you have to crawl if you want to go from your living room to the kitchen you may have problem.

I see your point, and I agree. I do have almost every check I've ever written, of course now you don't get the actual check with your statement, just copies. I figured some day I'd want to know where all my money went. Since I've been using Quicken for 12 years, it makes it easier. I do have to get rid of all those sets of instructions for items I no longer have!

What about if some one unnamed has more than 5 coal stokers in there garage (no names mentioned ) is that considered a problem . Is there a group where Matthaus (oOOps!!! ) can get help . Something like coal stokers annomyous . I guess the first step would be getting him to admit that he has a problem (probably wont happen ) . Dave

I think maybe that person (who will remain nameless, *hehe*) has crossed into the obsession category. Of course ask me how many I have in two months...... might be more.. or might be less who knows?

PS I actually have 7 in the garage and 2 in the shed, two in the trailer and one on the flatbed... but then who's counting........... as soon as I get a couple outside projects done they will be leaving the building! Two are sold so far so now I have some cash to buy more... let's see........ where else can I stash them?

Hi my name is John and I am addicted to coal...

Wood'nCoal wrote:Hi my name is John and I am addicted to coal...

Should have seen it coming ..

Flyer5 wrote:

Wood'nCoal wrote:Hi my name is John and I am addicted to coal...

Should have seen it coming ..

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

My name is Dave I am addicted to coal as well . I am leaving Sat morning to pick up another boiler . Gotta keep up with the Mathauses . I will leave everyone in suspence till I return .

Sorry Dave already picked that one up, they forgot to call you and let you know.

If you mow your lawn and find a coal stove on cinder blocks what does that make you?

Matthaus wrote:I think maybe that person (who will remain nameless, *hehe*) has crossed into the obsession category. Of course ask me how many I have in two months...... might be more.. or might be less who knows?

PS I actually have 7 in the garage and 2 in the shed, two in the trailer and one on the flatbed... but then who's counting........... as soon as I get a couple outside projects done they will be leaving the building! Two are sold so far so now I have some cash to buy more... let's see........ where else can I stash them?

Hey, Matt, are you "documenting" your finds/purchases? At least I know I would be interested in seeing what you're playing around with. Maybe you could start a thread along the lines of the puppies/kittens up for adoption at the animal shelter - maybe show a few pictures and a little blurb about the warm and fuzzy personality of the particular stove/boiler and how it's maybe a little leaky and cantankerous at first, but with a little love and training it could make a fine household pet.....

As soon as I finish the "hobby shed" I'll take some pics of all the stoves and various pieces. Right now they are spread all over the place and not really ready for pics.

All these are going to be sold fixed up or at least ready for final assembly and paint (unlike that fine project I sold you ).

More to follow.......... soon I hope.

I have a problem with old motorcycles. There's always room for one more. Now before you call me "crazy" I sell the parts so it's perfectly normal that I keep, umm, "adding inventory" It's not a sickness, really. I haven't counted in a while but I have about 60 bikes that are more than 50% complete and piles of others that are basket cases. It was painfully obvious how out of control a few bikes had become when I moved, it took 2 trips with a 24 foot Penske truck and a dozen trips with my 4'x8' trailer.

That's why it's easy to cross that "fine line" from collecting to hoarding.

Then you try to hide it with phrases like:

"I'm going to fix that when I have time"

"I need that for spare parts" (even though you have nothing else that the spare parts will fit on).

"Do you know how much that is worth?"

Or when confronted with some new object just brought home:

"That? That's been there for years!"


I think I'm going to begin collecting birdwatchers eggs (eggs stolen from birdwatcher's lunches).