Metal Gear Solid Collectibles

[DarthBakura]

When your figures cost as much as what a Hot Toys used to set you back in 2009, keeping in mind the price jump happened at least two years ago, and they’re smaller scale, with no cloth goods... yeah, **** that noise.

I’ve had no further desire to own another play arts figure. The closest I got was upgrading my Lightning from the FFXIII release to the Dissidia version. Which I suppressed after a week or so.

 

[user 19388]

There have been a few times of past when I saw a play arts figure up for p/o that I was half tempted to order, but I quickly come back to my senses.
The cost of these figures has outgrown well past the quality. I was fine paying like $60 when the metal gear ones first came out, but I honestly think the secondary market (e.g. evilbay) really skewed the perceptive value on a lot of these figure, statues and collectibles. Like with anything, it's true monetary value is only worth what someone's willing to pay. However, these companies like sideshow, hot toys and whoever surely take notice of the aftermarket value/demand and it influences the price point greatly. Sure there's molds and production cost, licensing and whateverdafuque but it's the impulsive buying practices of the popculture kids that drive this market higher. When it comes down to it, its all just cheap plastic molded into a relatable shapes, it all burns the same. Now with the U.S. to possibly see tariffs on import toys, chits gonna be way out of line... first world problems...
sorry for the rant

 

[DarthBakura]

The steep jump in price of collectibles over the past two years or so has really put me off. Advancing the tech is one thing, but I strongly feel they can do that and keep the prices within reason. Take for instance, the Mafex stuff. Yeah, sure... it’s better quality now... for double the damn price. And that’s under two years between figures in some cases.

So, to me, it now feels more like they’re trying to take advantage of fans, who they know good and well really want this kind of stuff. And with Toys’R’Us closing it’s doors, most people have no choice but to go online to buy their ****. And online markets really don’t offer deals anymore. It’s like... if you don’t get the figures the moment they hit amiami or some other obscure, out of sight and out of mind shop... well, you gotta wait on BBTS or amazon. And their prices are even higher.

And I completely agree. The cost has outgrown the quality. Even with companies upping their game, they’re adjusting for it way too much and the consumer has to eat the difference. One might argue, that’s part of business, but when you look at just how much prices have changed in such a short amount of time... you can’t blame collectors for inevitably backing off and bursting this bubble.

Then there’s the tariffs to think about. Absolutely no telling what damage that’s going to cause. Good luck to these toy companies though. Personally, I’m planning on retiring from the game soon.

 

[ZombieRepublican]

I read there was a price hike impending due to price of plastic going up (in Japan) maybe that's why?


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[DarthBakura]

Yeah, well, they gotta do what they gotta do, I suppose. However, that sure as hell doesn’t mean we have to sit and take it.

I’ve seen a lot of comments, and not specifically here, but on reddit, YouTube, etc, essentially stating that people will “buy it anyway, regardless of price.” That’s absolute horse****. Everyone has a limit. Every single one of us has a moment somewhere in time where we finally realize... “enough is enough, this is too much, why am I wasting time and money on these trinkets?”

I started this hobby collecting McFarlane figures (along with Star Wars) and that company “sold out” so hard that it devalued almost every product they ever produced. I don’t even think my entire mint collection of Spawn comics 1-100 are worth much of anything anymore. I might have a few pieces, in the whole of my collection, that have drastically increased in value. For the most part though, the bulk of it all can be had for nearly the price I paid for it. This goes for everything except Hot Toys.

Collecting has almost changed axis. You pay more up front to these companies and see very little return on your investment, most of the time, if any. That’s assuming you ever decide to sell. Doesn’t really make it a “collectible” at that point. Well, except the fact that you can throw it in a collection and call it such.

No one’s asking for handouts. We all want to support our favorite properties, when we can. I make enough money to accommodate my hobbies. But there’s too many of them now and the cost of figure collecting has started dwarfing the others, not to mention it takes up huge amounts of space. I’ve had to start boxing up things I don’t currently care to display. The hobby is losing its “value” and appeal. I don’t feel that doubling, and inevitably tripling, the price of figures is justifiable. And not within the amount of time that it’s occured.

