I have been participating in the mv hobby now for around 15 years or so.
I have bought, sold, traded and collected all different eras and types of vehs during this time. Sooner or later a felow finds a niche that he really enjoys.
I fully agree with Stuart, as most businesses do, take the slow moving inventory or surplus to drum up funds for other needs!
It is too easy to collect and hoarde parts and pieces for a rainy day, just because or maybe I will have one day....
Its a lot easier to justify expenditures when it is simply a case of selling some junk that you don't really need to buy some junk that you do need.
This is the point that I am at, and, what I have been doing pretty much along the way. I am never one to turn down a deal on a box full of stuff, or a garage full for that matter, even if I was only needing or wanting one or two items; Rather, I see it for what it is, perhaps a diamond in the rough or a small goldmine of goodies which will help finance my hobby and not cut into the grocery bill.
When I go to a swap meet, many of you fellows know who I am. I regularly attend with a table or two and rarely go home with more money than I came with. What ends up happening is that I end up spending what I make or trading for what I need.
I applaud all the collectors out there for keeping these things available. Hopefully more guys will open up and let things go as demand is still there and unfortunately too many are quick to hoarde and not share. We all have to make honest assessment between reality and fantasy as surely we are all mortal and 100 years of projects for any one man is for sure, unrealistic.
Lucky for me, my other half supports my hobby. Its all about balance and needs. great idea on the "list", BTW, as very rarely do relatives or loved oneS understand or even have a clue on the value of the "junk" we collect.