This is something I've often thought about. For those of us with particularly large collections, it would be a particular burden on our families. I'm only 45 and in good health, and am certainly not thinking about mortality in particular, but I did think about time. I just don't have the time to truly enjoy my vintage videogames and computers, particularly with how insane my collection has gotten, and I've never stop being fascinated by the new stuff, which only compounds the problem. Anyway, I considered selling stuff off piece-by-piece for maximum value on eBay or something related, but I really didn't want to spend the next decade selling stuff. As such, I explored many options, including selling the collection to museums or interested individuals. However, in most cases - especially considering how I collect literally everything - at best I was offered buy-outs on only portions of my collection, which I felt really didn't help my situation. Long story short, I did find a way out through an auction house. For those interested in some of my thought processes and the details, you can read about it here: http://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2017/10/20/decided-auction-off-outsiz... It's never an easy decision and certainly love for this stuff will never really go away, but sometimes you have to be practical rather than emotional. ======================================================== Bill Loguidice, Managing Director; Armchair Arcade, Inc. <http://www.armchairarcade.com> ======================================================== Authored Books <http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Loguidice/e/B001U7W3YS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1> and Film <http://www.armchairarcade.com/film>; About me and other ways to get in touch <http://about.me/billloguidice> ======================================================== On Tue, Oct 24, 2017 at 5:14 PM, Justin Jernigan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] estate planning From: william degnan via vcf-midatlantic Date: Tue, October 24, 2017 3:59 pm
Herb's comments about estate planning as it relates to the unique aspects of vintage computing hoards has come up a few times lately including the IBM PC near-compatibles thread. I created this new thread per his request.
Estate Planning Most likely your collection is not worth as much as you think it is, when you take sales labor into account. Spouses and family often don't care and consider vintage computers junk, and when you go so will your collection (junk pile) Lately how a lot of us acquire our systems, eh? Family members looking to "donate" the items is a nice way of saying dump them, let's face it. These things are NOT like an inheritance of gold coins and one can't just sell them. One has to figure out what they have etc. Most people don't want to do that or can't.
Very true. Often a collection is worth more in pieces - especially on a market like eBay. I've always just told my wife that if something happens to me to call Bill Degnan. But then what? Ideally a few pieces he would hold on to and then direct the sale and/or donation of the remaining via some on-line sellers/brokers. It wouldn't be about a windfall of money for my family, but more about putting it into the hands of others that have a need or want for it -- even if the overall transaction was just break even.
Bill, did I tell you I signed you up for this?
...and apologies in advance if this formats wonky
Justin