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Post by TheWatcher on Mar 22, 2012 23:31:41 GMT -6
Lately I have found my collecting habits have changed due to other collectors/sellers. I still very much love collecting toys and the nostalgia they bring, but it's not as fun as it used to be, especially when you have to deal with other collectors/sellers. Seems like now you can't find anything for a cheap price. I usually don't have alot of cash to fork out for toys and everybody wants as much as they can get. I thought these were toys, but more and more it feels like trading and selling stocks.
I have been cutting back on buying toys just because I can't afford it anymore. When I used to purchase something, I'd look for a deal but with all the competition as of late, deals seems like a long gone thing of the past. I will still be collecting but I find myself being pushed into buying the higher priced action figures. My rationale is if I have to fork out some $$$ to acquire the things I am looking for might as well buy MIB/Moc so that way the item is mint and complete. I'm sick of being overcharged for loose action figures (sometimes $20 -$40) that are not complete and many times aren't even mint just because it's old. No research or consistent pricing to back up the price. Just peeps asking stupid prices because they can.
So many collectors have just gotten so greedy, it's impossible to pick up anything for a decent price or even trade. I have completely given up on trading as it's just not worth it anymore. Often times I only have extra common stuff to trade. If I have something rare, I only have the one from my collection. Most collectors only will trade rare items for rare items so how does that help out the guys who DON'T have rare stuff to trade? I find myself having to go and buy items to trade and really, that's more trouble then it's worth. Plus many collectors will over value their items and under value yours. It's a scam and I'm done with it. I miss the days when I could trade a figure for figure and there was no talk of "well my action figure cost X dollars and yours only costs Y dollars." That's pretty underhanded and crappy to me.
So have any of you changed how you collect or your collecting philosophy due to other collectors/dealers?
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Post by funkyterrance on Mar 23, 2012 7:45:36 GMT -6
It's true its not like when you were 7 and you just traded what you had and didn't like for what your friend had and didn't want, now its all about "value". It stands to reason that monetary value is the only real way to monitor a "fair trade" but I would hope that on this site there is a certain level of trust. I imagine it may be hard to switch gears from the cutthroat adult world to the world of action figures. I think maybe it boils down to people afraid of being screwed by someone over the internet whom they have never met. Having that big unknown out there I think most people end up playing the defensive which means trying to come out ahead, value-wise. This may or may not be construed as greed but it's hard telling not knowing. I guess only the seller can answer this question. I am very much new to the game so I have managed to stay focused on what I like and not care terribly about the monetary worth of anything. That being said, it seems I have some unfortunate tastes in the line I am looking for but ah well. As far as your original question I would have to say a big YES. In the past I would not have considered the rarity of anything I had, only the value it had to my personal likes, AKA whether or not I had it growing up lol.
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Post by rihia2k on Mar 23, 2012 8:43:56 GMT -6
As Funky said, "Stay focused on what I like and not care terribly about the monetary worth of anything", that's golden right there,see? Yeah if it gets to a whirlpool headache point just cool the jets and step back from your collection, view it in a new light and think, "damn, that's nice right there." At the end of the day it's gotta be a pleasurable experience. The goodies'll still show up...
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Post by funkyterrance on Mar 23, 2012 14:34:13 GMT -6
Well put, rihia2k. I had one of those "damn, that's nice right there" moments myself early this morning as the sun came through the window onto my blackstar demon I got recently in a trade and is currently living on my computer table. He just looked awesome! I always loved those guys growing up. Pretty nice feeling from a figure only worth a couple bucks.
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Post by TheWatcher on Mar 23, 2012 18:41:12 GMT -6
I think that's were you both misunderstand. I don't care about the monetary value of these toys, as that's just it. They are just toys after all. The problem lies in having to deal with other collectors in such. If these things were worthless tomorrow I'd still be collecting.
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Post by mrjayberry on Mar 23, 2012 19:23:31 GMT -6
I just had a pm conversation that is a mirror of your orginal post. Needless to say a deal didn't get done. Nothing is more frustrating when one side acts like your stuff is worthless and their stuff is a national treasure.
Sure "value" is a good thing know, often times it's based on a quantifiable aspect like rarity or demand, but if your happy with a trade pull the trigger and don't worry if your losing a couple of bucks on it.
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Post by 80s Action Figures on Mar 23, 2012 19:29:45 GMT -6
I was happy with our last trade...even though i forgot about it right afterwords... ;D ;D
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Post by TheWatcher on Mar 23, 2012 20:17:39 GMT -6
I just had a pm conversation that is a mirror of your orginal post. Needless to say a deal didn't get done. Nothing is more frustrating when one side acts like your stuff is worthless and their stuff is a national treasure. Sure "value" is a good thing know, often times it's based on a quantifiable aspect like rarity or demand, but if your happy with a trade pull the trigger and don't worry if your losing a couple of bucks on it. Totally agree with you. Couldn't have said it better myself! I wish more ppl thought like you. I was happy with our last trade...even though i forgot about it right afterwords... ;D ;D LOL no problem man. I was happy with that deal too. Believe it or not 9 times outta 10 most of my deals don't happen. People seem to forget these are toys and not stock options. I misplaced some customs just last week and then found them exacty where I left them. My memory is pretty bad too!
