Double Standard!

[Target Practice]

[rant]
Can someone please tell me what the difference is between dropping $1300 on a set of Calloway clubs, and spending the same amount on a DM4?

No? Okay, then maybe someone can explain to me why people think nothing is amiss when the person who is saying that I "wasted" my money on a RogueMag (~$650) has $2100 worth of CDs in his room (140 CDs x $15 average cost)?

Why is there a double standard when it comes to spending money on paintball? How is paintball spending somewhat less useful or prudent than any other hobby? It pisses me off to no end hearing my rooommates constantly asking me why I spend all this money on a "game".

Doing a little quick math, I figure that I have around $1500 invested in the sport. My two big ones are my 'Mag, and a 2k2 'Cocker w/ hinge trigger. Couple of N2 tanks, few CO2 tanks, and a few other cheap markers. Now, I know that it is a drop in the bucket compared to most people here on AO and pretty much all of the people on the tourney circuit, so I figure I'm doing all right. Why is this wrong? Sure, I'm in college, but the money isn't an issue, and with roommates like the ones I got, I need a hobby to keep me sane.

Bah! I'm getting mad just writing this little rant of mine. Anyhoo, any thoughts, comments, questions? Medications, perhaps?
[/rant]

Edit: My 500th post!

[Blazestorm]

Because they think it's just a game

Personally I think paintball is cheap compared to most things... you drop 1500 on a gun, 100 on hopper, 200 on tank, 200 on barrel kit, you have the best you can buy, spend another 300-400 on misc items (Mask, Clothing, Bag, Paint) thats... like 2400?

People spend well over that on a TV, I have a cheap 50 dollar TV in my room and it does the same thing as our 5,000 dollar TV in the family room... ofcourse through our credit company we get "points" and essentially got the TV for free ... it's just smaller...

viva la hypocrites?

[Chipper]

Please, allow me to jion in on your rant. My parents CONSTANTLY say "Its your money." when I purchase something paintball related. But, as you kind of stated, when my Dad and I go play golf he will gladly drop $250 on a nice course, a cart, balls, etc. It just ticks me off. I ask if he would like to come play paintball with me and he says "No, its to expensive."

Same thing with my friends. Recently my friend, hes been playin for about 2 years now, sold his e99 and bought a BKO. His parents had nothing to do with it, as they think it is also a waste of money, and they also think that paintball is a "war game." Yet again, ITS A SPORT PEOPLE! COME ON!

Just adding my 2 cents.

[ojhspyro89]

I think it happens to alot of people with ignorance about the sport around them.'

Not that my parents are ignorant, but they are about paintball. My dad could completely make all the parts in the gun but he doesnt no anything about the sport.

I recently wanted a nitro tank, still do, and i was talking to my mom about paying half until i can pay her back and she went on about how is this any different than your co2 tanks and such. So i gave her a load of bs then at the end she tells me its my money. the only thing is, i get the money from them but half the time they dont pay me. Its either mag or nitro tank. Im thinking both accept nitro before mag.

[edweird]

Eigh I get that alot... So I use much the same counter arguement that you used about the golf clubs and hockey gear.


But honestly I think where all the idocy is comming from is all them basketball, baseball, soft ball, foot ball, knuckel heads out there that think all sports must revolve around a animal skin that is stuffed or inflated then chased down constantly.

Oh well /rant support off. time for food

[GT]

I think is a big waste when you start to spend over 5k. When it comes down to it you really only need two markers. I have donwsized my collection resently, although I never had more than 2k in the mix.

I think the real question is whether a 500 dollar gun that can shoot faster than you is worth less than a 1k+ gun that can shoot faster than you....

[coolcatpete]

My friends tell me that I apend way to much on paintball, they say my parents just spoil me and give me all this money but they dont I am a camp counselor and make my own money so, screw them and just keep spending becasuse paintball is awesome.
Pete

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

My friends tell me that I apend way to much on paintball, they say my parents just spoil me and give me all this money but they dont I am a camp counselor and make my own money so, screw them and just keep spending becasuse paintball is awesome.
Pete

I have the same job its the easiest 6 dollars an hour ever.

I honestly have a hard time laying down cash, and I think paintball is a very expensive hobby/sport. But it is something I love to do and I find the amount of money I spend to be worth it.

[coolcatpete]

I have the same job its the easiest 6 dollars an hour ever.
.

Yep, easy money= easy spending and that means paintball. Yeah being a cmp counselor is awesome.
Pete

[zacbot]

ive thought many hours on this...paintball is far cheaper than golf...no ways around it..but i see paintball, for the average player, expensive for the time that one uses his gear..most people might go out 2 -3 times a month..where as someone who buys cds can listen to them any time, any day

[gc82000]

Okay as we all know paintball is not the norm when it comes to sports. But it is growing and its growth cost will driven down. unlike other sports. Basketball most shoes are over one hundred dollars. Football, think about this earpads for a helmet are five dollars each. Golf a "good" driver alone is 500. Baseball gloves are 65, bats are at least 95 and you need a minimum of 4. A piantball gun is meant to last you years. How long do you think the equipment mentioned prior is meant to last?

[the larch]

Well, In a world were people are willing to enslave themselves to jobs they hate to own cars they don't need and houses they can't afford, paintball as a hobby is a minor thing.
My truck cost less than my paintball gear.
Don't listen to idiots.

[soccer4minimags]

People do hold us to a different standard. Yes there are a lot of expensive hobbies but paintball seems more wasteful in the eyes of somebody who doesn't play. Don't ask me why, they just can't understand the amount of cash we put into our rigs and to play. I think it seems so wasteful because look at the money spent on paint/play an cheap weekend is 40 or 45 bucks for me, then there are times you shoot a whole case, thats gonna be 60-70 bucks gone for a days play. We just shoot that paint and its gone, stuck to a bunker or hopefully somebody else. To the person who doesn't play thats the same as pulling the cash out of your wallet and setting it on fire.

I don't want to turn this in to a "you should just shoot less issue", don't worry I built a pump recently just for that

I have to admit, at times I feel ashamed of how much I have spent on this sport. But I am greatful I have the spare income to do this with. But you got to admit, don't you feel guilty at times buying that case of paint.

[Kevmaster]

they view golf as an 'accepted' hobby/sport. they view paintball as one that is not.

thats all...

i'd say a lot of people are wasting money on buying 20" 'dubs' and all that garbage. im sure thousands disagree with me. many would say i waste money by buying an x-mag. i disagree. thats just a matter of opinion....

[OhMyAMoose]

Well, most golfers who drop serious dough on clubs are older. They have a "real" job and can justify spending that amount of money. Paintball is an expensive sport. It seems like most of you who are getting crap about spending a lot on paintball are younger. It always seems like there is always something else to buy for your gun. Everyone wants to buy every little thing to make their gun a little better. We all do this. It is part of the fun of paintball. Waiting and getting new little parts here and there. It is just like people who like cars. They will spend a few hundred bucks on something that adds a few extra horses. People like me look at them and think their crazy. I would never spend $1000 to get 20 more hp... I guess it is all part of being in a community. People who are involved in it understand their peers and outsiders don't.
Your parents are just trying to make sure you don't waste your money. You have to look at it from their point of view. Make sure you buy things that you really want.