Buying doubles: Smart investment or waste of money

[SanShouXMA]

Ok so I've been collecting figures since I was a kid. Not 1/6 scale but toys in general. I've always opened them up and displayed some and others I've kept in the package. With these 1/6 scale figures I've hit a dilemma. Should I buy two or some figures??

Let me clarify my dilemma. I know that some of us buy two, one to open and one to keep in package for sale at a later date. Heck I've seen some of us have more than 2. The reason I'm thinking about buying two is a little different. Yes, some I want to sell at a later date knowing that resale value will go up, but the bigger reason is that I'm a perfectionist. If I'm not happy with the way the figure is I want to change it so that it meets my expectation.

Lets use my Superman 2 in 1 figure for example. I want to display it with my TDK Batman, but I think it's too thin compared to Batman so I want to put it on a slightly bigger body (Probably a Wesker Body and bulk up the torso just a tiny bit). But doing so will also bother me because it will change the way it was originally made. Which makes me want another one so I have the original and the modified.

Is this a good reason to buy another? I know some of you will say do whatever makes you happy, but is it something you guys who collect for pleasure do? I'd like to stay away from the fact that some buy two to sell one in the future in this discussion and focus on the second part. I need someone to talk some sense into me and tell me I'm being stupid if I am or if this is something a lot of you do. I appreciate all your input.

 

[Rock83]

I buy doubles only of my favourite figures,not for the investment...but it feels good to have your favourite figures mint,10 years from now your current displayed figure might be full of dust and colours fading and such,but you have extras that is completely MINT.That is why im buying two of my favourite ones.

 

[GrayWolf87]

Wish I could afford two of some, most of time its barely afford one

 

[SanShouXMA]

That's a good point. I'm looking to invest in some display boxes to keep my figures in. I only collect those figures that I know I'll keep for years and years, and want to keep them in the best condition possible.

 

[Geil]

I started out thinking ppl are mad buying two but now I have two of DX01, DX02, IM BD, IM MT...... Not to sell at a markup in the future but to have the ability to display tw completely different scenes especaially when I can set it up to interact with each other.

 

[Darth Madden]

If you are looking at it as an investment its stupid to buy 2 since EVERYONE else is doing the same thing. If you just want two so you can display them different or to keep as an unlatered one thats seems ok but I sure would never do it. There are too many original things I want instead of buying a duplicate.

 

[Reinhardt]

I tried doing it some time back, thinking I could make some of my money back - and I realized it's almost like the stock market - very hard to predict which ones will go up in value and which ones will not.

So I stopped. That and the lack of funds to even afford one! (like GrayWolf87 said)

 

[creecher]

I'd rather buy one and use my money toward another figure.

The Superman example is okay if you have skill unpicking and sewing the outfit back onto another body, but you could wait it out while keeping an eye on ebay, or one of the online stores that part figures out, for another suit. With Hot Toys rereleasing figures and updating the look, from time to time, a second figure might be more of a mill stone. Ten years from now another Superman film might show up and your second figure will lose it's value, as the new generation probably wont want it, because the new figures will be so much better.

So I'd have to say one will do. If you want to modify a figure, it might be more cost effective to buy the parts you require.

 

[dominishin]

I buy a second if I want to display the "other half" (different headsculpt or clothing usually).

But I'd say your reason is reasonable. I'd do the same if modded.

 

[greatwall]

It all depends on which items it is. There are no such things as wasting money.

 

[DeltaForceChung]

HERE WE GO AGAIN . . .

My take on this . . .

1. I tend to have two of each boxed figure. One to display/open. One to keep MIB.

2. You're collecting for the wrong reasons if you're in this hobby to acquire items as investments. There is no guarantee that the item or items purchase will yield an immediate turnaround/profit.

With that said . . .

I tend to buy by the case for practical reasons (i.e. quantity discount), but I am in no hurry flip it/sell it.

Moreover, the majority of what I purchase tend to become scarce eventually and ends up commanding a good return price (i.e. more than what I paid) on the secondary market.

I don't purposely buy as an investment or to immediately flip it. Case in point . . . I have lots and lots and lots of BBI CY GIRL figures. They normally command a decent price on eBay, etc. among collectors who collect 1:6 female figures. Now granted . . . the economy sucks @$$ right now and it's definitely a buyer's market and sellers are not necessarily commanding premium prices because the demand is not what it once was due to newer stuff coming out. For all the BBI CY GIRL stuff in my collection . . . I'm in no hurry . . . much less any intention to sell. The thought crosses my mind from time to time, but honestly . . . if I decide to part with them . . . I know I'll recoup what I put into them and then some, but not like a mega return on the investment.

