THE BOX ART, OF COURSE!!

lcb248

After thinking about this for a while, I've finally decided that it's because I enjoy the "potential" and anticipation that opening a new box gives me. What about everyone else?

 

Why? For the modeler's equivelant of this in the afterlife... 

All of the above.

And if I may add, because of the joy it gives us. This hobby gives us joy every step of the way; when we buy a new kit it gives us joy; when we open the box it gives us joy; when we build it, it gives us joy; when we paint it, it give us joy; when we apply the decals it gives us joy; when we admire the finished model it gives us joy. So when we buy a model but not able to build it,fine, it has served its purpose of giving us the joy of buying it and the joy of looking at it in the stash. I can imagine how much joy those with big stash have.

Because they're there. 

I definitely can't resist a good deal. In another thread, I mentioned grabbing Esci M60 Blazer and T-55 variants for a whopping $4.99 a piece at an Odd Lots closeout store. These kits are still being sold in other boxes for $30-50. I may or may not ever build all of them, but I've already got my money's worth.

Gamera

1). I think I started the stash when I saw several sets of awesome decals I wanted for the aircraft I was building at the time online only to find them out-of-print. This started the whole 'buy it now since it may not be available tomorrow' kick. And yes there are a few kits I did buy at a reasonable price and now people are asking something crazy for them on Ebay. Most of mine aren't though...

Lotsa good explainations here, I fit a bunch of them. 

Don't think I've seen mentioned yet:

1). I think I started the stash when I saw several sets of awesome decals I wanted for the aircraft I was building at the time online only to find them out-of-print. This started the whole 'buy it now since it may not be available tomorrow' kick. And yes there are a few kits I did buy at a reasonable price and now people are asking something crazy for them on Ebay. Most of mine aren't though...

2). Who can resist a good sale? The tightwad part of my brain tells me: 'I'll probably buy this one day and it's on sale for 30-50% off so I might as well buy it now.' Of course you're not saving money if you're buying something you'll never build though...  

Tojo72

I couldn't say why you or anyone else does it,because I myself don't have that issue.

 

I agree, this is a hobby and when I have the time and want something to build I go and look for a kit. I dont have any sitting around waiting to be built. As state by "Dr. Phil" I dont need to build models, I like to build models.

Kevin

Tanker - Builder

   This here is the Builder of Tankers , coming to you via FSM to let you know the real reason we keep buying these things . Have you ever wondered why so many women have over forty pairs of shoes . Or More ?

 Simple , they get a buzz seeing their feminine foots in the newest shoe . Of course she needs an outfit to go with them , right ?

 All that is psychological in nature . It makes us feel that life is good...

Dr. Phil hat on...

 Humans have very natural hunter/gatherer instincts that "push" us. Since our NEEDS are readily available, as close as our kitchens...we replace those NEEDS with WANTS, to satisfy that "push/urge" that we don't even realize is born into us. Everybody, who's NEEDS are easily met, has a collection of some sort...be it shoes, jewelry, sports memorabilia, knick-knacks, models...whatever.

 Watch one of the Alaska shows (Life Below Zero, Yukon Men, etc.)...the only thing important to them (aside from family) is their NEEDS...everything they do is for survival, everything they have is to facilitate that survival. You don't see "collections"...attaining their NEEDS satisfies that "drive".

Dr. Phil hat off.

Tanker - Builder

ICB248 , Hello :

   This here is the Builder of Tankers , coming to you via FSM to let you know the real reason we keep buying these things  

Great analogy!

stikpusher

Because we have more money than time... 

 

No truer words spoken...

Tanker - Builder

ICB248 , Hello :

   This here is the Builder of Tankers , coming to you via FSM to let you know the real reason we keep buying these things . Have you ever wondered why so many women have over forty pairs of shoes . Or More ?

 Simple , they get a buzz seeing their feminine foots in the newest shoe . Of course she needs an outfit to go with them , right ?

 Sounds kinda like us . Got to have that kit , Oh the paint , decals and A.M. stuff for it too ! Why ? Simple . It makes us feel good when we smell that new plastic upon opening the kit , And we also get a kick out of thinking about building it .

   All that is psychological in nature . It makes us feel that life is good and we'll have the time one day to build it . How many kits? Did you say in the hundreds ? Well it's an unattainable goal , But , It's a psychological push to live longer !

