[ShadowNinja]

I got into a bit with some folks on Facebook when someone asked if something was worth buying and said "if you want it buy it why asks strangers what you want to get. If your asking your in the hobby for the wrong reasons." It pushed some folks buttons to the point of insults, etc. Funny stuff. Anyways My question is how many of these people do you think are even in it to collect or just to try to make a dollar off it? The same thing happened a couple months ago and I made a comment about it and the dude hasnt been on the forum since. So either I scared him off or he wanted to make a quick buck. Using this example I personally find those that wake up one morning and are like I need a hobby ill collect toys or those that dont know what to buy cause they are not really a fan of the series then your heart isnt in it for the right reasons but for reasons like monetary you will collect for a year then will sell it all 6 of your collection on ebay.

I see some address my comments about it with "havnt you ever asked for help" or "If I dont have a lot of money I want the best that I can get with what I got to spend." They usually dont like my replies of if you dont have money to buy a toy most likely should find another hobby, etc. Anyways I have asked for help when it comes to the best figures to get articulation wise, etc but never if it is worth it. I always have bought something because I think it is cool and want it for me or because I like the series. I dont really do transformers so wont buy it even if it is worth something. I have bought for trade bait though. I just dont get that I guess. That is just my opinion but I get amazed at how offended people get when you point this out even the "real" collectors that defend these peeps. Just a quick jotted down thought.

[BeachheadMatt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowNinja

I got into a bit with some folks on Facebook when someone asked if something was worth buying and said "if you want it buy it why asks strangers what you want to get. If your asking your in the hobby for the wrong reasons." It pushed some folks buttons to the point of insults, etc. Funny stuff. Anyways My question is how many of these people do you think are even in it to collect or just to try to make a dollar off it? The same thing happened a couple months ago and I made a comment about it and the dude hasnt been on the forum since. So either I scared him off or he wanted to make a quick buck. Using this example I personally find those that wake up one morning and are like I need a hobby ill collect toys or those that dont know what to buy cause they are not really a fan of the series then your heart isnt in it for the right reasons but for reasons like monetary you will collect for a year then will sell it all 6 of your collection on ebay.

I see some address my comments about it with "havnt you ever asked for help" or "If I dont have a lot of money I want the best that I can get with what I got to spend." They usually dont like my replies of if you dont have money to buy a toy most likely should find another hobby, etc. Anyways I have asked for help when it comes to the best figures to get articulation wise, etc but never if it is worth it. I always have bought something because I think it is cool and want it for me or because I like the series. I dont really do transformers so wont buy it even if it is worth something. I have bought for trade bait though. I just dont get that I guess. That is just my opinion but I get amazed at how offended people get when you point this out even the "real" collectors that defend these peeps. Just a quick jotted down thought.

There's a lot going on here in this post.

First, in terms of collecting in general, I almost think there is a "collector gene". You either have it in you, or you don't. If you have it, you see something you like and have an inner desire to have more, more, more. It could be toys, cars, stamps whatever. Clearly, I have this hypothetical gene. I not only bought toys like crazy as a kid, but I collected coins, and baseball cards, news articles, etc. So that answers the why do I collect. It's an innate desire. And why toys? Well, I flat out love toys.

To your other question, how many do I think are in it for the money? I think more and more by the day. We've complained about it (scalpers) a bunch on this site of course. But I think the person who really hit the nail on the head, is the person who specifically mentioned the "sneaker scalpers" hopping into the toy market, as the next big thing.
The how-to youtube videos going into great detail on how to re-sell shoes probably didn't help. These guys were already hitting 10+ Ross stores a day looking for shoes, so it's easy for them to pop over the toy section and have a look. Plus, if they already have a shoe buying bot, I'm sure it can be easily programmed to buy new toy releases.

I would maybe back off a bit on criticizing others for just asking questions though. Not everything is black or white. While I mentioned I have a love for toys and an innate desire to collect.......I also have a strong love for numbers, and an innate desire to make money. Some (many?) folks exist in a grey area between scalpers and collectors. I, admittingly, get joy over seeing a toy that I bought for $20 a couple years ago now reselling for $100.

Plus, some people may be asking "is this worth it", just to make sure they're not getting ripped off, or looking for a second opinion.

Anyway, all this is just my personal opinion, mostly.

[ShadowNinja]

I get asking about a certain figure someone is selling if its worth it or should I try to find another deal but if you post a picture of a figure hanging on a target peg and say "Is this one hard to get?" or "Is it worth anything?" chances are your not trying to get it to add to your collection.

I also get a joy out having things that are hard to get now and need a hefty penny for it. I always see the retaliation black and red ninjas going for like 25 a pop when I grabbed the black ones for 5 bucks a pop at 5 below and have quite a few of the red ninjas. It gives me that nice little "ahah if you only knew" warmness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachheadMatt

There's a lot going on here in this post.


I would maybe back off a bit on criticizing others for just asking questions though. Not everything is black or white. While I mentioned I have a love for toys and an innate desire to collect.......I also have a strong love for numbers, and an innate desire to make money. Some (many?) folks exist in a grey area between scalpers and collectors. I, admittingly, get joy over seeing a toy that I bought for $20 a couple years ago now reselling for $100.

[BeachheadMatt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowNinja

I get asking about a certain figure someone is selling if its worth it or should I try to find another deal but if you post a picture of a figure hanging on a target peg and say "Is this one hard to get?" or "Is it worth anything?" chances are your not trying to get it to add to your collection.

I also get a joy out having things that are hard to get now and need a hefty penny for it. I always see the retaliation black and red ninjas going for like 25 a pop when I grabbed the black ones for 5 bucks a pop at 5 below and have quite a few of the red ninjas. It gives me that nice little "ahah if you only knew" warmness.

Thanks for clarifying. Wow, yeah that's pretty different. One, it's sad they aren't smart enough to find out the value for themselves. Two, clearly in those instances, they aren't in it for the joy of collecting.

[Sataninjaku]

"Why do I collect?

Because I like to be stressed out over the fact that one dude asked the internet " what's it worth" and the internet replied " at least $20" and then the guy proceeded to buy all 35 of them, thus leaving me with nothing but 500 Skeletors and He-Mans and Funko Pops.

[Itchweed]

I collect for fun and friendship. Sure I would love every toy I buy to be worth a small fortune in 3 years (they won't) but heck, they are fun, they make me feel good, they make Sataninjaku feel good, and it makes us all feel like we felt back in younger days.

[Sataninjaku]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itchweed

I collect for fun and friendship. Sure I would love every toy I buy to be worth a small fortune in 3 years (they won't) but heck, they are fun, they make me feel good, they make Sataninjaku feel good, and it makes us all feel like we felt back in younger days.

Exactly. If they were worth nothing, I'd actually be far happier because I could afford them all!

[ShadowNinja]

I collect because I like to keep the good stuff out of the hands of collectors that way they dont get feels of nostalgia and be happy for a day. Guess that makes me the villian.

[Jymree]

About 15 years ago my brother and I made up a pretty basic game with our old G.I. Joe collection in an attempt to recapture the simple joy of playing with toys like we did as kids, albeit with the structure, strategy, progression, and randomness that makes a tabletop game or RPG appealing. We've refined it a bunch over the years, though we've only actually played a handful of times. But that's really what got me back into collecting Joes, trying to expand my roster of playable characters.

[Breakerfan]

Arguments about who is a "real" collector are my favorite.