Buying doubles: Smart investment or waste of money

[SnakeDoctor]

I have a hard enough time logically justifying spending $150 on a toy ... there's no way I can justify (to myself, or my wife) spending another $150 on the same toy again.

If you're buying this kinda thing as an investment -- you need a better financial advisor.

SnakeDoc

 

[ortiz344]

ONLY if i get a deal on the second figure.

Ive been getting dupes of a lot of the earlier SW figs (han s,luke s) buit thats mostly because they are 30-40 bucks now, i wouldnt buy dupes at full price.

 

[Star Puffs]

If you're buying this kinda thing as an investment -- you need a better financial advisor.

My thoughts exactly. Only really high-end collectibles (4+ figures) that appeal to people as status symbols (e.g. art, pre-20th century coins) are ever show a return-on-investment that rivals financial instruments.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

My thoughts exactly. Only really high-end collectibles (4+ figures) that appeal to people as status symbols (e.g. art, pre-20th century coins) are ever show a return-on-investment that rivals financial instruments.

And even those are extremely difficult to liquidate, very volatile, and lack any diversification whatsoever. If the bottom falls out of the collectibles market, you're S.O.L. Plus, I prefer not to have to resort to EBay to cash in an investment.

If you want trinkets for display ... buy toys. If you want an investment -- growth stock mutual funds. You make about 12% annually on average (over the long term), you're diversified, they're easy to liquidate, and they don't take up a whole room of your house.

SnakeDoc

 

[FLOSI]

No..... I open and display what I buy. I don't need more boxes in my closet.

 

[tomandshell]

I wish I had picked up doubles of those Fifth Element bobbleheads--now it's too late and thy're sold out.

 

[The Monster]

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.

I buy doubles only of my favourite figures, Otherwise it takes up TOO MUCH space! I have found that out, That and that Collecting is a sickness ...but a fun one.

 

[LChinoz]

I get doubles of what I want. It makes me feel good Most things I end up selling are the ones I do not have doubles of

 

[SanShouXMA]

I only want doubles of figures I love. Everything else I don't even want a complete Luke Blade. I just want enough to display it happily

 

[LordAzrael]

I could see statues and similar as investment, but not 1/6th. The technology is constantly improving and your "investment" is likely to be superceded by a better product. IMHO in general 1/6th collectors are after THE BEST representation of a character, so won't attach a great deal of value to a more limited edition but inferior quality earlier release. Prime example will be HT T2 figures vs Sideshow t2 figures - watch SSC T2 arnie sink through the floor as people upgrade to the HT version.

 

[KingGrayskull]

There are better things to invest in than toys... Dont know why people always think about it...

 

[a-dev]

I have the same mindset as the OP with regard to modding. I like to have 2 in such instances so that I have one example of the figure as it was originally made - but also in case I F up the mod. Mind you I've never modded a 1/6th figure, I'm talking about 7" figures or Star wars 3 3/4s here.

The other reasons I might buy 2 of a particular figure is to take advantage of different display options simultaneously. I couldn't bring myself to buy a 1/6th figure just to leave it in the box, although I understand the desire people have to keep one in perfect condition in case the display example degrades over time.

 

[Webb]

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.

I wish I had 2,3,4 Dr. Doom.

 

[Penn]

If I think about the figures I've bought two of, it's usually from some sense of security - like a back up in case the display one gets broken or so I can 'revert' back to this second one in the case something goes awry for whatever reason.

But for myself, by the time the first copy does finally break, or at the point I no longer want that figure, perhaps have fallen out of love for that franchise, or there's a better version available or am boxing up and selling I think - 'did I actually need or require the duplicate? Did it have value in that capacity?'

Apart from the feeling of security it gave, I find the answer is mostly 'no'.
I find any money made back if selling the first copy is more that adequate compensation.

Y'know... ...personally.

 

[SimFeliz]

I've never once bough something in my collection an thought 'I wounder how much I can make from this one day?' I also have never bough double of anything until last week when I got two HT Martian Soldiers, and a Second Two-Face. Purely for display purposes.

 

[nash]

always buy more than two.

 

[LordAzrael]

I've never once bough something in my collection an thought 'I wounder how much I can make from this one day?' I also have never bough double of anything until last week when I got two HT Martian Soldiers, and a Second Two-Face. Purely for display purposes.

Ditto. I've never even sold anything. If something else comes along the earlier product becomes custom fodder or I give it away to kids to play with.

 

[The Ween]

Never buy anything because you think it will go up in value. 9 times out of 10 it won't.

I used to buy doubles years ago and learned the hard way that it just isn't worth it.

 

[nash]

Never buy anything because you think it will go up in value. 9 times out of 10 it won't.

I used to buy doubles years ago and learned the hard way that it just isn't worth it.

strategic purchasing ween It's definitely an art form.

 

[SanShouXMA]

always buy more than two.

Was trying nash. But you sold my double to someone else lol. Now I have to keep looking.