[hwheels2]

You gut would Sh!t if you knew the people i did that spend it on old hot wheels.they spends 1000s.
the most i ever payed was 2 grand for one.
and then theres new hot wheels collectors,i'd say some are just a notch down and thats for off shelf crap.

[Predaking]

Not sure it's one of the reasons why I hoard so many toys, but growing up without either parents and having to live with my aunt and grandma was tough (my parents were divorced btw) and due to my cheap aunt who took all the money given to her to take care of us and refused to buy any toys for me, I learned to cherish all the toys I got from early age. The Snapdragon that I bought (with my allowance) back in 1989 is still in prestine condition to this day with only a fin loose. I applaude all the people who collect toys and not afraid to tell anyone, cuz there are so many stereotypes out there for toy collectors that we'll always be misunderstood by the public.

[GIshawn]

I love toys. And I personally could care less what anyone thinks of it. Many of these characters are like old pals. I must admit that I'm amazed by how great these pieces of plastic make me feel. I think it's a small price to pay for that wonderfully nostalgic feeling of youth and happiness I experience just by glancing at the damn things. :-)

[dgnr82]

I get made fun of all the time. I used to not let anyone know, but I don't care anymore. I think of how much money my friends spend on beer, and at least I get to enjoy the toys for as long as I own them.

[BadWolf]

Now it's time for the inflamitory foul mouth too add my 2 cents.

Fuck them all, We are totally happy with our hobbie, and we actually have things to get excited over just like when we were kids. It this very thing that pisses those misserable bastards off the most. Every time they say something or give you a dirty look, You can be proud and thank God that at least you are not them.

[jaxscorpio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SyNn

We are ALL a little crazy...

I disagree. My current income level puts me in the eccentric bracket.

[zartan1]

Steel, there's nothing wrong being a collector, I get funny looks all the time going through toy isles, I pay them no mind it's my life and if I want to buy Joes it's nobody's concern but mine ( however, the funny looks I get may be because I look like King Kong Bundy).
To me spending 100 bucks on something that will make you happy makes more sense than these super-rich types who spend half-a-million on an antique car only to put it in a garage to never be driven. I remember once reading that Sammy Hagar spent $1million on a lambourgini, only to have it not meet some epa standard thus it not getting imported to the US.
If the kids are fed and the bills are paid spend your hard-earned cash as you see fit.
If a visitor to your house makes a snide remark about collecting toys simply go online and show them how much original 12-back star wars figures go for and tell them it's an investment toward the kids future.

[fireflyguy]

I'm glad somebody stared this topic. I've tried to read through the posts so I won't replicated anything others have said, and it sounds like most of my sentiments on the subject have been conveyed.

I was going to start a post the other day asking if I'm a dork. I mean, I went to WM the other night at midnight for the Star Wars unveiling (our local TRU didn't open). There was a dad with his 2 young sons there, and then there was me. I'm 32, have 2 young kids, a wife and I'm a professional. And I collect toys. Maybe I was feeling self-conscious. Somebody mentioned the comic book guy on the Simpsons. I was like, "I'm NOT like the comic book guy!". I look nothing like him, and I don't keep my stuff MOC with very few exceptions. But then I realized, some people camp out for Rolling Stones tickets. Some people go to quilting conventions (one is held near here and for some reasons makes the news). Why is it okay for people to build model trains, but not okay for me to collect toys that are essentially models?

Toys aren't all I have. I'm interested in lots of things -- mainly music. I play guitar and I have a few of them. I have put some of the models I want on hold because right now I am focusing on some Joe stuff. I like sports, and I like nice cars. But in today's economy, most of us have to choose. I can't buy a $3500 Les Paul and still have money to get a few action figures. I like baseball, but I can get 10 Joes for what it costs to get in to the game, much less eat there. I can watch the game at home on my satellite system that eats up $100 of my paycheck every month. It's all about picking and choosing, and I get more bang for my buck when I buy Joes and display them or customize.

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating. I think a lot of us collect Joes because of the nostalgia. Don't get me wrong -- I love my life and wouldn't change things. I love my wife, kids, job, etc. But everytime I open a figure, it takes me back to a time when my dad was alive, and my brother and I were closer.

So, I guess the bottom line is....people can say whatever they want. I let it roll off my back, ESPECIALLY if they smoke. Don't even get me started. . .

[sgtapon]

I get looks from my family but through the years they have learned when "I" want to do something "I" am going to do it so they keep their mouths shut. I like to collect toys and don't really give two shits what other people think. I don't spend as much as some do because I have low income but when I can grab a few off the pegs at wal-mart, tru or target. My dad gave me a strange look about it one day while he had a power saw in the cart saying how i didn't need the toys i was buying so i brought up to him "you don't need that power saw seeing as you have 5 others in the basement that work perfectly fine". He quickly saw my point and shut up. Now I do smoke and despite what anyone says i'm not going to quit until i'm damn good and ready my cigarette habit at current cost me 45 dollars a month (due to the fact i smoke cigarettes that are 10.99 a carton and yes they really suck) but I don't smoke around my toys because that would be blasphemy! Point is why should we care what someone else thinks about our hobby. I have friends who collect shit that I personally don't care for but I never say a word to them because it irritates me when they want to talk their crap on the "action figures" I collect. If someone doesn't like my hobby so what if they are supposedly a friend and want to run their mouth about it then they aren't a friend. I collect "action figures/toys/little plastic men/dolls" whatever people want to call them, I'm not going to stop because they think I'm immature. I saw screw em all and if they really have a problem with it then they should have the balls to buck up and step outside with me and we'll settle our differences the old fashion way.

[Griff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckeesportpaguy

dude you dont drink or go see naked broads at the strip bar? thats better than collecting IMO

the only way i would justify spending money at a titty bar and not on joes was if the dancers were done up like scarlett lady jaye, the baroness and Zarana. now THAT i would spend some money on. :> Screw the people who bash on us and give us dirty looks. I have quit smoking for over 2 weeks now(but i still do have my scotch on occasion) and now i have more money for joes. and to be honest I'd rather buy joes then smokes cause joes look better and unless i swallow one and it gets lodged in my throat joes wont kill me.