Want It, Need It, or, On An Impulse… How Do You Justify Your Hobby Purchases?

If I like it and can afford it I'll buy it.

Originally Posted by K.C Jones:

So do you Justify your Purchases before, or after you  buy?
I’m afraid a Train Show would really bring out the Impulse Buyer in me.
How do you control yourself at a Train Meet,  or a Train Show?

No need to justify anything. If I want it, whether I need it or not I would buy it.  That being said I have limited myself to Monon and Chicago South Shore & South Bend so that makes it easier.  I have all the rolling stock I need.

At my age, I don't justify anything but I have regretted a few purchases. Just chalk them up to bad luck and move on. As for trains, I have a mental list of things I would like but it keeps getting shorter as I find ones I want. I have bought several engines at shows on a snap judgement and some have worked out well. An example- a nice, clean and complete running chassis for a 2055, a trade with a guy for a nice shell and it i a great engine for $20. I just saw the chassis and  bought it because it looked so nice and the price was right.

I definitely like Penn-Pacific's idea.  Plan in advance to know what your priorities are, as well as what the rough market value is.  Is it a "Must Have," or just an "Yes, but Only for the Right Price?"  If it's something I haven't thought about, then I need to seriously ask myself if it's something I truly want.  Rarely will one have a chance to buy something that one can't get again later. 

Of course, you still have to be able to contain yourself within a budget, a discipline that some people master easier than others.... 

When I go to the local swap meet or the annual TCA meet, I only bring 200$. Most times i only get a car or two, or an accessory. When I go to the GATS show, most vendors take credit, so that's where the impulse can get me. Aside from that, I've got so much stuff now I can't store it!

Justifying purchases can be habit forming, but fortunatly, I'm getting over it.

Items are getting harder to find. I tend to ninja attack it! 

When I was collecting American Flyer "S" gauge back in the seventies and eighties, when I was at a train show and came upon a piece that I didn't have, I would buy it.

However, I would only purchase something that was in very good plus or excellent condition.  

I am selective in what I buy.When I got back into O gauge trains in 2000 I decided to stick to just modern super-power steam,1st generation diesels and heavy electrics.I seldom buy freight cars and only buy passenger cars if it's a bargain. I am always on the lookout for deals on large Lionel or MTH steam. I am an operator and I love to run lots of big steam at once. I usually buy 2-3 locos a month and more if I attend a large meet like Cal-Stewart,the big E or York. 

Generally speaking, I don't do train shows or hobby stores anymore. The bulk of my purchases are made on eBay or early buy from new catalogs. I wouldn't necessarily call my purchases impulse, because I have fairly strict rules about what goes on my layout.

Sometimes I think in terms of need, as I try to fill out the fleet. It is all about what fits and will create a realistic mix of cars.

I do have some regrets which I need to liquidate. They were purchased in binge mode after a 6 year hiatus from the hobby. I've settled down considerably since then.

A couple of years ago I started writing down a list of what I "wanted" or "needed" for the layout.   It definitely helped slow down the impulse purchases.   for me it makes the show more of a hunt for exactly what I am looking for.   It worked great this year at the Big E Amherst show..... ended up finding 8 out of the 10 items....   

Without the list, I would have forgotten some of the smaller items, like cast sheaves for my coal loader scratchbuild project, scale chain, and some box girders I managed to locate. 

I don't make too many impulse buys anymore other than trinkets for a couple of bucks for the grand kids or something like that. Everything I buy train wise has been pretty carefully thought about before ordering. Most of my purchases are pre-ordered new from my LHS. I try to limit myself to either one road name or something I think my grandson will like. 

I haven't yet, but if I ever end up with something I no longer want, I will sell it or trade it in at my LHS and order something else. As for justification, for the last 3+ years all my purchases have been retirement presents to myself.  

I think we are all in a way susceptible to all of the acquisitions categories you have listed.

Yup

Like many others, there are few items that I actually need to run trains. 

However, that doesn't stop me from wanting to go after new and exciting offerings, or to pursue that accessory or piece of rolling stock that has been on "the list".

As far as justifying it, we don't buy what we can't afford.  I look at it's cost compared to other daily expenses and assess the $s along the lines of the play value it will have, and the extent that it will bring a smile to the face of my grandkids and other visitors when they visit. 

I have several lists

1.Wanted for the Layout-Such as cars, trucks, figures ect. Each car or truck there is a story behind each like if its a replica of a car my grandfather owned or the tractor my family has. however, since it's a small layout it does restrict what I can run on it.

2.Custom or kit-bashed projects-Are mostly just some engines I want to build for my layout.

However, since I have a small layout it does restrict what I can run on it so most of my stuff can’t be a huge locomotive as much as I would love to have but I’m happy with what I have. I tend to do my best to not impulse buy unless It’s the right price and if I must really really want it.

I have a list of my wants.usually I'll zero in one a few, and start watching prices. Between my work, and lack of local shows, I usually try to hit area shops, or the internet.when I can afford it, I seriously start looking, and when I find my price zone I'll go after the item.

For, me everything is definitely a not even a "want", but more of a "would like".

Even though I have a small 'fleet" of 5 engines with one BTO on the way, enough rolling stock, running on a 12X6 layout or around the Christmas tree, there is NOTHING more that I "need".  I am very content with what I have. 

This makes it hard for me to want anything, but occasionally it happens.

I guess, you can never have enough track assuming you have plenty of space.

I don't do "impulse buying."  Never have and I don't intend to start now.

I save up for my hobby purchases, and have a mental list of things I'd like to buy.  When I go to a train show (or sometimes, see something online), I've got enough money in-pocket to get what I want.  The household budget is never touched.

I can honestly say that I've never bought anything that I later regretted.  I put too much thought into buying things beforehand.

