What would you do?

To trash the collection is a selfish move and a slap in the face of the friend. Sleep well knowing you turned your back on your friend's legacy and walked away to make yourself feel better.
Been me I'd have had a blast distributing the kits far and wide, knowing all the while my friend would be honored that so many people were able to enjoy something he held near and dear to his heart.
There were so many better ways to handle this, it's truely sad.

I also have a "Friend", but he only has 5000 kits in his stash.

GreenThumb

I see a padlock coming real soon. Where's the popcorn?

Yep, me too. And more trolls have jumped in here. Now who's laughing.

presto, lameo,.... you and his widow have totally dishonored his memory by doing this, also if she knew that he was sick she should have gotten him help while he was still alive, you too if you knew about it! the only winners are the retailers and the model companies who produced the kits what a travesty!  i was just kidding about wanting some of the kits, even felt bad about what i posted yesterday. my concience is clear now....hows yours

Seems like a horrible waste.

I could MAYBE see a decision like this from a non-modeller, but as one yourself you don't see this disregard from all that could benefit from these kits? I'm not talking about even the people on this forum, but from injured vet's, to serving soldiers overseas, underprivileged kids etc. Even the toy drives that occur every Christmas, everyone is looking for toys for kids. Here's a great opportunity to give a boost to our hobby by introducing new people to it.

And that doesn't even include the financial gains that could be acquired for you and/or the widow. I bet in a stash of 12,000 there's a quite a few kits collectors would be all over since they are long since discontinued kits.

This doesn't make sense to me at all.....

Also,for a guy with a delicate conscience,you sure slammed your friend in that last post!

Lacquer Head

the doog:

I just want to say; a GREAT joke. I didn't get it until now. You had me fooled.

There's just no way this guy had that any kits, no way he had them stashed...where?

And no way someone would be either so stupid, so selfish, or so insensitive to modelers, kids, soldiers and others in need (of either models or proceeds from the sale thereof) to trash all of these valuable, much-desired kits.

I'm laughing! Boys, he fooled us all! Well played!

Of course, one could be sniffing lacquer...that could explain something otherwise....?

 

 

 

Doog!!! How much more insensitive can you be? I've always respected you as an artist and as a human being. I can see now that it was misplaced.

MY FRIEND WAS SICK!!! DO YOU GET THAT???

His widow told me to just take the kits out of the workshop and she would dispose of the rest. She said it would only bring me heartache. Well she was right and I was wrong. She understood human nature more than I gave her credit for.

Well for better or worse it's done and over. Two hours ago I signed the papers at Waste Disposal to haul it away. When I pulled out of that driveway it felt like the world had been lifted from my back. It's their problem now. I'm free.

I want to pass on some advice. If you are over 55 and have a stash of 500+ kits, please cull it down to 100 or 150 kits. If you have a stash of 1000+ kits, please contact a mental health professional and a organizer.

RIP Robert, you always said that you would have the last laugh.

castelnuovo

Maybe the modeling community can help out. If you set up an account and we all chip in 5-10 bucks you may get another month or two for storage.

It would be pity to see all those models destroyed. I think there are lots of modelers who would buy something. Maybe you can sell them to us in packages of, say, 10 kits for 50 bucks. Put into the package whichever kit you grab regardless of scale, make etc. It certanly would involve lots of packing and trips to the post office..it is just a thought.

Then we could build them or sell them on e-bay or exchange them or or whatever...

Oooops...next time I'll read everything before I post

Maybe the modeling community can help out. If you set up an account and we all chip in 5-10 bucks you may get another month or two for storage.

It would be pity to see all those models destroyed. I think there are lots of modelers who would buy something. Maybe you can sell them to us in packages of, say, 10 kits for 50 bucks. Put into the package whichever kit you grab regardless of scale, make etc. It certanly would involve lots of packing and trips to the post office..it is just a thought.

Then we could build them or sell them on e-bay or exchange them or or whatever...

I see a padlock coming real soon. Where's the popcorn?

Lacquer Head

the doog:

I just want to say; a GREAT joke. I didn't get it until now. You had me fooled.

There's just no way this guy had that any kits, no way he had them stashed...where?

And no way someone would be either so stupid, so selfish, or so insensitive to modelers, kids, soldiers and others in need (of either models or proceeds from the sale thereof) to trash all of these valuable, much-desired kits.

I'm laughing! Boys, he fooled us all! Well played!

Of course, one could be sniffing lacquer...that could explain something otherwise....?

