Prudence made some excellent points. Rich, don't think of GI Joe as a burden or a drag, but an escape to take your mind off the crap things that happen in life. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that this hobby is one of the things that has helped keep me sane over the years. I can come home from the worst day at work (and I've had a few of those lately) after fighting the traffic, tired and worn out and ready to collapse. So I flick the computer on, load Joedios, start looking at everyone's cool pics and reading the forums, and before I know it I have a smile on my face. The day from hell is forgotten, and the stress just melts away.
And Rich, like you I'm isolated geographically from everyone else (heck, I couldn't be further away!) but I really feel like I belong to a close, genuinely friendly community on this site. That's a heck of a thing to give up! Take a break, and come back better than ever!

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"The future's uncertain and the end is always near." - The Doors "Roadhouse Blues".

Breaks are good. I took a break from around 1991 to 1999. After we got into our first house, I started buying and selling on eBay. I sold figures because mom never got rid of our collections and I had boxes when we moved in. I sold selectively, because I wasn't sure if I would ever get back in. Well of course in the process of selling, you look at what is selling, and prices, and then you see something that you want, and then you're back in!

I always suggest moderation in all things. For instance, when the Hasbro massive selloff started, I thought about dropping a significant amount of money, but then my reality warning buzzer sounded, and I limited my purchases to under $75 to pick up some things I wanted, without going overboard. (Overboard means different things to different folks.)

If I hadn't taken a break from 1991-1999, it is doubtful I would have finished college, found good jobs, and a great wife, got a house or any of the other things in life I enjoy.

I enjoy this site not only because it's fun with the dios and the photos, but it is a community where people can share ideas and thoughts, without getting too much judgment.

I appreciate your contributions to the community Rich. And I trust you will make a good decision.

Many thanks to all of you so far who have given me advice, it is very very important to me. This place is one of the closest forums I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of. I will probably wait this out at least until September. This way I will of at least given it serious thought for 5 months or so.
Regards
Richard

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Well I'm rather new to posting on this site, no photos yet but they will come, so here's my view on it.

I am 31 and I collected from 82 till I was in the 7th grade and just got any new SS and SE that came out until the line ended in 94. I was forced out of really collecting or even asking for Joes from my parents after Christmas in the 6th grade.

My folks said it was time to ask and get big-boy stuff and put the toys up, as a matter of fact I had to pack up my stuff when I got out for the summer that year. I never got totally out of Joes. I would would sneak out my stuff and play with them when my parents were out.

Anyway when the line discontinued and I went to college in 95 I thought my Joe days were over forever. When the Toys R Us stuff came out, i didn't live close to one so those things were not available to me. When I got out of college and moved to Houston, I got back into it big time. I was an Xbox rep for the first three years the system was out so I was in all the stores that sold them and every time I went to TRU I would snag everything I could. when they relaunched the line I got everything as soon as it hit the stores. Ebay, garage sales, antique markets, and other online retailers to hunt down the old stuff has been good for me to get things I lost over the years or never got in the first place.

I thought about stopping, but never to sell....it has meant too much to me. It reminds me of happier times and lets me feel young. The last two years I have battled and and beaten cancer twice and have arrived at the one year check-up a ok. Sitting through chemo and looking at the site and many others and buying old Joes got me through it and helped me keep a smile on my face,as well as family friends, and my faith in God.

If ever I think about selling I just have to think about my Dad.....he had the complete Topps baseball card collection from 1950 through 1977(many multiplies). He needed the money to buy a new car and sold the collection and to this day he regrets doing it. I know I could never get rid of my Joes, it 's isn't about the money either. If it's a money issue then it can be understandable no questions asked

Now if you do decide it is the right thing to do to let them go, I encourage you to let the folks on here rather than straight to ebay, because at least on this board you know the folks on here would appreciate and take care of them.

That's my thoughts on the subject

I've decided to take a brake from things. I'll probably post up TR shots for this month (assuming i'm still on it) if any newbie's want to have a go then by all means please take my slot for me.

I think for me the best thing, (after speaking with stormer) is to pack things away and make sure every last joe and joe related thing is in the attic out of the way.. so it almost seems like i've gotten clear of everything.
Then if things are going well and my fever of wanting to get back in comes back at least i still have them there.

I've been so close to selling up everything a few times over the last 6 years or so.. this is the closest i've ever felt about selling them all off. I have cancelled all my deals with joe stuff (with good friends of course).

I hope I am able to regain my passion for the joes, i've got so much left thats been written and to do.. but i just don't have the drive to complete them at this time.
If I do end up selling i will of course notify this board as well as yojoe and put up a sales list as well as an inventory with prices.

Thanks again for those who left me messages here and on MSN. You'all stay happy and keep dio'ing
kindest regards
Richard

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Well dude...I think you need much more time to take a rest away from your Joes. I collected from 6 till 12. Then I started over again 3 years ago. I was 26. It´s funny because I sold all my toys 10 years ago, but not my GI Joes. I was not collecting anymore but I don´t sold them...Curious huh?

I loved them so much that I couldn´t keep them away from me, even in a huge and dirty box that I never looked at. Every year I opened that box and fixed any Joe that was broken or something...and then closed the box again. Something was wrong with me during all these years? Don´t think so....My wife always looked at me smiling during the annual check-up, and one day she asked me: "You love this figures sweetheart...why don´t you re-start your collection? I´m gonna help you!"

Give your soldiers a rest, take a vacation and "forget" them for a while

You´ll be glad in the future

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