 

[SanShouXMA]

Thanks for everyone feedback. Delta where do you order cases from?you must have a lot of money if you buy all your figures by the case. I will probably buy in pairs but if I had the money and knew where to buy from, I would buy by the case.
I don't really look for the return as the reason to be in this hobby. I've talked to a lot of sellers who do this as a business and they all tell me it's not worth it. I do it out of sheer pleasure. I hav yet to flip a figure. My main reason for this post was to see if I was indeed out of my mind for wanting to buy doubles.
If you don't mind me asking Delta how much do cases cost. Ball park if possible.

 

[DeltaForceChung]

Thanks for everyone feedback. Delta where do you order cases from?you must have a lot of money if you buy all your figures by the case. I will probably buy in pairs but if I had the money and knew where to buy from, I would buy by the case.
I don't really look for the return as the reason to be in this hobby. I've talked to a lot of sellers who do this as a business and they all tell me it's not worth it. I do it out of sheer pleasure. I hav yet to flip a figure. My main reason for this post was to see if I was indeed out of my mind for wanting to buy doubles.
If you don't mind me asking Delta how much do cases cost. Ball park if possible.

--

You're not out of your mind for buying doubles.

I'm <CENSORED> crazy/insane for buying by the case.



Maybe I should have been the one at the New York Toy Fair?

 

[EVILFACE]

Singles are good enough for me.

 

[DCM81]

Ok so I've been collecting figures since I was a kid. Not 1/6 scale but toys in general. I've always opened them up and displayed some and others I've kept in the package. With these 1/6 scale figures I've hit a dilemma. Should I buy two or some figures??

Let me clarify my dilemma. I know that some of us buy two, one to open and one to keep in package for sale at a later date. Heck I've seen some of us have more than 2. The reason I'm thinking about buying two is a little different. Yes, some I want to sell at a later date knowing that resale value will go up, but the bigger reason is that I'm a perfectionist. If I'm not happy with the way the figure is I want to change it so that it meets my expectation.

Lets use my Superman 2 in 1 figure for example. I want to display it with my TDK Batman, but I think it's too thin compared to Batman so I want to put it on a slightly bigger body (Probably a Wesker Body and bulk up the torso just a tiny bit). But doing so will also bother me because it will change the way it was originally made. Which makes me want another one so I have the original and the modified.

Is this a good reason to buy another? I know some of you will say do whatever makes you happy, but is it something you guys who collect for pleasure do? I'd like to stay away from the fact that some buy two to sell one in the future in this discussion and focus on the second part. I need someone to talk some sense into me and tell me I'm being stupid if I am or if this is something a lot of you do. I appreciate all your input.

IMO just buy one plus the parts that you need to mod....why buy another if it doesn't reach your expectations.

 

[jkno]

I rarely buy doubles, I prefer spending money on new items rather than buy again the same one.

 

[Bullet]

Theres too much out there I want to be buying everything in double theres to way I could afford it. Having said that i do own 2 harvey dents one displayed as HD and one as 2 face. I only got 2 because I managed to get them soooooo cheap.

 

[King Darkness]

I bought two pairs of underwear once, total waste of money!

One and done! I say.

 

[El Skutto]

1. I tend to have two of each boxed figure. One to display/open. One to keep MIB.

2. You're collecting for the wrong reasons if you're in this hobby to acquire items as investments. There is no guarantee that the item or items purchase will yield an immediate turnaround/profit.

But doesn't point #2 contradict point #1? Why keep one MIB if not as an investment?

That's like buying two identical cars - one to drive, and the other to keep under a tarp in your garage for perpetuity. And unlike a car, your displayed figure isn't exactly going to suffer wear and tear standing on a shelf, presumably behind glass.

I second King Darkness - "One and done".

 

[SanShouXMA]

--

You're not out of your mind for buying doubles.

I'm <CENSORED> crazy/insane for buying by the case.



Maybe I should have been the one at the New York Toy Fair?

Honestly if I could I would buy by the case like I had said. That way your hobby basically pays for itself. Sure you pay a little out of pocket but if you have the money then that's ok.