Has This Forum Been Depleted Of Members?

[🪦 DrenTheLiar ●]

I also have to agree with Travis. I have also noticed a decline in activity in recent months which I've attributed to natural fluctuation in a potentially high dollar hobby. I've only been around for the past 5 1/2 years but I've seen this before. One major factor, in my opinion, is the cost of the hobby. I've seen a lot of members come and go and sometimes I'm left thinking that the cost may have driven some away.

Another potential factor is the age of collectors. It seems that a lot of the same guys that were around when I first joined the community have since moved on. Again, this left me thinking about the role that age and security plays in the collecting world. A lot of guys I met at first were young, and somewhat unestablished in careers providing stable sources of income. Being young and living at home makes it easy to spend a couple hundred dollars on a mask. But as years go by and the need to find some stability in life takes a front seat, mask purchases and the hobby may get left behind. I was 32 years when I started collecting masks, but I had been working in a professional environment for 7 years with decent income. Sure I've slowed down a lot since buying my house but I still manage to purchase a few nice pieces each year. This may be more difficult in your early 20's just 'starting out'. I don't see it as the older guys losing interest... I see more of the younger collectors 'moving on' to 'settle in'.

I know that not having the disposible income to purchase masks should affect a member's ability to post, but I think it can affect their perception. Example.... a buddy of mine doesn't have the cash at the moment to make purchases, so he purposely stays away from the forums as it's too tempting (I feel that!).
Many factors... many reasons... leading to the same conclusion... just part of the game! Enjoy it while we're here :thumbsup:

I just moved into my own apartment and it has essentially killed off any hopes of buying any new masks like I used to. But I've been lucky since I moved out in September and have sold a few things and gotten some "bonus money" to get some really nice stuff for myself. I love this hobby and even though the game has considerably changed for me, it's far from over. Just because I can't buy like I used to doesn't mean I stop for good. Masks are my second love (first before I met my lady) and it's really what makes me me so I don't think I could ever become completely disinterested. This is beyond a want anymore. It's become a need. This is my drug man (or my anti-drug, you could say). I started at seventeen and am now 21 and since gotten a stable job with solid income (but again, I now have bills and bills to pay) and I still have lost any love or desire to collect and get what I can how I can.