Are Adult Collectors putting off kids buying toys?

[Sweet Rabbit]

Kids are too busy with their phones to care

 

[DeltaForceChung]

We've heard, read, and seen the cliche of an adult stealing/taking candy from a baby/child.

The current climate of the 1:6 hobby is similar.

An adult stealing/taking a 1:6 figure from a kid pretty much sums up the state of the 1:6 hobby in regards to "kids" actively being in the 1:6 hobby.

Power Team Elite / World Peacekeepers were the last 1:6 mainstay in terms of offerings for kids on a retail level (through BIG LOTS), but they too are now gone from a retail presence and available online only with the cheapest 1:6 offering being around $20.00 to $25.00 and up.

I believe and feel we "adult" 1:6 collectors pretty much f***ed it up for the kids in terms of 1:6 collecting.

 

[VSF11]

Now I know this is a controversial subject seeing as this is a predominantly Adult Toy Collecting site but I think its a topic worth discussing.
I'm in my 30s and started buying toys again about 10 years ago when NECA started to make great figures and have been mainly buying them and Hot Toys meaning I usually either buy in comic stores or online. I buy these figures to be displayed in my entertainment room like a lot of people on here and look at them as being pieces of pop culture art rather than toys as these are aimed at Adult Collectors (Especially as I mainly collect horror). But I've took my niece to the toy store a few times recently and noticed more adults without kids buying figures than adults with kids and its a known fact that toys aren't that popular with kids anymore. There are also a lot of Youtube channels (I wont name names) but the way they treat there kids sometimes like when they come in the room while there filming like there getting in the way instead of involving them in the toys or when they take them to the store on toy hunt videos so they can buy bags filled with toys while they maybe get one for the kid I find it all a bit cringy. I mean I know this generation is a lot more pop culture orientated but just stop for a second and think back to the 70s/80s and your in the toy store with your dad and he buys you a Star Wars figure and then he buys nearly the whole collection and you cant play with it and is more enthusiastic about it than you are, would you really have found buying toys as fun?

In short, as many as 75% of those adults w/o kids you see buying figures etc are "collectible scalpers" who snap up as much as they can for the sole purpose of trying to resell them on places like fleabay. What's really screwy is that they see someone else listing the same item and think that's how much they're worth.
HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET?
Just because you see someone LISTING something such as a batman figure for $200 does NOT mean that's what they're actually selling for...

 

[generalszabo]

In short, as many as 75% of those adults w/o kids you see buying figures etc are "collectible scalpers" who snap up as much as they can for the sole purpose of trying to resell them on places like fleabay. What's really screwy is that they see someone else listing the same item and think that's how much they're worth.
HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET?
Just because you see someone LISTING something such as a batman figure for $200 does NOT mean that's what they're actually selling for...

I'm not sure scalpers go to comic book shops, is far cheaper to buy online

And unsuccessful scalpers will soon learn/run out of money

But yeah, adults now collect expensive toys

Kids these days like toys when they're young but soon progress to online/ games/ social media

 

[VSF11]

I'm not sure scalpers go to comic book shops, is far cheaper to buy online

And unsuccessful scalpers will soon learn/run out of money

But yeah, adults now collect expensive toys

Kids these days like toys when they're young but soon progress to online/ games/ social media

Don't be so sure, I've been watching a number of scalpers on fleabay - despite nobody bidding or even offering, they still keep relisting at the same outrageous price time after time.
They'[ve been trying to sell for close to a year now, and still going..

 

[Bo Shrek]

Toys are way too expensive these days. You walk through the toy department at Walmart and figures are $30 CAN min. These are “Collector” prices. The sweet spot for toys should be under $20 as they are “add on” on your Taget/Walmart shopping list. When little Tommy look’s up at you and says “Dad can you buy me this?” and the Star Wars Black series action figure in his hand has a price tag of $39.97 it’s just too expensive. That’s why Funko are so popular averaging $12.99. It’s a small price and will leave your child happy.



This happened this past weekend when a Mom beside me ask her child if he had selected something. The boy showed the toy and his Mom said “OMG Son this is $50! Can you choose something else. What about a poster?”

