I've done a fair amount of business with Dennis over the years - I have at least 25 things I have bought from him in my collection. He fills a definite niche.

Since the divorce I don't have the disposable income I once had, and don't spend anywhere near as much $$$ on high end collectables was I once did. In fact I've only bought four things in the last two years (all from Empire). But even though I'm not buying as much as I used to, I'm glad I have the things I have, almost all of which have appreciated in value far more than any financial instruments I own. My guns are my most valuable assets at this point in time (I got to keep the guns, the motorcycle, the pickup, and the ATV - and she's gone. So I did better than most on the divorce thing). And a significant portion of the investment grade stuff I have came from Empire.

Even though I'm not buying as much these days, I wait with anticipation for Dennis' emails. I'm almost as addicted to the information as I am the actual guns. I look carefully at his pictures, which are awesome. It usually leads me into web searches about the things he has. I have gigs of pictures on my computer about tons of things either in my collection or things I fantasize about when I'm laying in bed at night. Those fantasies often start with the "New Stuff" email.

Collectable guns are like anything else - they are worth what people are willing to pay. Dennis provides things that would be tough for most of us who don't travel widely are willing to buy. I can see exactly what I am getting, and with a few minor exceptions what I have seen is what I have gotten. And almost without exception the things I have bought are worth more now than when I bought them, and few of them would be available now anywhere for what I paid for them then.

I still have a fantasy list of things I'm willing to buy. Someday some or all of those will appear in my inbox as "New Stuff". Unlike the old days I'll probably have to juggle a lot of things to make the purchase - but at least I have the option because of Dennis.

There are plenty of places to buy stuff. If you don't want to buy from Empire nobody is forcing you. But I for one look forward to his emails, and even now, with a fraction of the disposable income I used to have I occasionally buy something. In fact, as I said, in the past couple of years he's the only person I've bought from. I'm plenty glad he's there!

Jim