A Very Strange Emotion

[swedish chef]

So I have been collecting ARAH Joes for awhile now and have always preferred loose complete figures (can change rusty screws, replace o-rings, play with the figures, etc.)

That being said, I have always passed on carded figures, unless I could find them at super cheap prices to resell them. However, I just did something today that I haven't done in almost 25 years. I opened a carded figure.

I had found a couple of Star Brigade figures at a shop near my home for about 5 bucks apiece. I couldn't resist picking them up even though I knew I wouldn't be able to resell them for much. Once I got them home, I couldn't decide what to do with them, so I figured what the hell, and opened 'em up.

To be honest, it was kinda weird. I found my self feeling a little guilty, like there are only so many of these MOC toys left, and now there are even fewer. And these were just Star Brigade figures. I don't know if I could even stand to open anything pre-1990.

At the same time though, it was pretty sweet. Lots of childhood memories of opening and playing with toys after birthdays and Christmases and shopping trips to toy stores with grandparents. Plus firing a vintage spring toy for the first time and seeing how far the missiles actually shoot is great fun.

Just curious as to whether any other "openers" out there have mixed emotions about opening vintage toys, GI Joe or otherwise. I'd be interested in others' experiences with this.

[Shipshape1983]

I once opened a MIB Big Jim spy figure. I know what you mean. Its a really weird mixture of guilty and joy.

But hey, if you enjoyed it man....it cant be a bad thing.

[RuckusJr]

We should all post videos of us opening something old. That would be actually really cool.

[DR.Sin]

The other night my friend surprised me. You see a few months ago I had given him a Han Solo Hoth Gear Vintage collection. Now recently he decided to open the figure package and check out the figure. He was floored. You see, unlike me, he has not had an action figure for a long time. He was amazed at the amount of detail and movement the figure had, going on and on about how this figure back then didn't have as much going for it.

I was actually amazed. It has been a while since I have truly felt that way about pretty much anything. I guess since I have been collecting so long that I haven't really realized this is something I remember when I first started collecting. The amazing feeling of something very new and exciting.

I say opening those figures was a smart move on your part. Enjoy them as they are. This is what they were intended for. They are after all, toys.

[swedish chef]

I'd also be curious to hear from anyone that buys carded toys specifically to open them. As well as if anyone has ever had regrets about opening their carded figures (outside of financial ramifications).

It's strange, the longer I collect, the more I find myself interested in the psychological aspects of collecting. Not to get off topic, but does anyone know of any good books written about the psychology of collecting?

[docdrako]

I can't buy vintage carded toys because I HAVE* to open everything and can't handle the guilt.

(* okay I don't HAVE to, but I can't not open them)

[darthdrew13]

So I have been collecting ARAH Joes for awhile now and have always preferred loose complete figures (can change rusty screws, replace o-rings, play with the figures, etc.)

That being said, I have always passed on carded figures, unless I could find them at super cheap prices to resell them. However, I just did something today that I haven't done in almost 25 years. I opened a carded figure.

I had found a couple of Star Brigade figures at a shop near my home for about 5 bucks apiece. I couldn't resist picking them up even though I knew I wouldn't be able to resell them for much. Once I got them home, I couldn't decide what to do with them, so I figured what the hell, and opened 'em up.

To be honest, it was kinda weird. I found my self feeling a little guilty, like there are only so many of these MOC toys left, and now there are even fewer. And these were just Star Brigade figures. I don't know if I could even stand to open anything pre-1990.

At the same time though, it was pretty sweet. Lots of childhood memories of opening and playing with toys after birthdays and Christmases and shopping trips to toy stores with grandparents. Plus firing a vintage spring toy for the first time and seeing how far the missiles actually shoot is great fun.

Just curious as to whether any other "openers" out there have mixed emotions about opening vintage toys, GI Joe or otherwise. I'd be interested in others' experiences with this.

Surprised no one has said this so far, but... which 2 figs were they?

[TheLongestDay]

I know what you mean

I felt that way when I opened a talking battle commander overkill...it felt good though (VERY nostalgic) :D

[jogunwarrior]

I don't typically spend the extra dollars for MOC figures, but have made exceptions. Not too long ago I picked up a DEF Bullet Proof, Cutter, and Shockwave figure all MOC. I got all three of them for less than 20.00, which seemed reasonably cheap.

I immediately opened them up and turned them into custom fodder, all three were repainted.

[KushViper]

I opened a couple harder to find 1994 Star Brigade figures not too long ago. Roadblock and SPace Shot are a couple of them. I needed them MLC and found them cheeper MOC. Its always fun to open old toys.

[Troynos]

No way would I ever open a vintage carded figure. It's too easy to get loose online.

[youdoitimbusy]

i once opened pandoras box, same exact feeling...you cant close it, you know you shouldn't, but its still awesome.

[Black Llama]

We should all post videos of us opening something old. That would be actually really cool.

Kneroh knows not this emotion you speak of:


http://www.hisstank.com/forum/testing-grounds-spam-o-rama/97941-blockbuster-custom-kneroh.html

[Raw Dog]

I know exactly what you mean Swedish Chef! I'm actually going through a phase currently where I hunt down still packaged vintage toys (mostly vehicles), open them, and then play with them. I think it has something to do with capturing that feeling from my youth and wanting an unsullied, pristine version of the vintage item. That thought of their being a finite supply of still boxed examples did cross my mind recently, but in retrospect I believe it acted as more of a motivator to acquire more boxed examples to open before the supply dried up! I guess you should call me the Opener, lol! I'm kind of like a villain to the toy collecting community, lol!

[Dealer Destro]

But hey, if you enjoyed it man....it cant be a bad thing.

Tell this to the guy who goes to the titty bar at 10am Mon - Fri........wait just a minute......or did I mean to say tell that to the guy banging hookers Mon-Fri with out protection........ :)


All kidding aside to the OP if you bought it and paid for it, then you can do what ever you want with it.

[WVMojo]

T-minus 270 days, 14 hours until I open my MIB USS Flagg...

It'll be like Christmas morning!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spiderpumpkin]

deleted

[musashi3000gt]

Guys who keep stuff mint-sealed must think guys like me are animals!
I open everything. and at the risk of being flamed I'm gonna share a story with you guys.
So about 3 years ago I was at a comic shop in Orlando and the owner had a mint, sealed in box Blockbuster. now I went in with my wife and my 3 year old son at the time and was browsing when I spoted the Blockbuster. I asked the guy how much and he said $200.00. I said thats pricey and he replied "Thats cause its rare".
I looked at the wife and she was like "uhhh NO!"
The guy kept looking at my son and finally asked "you play with daddy's toys buddy?"
I replied "oh hell no!" and was about to continue with "he dossent care for them".
But the guy cuts me off and says "Oh good! good man you keep em sealed?" and thats when I caught his drift. The guy was a sealed toy kinda guy.
So I played along "oh hell yeah man, I keep all my stuff sealed and I dont even garage them! Ask my wife I keep em in the walk in closset in the air conditioned!"
He seemed to like this comment and said you know what man, I'll let it go for $180.00 for you.

Ha! soon as I got home I opened that sucker likity split and played all night with my kid. Almost shot my eyes out too, that thing has a mean ass cannon!

so yeah I lied to a guy once just to open a vehicle I wanted in my collection. I dont care for sealed stuff. I dont plan on ever selling it and I honestly dont see me passing it on to anyone. My son dossent care for it, my daughter wont either and my grand children might not ever even know what a GI Joe was. So I live it up while I still can.