I think the distinction between a collection and a "consoom" has been discussed in the consoomer thread. Some people may label me as a "consoomer" due to my collection of records, both vintage, represses, and modern releases. But I don't see myself as a consoomer due to the fact that:
1. I have listened to all my records more than three times
2. I don't rush out to buy records because they just released, or because I need to grow my collection
3. I trade and sell old records to other collectors and record shops
4. My collection doesn't span more than a single cubby in a small bookshelf.
So, to correctly "collect" without consooming, at least in my opinion, is to have a collection you enjoy and cherish and make use of, and are willing to part with pieces to vary your collection without the need to grow it without cause. Of course this is tangential, as you can't do the same with sentimental items in the case of trading/selling items, or with items like sports memorabilia in the case of using the collection.
But perhaps everyone who collects items of some sort are consoomers in their own right, we just decided that one type of consoomerism is free from ridicule while the newer types aren't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