Would you sell or not?

[KPavia]

After seeing the posts of gear being sold because of getting out of the hobby, I began to wonder why people would sell their gear? What was it that caused them to spend all that time and money in the first place to track down the specific things they were looking for only to sell it off later on? On the flipside, I wonder why would you keep the gear despite leaving reenacting/living history?

For myself, I'd keep the gear. I can safely say this because for the past five years, I've lived in a far western state that has no civil war reenacting units. So, for the past 5 years, all my stuff has been sitting in boxes. Despite this, I just bought some quality gear from EJ Thomas even though I won't be reenacting or doing living history any time soon. The reason I keep what I have and buy more is because, besides my love for the hobby of reenacting/living history, I love American history, the civil war being my favorite. I love anything from that period, whether it be an original or reproduction, so I guess you can say that besides buying stuff in the hopes of reenacting someday, I love collecting stuff with historical significance.

This thread isn't meant to bash on anybody who is selling their gear or not. I'm just curious as to what would cause you to sell your gear or not.

Moderators, feel free to close this down if it is inappropriate, a repeat, or becomes inappropriate.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Speaking only for me, with the economy down my way , lately I've been selling gear to survive. The joy of having top shelf gear is that you can recoup a larger part of the investment , but truth be told I wish I could keep more of my stuff and not sell, but at least this forum gives us the ability to have an outlet for unloading stuff. Most of the time it goes to a good home.

[WestTN_reb]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Some people are just wired as traders. Case in point... a pard in my unit. He would literally sell you the shirt off his back, turn around and buy a different one before he had a chance to catch a chill. That said, this same fellow will probably be buried with his Enfield.

Even myself... I sell off everything and get a whole new wardrobe about every 2-3 years. The main reason for this is that I outgrow....er, I mean everything shrinks.:wink_smil

[swamp two]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I am just getting in to the hobby so I am happy to see all the stuff.

I am just surprised at the prices and how fast things go.

Just an example. 3 yr old pants made by such and such. Patched knee. Never been washed. Some stains. Paid $175 Want $160 plus shipping. And before I even get to decide if it will fit me, it is on hold for someone.

That may be a slight exageration, but not by much.

I have learned to jump quick.

On another note, I am happy to see my investments will not be losing much value in the coming years.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Would you sell or not?

For those quitting the hobby:

I'd recommend hanging on to your gear for at least a year after you've "quit". ...or, at the very least, don't sell off anything that will be difficult to replace.

In my experience, "quitting" usually lasts about a year or two before the quitter gets the "itch" to come back.

[Indianabugles]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I would keep, lend or pass on, not sell. I have always kept the "Starter stuff" to lend to new recruits and I have noticed several more senior people passing on stuff to good homes, rather it be used and destroyed by action than sit in a box. I have been a recipient of this positive mentaity and will be a donor of stuff my kids are growing out off.
As a bugler it is rare I see a musket in action but I still take several to events as I can stand down on occasion and also to lend out and I take great pleasure in facilitating someone else a gateway to our fantastic hobby. Plus the fact I cold not bear to part with most of them. I would like to think that my gear, or whats left of it when I am past the age of active participation would be still in use with my children, maybe Grandchildren, or at least with worthy recipients who may pass it to their decendants.
Perhaps when I am old I my have the pleasure of watching an ACW re-enactment from the sidelines with the smug satisfaction of knowing that in some small way I have contributed to it directly, even though it would then be passive participation.
I do appreciate the money stuff at the moment and if needs must, here too (UK) Petrol has gone up 20%, food as well and wages are staying the same. So please do not take this a criticism. Staying solvent is way more important than anything else.

Christian Sprakes
19th Regimental Musician and Bugler

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: Would you sell or not?

For those quitting the hobby:

I'd recommend hanging on to your gear for at least a year after you've "quit". ...or, at the very least, don't sell off anything that will be difficult to replace.

In my experience, "quitting" usually lasts about a year or two before the quitter gets the "itch" to come back.

