I kinda get it
Even though I love my bargain finds it seems to be the big dollar items that I cherish or respect more......and yes yes I love labels. But my dad always said 'Son I say son, buy the best you can 'cause if the shit hits the fan you'll get your money back or maybe more'
Recognizing value where others don't
is part and parcel of the antiques dealer's trade, no? Perhaps your long hours of research should be rewarded every so often, but I can understand the pangs of guilt. Stay in the game long enough, and you'll find yourself on the other end sooner or later.
Mostly, I think guilt is an unproductive emotion, but, in this case, bargaining down from the asking price might have been a tad Scrooge-ish. Nothing a few Hail Marys, a fiver in the poor box, and a dram or two of old whisky won't cure, though.
I believe he's saying that he...
I believe he's saying that he only bought these items because he'd just seen the same thing somewhere else with a high price tag on it.
He did not particularly like or want them, he only bought them because he knew that someone else thought they were valuable.
He is asking if that is buying for the sake of buying or is it greed (though i'm not sure what the difference is).
I think it's the beginning of a hoarding habit! Be careful! Or you will get into selling stuff as a hobby or maybe as a part time job. Either way, it's a black hole. And yes, it's very hard to walk away from deals like that.
Again, though, Spank.
Buying an item one doesn't need or want simply because it's a bargain does somehow satisfy a basic human emotion. Possibly greed. In some ways, it's what our entire system of commerce and capitalism rely on.
Hoarding seems more related to an irrational manifestation of fear to me, though it may be that fear is an integral component of greed, as well.
Either way, it's clear that our dear Mr. Ado has started down a dark path from which redemption is uncertain.
Tom
regardless of whether you are a dealer or not, you may have issues with all commerce (even trading excepted) by your choice of the word greed. Anybody that manufactures, retails, or sells their expertise and services (doctors, plumbers etc) is doing the same thing that you did. While I am not crazy about this system, I reserve the term greed for the outstandingly wealthy who still crave more. I don't think you are in much danger with your clock and sculpture. I imagine the truly greedy would laugh at the minor scale of your dealings. Hoarding on the other hand is a serious mental health issue, if you, like many here, tend that way. Then potential value becomes one of an endless stream of "reasons" to acquire. Hoarding can look like greed, but it is something else altogether. Of course, if you are of modest means and could really use the money, and are going to sell them directly, then you have nothing to worry about.
oops
I didn't mean to suggest our friend is mentally ill when I said he had signs of being a hoarder! I think it's one of those things that has to be measured in degrees. Obviously the people profiled on the TV shows about hoarding are mentally ill, but there are plenty of people out there who just have a lot of stuff. The people who are on the opposite end of the spectrum would call them hoarders, others would call them packrats----I dunno. But it can get out of control if you have unfortunate tendencies.
I know I have a hard time not acquiring stuff and then getting rid of stuff I do have if someone somewhere would like to have it. I wouldn't put it at the level of mental illness, though. I got it under control by moving to a smaller place and not going to auctions anymore. I don't even live near any good thrift stores, damn it.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com