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kusuchi

Excess Purchase intervention.

I acquired my first TE1A nearly 40 years ago.

Since joining this forum on January 24th , 2008 I have purchased enough engines to increase my collection by 50% as of this date.

This chronic escalation of purchases is financially unaceptable to my wife.

Do you host a support group for members with this affliction?  Allternately, please PM me for information on where to send donations.

Regards,
Nick

I would like to admit that I have a problem. Please help me. I have bought too many engines.
tmuir

The first trick is to learn to buy similar looking engines and have them sent to your work or a friends place so she doesn't see them arrive and secretly sneak it up with the rest of your engines and when she finally spots  it and asks 'Is that new' simply reply, 'No, I've had it for ages'

But this only works for one engine every now and then can't be used to hide a dozen recent purchases.  
Manxman

Hope your partner can have a hobby that costs more than yours. We have a couple of bloody horses. Trust me, toy steam is nothing when it comes to vets bills.
Wallace

tmuir wrote:
The first trick is to learn to buy similar looking engines and have them sent to your work or a friends place so she doesn't see them arrive and secretly sneak it up with the rest of your engines and when she finally spots  it and asks 'Is that new' simply reply, 'No, I've had it for ages'

But this only works for one engine every now and then can't be used to hide a dozen recent purchases.  


kusuchi, I feel your pain but Tony pretty much sums it up  

Alternatively, you get them posted to your workplace then gradually move them into the house.

And if you don't have them all displayed in one area, don't ever do it.

Last July I got all my engines together for a family pic. I copped the "I didn't know you had that many with the    look"

The best answer is to say you made some up out of spares
tmuir

Or another trick is to have a couple of engines 'you don't really need' and when you purchase one you really want to make a big deal about the fact you've just bought a new engine so to make room for it your selling one.
Once you sell it let your wife know how much money you made on the sale and although this won't make them happy you will get away with just a    instead of a
Les

Re: Excess Purchase intervention.

kusuchi wrote:
I acquired my first TE1A nearly 40 years ago.

Since joining this forum on January 24th , 2008 I have purchased enough engines to increase my collection by 50% as of this date.

This chronic escalation of purchases is financially unaceptable to my wife.

Do you host a support group for members with this affliction?  Allternately, please PM me for information on where to send donations.

Regards,


If you have a problem, I will be only too willing to take them off your hands.

Or you can do as I do which is store them in a friends shed and he get the moaning about the fact that he's got too many engines.  
mc_mc

Or plan ahead and don't get married.  
Wallace



So true mc. The best solutions are the easiest.
Les

Actually I was lucky as my other half moved in with me after I had started collecting, therefore she cannot moan about them.  

P.S.  In fact she likes steam engines which is a bonus!!
Steve_S

Les Marsh wrote:
 In fact she likes steam engines which is a bonus!!


It certainly is! As a general rule.... they don't.
MooseMan

I'm fortunate that my better half quite likes the engines....her reasoning is that it wouldv'e been a lot worse if I spent all my money in the boozer...

I must confess to using my children as an excuse and playing the "it's educational" card on occasion.

But oh dear, it's a slippery slope....when I started out some 7 years ago my idea was 1 stationary, 1 mobile, 1 boat and 1 loco......my collection's now passed the 60 mark, and compared to some of the other poor souls on this forum that's tame.

I do have one very simple rule that I stick to religiously though - if I can't afford it, I don't buy it, no matter how tempting the offer. That, and every engine in my collection must be in running order.
Stilldrillin

mc_mc wrote:
Or plan ahead and don't get married.  


         

Thanks, but it`s 39yrs too blummin late now! ........  
redryder

Re: Excess Purchase intervention.

kusuchi wrote:
I acquired my first TE1A nearly 40 years ago.

Since joining this forum on January 24th , 2008 I have purchased enough engines to increase my collection by 50% as of this date.

This chronic escalation of purchases is financially unaceptable to my wife.

Do you host a support group for members with this affliction?  Allternately, please PM me for information on where to send donations.

Regards,


Think of this logic: If you were to find such a support group, it would likely be made up of like minded souls who will be more than happy to support you in your efforts to expand your collection, much the way this forum and this particular thread are doing right now. I can envision a support group that rapidly deteriorates to a great collecting club. That's my favorite kind of deterioration. (read as deterioration = rises).
Roly Williams

Stilldrillin wrote:
mc_mc wrote:
Or plan ahead and don't get married.  


         

Thanks, but it`s 39yrs too blummin late now! ........  