Great advice, John. I've seen more than one situation where someone sold most everything they had, re-joined and ending up purchasing replacement items, sometimes at higher prices. Time is great for clarity.

Mississippi-bred quarterback joke anyone?

[Bummer]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I've been around long enough to see whole cycles of folks who get into the hobby, go great guns, get tired, quit, go on to something else (usally another time period), sell off all their stuff, and a few years later whine about wanting to come back--but don't have any gear. Seen it more times than I can count.
I always tell these folks while they want to sell off their stuff (usually in order to buy stuff for another period or hobby), fine, but do keep at least one basic suit of clothing at least, so they can easily return when (not if) they want to come back. This has worked with a few I know--they've sold their musket and traps etc. to buy that 98-K and coal bucket helmet (or whatever), but they've at least kept their basic clothes....and easily borrowed the rest upon their return until they got settled back in, or at the very least were able to come out and visit when something particularly good was going on.

Spence~
--Who is still sitting on one pair of WWI breeches, tunic and cap....and has been for over two decades after all the rest went to buy 18th century stuff (can't see myself ever trying that again though).

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Hi,

If I ever got out of this hobby (I will not), I might sell some of my stuff, but I would keep at least one of my weapons, 1 or 2 generic jackets, a good pair of trousers, and the generic pieces of equipment that I own. But, I do not think that I would sell it all. I have put way to much time and money, just to go sell it all. That being said, I have sold a few things on here, but I used that money to buy different pieces of gear or clothing. Just my 2 cents.

[Secesh]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Lord knows that I wish I could keep everything, but with a family...well, when times get tough, as they are now, the gear is the first thing to go....

[allensr]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Been there done that. About five years ago, our unit, that I had been very active in, (board member, vp, sgt.) went through it's own civil war due to a divorce between two of our most active members. After all the harassment I got from people involved and even a court appearance, as well as some health concerns I decided I was done and sold everything, opting to hunt and fish instead. I figured I'd read about the CW, visit battlefields etc. Last year I couldn't take it anymore and decided take get back into it. There are many things I wish I would have kept, but at the same time the upside is that I bought much better quality gear this time around

[Corporal Jay]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I sold off most of my stuff after I "retired". I regret that now because I get the "itch" a couple of times a year and wish that I could just jump in the car and join my old pards on a whim.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Would you sell or not?

Ken,

I've been unloading quality gear since the 2001 season, and a couple dozen jackets, a handful of firearms, great gobs of accoutrements, lots o' hats, scads of shoes, and loads of giveaway items later, the accumulation still fills a large closet. When I look through the gear every December, and spot something that hasn't been used in a few years, it gets the boot, unless I can identify a good reason to hang on to it.

Funny thing is most of that gear is well worn, whereas much of the new, unused, lightly used, and used once gear sold by those who never made it to a quality event tell a woeful tale of "HC4Xmas" or the song of the Keyboard Kampaigner. That's right, a heck of a lot of folks getting out of the hobby never connected "acquire gear" with "attend events."

That being said, if any of the grayhairs haven't priced a basic off the shelf impression since the Euro has been beating the dollar severely, take a look and tally up the costs. A set of accoutrements costs what a musket once did.

[hard tack]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I have learned my lesson about selling out of hobdies becouse there is a reason that you have gotten into it. There is alwyas that little itch to get involved in it agine. In my short time i have been involver in rock climbing and caveing,Blacksmithing, reinacting (the first time),and hunting. I have sold out of every hobby and when i got back into reinacting it costs ten times more than he first time. My point being that a person needs th keep the items for at least five years befor selling the first peice of equipment and then be verry sure that that itch is gone.

37tenn coH
Chris Hornady

[Drygoods]

Re: Would you sell or not?

I think much depends on the individual. Life is full of change, and the obvious thing that needs to change as you age in the hobby is your impression. It makes sense to part with items that you no longer use, but I think the main reason that people part with stuff is mostly financial. Times are hard, even I thought to sell away 4 sewing machines this morning. If you can't afford to travel to events, then you have to sacrifice something, either you sell your gear or other items in the house.:( Remember, change is good.