I agree with you too Christy that this is a smurf forum to have fun and not start wars. I really do feel that if people want to have a whinge about things then they would be better off doing it privately to the person they have the issue with.
I do want to say a few things though just to clarify that when I said I am not interested in spending thousands of euros on one smurf, it was in no way putting anyone down that has. I have no problem if anyone does this, and would never consider them geeky or foolish for buying something they loved. There are plenty of nice people & close friends of mine who already spend a lot of money on smurfs, so why would I say they are stupid, geeky or try to poke fun at them? Surely it shouldn't make someone cry if I say I would rather buy something else with that amount of money.
Marto is right, my interest in smurfs is not as strong as it once was, but I am sure I have said the same thing many times in the past without anyone complaining, having a tantrum or calling me insensitive. If that was so offensive then surely Martin saying he wouldn't waste his time with CE markings could also be considered offensive to people who have bought one, or to someone you know that has bought one. Should that be considered a put down to anyone that has or wants to buy one? It's not offensive or a put down and never should be considered as such.....but then again, saying I wouldn't spend a lot of money on just a smurf is apparently something that I should feel bad for saying. I more feel bad for having to explain this as I really didn't think it would ever be necessary. I can not understand why anyone would think that way unless they are just super sensitive or have been waiting for something to critiscise me with for their own personal satisfaction.
I am sorry if people thought I said it in a way that they couldn't handle.....but the message is still the same & I think most people just took it as it was intended. I never said people couldn't or shouldn't spend a lot of money on a smurf....i just said that I wouldn't because there are so many other things I personally would prefer. It was relevant to the discussion and I still stand by that.
I want to reply to a few things just so people understand what is the reality of all of this:
A few collectors have these smurfs and have spent a lot of money on them (myself included). I do not have "more money than I know what to do with" (paraphrased), far from it. Does that mean I'm not cool?
What does cool have to do with anything? I never implied anything like that and I don't want people to think I did. What I said was a personal decision about my choices, it had nothing to do with what other people did or how cool they are. I have no idea why that was even brought up.
I understand your generic sentiments but there is no need to qualify them the way you did. Think about the people who do own these smurfs and put yourself in their position. Are they sad/geeky for doing what they did? When you infer certain things then expect criticism back.
Marto, I don't think you could possibly understand what I was thinking when I wrote the so-called offensive post, otherwise we just wouldn't be wasting our time with this nonsense. Again there is a mention of sad & geeky.....having to explain all of this is kind of geeky. I can cop criticism when it's warranted.....but I think Marto, you have made a mountain out of thin air with your complaint on this one.
in any case why are people being so critical of these prices? Shouldn't you be celebrating the fact that they are attracting expensive prices? Surely it reflects a burgeoning market which is great for everyone involved in the hobby. These prices are the kind of thing that gets noticed in the press and attracts more collectors etc...
I was never critical of the prices.....I just said I personally choose not to spend that much like so many other people have stated. If you think I was being critical then you have to show everyone where you got this idea from. It is certainly implied that it had something to do with what I said.....but I just don't see it. I think it's cool that a piece of PVC can go that high......I just wouldn't spend that much myself on something that wouldn't give me any satisfaction back. I was just speaking from a personal opinion and was never referring to anyone else. I think you need to explain why you thought I was.....as you once said Marto,....if you infer these things then you should expect some criticism.
I thought it was just the English who habitually knock people and are constantly negative, it's easy to be this way- being positive takes effort.
I wouldn't say that as I have a lot of English friends.....but then again I have to ask......why did you knock me? I personally couldn't care less if you do, but I just didn't want other people on here to think I was implying something that came out of your imagination.
I still think your a good lad but you should be more careful when you're posting ( I think). You could have said "I agree with you Dominique" and left it that.
Yeah you're right about that point...I am a good lad....at least I was the last time I looked. However, I don't need to be told how I should post by someone that never welcomes a new member, wishes people Happy Birthday or joins in the spirit of the community. I get the impression that making people feel welcome here is all just a waste of your time and not worthy of someone who acts like he knows better than everyone else.
And actually anyone else who's having a pop at people who choose to pay these prices- don't bring any of your own personal criticisms into it or expect to be criticised back
This is a forum that allows free speech. There is an element here that is brewing for nastiness and I don't think anyone appreciates it. Nobody wants to be told that they can not express their own opinions, and especially when it does not refer to anyone else but themselves. I really think you have no right trying to lay down a law like this to people who are not even sure what your commitment to this forum has been.
To Staci: I know you are very close to Andrew. I didn't read anyone else's criticisms last night but have done now. It doesn't matter who you are to me, I felt I had to defend some of these issues.
It just sounds like you were singling out what I have to say for criticsm, rather than bothering to pay attention to what anyone else here has to post. You really didn't need to defend anything. It just appears like you have a personal problem with me. I suggest we take this privately and let the others smurf on. I doubt that many others would of felt the need you did...infact I doubt anyone else besides the few with personal issues with me would of even noticed anything wrong with what I said at all.
Dyar