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Post by mrjayberry on Mar 23, 2012 22:00:15 GMT -6
I should add that 90% of people I have any real contact with on the boards I frequent seem to be genuinely awesome folks. You stack up 10 or 12 bad contacts in a couple months time and I can see getting seriously discouraged.
As some suggested it's not a bad idea sometimes to step back and recharge the battery a bit. Hopefully everyone here has multiple hobbies. I try out a new hobby for size every year. Some stick most don't, I think the year I thought it would be fun to become a homemade Ice Cream guru ended in two batches of vanilla but it fun to try. Toy collecting should be a bit of a holiday from the stresses of life not an addition to the house.
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Post by TheWatcher on Mar 23, 2012 23:03:42 GMT -6
Funny enough I actually have not been able to buy much since last year. If it was buying consistenly I could understand but my situation is totally the opposite. Due to a family accident, and a decrease in income my collecting has taken a serious hit. I couldn't tell you how many things I've had to pass up because of not having the money. After a while it just becomes heartbreaking. I think I've stepped back too long, lol!
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Post by funkyterrance on Mar 25, 2012 7:19:07 GMT -6
I think that's were you both misunderstand. I don't care about the monetary value of these toys, as that's just it. They are just toys after all. The problem lies in having to deal with other collectors in such. If these things were worthless tomorrow I'd still be collecting. I'm not suggesting that you are "in it for the money", I'm just pointing out that the only way to keep things fair in some people's minds is by knowing the value of things and doing business accordingly. Considering how many people sell on ebay its going to of course cross someone's mind that if they come up short on a trade, value-wise, they could be taken advantage of. I would like to believe that what is happening is that people are trying to protect themselves and not that they are being greedy. The other possibility is that there are people out there lurking around pretending to be part of a community just for the sake of padding their pockets or furthering their own collections. I guess the real question is whether or not you yourself generally give people breaks in prices on stuff that you know you could probably get more for? As far as having to trade off rare stuff for rare stuff, this is probably a conundrum that many collectors face. When I really want something but don't have the money I have no choice but to sell something I already have. The thing I'm selling may be rare or not but I figure that as someone who doesn't have tons of money to spend on toys I can't have my cake and eat it too.
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Post by figuremod73 on Apr 8, 2012 15:10:38 GMT -6
Ive been collecting toys for less than a year after being out of it since the age of 16 (around 1987 or so). It has been a real eye opener. I would have never guessed what I was stupid enough to throw away or sell cheaply could have so much value now. I had a bunch of G1 Transformers, lot of blackstar, and MOTU and have actually grown to miss them the last few years. I think the increase in value is caused by the idea of supply and demand based on this: Those like myself are starting to feel nostalgic for their youth and what they like and now have the disposible income to get them back. Ebay has probably helped in the increase in toy prices as well. If theres only so many copies of a toy "everyone wants" then natually its value skyrockets. I REALLY hate my favorites with high price tags to. Its pick and choose.
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Post by bowheadwhale on Apr 25, 2012 14:36:54 GMT -6
Lately I have found my collecting habits have changed due to other collectors/sellers. I still very much love collecting toys and the nostalgia they bring, but it's not as fun as it used to be, especially when you have to deal with other collectors/sellers. Seems like now you can't find anything for a cheap price. I usually don't have alot of cash to fork out for toys and everybody wants as much as they can get. I thought these were toys, but more and more it feels like trading and selling stocks. I have been cutting back on buying toys just because I can't afford it anymore. When I used to purchase something, I'd look for a deal but with all the competition as of late, deals seems like a long gone thing of the past. I will still be collecting but I find myself being pushed into buying the higher priced action figures. My rationale is if I have to fork out some $$$ to acquire the things I am looking for might as well buy MIB/Moc so that way the item is mint and complete. I'm sick of being overcharged for loose action figures (sometimes $20 -$40) that are not complete and many times aren't even mint just because it's old. No research or consistent pricing to back up the price. Just peeps asking stupid prices because they can. So many collectors have just gotten so greedy, it's impossible to pick up anything for a decent price or even trade. I have completely given up on trading as it's just not worth it anymore. Often times I only have extra common stuff to trade. If I have something rare, I only have the one from my collection. Most collectors only will trade rare items for rare items so how does that help out the guys who DON'T have rare stuff to trade? So have any of you changed how you collect or your collecting philosophy due to other collectors/dealers? I'm with you. Not that I exactly find collectors greedy, but I noticed EVERYONE WANTS THE SAME THING. If I come here, everyone is looking for G1 G.I.Joe and nothing else. If I go to Laughing Giraffe, everyone wants retired Schleich and nothing else. If I go to Dino Toy Forum, everyone wants the AAA Hyeanodon and Entelodont, as well as the Bullyland Mastodonsaurus, and nothing else. Result: nobody has the stuff everyone wants so 99% of the trade stuff offered by forum members remain on the trade shelf. Discouraging...