Well divorce is comparatively simple nowadays If you've spent all the money on engines then there's nothing left for the lawyers to argue over. Failing that, just get so many engines that she walks out on you
johnreid

It is a weakness that I have. I have twice now spent money that should have gone to the monthly household bills. The mad rush to raise the finds before the lights get shut off can be quite anxious though.
I am going to try not to buy any new ones till this summer at the soonest.
Les

johnreid wrote:
It is a weakness that I have. I have twice now spent money that should have gone to the monthly household bills. The mad rush to raise the finds before the lights get shut off can be quite anxious though.
I am going to try not to buy any new ones till this summer at the soonest.


Can't you run the lights off your engines.    
Nick

With the size of some of those Jensen lamp posts, that is a possibility.
steamyjim

Give the stepper motors a real test
johnreid

I am afraid that the fridge would defrost long before I ran out of Meths.

It is stupidity when I do that, and I should know better. These things do give me a lot of joy though and that in itself should be worth something be it intangible or not.
Mister Occlusion

Ah... I really need to quit this, myself.

I'm a sucker for a bargain, which is the only reason why I have the T90 and D18, both of which arrived in the last week.

Got to learn to say no, and just walk away a bit more often.

Got a couple more kitbashes I want to do, and 2 antiques I'd like to buy some day, and that's got to be it.  The only things I'd ever sell would be the small engines that combined take up less square footage than the model 20, so why bother?

The sad thing about having too much stuff is when nice machines stay buried in their boxes for months on end because there simply isn't time to play with them all
johnreid

I actually have come close to my long term collection goal.
I like the electric Jensens and have the more economical ones excepting a nice 35, and I have all but one Mamod that I want, a cheap SE3 will come along in time and I am in no big hurry in that one. I am not going to risk not paying the monthly bills for it.
I think that some day I might want to have a Bowman, but again, that is one that I can wait a long time for.
I fear that the Fleishmann might get me off on another tangent, I hope not but who knows. The 122/4 seems to be one that if I was to own only 1 Fleischmann it would be the one.
I  might want some more accessories, but the Jensen 100 sure satisfies that urge for now.
It is too fun to watch the Ebay threads and to see the purchases that others make and wish for the same for myself. Discipline will have to be the way for me to go from here on out, although there was that one Ebay item that is ending tonight
Mister Occlusion

Ah, I sometimes subconsciously, or deliberately, sabotage myself by bidding close to or at my max well in advance.

Then walk away and it's either mine or, more often, not.

Of course that's backfired a few times when I've made bids that I later regretted and it's been a nail biting affair of Do I wait for the last 4 seconds for someone to outbid or do I retract?

Though I think the last thing I retracted a bid on was that scam auction last year for the Plank beam engine.  I didn't have much on it, so it was done as a matter of principal once I found out they were crooked.

ebay is evil.  it mirrors an amplifies the darker aspects of my nature  
redryder

Mark,
Was that the Planck Beam that seems to resurface every 6 months or so with the same photos and description that were used when a friend won it nearly 3 years ago?
mc_mc

I got a little out of control last year.   I got a bit of shock when I totted up what I spent.  Fortunately the spending was spread over the year and so wasn't a problem,  probably why I didn't notice.

But on the other hand,  here you can easily spend over £50 on a night out (food, drink, taxis etc.)   so at least with an £50 engine you've got something that lasts more than one day.

I didn't buy anything last month and am only bidding on two engines on eBay at the moment (both under £50).
redryder

mc_mc wrote:
I got a little out of control last year.   I got a bit of shock when I totted up what I spent.  Fortunately the spending was spread over the year and so wasn't a problem,  probably why I didn't notice.

But on the other hand,  here you can easily spend over £50 on a night out (food, drink, taxis etc.)   so at least with an £50 engine you've got something that lasts more than one day.

I didn't buy anything last month and am only bidding on two engines on eBay at the moment (both under £50).


You have a great point here. You certainly can acquire a nice steam toy for the cost of a dinner out at a nice restaurant.

Gil
redryder

AND.... In a few years you can sell the engine, maybe make a little money on it. Try and sell the extra placque deposited in your arteries from the dinner out!
kusuchi

MooseMan wrote:
I'm fortunate that my better half quite likes the engines....her reasoning is that it wouldv'e been a lot worse if I spent all my money in the boozer...

I must confess to using my children as an excuse and playing the "it's educational" card on occasion.

But oh dear, it's a slippery slope....when I started out some 7 years ago my idea was 1 stationary, 1 mobile, 1 boat and 1 loco......my collection's now passed the 60 mark, and compared to some of the other poor souls on this forum that's tame.

