[Closed] I posted this below but i think it got lost. Does anyone else feel like I do here?

Phil, while my collection is 98% 1/18th I do have some of these same feelings. There's not a whole lot of 'new' stuff coming out. I want to see the 'newest' 18th before plunking done the $. I'm not into doubles or repaints. I'm thinking that it might be time to narrow down my 'must haves'. I'm lucky that Sunstar is doing the cars that interest me most. AA's are getting so expensive now that I've only purchased on the secondary market. Good luck in your collecting. It was good to read your post.

Enjoy your post, and yes I feel the same way. I have had to narrow my want list down and collect the few remaining that I don't already have mostly in 1/18 for me. Once in awhile I will pick up a 1/24 like the 60 Plymouth station wagon I just got. Very nice looking model.
But for me just a few more Citro?n's and a couple more 58 Lincolns and I am out of money and room.

I guess I'm sad if there are no more 1.24's, as there are too many on my wish list that I might never get the pleasure of seeing on my shelf.

Like you Phil, I'm not rich, and at times there were several cars that I saw as "must haves", and the result was I was paying for sometimes 5 or more cars at a time.

But you know what? I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs, and this little vice of collection cars is harmless and doesn't hurt my health. Plus, I've never deprived my family of necessities or spent more than I can afford.

In addition, I've always stuck to my collecting criteria, so that I don't buy cars that I don't like, just for the sake of getting a new car.

Every day, I can say with honesty, that my cars bring me joy. I enjoy looking at them, rearranging them, and dusting the cases. As long as that joy is felt, I'll yearn for additional cars, and especially hold out hope for those cars that are on my personal wish list. I sincerely hope that Danbury Mint is not out of the 1.24 business!

The final thing is that, I've never bought any of these little cars with the thought that they were an investment. I've looked at them as something that makes ME happy! And even though there are few cars that perhaps in hindsight, I could have passed on, I still enjoy them on my shelf.

Hope I've answered your questions Phil.

yes you have, thanks!

Phil,......................

with all the paint rash issue on most of the models produced by DM, FM, WCPD and GMP, I don't think that most of your models are in the $200-300 price range.

The paint rash is increasingly an issue on the secondary market and I realized some years ago that my collection is not worth what I spent for.

For the real collector, the real value is gone. For the buyer of a nice specimen of a rare model, if it has the smallest issue, it will be a request for full refund.

For me, my diecast model collection is not even an asset (I still have about 200) but a liability for my wife to get rid off when I will be gone.

I have expensive larger scale models in their own display cases. These CMC and Exoto models should keep some value but I don't even expect it will happen.

So?????? What I will do?

Put them in storage. My wife will not be stuck to find the boxes LOL.

paint rash angst.....

brings to mind a similar assault on collectors in the 50s and 60s who spent much time and money (pre-internet) amassing a collection of promos only to watch them undergo "warp factor" and then had to grade their collection by degrees of warpage. With the commonality of these degradations, the promos still have their value just as I assume minor paint rash will not be a hindrance to our diecast models collectibility in the future.
I guess nothing is forever. Lord knows we're also biodegrading. Frankly, I plan to enjoy my little cars until they are removed from my cold dead hands. As to the effect of creeping paint rash, it seems to be matching my slowly failing eyesight. Worse case scenario has me retiring my magnifying glass.

I feel the same way!

MINOR paint rash/issues should be acceptible as many of these models are prone to it. As long as the model isn't suffering from diecast corrosion where parts literally crumble, get brittle and fall apart then I do think our little cars will hold value for years to come. I think even more so being that they might not be made anymore! Like anything there will always be a nich market for quality/detailed items and our cars fall into that category. Look at what some of the old tin cars sell for and thats with chips, minor dents etc. same for the "warped" promos as mentioned and other items. I think as long as the overall model is complete, with box and papers and is very presentable they will be worth something!

Richard Dube I don't think the majority of collectors are like US here!

We ARE the minority whom collects cars and looks for every single little "problem" that could be found. As for many of my cars being worth $200+ that is reality as most all of my cars are near perfect. Just about all started out as the most perfect speciman possible. I often ordered a few of each so I could have the best example as far as panel gaps, finish, colors matching etc... As is the case with many of our little cars some have since developed paint issues. Lucky for me it is not the majority of the collection and I was able to buff out the paint on almost all of them that they looked perfect again. Some have stayed this way for 2-4 years now! Time will tell. DO you honestly think that the majority of the models selling for $200-$300+ are "perfect" and have no slight blisters or paint rash? I highly doubt it. It's just that the average collector ISN'T like us and dosn't get out his magnifier! Truth be known I've never once looked at any model with a magnifier nor would I unless it was to inspect details like speedometer #s, clocks, engine decals etc.. NOT to use to inspect for defects or problems. If my naked eyes cannot detect it thats good enough as that IS reality, not a magnifier! LOL And FYI I dont even own a magnifing glass AND I have 20/20 vision so.....