Since a longer time I'm searching for a method for managing my walkman collection comfortably.
Currently I have an excel-file, some folders with pictures... It's hard to maintain an overview.

Now I want to know from you, how do you handle this?

Simple, I don't. Mine live in 8 large boxes.

Nice one Agent. The one you'r gunna really want will always be at the bottom of the last box!

Ah good subject generally seems now with more than 300 organization goes out window. As time gone on I have come up with system that works pretty well now IF I KEEP IT UP TO DATE.

1. BUY HISTORY tracking - Here I put chronological number of owned walkman example is the 289th purchased walkman, model number, working condition brief done when arrives or you wont do, Date purchased , cost, NOTE I highlight the chronological number in RED if I feel it is ULTRA RARE model, GREEN if Rare. This helps to quickly find items on list and ones of greater value. You can keep a running total of money spent... MY GOD scary to do... recommend DO NOT !! But you can from this list at any time add up.
I should have from beginning included what accessories came with walkman but did not.... horrible mess now boxes of headphones,
cases, belt clips, chargers (mains), AA add on battery holder, manuals etc.

Example ( since most time I buy from auctions online I copy paste the won info to this file)

289 KENWOOD CP-G5 AUTO REVERSE STEREO CASSETTE WALKMAN W/EQ
Sale date: 02/23/10 Needs belt, motor /amp works/radio
$16.49 + $8.60 = $ 25.09
SEPARATE PURCHASE from France
K7 Radio FM/LW Kenwood TP-20LF pour Walkman CP-G5 "TBE" Shipped to Germany
Sale date: 02/28/10
EUR 9.00 $12.28 USD + $ 7.75 shipping Euro = $ 24.00 USD

2. MASTER LIST WALKMAN BY MANUFACTURE - This makes it easy to look up if you already have a model and how many of any one maker of Walkman you have. This is not in model order but in order of as I buy them ( makes much easier to keep updated )

Example

AIWA As of 4-30-2010 51 Brands 8 have Dolby C
1. HS-J700
2. HS-JS415
3. HS-PX610
4. TPS-30 w mint orig. owner manual
5. HS-P06 with FM tuner module
6. CR-D3 Digital Radio
7. HS-J02 incl. mic /accessories
8. HS-P05 Mk II
9. HS-GS183
10. HS-P1 Japan release w Orig. Headphones( P01 USA release same)
11. HS-J202
12. HS-F505
13. HS-PX101 Rare Dolby C
14. HS-F02 in parts
15. HS-J360
16. HS-RD10 wireless Remote Rare missing headphone
17. EX-200 Blue
18. HS-J02 with TP-S30 rare owner manual
19. HS-PC202 Rare Dolby C
20. HS-J09 w orig HP, Case, A/C adapter, owner manual
21. HS-PL77 RARE GREEN
22. LX200 Red
23. HS-P02
24. HS-P102
25. HS-GX45 BOXED 45th Anniversary

3. WALKMAN CONDITION REPORT track sheet - This is a excel spreadsheet that I test each walkman for functions, not problems, cosmetic condition etc. Very time consuming but if you do when each walkman arrives new to you it takes only 5 mins. To go back and do 300... well good retirement job...

EXAMPLE

MODEL Operation Sound 1-5 Appearance 1-10 Problems Battery Operation


1. AIWA HS-F505 Works Good Vry Good 4.5 # 9 out of 10 Left channel slight less vol. may be azimuth? 2 AAA
Yes Add-on
SN # X101260059 small face dent Very slight wow/flutter on start up Belt starting to slip ? Gumstick 2volt Aiwa
Very slow RR speed Not PB-4 came with no battery

4. WEB PAGES SAVED - I save page as on all auctions in this file with model number/mfg name so I can look up who bought from, selling details seller described, pictures of item that help if you do not keep track of accessories can go back find out if
player came with headphones or add on battery holder etc. Careful as about 5 months ago Ebay changed pictures are hosted with them and after few months when you open saved page NO PICTURES SHOW... sad.

Hope this helps on the paper work side of things.

AS for the actual storage I have two shelves full of boxed walkmans in closet but I can easily find one and take out this way..

Showcases I have two side by side that hold 50 each roughly and a large 3 shelf showcase that holds about 150 (tightly) and my other 70 walkmans are in drawers wrapped up.

Accessories are in plastic storage bins by mfg.

I asked that question, because I found a software, which has all the features I need for managing my collection. (Also other collections like calculators, books,...)

http://www.collector-software.com/index_eng.php

There is a demo-version which I will try in the next time. We'll see if this can help in my chaos.

CUTE STORY... just after I started collecting walkmans nearly 2 years ago leaving my home to go to 5 mile bike track I passed a home that was empty and this large good condition showcase was out in driveway... WOW I knocked on door looked in window home empty. Asked neighbor he said family abandoned home day ago. Asked if I could take showcase he said sure they left it. MY GOD I rushed home to realize only car I had that could handle moving case was lay on hood of my HUGE old 71 Roadrunner. Knew that someone would take this in next few hours if I did not do NOW... no time to get help... I managed to get this on the hood without breaking glass or hurting car ALL BY MYSELF and drove home slowly... So my HEMI became a pickup HA HA! WHAT A FIND for FREE. I always say it was meant to be that I found it and my wonderful walkmans would have a home now.
You have to laugh the things each of us has done collecting Walkmans. Most people think us CRAZY !!

John, superb story, you are a legend.

I only collect 6 of the same exact walkman and if I get a 7th one I have been trading it for the one that work the best and been trying to get them all boxed.Flopsiemopsie