I do have one very simple rule that I stick to religiously though - if I can't afford it, I don't buy it, no matter how tempting the offer. That, and every engine in my collection must be in running order.



I'm with you here Moose. The fact that Andrew is such a fanatic makes life very much easier for me.  

Actually, Val is pretty cool about the money at the moment, but if I continue to acquire at the rate I have been since joining this forum, I don't think that will last.
kusuchi

Roly Williams wrote:
Stilldrillin wrote:
mc_mc wrote:
Or plan ahead and don't get married.  


         

Thanks, but it`s 39yrs too blummin late now! ........  


Well divorce is comparatively simple nowadays If you've spent all the money on engines then there's nothing left for the lawyers to argue over. Failing that, just get so many engines that she walks out on you


But Roly.....she'd be entitled to half your engines

Talk about a no win situation
johnreid

Quote:
But Roly.....she'd be entitled to half your engines


And I bet she would choose the better ones
mc_mc

johnreid wrote:
Quote:
But Roly.....she'd be entitled to half your engines


And I bet she would choose the better ones


No she'd go for the mobiles and flashy looking ones.   If you keep the good ones dirty you'll be safe.
duncandumpertruck

Quote:
I'm fortunate that my better half quite likes the engines....her reasoning is that it wouldv'e been a lot worse if I spent all my money in the boozer...


It's he same for me, I have a very understanding partner whom i like to involve in the auctions, if she says she likes it it's a goer and if she says it's "not pretty" i usually skip it! She does have good taste. It's handy that she'll also say the special words of "do you REALLY need it?" A good girl! Being a member of the forum does mean that you see what some other members have and then think "i want that!" The engines do always retain their money and that's another reason why i feel that i can justify the money.
kusuchi

All joking aside, I agree with you , Ruairidh.   Val watched me spend thousands of dollars on 3 D Puzzles without complaint..  

Andrew's passion for steam enthuses her too, and unless I start buying John's (Bogstandard's) Steam Launches, the prices aren't really that outrageous..

Yesterday we spent more money at a charity dinner/auction in one night than I have on engines in the last three weeks.  For a good cause I know, but It's all a matter of perspective.

I guess I'm projecting my inner fears.  I have over two hundred 3 D puzzles........ I don't want to end up with that many steam engines!

Regards,
tmuir

I got a 'get out of jail card' this weekend just gone.
My wife wanted to see UB40 so she bought us both tickets and told me we were going even though she knew I'm not a UB40 fan so after the tickets, dinner out and drinks etc the night came in just shy of $250 so next engine I buy I will be reminding her of that.  
johnreid

That might be a get out of Jail Card, but not a Get Out of Jail Free card  
Nick

What do these expensive 3 D puzzles look like?
kusuchi

Tony,

UB40 eh!   Red, Red Wine, etc.  Takes me back to my college days.  Saw them many times.  You probably know the name derives from the English unemployment benefit form..

They're good but I'd take the Steam Engine any day of the week.

Regards,
kusuchi

Hi Nick,

I'll post a short bio on 3D puzzles off topic soon.

But I'm not going  to get it together tonight.  They're kind of like steam engines, the used ones are cool to assemble and play with, but the MIB with original shrink wrap can be worth a fortune.  I collected both......but I think I now have everything I want. (except storage space).

Regards,
johnreid

Some of those 3-D puzzles are really impressive, I always wanted on but never bought one.
Mister Occlusion

redryder wrote:
Mark,
Was that the Planck Beam that seems to resurface every 6 months or so with the same photos and description that were used when a friend won it nearly 3 years ago?


Yes indeed.  I was very new at the game at the time (heh...still AM new at the game..).  Folks here (Rog, I'm pretty sure), put me right fast enough.
redryder

I think I emailed you direct or through ebay to warn you off.
I set the other bidder straight too and he reported it to ebay and they pulled it quickly.

Gil
Mister Occlusion

You're probably right.  I think both of you did. (I wouldn't remember what colour socks I was wearing if they weren't all black).

I had also filed a report with ebay... and THAT took some figuring out (they make such things difficult to find on purpose, the jaded idealist in me says).

It's good to have people who look out for you

And to think that had they set a reserve of over $200 (or whatever it is), no one could have warned anyone...
mogogear

Kusuchi,

I am bitten by the same affliction... I just re-discovered steam about 3 weeks ago and have now jumped on 3 machines and a boat. So you and I are on the same page- I will be rebuilding an old launch soon--24" long --I will post in the boats thread soon....

