We are now seeing prices upward of 300 shipped for most figures. For reference , when I started sub 200 was a thing for most bare bones figures , and unlicensed could be sub 150. Anyone been thinking the same? Anyone feel the opposite?
While this might be a bit anecdotal, I've seen and talked to a decent number of 1/6th collectors who shifted over to 1/12th. They haven't abandoned 1/6th, but have turned it into a trickle at this point. I think some people are getting out, while some are shifting.
For example, I shifted over to Transformers and McFarlane Warhammer 40K. For about 300 shipped, where you are talking for one new HT 1/6th figure, I could squeeze in about 20 loose complete Transformers in bigger loose lot purchases. 20 Tranformers versus 1 single HT Shang Chi, I think that's just no contest.
Where do I think the "value" lies right now in our hobby?
1) Discount outlets. If you can get a McFarlane figure, new, for somewhere between 4.99 and 9.99 each, that's pretty decent. I mean you don't get to get too choosy with discount outlets, but it's hard to beat the volume principle. Where I think discount outlets can truly excel is they can replace the former small level trade. In the old days, you could send a padded mailer with a few accessories in a small trade for 80 cents to 1.50. ( This is a long time ago) Now it's like 7-8 bucks most of the time. So you might not like the whole set for 6.99, but at that price point now ( you are still usually paying gasoline, but not shipping), you can cherry pick sets just because like you like the weapons or stand or something else.
2) Large loose lots. If you can consolidate shipping costs, that's just a huge budget saver. Instead of buying 12 different sets across time, each with it's own shipping cost, maybe you can get a bigger lot all at once. Once something is loose, the price points just drop dramatically in a lot of cases. It's also got a more likely chance to avoid tax too. Not always, but if you can avoid tax, that's huge as it adds up
3) Finding people on the way out and spending enough to chunk out a large segment of their collection. While it seems counterintuitive, someone spending a thousand bucks all at once can sometimes reap more overall "value" in volume than in any other circumstance. The more you buy, the better the pricing can usually be negotiated. The more likely someone will throw something in free or add in extras or loose parts or up your odds with a rarer figure hidden in the mix. Get people on the way out, who are exhausted by collecting and just want to be done with it all.
A "budget" way to collect still exists, but IMHO some of it is initially counterintuitive.
Taking a decade long stretch away from the hobby is one of the best things I've ever unintentionally done.
But yes, if you are saying look at the overall sticker shock, then yes, I am right there with you. I got an ad circular in the mail last week. Round Table Pizza. A single large pizza was like 35 bucks. Yeah, it's not just our hobby. For a while, during the thick of the pandemic, a 30 ounce jar of mayonaisse was like 9 bucks. I'm not saying I buy all the things I see with sticker shock, but it's there.
