8mm Forum: On the cheap....

This is topic On the cheap.... in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on August 20, 2013, 05:08 AM:

Is it only me who is mildly irritated when I read "must be cheap" in wanted threads on here? Basically people setting their own low prices even before anyone has replied. It really is only a matter of time until we see "GS1200 wanted but must be cheap at £15 or less". You want the quality, then pay like the rest of us. Even if you give us a sob story like you're out of cash because your cat cost you £800 at the vets, none of us owe you anything! Save up and enjoy, but don't beg.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 20, 2013, 05:17 AM:

Our fantastic hobby cannot be run on the cheap.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on August 20, 2013, 05:21 AM:

I totally agree Maurice. Like saving £4 here and there fitting inferior lamps to machines. Or saying it is too costly to get to Blackpool. I hope those few pounds saved feel better in the owners pocket than they do spent supporting our wonderful hobby! And also this business of WD40 sprayed onto films...whilst in an emergency you could use it, get proper film cleaner and stop cutting corners!

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on August 20, 2013, 05:25 AM:

Well, it's kinda expensive to go to Blackpool though ... Would cost me probably around 1000 to 1500 in air fares, trains, hotels and such

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 20, 2013, 05:28 AM:

Saddly, you're right, Maurice. I was lucky to buy films and materials at cheap prices in the eighties when people wanted all to switch to video. At that time, there was no Internet and you could easily find quality films items related for few money in Belgium. This is because the commercial policy (more than in other countries) is that when something new appears to the market, what is supposed to be replaced by it is quickly removed from the shops to force you to buy. I could hardly buy what I have with the prices of nowadays.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on August 20, 2013, 07:23 PM:

I sympathise with folks like Vidar & Dominique, they must feel like
outsiders having to pay way over the odds on their travel fees to
actually get to this country in the first place, that is the mark of a
true collector, and it might be an idea to recognise people like
themselves at your conventions, as folks that travel from other
climes. Although I MUST add, it is easier travelling from we'll say
America, and possibly cheaper, than someone out "in the sticks"
in the UK, ESPECIALLY when rail tickets ( which could be purchased quite cheaply on the day at one time), now have to be purchased in a time window to qualify for a "discount". That
is one reason why numbers are down at these get togethers.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on August 20, 2013, 08:11 PM:

quote:
"GS1200 wanted but must be cheap at £15 or less"

Wow! Is it possible to get one that cheap? [Big Grin]

I take offense to your posting about wanting things cheap. You both most likely have a very good income and want not. Sometimes things happen in peoples lives that change a lot of things. Including the hobby they enjoy. Just be happy it hasn't happened to either of you and I pray it never does.
maybe then you won't be so cruel to those of us less fortunate.

Enough said. [Smile]

PatD

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on August 20, 2013, 08:50 PM:

I second Pat's sentiments, I have always held the belief, that some
poor soul, less fortunate than myself, that loves the hobby, but can't
afford a certain item, If I can help I usually do, that is how I was
brought up. Pat, is also of this ideology, he does what he can for
anyone that needs help.I don't think Simon really meant his view
as so harsh, I can understand it from a certain angle, such as the
opportunist,trying his hand, but I don't think he meant it towards the person
who has an interest on a limited income.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on August 20, 2013, 11:09 PM:

quote:
"GS1200 wanted but must be cheap at £15 or less"

I believe that statement above is a sarcastic example which will not happen in this forum. Everybody here knows what is the price for this machine.

But the way to say "must be cheap" will work well for example, someone is starting the hobby and wants to build up his/her collection by buying anything super 8mm films, no matter it is drama movies (which tend to make low price), scratches, faded, and anything that is considered will not be in the collector's dictionary.

Having put that "must be cheap" warning, old collectors can fell free to sell (or even to give away) films that they are going to thrash.

My question for old time collectors, do you keep this machine? Hanimex, Argus, Technicolor, B&H lower end, GAF lower end, etc.... I don't.

But sometimes when bulk buying of films, these type of machine are among the deal and I had to take it.

If someone advertise "Wanting a projector for cheap as long as it is working". I will then know who's the person I am going to deal with. I will offer him/her this projector for $30.

Every body is happy...right? Not everyone is rich in this world. And poor people has still their right to join this club,...right? Not to mention, a young people that is interested to know super 8mm and use their pocket money.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 21, 2013, 01:11 AM:

Everybody is looking for a good bargain and probably Simon, too. I think that what he ment is that some people seem to not value what they want and regard films as dvds or videotape. The warning "MUST be cheap" does not reflect, in my point of vue, a real motivation. The price seem to be the main concern. A few weeks ago, to be positive, I posted a topic about the availabilty of super 8 sound cartridges. Almost all of the comments were complains about the price. No one pointed out that some people are still trying to bring things on the market and make efforts to keep the film alive.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on August 21, 2013, 01:16 AM:

Yes, no offence meant. Now, must get that xenon out that I got once for £8.99! Only joking!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 21, 2013, 03:07 AM:

Simon's comment was meant tongue in cheek, but our hobby was once (perhaps not now) a rich man's hobby. I am 78 years of age and can still remember as a eleven year old schoolboy in 1946 perusing the "Amateur Cine World" (7d) and drooling over its contents. Saving my pocket money and buying a 30' Mickey Mouse cartoon on 9.5mm (4/-) to run on my birthday present hand-turned Hunter (Bingoscope) projector.

Later, with a wife, children, and a mortgage, it was an occasional 8mm Kodachrome to film the children.

Only now, with the children left home (and my wife), no mortgage, car all paid for, am I able to indulge in the hobby. I won't boast when I say what equipment and films I have, those who know me know the answers.

But, even now, it's good to get hold of a bargain!

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on August 21, 2013, 03:25 AM:

Let's think out of the box (...or some say "put on other's people shoes")

You are interested with a new hobby, say golfing. And you know how expensive are the clubs as well as the green fees.

But you are still interested to do golfing.

You join a golfer forum, and post a message "I am just starting this hobby. I don't want to invest so much money for my start therefore I am looking your unwanted clubs. They MUST be cheap".

Do you feel something wrong? I don't

This super 8mm collecting hobby is just the same with other hobbies.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 21, 2013, 04:21 AM:

Nicely put, Winbert.

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