    Why ? well the way life has been for me I should've checked out many years back . But while in the hospitals many times and lying there in pain , I Thought " I have to build that model I pulled out of the stash" .  Who Knows? I might be right . Who cares ? No one else knows how to do it so " I will show them " I'll do it right ! " That's what I think anyway .

 Now that said , I have to get back to work on my client's models and then mine , Bye !  T.B. 

 

Also I've put it in my mind that I can't die until I've built all those kits.   If I do ten a year of 500 kits I should live to 104!    my aunt was a 108 when she died, my grandma was 97,   I better go out and buy some more kits!!!

John

ICB248 , Hello :

   This here is the Builder of Tankers , coming to you via FSM to let you know the real reason we keep buying these things . Have you ever wondered why so many women have over forty pairs of shoes . Or More ?

 Simple , they get a buzz seeing their feminine foots in the newest shoe . Of course she needs an outfit to go with them , right ?

 Sounds kinda like us . Got to have that kit , Oh the paint , decals and A.M. stuff for it too ! Why ? Simple . It makes us feel good when we smell that new plastic upon opening the kit , And we also get a kick out of thinking about building it .

   All that is psychological in nature . It makes us feel that life is good and we'll have the time one day to build it . How many kits? Did you say in the hundreds ? Well it's an unattainable goal , But , It's a psychological push to live longer !

    Why ? well the way life has been for me I should've checked out many years back . But while in the hospitals many times and lying there in pain , I Thought " I have to build that model I pulled out of the stash" .  Who Knows? I might be right . Who cares ? No one else knows how to do it so " I will show them " I'll do it right ! " That's what I think anyway .

 Now that said , I have to get back to work on my client's models and then mine , Bye !  T.B. 

falconmod

Now I just need to put them on a spread sheet so I know what I have when I feel like building something new.  400- 500  takes some time.

John

I've had to do that with paint. After buying the same colors as I already had (unopened) I needed a way to keep track. And now that you mention it...I forget which models I already have. A spreadsheet for them too makes great sense.

I like having my own private hobby store.  I still have to got to my LHS for paint and stuff.  The last two nights I've been trying to organise my stash.  I've now got it into props, jets, sci-fi, cars, etc.  Now I just need to put them on a spread sheet so I know what I have when I feel like building something new.  400- 500  takes some time.

John

Raulduke

Thanks for that texgunner. Big zevon fan here. Mike

 

Me too! 

Raulduke

This has been asked on this forum before. I wish I could remember who to credit this to. We buy books in the hope that we are buying the time to read them. Mike

 

The late Warren Zevon is credited with that.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/192528952794563080/

Gary

mrmike

Seems as if research into some current subject has a way of wandering into new info or an area of interest that has yet another kit or two attached.

 

Me too. For example, reading about the US Army in Tunisa has made me want to get a Grant, early sherman, Half-track with 75mm, etc.

Cadet Chuck

Buying models we know we never will build is like all religions:  A denial of death.

 

Yeah, it kind of "is", isn't it.

tigerman

Because it's so satisfying sniping someone on an eBay item.

Yeah, I have an ebay problem too. Sometimes I end up paying the same as I would from

www.myfavoritewebstore.com (not a real link!)

modelcrazy

Because like a squirrel storing up nuts for the winter, I want something to build after I retire and don't have any money to buy new kits.

I have enough to last probably 3 years if I don't buy anything else. I better get shopping.

 

Plus like Bish said, to have a good selection for my next build.

 

The retirement angle fits for me too. With luck, 6 years away...

Tojo72

I couldn't say why you or anyone else does it,because I myself don't have that issue.

 

Rrrrriiiiggghhhhtttt

Several posts apply to me, but mostly I've learned that I find it easier to build the stash than the kits. Seems as if research into some current subject has a way of wandering into new info or an area of interest that has yet another kit or two attached. They just seem to fall into an online paint order, or happen to be on eBay at a can't resist price.

Someday my kids will be able swap my stash for a decent fishing boat!   

Amen Cadet Chuck! I've got enough to last at least 300 years. I'll get some more at the next show.

Jim  

Buying models we know we never will build is like all religions:  A denial of death.