I been collecting records for years. At one point I had about 6000 records. Mostly hip hop. I used to have a scam with a DJ in flint who signed me up on all these record lists and they would send me records for free. I accumulated soo much crap. Then Some dude came through the crib and bought a ton of it, then I got a table at a record show and sold off the rest. I kept only the good stuff.
I didnt really become a "digger" so much until a few years ago. I had the basics, and I knew samples but didnt really care too much.
Nowadays I only collect stuff I truly like, anywhere from funk to Psych (which is my favorite). I am not a completist by any means. But, if I had any completist tendencies, it would go toward Westbound 45s. THat is about it though. I barely like stuff on CTI. I usually buy it for the artwork/gatefold cover then sell it or give it away.
I got about 800 records now, and I hope to cut that down even more. In the mean time, I keep buying and selling.