This paper attempts to test the concept of a conservatio policy by presenting three practical, worst-case scenarios involving institutional collections and loan requests, viewed from the perspective of the custodian/curator. The three common debates illustrated by the author include: the relationship of the custodian/curator's institution with others; when to start and when to stop conservation treatment; and where conservation is heading in the future. The paper presents many of the issues that should be considered when formulating a good institutional conservation policy.