So, it’s been a fun 17 years, give or take. I made friends along the way and got to buy some really cool ****... but I’m out. This is my last year actively pursuing any figures. After that, I’ll just be a dude on a toy forum with his nose pressed against the glass, admiring all the cool pics.

 

[ZombieRepublican]

You should do what I do and only buy your most wanted items.

For example I only have 3 Hot Toys batman, Superman and WW. I'll never need another.


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[DarthBakura]

I kinda do that though, for the most part. I’m a huge Batman fan. I have a ton of related figures, but only two versions of the 1/6 Baleman and then, of course, the first 1/6 Batfleck. I only have the one MOS Superman too. Never felt the need to grab the Keaton Bats or Reeve Superman. They’re great figures, but would be out of place in my collection.

You never quite had to do that with smaller scale things though. I’m not a completionist by any means, but I’m a fan of so much crap that I can’t justify spending nearly $100 on a stupid piece of plastic every single time I want my toy fix anymore. The hobby is finally outpacing what I’m willing to spend.

 

[zechs1125]

Yeah, well, they gotta do what they gotta do, I suppose. However, that sure as hell doesn’t mean we have to sit and take it.

I’ve seen a lot of comments, and not specifically here, but on reddit, YouTube, etc, essentially stating that people will “buy it anyway, regardless of price.” That’s absolute horse****. Everyone has a limit. Every single one of us has a moment somewhere in time where we finally realize... “enough is enough, this is too much, why am I wasting time and money on these trinkets?”

I started this hobby collecting McFarlane figures (along with Star Wars) and that company “sold out” so hard that it devalued almost every product they ever produced. I don’t even think my entire mint collection of Spawn comics 1-100 are worth much of anything anymore. I might have a few pieces, in the whole of my collection, that have drastically increased in value. For the most part though, the bulk of it all can be had for nearly the price I paid for it. This goes for everything except Hot Toys.

Collecting has almost changed axis. You pay more up front to these companies and see very little return on your investment, most of the time, if any. That’s assuming you ever decide to sell. Doesn’t really make it a “collectible” at that point. Well, except the fact that you can throw it in a collection and call it such.

No one’s asking for handouts. We all want to support our favorite properties, when we can. I make enough money to accommodate my hobbies. But there’s too many of them now and the cost of figure collecting has started dwarfing the others, not to mention it takes up huge amounts of space. I’ve had to start boxing up things I don’t currently care to display. The hobby is losing its “value” and appeal. I don’t feel that doubling, and inevitably tripling, the price of figures is justifiable. And not within the amount of time that it’s occured.

So, it’s been a fun 17 years, give or take. I made friends along the way and got to buy some really cool ****... but I’m out. This is my last year actively pursuing any figures. After that, I’ll just be a dude on a toy forum with his nose pressed against the glass, admiring all the cool pics.

I agree with this 100%

I sold 99% of my old collection and was lucky to break even on what I paid for them.
I took a break for a little over a year from not collecting figures, but recently jumped back in with the LIMToys Ismael Deluxe figure.
I made the decision to only collect Metal Gear and Gangsters Kingdom figures. I dont have the room, time or money to collect Hot Toys and their ever increasing prices for little to no return on my investment due to them always coming out with newer and better product.
I dont blame them or anyone else. Im not greedy and usually dont sell items, but when I do I usually want what I paid for it.

The hobby is growing, better alternatives to Hot Toys and they are cheaper without skimping on quality(for the most part).

It's all a give and take.

I say, as long as you enjoy it still, keep at it. I am constantly telling friends that want to get into the hobby to not do it due to it being a slippery slope. I usually tell them to take it slow, set a budget on how much you want to spend and what properties you are wanting to collect. Other than that, have at it.

I would love to have many of these custom figures from Metal Gear, but I couldnt justify spending more than $250 for one figure.

 

[DarthBakura]

Honestly, it’s okay to be selective about 1/6 figures. I’ve been that way for years. And Hot Toys prices have certainly risen in the ten years I’ve been collecting them. They don’t hold a candle to some of these other companies though, comparatively.

I still remember getting my first Play Arts Kai figures and remember thinking, “wow, these are bigger than the other Play Arts and seem to be better quality and for only slightly more!”