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Post by defzombie on Apr 25, 2012 16:25:12 GMT -6
I can totally understand the frustrating part of expensive toys. All my trades on this board so far have been amazing and Im totally happy with everything Ive gotten so far. I just started in the forum buying/trading etc, and ebay and I seem to like alot of the stuff not many people care about, and some stuff that is popular. I hate it however where there is a specific 80s or 90s toy on ebay i would love to have but im just not spending 30-40 dollars on one toy.
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Post by defzombie on Apr 25, 2012 16:26:25 GMT -6
I also try to do the my best when I try to trade here I dont try and milk it, I work to make sure the both parties are happy with their trade
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adamdevry2012
Guest
Mar 18, 2024 21:02:33 GMT -6
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Post by adamdevry2012 on Apr 26, 2012 11:03:52 GMT -6
Ok look times have changed back in the 80's there was no ebay or price books so when u traded it was for pure joy. Now when u trade at first its pure joy then u get home look on ebay and see u got a common 1.00 and gave a 25.00 fig for it it sucks and now that joy is gone. I bet the reason trade on here dont happen because one of the people saw the price and thought they were getting ripped off. You knoe when I look up action fig collectors on google a price guide comes up first me I dont let it bother me I try to buy what I like if its on my trade list I think of it not worth anything only what I can trade it for to add to my collection
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Post by funkyterrance on Apr 26, 2012 12:05:04 GMT -6
Well, if anything I think that meeting others who collect stuff from the 80s' has lifted a veil of sorts as far as how others view the collecting world. I figured that a lot of people would enjoy discussing the "golden age" of toys ect, but I have noticed a lot (not all) of peeps seem just concerned with the toys themselves and more specifically with obtaining them. Perhaps its a generational thing but at times it can be a bit of a downer.
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Post by bowheadwhale on May 10, 2012 14:11:08 GMT -6
Ok look times have changed back in the 80's there was no ebay or price books so when u traded it was for pure joy. Now when u trade at first its pure joy then u get home look on ebay and see u got a common 1.00 and gave a 25.00 fig for it it sucks and now that joy is gone. I bet the reason trade on here dont happen because one of the people saw the price and thought they were getting ripped off. You knoe when I look up action fig collectors on google a price guide comes up first me I dont let it bother me I try to buy what I like if its on my trade list I think of it not worth anything only what I can trade it for to add to my collection Price guides can help, in the condition that you consult it very often; offers and demands can change, so the price of the item.
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adamdevry2012
Guest
Mar 18, 2024 21:02:33 GMT -6
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Post by adamdevry2012 on May 17, 2012 9:17:02 GMT -6
I think that letting people change ur ways of collecting shouldnt happen I love collecting figs and ive been burnt just as much as the next guy but all the times I been burnt doesnt effect me cause when I get that one awesome items its a huge pay off and makes it worth it like a sellers at a flea market selles me a box of transformers and the top of the box is awesome but the bottom sucks feel like I was robbed but finding a box of heman for the same price was a big pay off for the trash box made it all worth it so if u let someone change how u collect then u shouldnt be collecting theres always a bad that comes with the good in any hobby you just have to blow it off and keep going
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Post by proteus on May 17, 2012 11:48:22 GMT -6
i have seriously changed the way i collect- for a long time i used the local shops and flea markets, and had a great time but when ebay arrived it was good to go on ebay and get anything you wanted- however as time has gone on and ebay has become a nightmare of fraudulent sellers and buyers it has stopped being fun. recently i closed my ebay account and i just deal on boards and in the local stores and i am much happier and ive still found the stuff i want, without the hassle and stress and vindictive people so common on ebay
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leitmotiv
Toy Aisle Terror
May 15, 2012 11:18:39 GMT -6
Posts: 99
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Post by leitmotiv on May 17, 2012 12:54:34 GMT -6
I have changed the way I collect too. I don't let the collection dictate what it needs. For instance, I don't try to be a completist. This is the result of a decrease in what some people would call OCD, and the result of higher prices, especially concerning accessories to "complete" a figure. eBay has certainly ruined a lot of the passion, even though it makes it easier to find items.
I enjoy the "hunt" more than the completion. So garage sales, thrift stores, antique stores, and craigslist are my favorite spots to frequent.
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aden2008
Guest
Mar 18, 2024 21:02:33 GMT -6
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Post by aden2008 on May 20, 2012 20:49:13 GMT -6
I blame the ebay market for discouraging folks. It's a real gem to come across a seller or even dealer at a flea market who doesn't charge an arm and a leg for a toy as well as not even knowing what the competitors prices are. I tend to avoid the true auctions as I think it's ridiculous to "fight" over an item by beating the highest bidder and the ones who outbid you at the last second.
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