 

[Luminous]

I have kids ranging from 10 to 5. All of them still enjoy playing with toys. I see people suggesting that all kids want to do these days is be on their phones and play video games. Those may be enticing and addicting things to interact with, but who are the gatekeepers of said tech and media? Kids will just as easily succumb and be distracted by the same things that distracts and consumes adults if we let them have it unchecked. My kids love video games as much as the next kid, it doesn't mean they get to play 24 hours a day. If they don't have school work to do, chores to finish, they can have an alloted time of video games. After that (or before, up to them) they're outside or playing all sorts of imaginary games with their toys.

Kids like toys. They're still affordable. There are plenty of action figures in the $20 USD range (no doubt prices are creeping up). However, they're not going to play or ask for them if parents are giving in to trends, spoiling their kids, or simply aren't considering the potential damage so much access to phones and social media can have on such impressionable minds. Just my 2 cents anyway.

 

[Jason Marko]

The kids have plenty of toys in the garage. Lawn mower, trimmer, rakes, leaf blower, etc.

 

[Bo Shrek]

The kids have plenty of toys in the garage. Lawn mower, trimmer, rakes, leaf blower, etc.

Well said!! Get out there and earn your keep boy!!

 

[generalszabo]

Don't be so sure, I've been watching a number of scalpers on fleabay - despite nobody bidding or even offering, they still keep relisting at the same outrageous price time after time.
They'[ve been trying to sell for close to a year now, and still going..

I don't doubt that but that's not what I'd call a successful scalper. I could list a piece for crazy prices but I wouldn't make any money

Also I don't have kids so whilst others saying their kids do play with toys obviously have more experience than myself, the children in my family inevitably progress to their phones and ps5s once they're about 10. Just look at what's sold on sideshow, 99% of that is for adults so that's who I see the market being for, big kids

 

[Antarion]

They'[ve been trying to sell for close to a year now, and still going..

I think that is the trick. Imagine you bought sth for 100 and now offering it for 250. If there aren't many of these figures on the market, someday someone will think "this must be worth a lot" and offering you 225 for it. Accepted. It goes into peoples brains if they only see certain figures for high prices month after month and then they think they made a steal bc they got it for 225...

 

[mikedanger]

I can only speak for my children as I tend not to make broad generalizations of an entire generation of kids based on "get off mah lawn" emotions. All 3 of my kids(girls) are/were very into action figures and toys. My oldest is 15 and of course she has now phased out. My middle one is 13 and still collects Stranger Things/Umbrella Academy/whatever else she is into at the moment. She also still plays heavily with the 6 year old with buckets of toys ranging from Barbies to Lion Guard. They all have devices and enjoy video games as well but that's really no different than from when I was a kid and would go from playing with my MOTU and TMNT to trying to beat level 4 of Mario Bros.

 

[MachoGeek80]

My 8 year old son has some of my video game figures from halo and Gears of War and some play arts X men, some diecast model planes and a 1/6 military figure I didn't have room for. He displays them proudly. Don't know if he really ever gets into them, but for now he's interested.

He plays with Lego and his big hot wheels and die cast car collection sometimes. Mostly when he isnt allowed to go on the Nintendo or one of my gaming devices and isn't playing outside. Given the choice it's Dragon Ball Z on the phone or Fortnite 9.5 out of 10 times.

 

[potato]

My 8 year old son has some of my video game figures from halo and Gears of War and some play arts X men, some diecast model planes and a 1/6 military figure I didn't have room for. He displays them proudly. Don't know if he really ever gets into them, but for now he's interested.

He plays with Lego and his big hot wheels and die cast car collection sometimes. Mostly when he isnt allowed to go on the Nintendo or one of my gaming devices and isn't playing outside. Given the choice it's Dragon Ball Z on the phone or Fortnite 9.5 out of 10 times.

but why isnt he allowed

 

[potato]

IMO, toys can inspire kids to become interested in collecting and create a shared hobby. However, it's important to remember that many kids in foster care may not have the same opportunities to enjoy toys and collectibles as other kids do.

so they read books. still lots of donated toys. at least they dont have smartphones.

 

[MachoGeek80]

but why isnt he allowed

Oh he can play, but not 6 hours day like he wishes .

 

[Bornz0r]

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

View attachment 641441

**** them kids