Are prices getting out of control?

[karamazov80]

Sometimes crap needs to go....

Always knew you weren't a true collector. Welcome to the ignore list you poseur.

 

[FLOSI]

Always knew you weren't a true collector. Welcome to the ignore list you poseur.

 

[Boba Ben]

I sell stuff from time to time. There are pieces that I'm pretty sure I'll want to keep indefinitely, but interests change over time.

 

[thenammagazine]

Sometimes crap needs to go.... I'm not going to keep 5 carded copies of each POTF figure that came out in the 90's simply because I was silly enough to buy them way back when. I loved them then but there will never be a point in the near future where I find myself wishing for tons of boxes worth of lame looking SW figures... And don't get me started on the 12 boxes of comics I have from the early 90's.... Worthless.

I've found that I should've held onto that stuff. When the POTF stuff became worthless, I literally chucked a LOT of it (enough to fill the bed of a pick-up...TWICE!). If I'd known then that my daughter was gonna be as big of a SW fan as she is (though she wasn't even a blip on the radar back then) I would've saved it for her.

As for the comics, blame ebaY.

 

[FLOSI]

I've found that I should've held onto that stuff. When the POTF stuff became worthless, I literally chucked a LOT of it (enough to fill the bed of a pick-up...TWICE!). If I'd known then that my daughter was gonna be as big of a SW fan as she is (though she wasn't even a blip on the radar back then) I would've saved it for her.

As for the comics, blame ebaY.

I still have hundreds and hundreds of figures for Gabriel. I'm sure there will be a day when I wish I had kept a few more vehicles for him (My poor, long lost AT-ATs... all four are gone now ) but hell, some times you gotta cut the fat.

 

[Grosby]

I definitely pick and choose, and to be honest as of late I am only buying collectibles that I know I will want to keep for a long period of time, if not forever. And 30-40 HT is a lot imo, but I'm also 20 so age could be a factor as well, how long you've been collecting, etc. I just don't see any need for certain figures. People have a lot, and I really question whether or not they actually care or they're just doing it to show off.

Personally the only stuff I collect anymore are from my absolute favorite movies and tv shows and my absolute favorite characters. You can have character a, who I'm in love with, but also characters b-f, who I don't really care about and refuse to purchase. Some people complete the set, but that's never my concern.

I've become kind of frugal collecting wise, and I assume it will help me ease into the real world a little bit faster since I plan on moving out this year. I already pay rent, bills, food, gas, etc so I'm not that leniant on my parents for support, and I know I _____ed about paying for all that stuff before but it's really been helping me figure stuff out. Not sure why I went off on this tangent.

Yeah, 30 - 40 is a fair amount, I wasn't quite thinking there when coming up with a number. What I meaning rather was that many people buy at a rate of perhaps just 3 - 5 figures a year. It seems to me that that kind of rate is the most common, that's somehow the impression I've come away with after being here a while. Maybe it's wrong.

Still, for those who do buy a great amount, I don't think it has anything to do with 'showing off.' It's just a hobby, something they enjoy. It is for them a diversion in a sense, in line with taking a holiday.

I agree with you about why people buy certain figures, I'm often baffled by a lot of the things people want, particularly with customs. For a lot of people though, I think they like toys/figures for what they are, they want a figure because they like the figure. Often times they've never even seen the film or whatever that it's derived from. You on the other hand I think want a figure wholly because it represents something else you like, a movie or a musician, etc, no?

As well, for a good many, these figures aren't merely decoration, something that's just opened and put on a shelf and looked upon fondly every now and then. Many people buying are also sculpting or drawing, etc, and so it feeds into that. In that way I think buying these figures can be a pretty healthy and constructive use of one's money/time.

 

[erin1789]

I agree with you about why people buy certain figures, I'm often baffled by a lot of the things people want, particularly with customs. For a lot of people though, I think they like toys/figures for what they are, they want a figure because they like the figure. Often times they've never even seen the film or whatever that it's derived from. You on the other hand I think want a figure wholly because it represents something else you like, a movie or a musician, etc, no?

Well yes. I like to buy stuff from programs/movies I like. I get the part where people think it looks cool, but I just don't see it fiscally responsible at some points since it can get out of hand quickly.

And of course I'm not hugely emotionally attached to the physical figure, just what it represents, a movie I'm passionate about or a part of my childhood I can't forget. I guess the meaning to me is a little more powerful than it looking awesome on a shelf.

 

[KBA]

And of course I'm not hugely emotionally attached to the physical figure, just what it represents, a movie I'm passionate about or a part of my childhood I can't forget. I guess the meaning to me is a little more powerful than it looking awesome on a shelf.

 

[SAB]

Buy stuff.
Sell stuff.
Buy more stuff.
Yell 'booyah!' randomly.

 

[willocrew]

The Fair Weather Freaks have a tendency to lease their figures. That is, they buy them and display them for a couple of months and then re-sell them on the board or ebay to get cash for the next "new" thing. For them it's a neverending revolving door of buying and selling their collectibles just to keep up with the new stuff. A true fan would never sell a collectible they really value.

I think this phenomenon only happens with hot toys collectors.

They buy the 1st edition just in case, and when the inevitable deluxe edition comes out, they sell it off to get the superior version. But can you really blame such collectors?