It has been a emotional day      Up- down- up----!
redryder

kusuchi wrote:
All joking aside, I agree with you , Ruairidh.   Val watched me spend thousands of dollars on 3 D Puzzles without complaint..  

Andrew's passion for steam enthuses her too, and unless I start buying John's (Bogstandard's) Steam Launches, the prices aren't really that outrageous..

Yesterday we spent more money at a charity dinner/auction in one night than I have on engines in the last three weeks.  For a good cause I know, but It's all a matter of perspective.

I guess I'm projecting my inner fears.  I have over two hundred 3 D puzzles........ I don't want to end up with that many steam engines!

Regards,


If you do you could always start selling puzzles.....
     (or would that be sacriledge?)

Gil
johnreid

I sold over $30K worth of guitars when I got out of the hospital in early 2004, and auctioned all of my tools and many family heirlooms when I got out of the Hospital in 2005.
Now I sometimes mentally lapse back to the good old days when I could afford to buy things. All it takes is one bad bit of luck and it is all gone, enjoy what you have, and do not let them gather dust, Items sitting on a shelf unused and mot even looked at and enjoyed are wasted.
That is one thing I can say about my Steam engines, I have enjoyed them all.
redryder

To answer your original question, LOL, the support you can get for this affliction from this group will be helping you to buy more engines, particularly some you don't need!!!! (but must have wanted)

The good news is you will have lots of fun here!

Gil
kusuchi

Thanks Gil,

Having just read Cranko's thread, I see he bought six engines in January alone.

I only bought three.

I obviously, therefore, do not have a problem.



DENIAL !
redryder

Absolutely right......  No Problem
Mamodman123

kusuchi wrote:
Thanks Gil,

Having just read Cranko's thread, I see he bought six engines in January alone.

I only bought three.

I obviously, therefore, do not have a problem.



DENIAL !


The forum accepts no liabilty for diagnosed cases of mamoditis, Bowmania or similar well know illnesses  
markos

Is it contagious? I just put a bid on a second engine and I haven't even got my first one yet  
johnreid

Hello my name is John and I am a Steamoholic, it has been, well at least a few days since I bought a Steam Engine.

So much for that 12 step program.
redryder

It's not interfering with my social life.
It is much of my social life.

Gil
kusuchi

Markos,

A warm 80F Virgin Islands welcome to the forum.  Post an introduction on Meet the Members and a huge number of people, far more knowledgeable than I, will drop in to say hello.  As for contagion,  the forum is very humourous, but John has it right, there are so many members with such beautiful and rare engines, it's very hard to resist a rapid acceleration in acquistions.

Welcome again,
Nick

I am worried now, I need to buy something on ebay. Everything I have bought has arrived. I have nothing to look forward to in the mail. What will I do?
johnreid

I know of a real nice Wilesco that is for sale
markos

kusuchi wrote:
Markos,

A warm 80F Virgin Islands welcome to the forum.  Post an introduction on Meet the Members and a huge number of people, far more knowledgeable than I, will drop in to say hello.  As for contagion,  the forum is very humourous, but John has it right, there are so many members with such beautiful and rare engines, it's very hard to resist a rapid acceleration in acquistions.

Welcome again,


You can find my brief introduction here: http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about8088.html

I doubt I will be a high-volume poster here, but will generally contribute if I feel I have something worthy, and I will surely ask my fair share of questions  
Nick

johnreid wrote:
I know of a real nice Wilesco that is for sale

I am watching it in my ebay, you never know.
redryder

Mamodman123 wrote:
kusuchi wrote:
Thanks Gil,

Having just read Cranko's thread, I see he bought six engines in January alone.

I only bought three.

I obviously, therefore, do not have a problem.



DENIAL !


The forum accepts no liabilty for diagnosed cases of mamoditis, Bowmania or similar well know illnesses  


Over here it started as Jensenosis, a relatively benign condition that left to it's own will usually morph rather quickly into full blown Jensenitis !  (which is too much fun to bother doing anything about it)
johnreid

I am OK with that as long as it doesnt end up with a Jensenectomy
Nick

Jensenectomy    
kusuchi

markos wrote:
kusuchi wrote:
Markos,

A warm 80F Virgin Islands welcome to the forum.  Post an introduction on Meet the Members and a huge number of people, far more knowledgeable than I, will drop in to say hello.  As for contagion,  the forum is very humourous, but John has it right, there are so many members with such beautiful and rare engines, it's very hard to resist a rapid acceleration in acquistions.