 

 

 

Doog!!! How much more insensitive can you be? I've always respected you as an artist and as a human being. I can see now that it was misplaced.

I want to pass on some advice. If you are over 55 and have a stash of 500+ kits, please cull it down to 100 or 150 kits. If you have a stash of 1000+ kits, please contact a mental health professional and a organizer.

...Robert, you always said that you would have the last laugh.

So either this is really, really bad joke....

Or you came and created this thread with your mind already made up and just wanted to show off or something?

the doog

I just want to say; a GREAT joke. I didn't get it until now. You had me fooled.

There's just no way this guy had that any kits, no way he had them stashed...where?

And no way someone would be either so stupid, so selfish, or so insensitive to modelers, kids, soldiers and others in need (of either models or proceeds from the sale thereof) to trash all of these valuable, much-desired kits.

I'm laughing! Boys, he fooled us all! Well played!

Of course, one could be sniffing lacquer...that could explain something otherwise....?

 

 

Doog!!! How much more insensitive can you be? I've always respected you as an artist and as a human being. I can see now that it was misplaced.

MY FRIEND WAS SICK!!! DO YOU GET THAT???

His widow told me to just take the kits out of the workshop and she would dispose of the rest. She said it would only bring me heartache. Well she was right and I was wrong. She understood human nature more than I gave her credit for.

Well for better or worse it's done and over. Two hours ago I signed the papers at Waste Disposal to haul it away. When I pulled out of that driveway it felt like the world had been lifted from my back. It's their problem now. I'm free.

I want to pass on some advice. If you are over 55 and have a stash of 500+ kits, please cull it down to 100 or 150 kits. If you have a stash of 1000+ kits, please contact a mental health professional and a organizer.

RIP Robert, you always said that you would have the last laugh.

I am editing my original post in this slot.  I am running from this thread.

Hutch

I was wondering after a while, but gave him the benefit of the doubt. Thought maybe he was rounding off or exaggerating a bit here or there.  Then the time frame hit me.  Got the kits (or found out about them) three weeks ago and moved them (three tractor trailers worth) from a basement (must have been huge) to a warehouse for storage at $500 a month, then takes three hours to decide to trash the whole lot.

Made me think of someone who posts on an animal lovers forum that he now has responsibility for dozens of puppies, but the task of finding homes for them is too daunting, so he'll just drown them in the creek out back.  And cackle with glee as the forum members cry and moan about it.

But I admit I bit too.

Paul

Okay, I am confused.  I am not all that bright, as my wife would attest, but was this indeed a hoax? 

Lacquer? 

If the story is true, is it possible to take a few pics of the stash, as it goes out?  I can't comprehend that many kits and what it would look like.  Just a request.

Hutch

the doog

I just want to say; a GREAT joke. I didn't get it until now. You had me fooled.

There's just no way this guy had that any kits, no way he had them stashed...where?

And no way someone would be either so stupid, so selfish, or so insensitive to modelers, kids, soldiers and others in need (of either models or proceeds from the sale thereof) to trash all of these valuable, much-desired kits.

I'm laughing! Boys, he fooled us all! Well played!

Of course, one could be sniffing lacquer...that could explain something otherwise....?

 

 

If true, it would seem a real shame to not let the potential value of this many kits go to a worthwhile charity.

I just want to say; a GREAT joke. I didn't get it until now. You had me fooled.

There's just no way this guy had that any kits, no way he had them stashed...where?

And no way someone would be either so stupid, so selfish, or so insensitive to modelers, kids, soldiers and others in need (of either models or proceeds from the sale thereof) to trash all of these valuable, much-desired kits.

I'm laughing! Boys, he fooled us all! Well played!

Of course, one could be sniffing lacquer...that could explain something otherwise....?

Are there any Star Wars kits in the collection?

I'm part of a club that does a lot of charity work and we are always looking for stuff to give away to kids.A lot of them are very sick or even terminally ill.

If there are,I'd love to find a way to take them all off your hands.

Here are a few pics of a children's hospital we visited in August.

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa304/schphgochi/Hope%20Childrens%20Hospital%208-19-11/?start=all

The whole point of this visit was to give away toys to kids that are in a bad situation and maybe make them happy for a time.

I'd be eternally thankful if you could help us out.The 501st Legion has members worldwide.I'm sure I could arrange for any kits to be picked up locally.I'd never even have to see them.

Give them all to me and I will bear the burden.  I think throwing them in the trash is silly personally.

Put an add in the paper or Craigslist. You could find someone to buy the whole lot at once I am sure.