Cut to now and I wouldn’t be caught dead ordering a $150 figure with only minor aesthetical improvements. This ideal that upping the quality, durability and design meaning you get to turn around and double the consumer’s cost is laughable. In three or four years, people could be paying up to $110 for a Figuarts and $140 for a Mafex figure. I’ve got a feeling Play Arts will be re-evaluating their business model soon. They’re already introducing “Bring Arts” to compete with the 6” lines.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I wonder why Sh Figuarts, Mafex, or Neca doesn't make Metal Gear figures? Is it not popular enough?

 

[DarthBakura]

Only Figma and Revoltech seem to have any interest. I’m sure Figuarts will try their hand at it one day. Mafex won’t likely touch it.

 

[terras007]

Honestly, it’s okay to be selective about 1/6 figures. I’ve been that way for years. And Hot Toys prices have certainly risen in the ten years I’ve been collecting them. They don’t hold a candle to some of these other companies though, comparatively.

I still remember getting my first Play Arts Kai figures and remember thinking, “wow, these are bigger than the other Play Arts and seem to be better quality and for only slightly more!”

Cut to now and I wouldn’t be caught dead ordering a $150 figure with only minor aesthetical improvements. This ideal that upping the quality, durability and design meaning you get to turn around and double the consumer’s cost is laughable. In three or four years, people could be paying up to $110 for a Figuarts and $140 for a Mafex figure. I’ve got a feeling Play Arts will be re-evaluating their business model soon. They’re already introducing “Bring Arts” to compete with the 6” lines.

I think Bring arts are the answer for the hate (low sales?) of playarts kai

Personally I think they don't have a chance against figmas or even figuarts and after seen their sora figure I'm pretty sure I'll never going to have one. (The sora figuarts is way better and cheaper to).







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[DarthBakura]

I had the 2B figure on pre-order for a while and then cancelled it. Ninety dollars for what should really be a 65, maybe 70 dollar figure is a bit much. For a little more, you can construct a 1/6 version.

 

[WellCQCaboutthat]

So how long before the topic gets turned into what the thread is called? Getting tired of checking this thread and seeing yentering about nothing. Who cares what you think about pricing? Buy the crap or dont, idc.

 

[ZombieRepublican]

I wonder why Sh Figuarts, Mafex, or Neca doesn't make Metal Gear figures? Is it not popular enough?

I've read Konami have gotten weird about giving out their licenses. It was Kojima that pushed the merch previously.

They all would love to do MGS. They just don't get the licence. Even companies like Figma who have it already haven't been allowed to make more...


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[DarthBakura]

So how long before the topic gets turned into what the thread is called? Getting tired of checking this thread and seeing yentering about nothing. Who cares what you think about pricing? Buy the crap or dont, idc.

As a fellow collector, you should care. They’re trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

Sure, we can choose to just “not buy the crap.” That doesn’t mean we don’t have a right to discuss it. Civility goes a long way. Don’t get bent out of shape because you feel like we are ragging on your purchases. No one’s doing that.

 

[WellCQCaboutthat]

I don't feel like you're ragging on my purchases, I just feel like it's droning on about it and when it incorporates things in topics that don't even cover this thread topic it gets a little monotonous.

 

[DarthBakura]

Maybe, but we’re all collectors here and this is an issue that’s hitting us all. So, it shouldn’t be that big of an issue to discuss it over the course of a page or two. No reason to start throwing around the derail train. I’ve said my peace on it for the most part anyway.

 

[WellCQCaboutthat]

No offense, but this topic is come up more times that I can count on two sets of hands, it's been beaten into the ground by many people. Everybody knows the price of Collectibles are getting higher and higher, the only way to combat that is to start your own company and see how much you can put out a product for. The point is is these products don't have to be available but they are, unfortunately they might be more than you are willing to spend but that's why I say either buy them or don't because there's no changing the inevitable. I'm throwing the Derail card and because when we start talking about Batman and all this other hot garbage that has nothing to do with this thread that's when I start getting annoyed.

 

[DarthBakura]

I’ve only seen the topic pop up a few times here and there, honestly. And if Batman annoys you... well, I dunno what to tell you?

And the best way to combat it is to voice our opinions, by the way. And speaking with our wallets. I’m going to wager a guess that most of us have no desire to start a toy business.