Baffled by the value of some collectors items!

in Reflections10 months ago

After finishing Lucifer on Netflix, I decided to watch the King of Collections, which is a series about an auction house specialized in sports memorabilia and euhm ... cards.

It is amazing to see how much money some people are willing to spend on these things. Even up to a point that for me it was jaw dropping. I am more the person to buy stuff which has some kind of functionality. I don't get a thrill of owning a pair a Jordan's worn by the master himself of for instance a used tired from a F1 race.
If you are such a person, it is hard to understand why people are investing/paying so much money for these things. While I can understand the value of sports memorabilia (what a word) better than a card collection. We all do have out passions I guess.

I do buy stuff which are probably more expensive that needed. And yes we do spend a decent amount of money going out and I know that some of my friends really can't understand what dining at a 2 Michelin star restaurant does mean for us.
On the other hand, I often have the situation that I do want something but I just don't want to spend the money on it, or I can justify the price tag in my mind, regardless if we can afford it or not. Since last summer I really like the White Fire BBQ for instance, but with a price tag of around $1500, I just can't pull the trigger to purchase it. While I really want to have it, I always do find reasons not to buy it. But since last weekend, we do have one of those beauties. It was a gift from my parents.

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But I am drifting away. On the show I did see some cards sell for close to a Million dollar. Some even way above that. For me those are just pieces of cardboard. I don't care of there is only one of that in the world or that it is in minted condition. But some younger people will say the same about old paintings.
The question which does come up to my mind, is why they really what to have that card. How will it change there life. Is it only to brag about or does this is the prove to themselves that they really made it?
Clueless about this. Some people can enjoy a painting, do find it relaxing to watch it. But each and every day? So, yes you now do own a valuable Pokemon card or a unique Hamilton F1 card. So what. Do they purchase them as invested or that they really want it?
Like most stuff, these things will have 2 values. On one side we do have the economical value and on the other side the emotional value. The emotional value will differ from person to person and is in most cases priceless, the economical value is what the world is willing to pay. And once you do get above a certain amount of money, the number of people who can afford such a purchase does decrease immensely.

In this aspect I am more old school. Invest into real estate if you can afford it, which I can't to be honest. May even go to the stock exchange. But here I am, did invest into #splinterlands and into crypto. Both are/were big gambles.

Cheers,
Peter

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Lol, looks like we are kind of the same, when it comes to these things.

The question which does come up to my mind, is why they really what to have that card. How will it change there life. Is it only to brag about or does this is the prove to themselves that they really made it?

Some people are proud to know they own something unique no one else has, but this is a double edge sword. You pay, let's say 1 million for something and you think you own an 1m piece. But it worth 1m only in case there's someone to pay that amount. Otherwise, it's a waste of money, a bad investment.

Congrats on the BBQ. Could use some grilled chicken 😂

The value of something is indeed what a fool is willing to pay.

Didn't try chicken yet. Only souvlakis and spareribs (they were prepared in the over for 4 hours first).

That's a really nice BBQ there. I have had my eye on a couple of different models as an upgrade to my Weber Kettle, but I just can't justify the cost. My dad bought a Kamodo for over $1000, but he is retired and he deserves to treat himself every now and then! Like you, I don't see the point of hanging onto memorabilia like that. I'd rather buy a tool or something functional.

We all deserve a treat once in a while. If my parents didn't give it as a gift, I would probably never had it.

Yes, that is very true!