[trex0770]

Just wondering with all of the gloomy economic news and forecasts if it's affected your attitude towards buying new diecasts or just buying non-essential things in general? What are your thoughts, are you conscious of but not too worried about the economy, not affected or, perhaps, in a good financial place to keep adding to your collections?

I'm kinda half irresponsible (addicted to collecting) and half starting to worry about the future (thinking I should start squirreling money and resources away for the oncoming rainy day)....and I've got a house with no mortgage payments, no car payments, no kids and a decent paying job. I just figure that I'm probably better off than 75% of the people and I'm starting to worry so there's got to be others on the forum who feel the same?!?

I ask b/c this board seems (from all outside appearances) insulated from what's happening with the economy. Hope I'm not ruining our happy little place!

[Cavtanker]

I figure the more diecasts that I buy, the more I am stimulating the economy in a little way, so I should keep purchasing. I'm more into room constraints right now over money constraints. I'm saving space for a HM SB2C, but I might have to give up on a Chinook, Corgi heavy, and any modern jets for a bit until I figure out where I will place them.

And definitely no more 1/32 FOV tanks for me. That's maxed out!

[Vifam7]

It's still a little early for the effects to filter down. Things could change if inflation occurs or if fuel prices surge up (winter is just around the corner).

[derhamburgerjung]

Good Thread, trex0770.
Right now here in Europe, I think the worst is still to come.If the US economy takes a downturn it will take some time
before we feel it.

So I should start to save some money, who knows whats up for us.On the other side, there are so many great prices right now to find, I feel tempted
to get some more models.
But also, I do not have the place to display them all! Hmm, what to do now?

[Lakota Mechanic]

I have to admitt it is getting tougher to afford diecast especially at $75 a pop for the C/W aircraft and $50 for HM When they come out in mass. I might have to limit myself to only one of each instead of the usaual two or three.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by trex0770

I ask b/c this board seems (from all outside appearances) insulated from what's happening with the economy. Hope I'm not ruining our happy little place!

Great thread, trex. and I'm glad you brought it up. The way I deal with this very expensive hobby of ours is that, I am more selective now (more than ever before) which diecast I should get. I don't pretend to be immune to the economic meltdown and certainly not oblivious as to the current state of health on the economy. I'm glued to the CNN, Fox News and radio talk shows (the conservative side only) etc., almost daily to hear more and more of the bad news! There is really nothing all of us can do about it at this point, and I don't really dwell too much on it to be honest. I try to adjust/change and adapt my spending habbits making sure all necessities are covered first. Diecasts spending comes in as a last priority - if I don't need it I won't buy it.

[Epapazian]

While I can afford to "pamper" myself as diecast prices escalate, even before the economic downturn I had become much more selective in what models I buy. Early on, reflecting my enthusiasm for a new hobby, I bought large numbers of Corgis, Dragons and , even, IXOs, including multiple examples of the same planes to allow for repaints. Now, I buy many fewer models and, only rarely, opt for an "extra" for repaint purposes. I think that the main reasons are a feeling of saturation with the "usual subject" models, plus a desire for better and better product, quality-wise, which, sadly, is often not what the diecast makers are delivering. As for rare planes, I was enthusiastic when IXO introduced its line of fighters and attack planes and, later, its biplane series. But the product was so shabby that I cut way back on my purchases. I was also happy to hear about Altaya's new line of WWII bombers, sea planes and transport craft, again, because it brought many more rare planes into play. But here, too, the generally poor quality of these models contributes to my current malaise---even though I will buy---and fix---a goodly number of them. Small wonder why I am so thankful for the breath of fresh air that Hobby Master has introduced into the military diecast field. Despite some missteps, HM has established a form of kinship with collectors such as myself that impels me to buy its products. I almost feel like I had small part in developing some of them.

[Captain Eddie]

Immune? Not me, I've cut way back on purchasing.

[leeG]

Lack of shelf space trumps the economic climate. My purchases for the next six months have been carefully planned based upon announced models and square inches allocated to specific themes.

I still can't believe how fast that new curio is filling up.

[Berkut76]

I only buy, if I can combine "free shipping" with some other discount (eBay is no longer an option since purchase + final price is usually higher per unit then buying in bulk from one of the vendors). Although, my last purchase was about $200US worth of models, it was the only one in six months. Due to the dearth of prop models I'm interested in I'm gravitating towards jets (Kate was the only prop purchase for me for as long as I remember), and I don't buy more than 2 of one mold.

Funny thing is that my spending at this point is controlled more by "I have no interest in this model" rather than by economic conditions.

I have never warmed up to Hobby Master 1:48 line. I own two Buffalos, which I got for a great price, but have no interest in the rest of the models released so far.

Regards,

Sergey