Define hoarder vs collector

[AH Fan]

So not sure this has been brought out before but............. Would be interested in the members definition of the differences between a hoarder vs a collector?

ciao

[egschade]

A collector will organize and maintain whatever they're collecting, ensuring the item is displayed, usable and can be enjoyed when the time comes. Think Jay Leno, Billy Joel and the countless private museums around the country. The joy comes from owning and sharing the collection with others.

Hoarders lose their capacity to show these things in a sorted out way and end up accumulating potentially valuable but unusable items. Hoarders may like all their stuff but it's more of a pathological condition that can interfere with normal life, often choosing things over relationships and even health in order to feed their obsession / compulsion.

My mother started as a collector and has many lovely things. As she aged it turned into hoarding and there are boxes and crates of multiple 'collectables' stashed away in closets, attic and basement. She passed last year and are still digging through the piles. Anyone want a Beanie Baby? I have over 300, many of which are multiples of the same bear. Also have enough Christmas ornaments - never used - to do about 20 trees.

[reidy]

My take is very similar to the above reply. A collector will get enjoyment from either using or sharing their display. A hoarder tends to be more compulsive. It would appear they get more pleasure out of acquiring an item then actually owning the item.   

In theory a hoarder provides a great service by keeping something that may be thrown away. In practice many hoarders store their items poorly and they often degrade. Also since it is often an obsession, when they pass there family members don't always see any value in the items and just find the easiest way to dispose of the pile of stuff. 

In my personal opinion I don't mind collectors, as the purpose of any possession should be to bring some positivity to your life and if their collection is achieving that, they are getting value out of them. A hoarder on the other hand often just removes items from general circulation depriving others from having the chance to get enjoyment from the item. Ultimately what anyone does is their own business, but I would prefer to see the worlds recourses in use than stashed in a dark damp corner.   

[Stretch]

We say we're collectors.

Wives, girlfriends, and non-motorcycle types say we're hoarders.........

                                                                 -Stretch

[Scout63]

Collectors own battery tenders.

[Bulldog9]

Hoarders mostly have piles of crap with no purpose or use and few running bikes/cars. Collectors have well sorted and running bikes, and organized "spare parts".  For me the difference is the state of repair and running of the collection. 

[Perazzimx14]

The only difference to me is the spelling.

A collector can collect junk and a hoarder can be very organized.

[tommy2cyl]

Scout 63.   :thumb  Made me grin.

[jbell]

The only difference is a collector has (or had) the intention of fixing them all up and getting them running.  The hoarder has given up all hope but can't part with anything.

[Canuck750]

Hmmmm.  I a collect bikes.    But I hoard parts 😁

[DesertPilot]

If I do it, I'm a collector, if anyone else does it, they're a hoarder 

[Huzo]

A hoarder is a collector that can’t stop and wishes they could.
A collector is a hoarder that can sop any time they want to.

[Huzo]

Hmmmm.  I a collect bikes.    But I hoard parts 😁

That’s why they build bikes in Mandello del Lario, so all the spares are in one place. 

[Scout63]

Hmmmm.  I a collect bikes.    But I hoard parts 😁

So true.

[ken farr]

You/me:  collector
Them:  hoarder

kjf