I'm perfectly fine with people buying and selling to update their collection (not everyone has space and money), but What really bugs me are those scalpers who buy multiples to make a $100 profit.

 

[thenammagazine]

I think this phenomenon only happens with hot toys collectors.

They buy the 1st edition just in case, and when the inevitable deluxe edition comes out, they sell it off to get the superior version. But can you really blame such collectors?

I'm perfectly fine with people buying and selling to update their collection (not everyone has space and money), but What really bugs me are those scalpers who buy multiples to make a $100 profit.

Why? What should bug you are the people who willingly pay it.

 

[balboa1976]

Why? What should bug you are the people who willingly pay it.

It doesn't seem to bother people I these boards, a great example of this is two collectors last week posted that they both bought Rambo M65 for $410 shipped and they both thought they they got a great deal, and others here said well done. How is paying $410 for a figure that only 3 years ago cost $85 a great deal I would like too get HT Godfather, but since I missed my chance when it came out for $150 am going too have to pass, am not going too pay $400 - $500 for it. I don't even see why I should pay $300, the most I woud go would be $200. Paying three times and more for a fig is just stupid. It always amazing me when new collectors purchase fig that originally cost only $80 - $100 and pay $300 + for them and think they are getting great deals. Sorry , I woud just pass and concentrate on new releases. Better quality figs and you're getting good value for your money.

I just saw what Ht Drago is going for on ebay, $550 BIN, when this fig came out know one wanted it, I think it originally cost $110, now the scalpers are asking $400+. If I was a new collector and a fan of Rocky, I would just pass, nice fig, but $200 - $225 is the most anyone should pay for it.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Well, I can't entirely blame newbies for paying such inflated prices. If it's for a figure they're passionate about (I mean REALLY passionate) it's really their only option, unfortunately. There's always a chance HT or whomever will revisit the figures, but that's a long shot.

Geez! I remember when the Godfather came out (what, a year ago?) at $150 and thought that THAT price was crazy for a human figure! Now that's pretty much the norm for HTs. That's even the low end of the price spectrum!

 

[karamazov80]

I'm perfectly fine with people buying and selling to update their collection (not everyone has space and money), but What really bugs me are those scalpers who buy multiples to make a $100 profit.

For products released in fairly high numbers (just about every Hot Toys figure or Sideshow collectible), folks have their chance. If they pass, then regret it, and decide they want it later, then they've got to pay the piper. I've done this myself many times, and ended up paying way more than an item originally cost. It's a bummer, but that's the way it is. I don't fault sellers for selling an item for what it will sell for. Sellers don't dictate price, buyers do.

 

[balboa1976]

How about the majority of new HT's starting at $175 - $200. That's $200+ after shipping costs. I'm going back too collecting statues. I guess it's not a big deal if you're a new collector, but when I started out four years ago I was paying $60 - $85, I know the quaity is 1000 times better now, but the middle income collector can't possibly keep up with the price increases. A lot of young collectors want be able to afford too be in this hobby anymore.

What's the price point where collectors well say that's enough already?

 

[grphyx1]

I think forums like this definitely cause a lot of new collectors to want to hang with the big boys whether they can or not. I think the price out is already starting to reflect in that figs and statues are hanging around a lot longer at retailers. I missed the boat on many figures when i didn't have money to get the, but won't pay super inflated prices down the road. If folks can do it then they should because this will insure our hobby will go on.

 

[Darth Madden]

For products released in fairly high numbers (just about every Hot Toys figure or Sideshow collectible), folks have their chance. If they pass, then regret it, and decide they want it later, then they've got to pay the piper. I've done this myself many times, and ended up paying way more than an item originally cost. It's a bummer, but that's the way it is. I don't fault sellers for selling an item for what it will sell for. Sellers don't dictate price, buyers do.

I don't remember exactly when the DX Joker came out but I got mine about 6 months later for $140. And I remember Godfather being on 2nd chance at Sideshow for a while so sometimes its ok to wait.

 

[karamazov80]

I don't remember exactly when the DX Joker came out but I got mine about 6 months later for $140. And I remember Godfather being on 2nd chance at Sideshow for a while so sometimes its ok to wait.

You're supporting my point, I think. Mark II was on Sideshow's gift card list and they were giving it away because it wouldn't sell. Mark I was available on Hastings for a song. Now, all of these figures are upwards of $300-400. Then folks get angry because sellers are selling them for those prices, but you're just seeing market forces at play.

Hot Toys figures tend to appreciate. Now, I don't know how long this can be sustained, and am beginning to think that there is too much speculative investment going on with these things--which can create a house of cards--but at this moment in time, you snooze and lose with Hot Toys figures.

 

[Boba Ben]

I've had to pay high market prices for multiple items in my collection. It's just the way the hobby works. I can't blame sellers for charging the going rate for something.

 

[Marcus Wright]

I am going to argue something that might seem ridiculous to most of you.
I am happy that sellers exist who buy mltiple copies to resell it a higher costs.

Here is why.
Hot toys will not change their prices. And people who want to buy the figures, buy it in any case, there is no lack of figures in the begining.

Say there are no people who buy multiple copies for reselling purposes, what will happen next?
Newcomers to the hobby will not be able to get it anywhere at any price beacuse all copies will be bought by people who actually want to have the figure. I honestly will not sell my T2 T800 for 1000$ right now.

So, this is why I am thankfull resellers exist. That simple.