Welcome again,


You can find my brief introduction here: http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about8088.html

I doubt I will be a high-volume poster here, but will generally contribute if I feel I have something worthy, and I will surely ask my fair share of questions  


So what did you buy?  If you haven't received it yet I may have some video to let you know what to expect. I also have young children who are big steam enthusiasts.  Sure makes my life easier.

Regards
kusuchi

johnreid wrote:
Hello my name is John and I am a Steamoholic, it has been, well at least a few days since I bought a Steam Engine.

So much for that 12 step program.


12 steps?

Fill the boiler.

Light the burner.

Open the regulator.

What are the other nine?
johnreid

Quote:
12 steps?

Fill the boiler.

Light the burner.

Open the regulator.

What are the other nine?


next step, go to Ebay and bid high

repeat process twice more equaling 12 steps, then start over.
markos

kusuchi wrote:
So what did you buy?


I bought a Wilesco D9 (kit version of D10), as much so I can put one together as anything else, and the price was right. I have also put a bid on a Steamco thinking that I should buy something from my own backyard so to speak.
johnreid

Those Steamcos are so nice. I hope you get it.
kusuchi

johnreid wrote:
I know of a real nice Wilesco that is for sale


But you're not getting rid of anything,  Didn't you buy Gil's Fleishmann 122/4 to replace it?
markos

Have to see if my budget will stretch to what the final price will most likely head towards...
kusuchi

ncseverson wrote:
Jensenectomy    


Sounds better than a Wilescospomy  
kusuchi

markos wrote:
Have to see if my budget will stretch to what the final price will most likely head towards...


Buy a mobile.  To many stationary enthusiasts around here.
Nick

kusuchi wrote:
markos wrote:
Have to see if my budget will stretch to what the final price will most likely head towards...


Buy a mobile.  To many stationary enthusiasts around here.

I took that advice from others on the forum and bought 3 mobiles in one month.
kusuchi

kusuchi wrote:
markos wrote:
Have to see if my budget will stretch to what the final price will most likely head towards...


Buy a mobile.  To many stationary enthusiasts around here.


Check out Manxman's mobile collection.  Read 'em and weep!
redryder

LOL !!!
Mister Occlusion

SteamCo's are nice.  I've got the donkey engine.  S'got all that old world commonwealth charm to it

Let's see... Within the space of two weeks I bought 2 Wilesco's, a Jensen 85, a couple nice generators...

I've been all but threatened that no other boxes better be showing up at the door for a good long time...  

I hope that doesn't include the next parts order from Jensen that I'm getting together.  
markos

I've just spent $2000 on a new pushbike, so I don't think I will be expanding too rapidly for a bit. Mobiles will come though, I'm sure  
Nick

If you can't buy engines, then build them.
markos

I've certainly thought about building, and would like to try my hand at that sometime. There are some great resources here for learning how.
Nick

There was an amazing build thread that was very long I saw awhile back. The guy has a shiny engine on a green base in his signature line and he has built several, does anyone know who I am talking about?
markos

I think you want the Scratch Building sticky in the tech. tips section: http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopic1564-0-asc-0.php, but all the images from oldstuff aren't working for me at the moment.
Nick

That's the guy. I think that is the thread I read too. He made SV's out of switches for a lamp. His work was amazing.
kusuchi

ncseverson wrote:
If you can't buy engines, then build them.


I wish I had the time Nick.  

Oh my gosh, I just passed 200 posts!   I have only 300 more posts before I lose my junior status and turn into a pumpkin,.
Mister Occlusion

Enjoy your youth while you've got it    
Nick

I wish I had the time and skills, but I buy them instead.
johnreid

They are on photobucket, and are working here. Try again later and I bet they load.
Nick

Works for me too. If any of you haven't read it and have time, I recommend reading it.
Les

markos wrote:
I think you want the Scratch Building sticky in the tech. tips section: http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopic1564-0-asc-0.php, but all the images from oldstuff aren't working for me at the moment.


I just tried it and it works fine for me.
mc_mc

That was  Chuck / Oldstuff.

I bought one of his engines and was very happy with it.   He's not been on here for a long while,  I hope he's okay.  

There were no disagreements etc. that I know of.  
Sandman

Chuck is a great guy who has dedicated himself to looking after his father who does not keep good health.

He has not posted for quite a while now and I just hope all is well with him and his dad.

I had the privilege to meet Chuck in person when I visited Detroit, and was amazed at the ideas he had on using ordinary household items to make steam engines.

He is a genius, and I hope he returns soon.

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