[EBH]

My mother and aunt collected plates. I ‘inherited’ both collections. They stressed to me to keep the certificates, Styrofoam boxes etc.

Prices for these ‘collections’ amount to no more than $10 per plate on ebay. I know they spent $30 or more per plate at the time of purchase.

I think, now that I am older, that some of these advertisers should sued for fraud. Or at least some sort of disclaimer to the purchaser. Both my mom and aunt at the time thought they were investing in something of value.

I would love to get rid of the doubles, but ya’ know there is a measure of guilt to selling these dumb plates off for less than 1/3 of what was paid. I wish I could say it was sentimental, but it is guilt.

[firebrand]

Part of the problem is the Internet. The bottom fell out of the rare book market and probably many others.

[Average Al]

I had an aunt that had a whole house full of salt and pepper shakers....

[Joann37]

You might have something there. The term “collector” implies that these things are worth something, or will be in the future.

I spent a good part of my adult life buying crystal, knick knacks, etc. But no more. I like the look of uncluttered surfaces and am short of money now anyway!

[BRL]

I wish I could say it was sentimental, but it is guilt.

My parents have drawers of beanie babies, and probably a lot of the other stuff mentioned in this article. If I am involved in cleaning up their house, it all goes into the trash. I have more than enough of my own stuff to lug through life, I am not going to lug anyone else's stuff too. And I am not interested in running ebay auctions at $3 a pop.