Credit cards don't make it into train shows. They're just like poker, I predetermine how much cash I'm willing to lose before I sit at the table and that's the only cash I carry on my person.

I do the same things at train shows.  I have a fixed amount of cash in my pocket and that's it.

In truth, I can't really justify any of my train purchases but I do it anyway; in reason of course.  Life is far too short.

Want it (always), Need it (never), Impulse (Often)

I don't even try to justify money spent on toy trains.  I've put kids through college, paid off all our debt, and saved enough for retirement.  I figure at this stage in my life, money should go for interesting sports cars, good wine, and toy trains. 

The short answer would be "I work hard for my money, I'll spend it how I want to". The reality is a bit more involved. I really have very few trains, I spend most of my time looking for accessories and such that I can add to my layout. I can only run so many trains at once, but I love adding cool things that add fun to the layout. I often see locos that I'd really like to buy, but more often than not I pass them by because I'm not sure I'll get enough value out of them.

 As for my wife's concerns: I don't drink or smoke, don't golf, fish, gamble or do any of the other "manly" things that most guys seem to spend money on. I have a couple of hobbies that I enjoy, and she has no problem with that, so I never have to explain myself.

I consider cheaper than therapy.

To me need never entered the picture when it came to trains, so rarely did I plan my purchases. For almost all of my train purchases it was always see it, like it and buy it right away. Oh sometimes I thought about why I should have something, but that false rationalization didn't last for long.

…cheaper than a boat.

We have many hobbies and everyone is not cheap. As long as hobbies do not interfere with our standard of living (which they never do) then all purchases are justified. Must say that as we get older the buying impulse has weakened somewhat. Being no longer a collector but an operator, buying habits have shifted accordingly to what is needed to finish the layout as opposed to what I want to add to the collection. I still like to buy and add new items selectively but need to be cautious that we don't end up with more trains sitting in boxes than we already have. The question to be asked is how many trains can you run and how many do you "need". I would say from what is written here many of us have enough trains to last several lifetimes

I think too many of you guys are turning buying trains into a job. I have two rules,  It is very easy, if you like it buy it, if you can afford it, buy it. Nothing else matters.

I wanted the new lionel big boy but I would have had to break my second rule so no big boy is on my layout. 

Nothing I need to have, I'm beyond that. So it just has to be something that jumps out and says buy me. I will be going to York without a want list. The seller with a buy me item will get my money.

Not into impulse buying. It has to fit the theme, and needed for completion. The only thing outside, is item with logos from Chemical and Refineries I worked at or for.

…cheaper than a boat.

I resemble that.  I have trains and a boat - hopeless

Bill

as Lee Willis said Want it always Need it never Impulse often, but what else would i do with my publishers clearing house winnings!!! unfortunately i haven't collected it yet but they keep telling i won so i don't want to waste time spending my winnings.

If I like it I buy it.

i might have a unusual relationship with my wife.

15 years ago, we were in a hobby shop in Wilmington and there was a display for Lionel,. i was on one knee staring at that engine.  She looked at it and at me and said "you want that don.t  you?"  i said "yes"   she said "Well buy it and what ever else you might need!"  all of a sudden I am 8 yrs old and pulling my figure 8 out from under my bed, it was on a piece of plywood and on castors.

I built a small layout and suspended it from garage over her car corvette convertible,  black on black on black C5.   I know she was nervous  with my board being held up by 4 pulleys but never had a accident, but it was soon out grown.

she commented to me last feb that "you do not play with your layout"  I replied "i think i Have run out of room, completely".   Hewr comment was, "well build a bigger one"  I said "where, no space"   she replied "Make a space"   I said "I will have to add on to the workshop"

The next day off to Lowes we go, shopping list in hand

$2800.00 later (using lowes no interest if paid off in 18 months) and delivery date in hand " a building gets started.   I did everything but the roof trusses,  not too agile to run around and put trusses on the roof.  I could build the trusses on the ground, but not get them up,  but a young boy down street can and i have watched him grow up, conscientious, hard working, honest, and with integrity he came over and we discussed roof, he said (all I had done was framing, but all of it) He offered

sheath it, install trusses, install roofing with tar paper, create over hang on ends, in other words finish it , finish it all for $1000.00  I jumped on it.

TO SHOW HOW MUCH SUPPORT I HAVE HERE, MY WIFE FED THE WHOLE CREW FOR TWO DAYS WITH GOOD HAMBURGERS OFF THE GRILL,  ICE CHEST WITH SODA AND ICED TEA FOR MIKE AND HIS HELPER!!!

I GET 100% SUPPORT FROM tAMMY j ALL THE TIME.  this all done with her approval

wonder how many guys have to hide stuff??  probably happens but not here

here is the final building project (little porch soon to be added)

Depends on the size of the boat!

Last engine I bought for my little sailboat was a 2 h.p. Honda four-stroke for under $800.  This was much less than the price of my last, new, O gauge steam engine!

Jim

i must be lucky, from 1992 to 2005 or so, my wife and i lived aboard our Pearson Vanguard, spent ten years aboard most of time in Caribbean, some out island Bahama time, and some off Honduras and Beliz, but it was well equiped and she supported that also. living was cheap it was hard to spend 400.00 a month, fish and lobster were free and we ate a ton of it

rice and beans cheap, some foods subsidized by local gov in carib and bahamas

but she supported it to the max, now she is the operations manager east coast for West Marine inc,   She is a diesel mechanic, heck of a rifle, pistol and shotgun shot, climbs radio towers, is also a ham radio op, has bought me guns as gifts, and is beutiful and also a native American and that means i can fish on the reservation where the white folk can not as long as she is there

and yes she does have a sister