I too would love to buy kits for $1 each plus shipping. But I'm guessing Laquer Head would feel he'd have to do this for everybody if he does it for me. So I'd be putting him right back in the position of dealing with a huge, ongoing burden.

In all seriousness...I think to honor your friend is whats important here....a lifetime of collecting being hauled away....tough...I know it sounds like a guilt trip....but really there MUST be some gems in that stash...especially some that must have been special to your friend...give it a second thought....and I also it sounds like an overwhelming task but an inventory will help...tough shoes to be in....although very lucky ones too...

Pray for guidance...

Carlos

Manstein's revenge

Let's do a little math...

12,000 X $35 (conservative estimate) = $420,000.

What did this guy do for a living that he could have sunk that kinda dough into a stash like that?

Whoa....never thought about doing that math.

It is probably wise to digest it all a bit, before moving forward.  My Mother passed away last week and I am the Executor of the estate.  I also have a daunting task, but am doing a lot of praying about what I do with all her stuff and still honor her.

Hutch

Let's do a little math...

12,000 X $35 (conservative estimate) = $420,000.

What did this guy do for a living that he could have sunk that kinda dough into a stash like that?

Wow, as others have said, I don't envy you, and may your friend rest in peace.

And also as others have said, for $1 a kit plus shipping, I'd be all over that.  I wouldn't even care what they were lol I just enjoy building.  

EEEEEEEBaaayyyy! like a big dog dude, (wow! and i thougt my stash was big at 56!!!) try contacting the TV show "Hoarders"  i work on primarily 1/48th scale WW2 stuff if you feel like donating some my way also try some people who do estate sales, they do a lot of ebay sales. hope this helps! may your friend rests in peace

padakr

 

Lacquer Head:

 

 

hutchdh:

 

Easy for us to say what he should do with the kits.  We are not faced with a daunting task and the sheer amount of time and effort will be enormous...coupled with the draining emotion of doing the right thing and honoring your friend.  It could take months at full-time attention to take care of these.  I see how long it takes to post and manage a small amount of kits on ebay.  As for donations, even the military and VA hospitals here in the DC area will only take so much.  They have turned people away at times.  Imagine how much time just 100 kits take up and how we would dispose of these effectively and honorably.  A huge task.

I can't even comprehend upwards of 12,000 kits.  I know a guy that is thinking of opening his own hobby shop and he thinks he has a lot with 1000 kits to manage...and that is for a business he is setting up. 

I do not envy Lacquer.

Hutch

 

 

I would like to thank everybody for taking time to reply to my post. Hutch nailed it in regards to what I've been dealing with over the past 3 weeks. I've called Waste Disposal and Wednesday they will come to haul it away. I'm a modeler. My heart tells me that throwing away one model is a bad thing, but my mind tells me, that in this situation, it is the best course of action. I would like nothing better than to load up a truck, hit the model show circuit and give away every kit that I have. If only I had less responsibilities, if only I had more time. I'm sorry guys, I'm tired, I'm so tired. Thank you again.

 

 

Speaking as someone who has gone through tremendous personal loss and had to deal with all kinds of annoying details, I offer the opinion that you are perhaps being too hasty.  I inferred from your previous e-mail that you had put the models into a storage facility already and they weren't still in your friends basement. Unless there are other facts you haven't mentioned.

If you gave yourself three months to figure something out, why not take it.  At least a month.  Don't do anything until next month.  Then revisit it.  I have to imagine there are several business that would offer you a reasonable price for the whole collection and come and take it away (no you wouldn't get top dollar, maybe not even $1.00 a kit).  There are people who could take that many kits and piece them out for a profit.

It just strikes a lot of us that you went from waiting 3 months to trashing them in 3 days very quickly.

Paul

I know its easier for us armchair quaterbacking your choice but also sometimes you need the opinions of an outsider not directly effected by the loss and situation.  I'm assuming thats why you asked the opinion of us complete strangers.

Take the 3 months, and if anything in that time take up the offers for a few to sort out option.  You even said "Club members will take about 200 kits. The LHS guy will take 100 kits, but not the whole lot. Goodwill and Habitat for humanity will take 300 kits each. So that's 900 kits gone. The VA and VFW would not take any. The Red Cross said that they "may" want 1000 kits."

Donate even just those kits away I think would honour your friend more then destroying his whole collection.

Just my opinion...  if you send them to the dump. it is very possible that you will regret it for a long long time.

I would echo Paul in waiting a while before deciding.