Why are G1 figures worth so much?

Discussion in 'Transformers On Ebay' started by hulk23869, Dec 26, 2010.

  1. hulk23869

    hulk23869 Well-Known Member

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    I don't understand why some of these G1 figures are worth so much. Same with star wars. Why would someone pay insanely high amounts for toys? I mean, I do understand the appeal of having something that is super rare and valuable, but at the same time, it's hard to justify paying 500-2000 dollars for a TOY. I myself have a collection of BW stuff and I love the molds, and I do understand the appeal, but when it comes to paying insanely high amounts, wouldn't it be better to invest in something else? Don't the toy boxes decay over time? So it wouldn't make sense to hold on to these things as investments. I don't know! What are your thoughts?
     
  2. Fishdirt

    Fishdirt Tin Toy Transformer

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    The people paying high amounts are either:

    a) really stupid and bad with finances while making a very meager income.
    b) Lives very comfortably. Enough to set aside money for hobbies.
    c) Are smart financially and buy and sell to finance their hobby.

    How about cars? Why would anyone pay half a million or more for a good performance car that looks pretty when, with labor and such, reality says the car is made for less then 50 k?

    Why eat at applebees for 15 dollars when a fast food joint sells just as crappy food for 5 dollars?


    It's all demand and personal choices.
     
  3. Da_Last_2_Walk

    Da_Last_2_Walk Da King Of Pre Rubs TFW2005 Supporter

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    Because there are high-end collectors that are willing to pay high prices.

    Some collectors don't have the same monetary constraints as other collectors. These collectors normally have multiple toys worth more than $2000 each.

    I see nothing wrong with investing a lot of money in toys?
     
  4. blurr69

    blurr69 First time caller

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    25 years later Transformers is one of the biggest most successful franchises ever even imagined. Id say worth investing in, however
     
  5. G1_Cindersaur

    G1_Cindersaur Banned

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    ^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^

    smart cookie this one is :) 
     
  6. Thenames9

    Thenames9 D-d-d-d-duel!

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    First I've heard of toy boxes decaying, or anybody remotely worrying. Your either:

    -Rich, or have a suitable wage
    -Obsessed
    -Clever, see it as an 'investment'
    -Idiotic
    -Doing it for sentimental reasons


    Saying this, I've shelled out £120 on a MIB G1 Wheeljack, partly because he's hard to find in a good condition and my favourite character, but I'd never go over £200 for a toy, maybe for a rare one, but I would never buy, say Fort Max. Unless I win the lottery :D 
     
  7. StephX77

    StephX77 Well-Known Member

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    Why is anything worth so much? Cos people are willing to pay for it. G1 is an engineering masterpiece of it's time that is still relevant today. It has to be the greatest toy series of all time.
     
  8. Automorpher

    Automorpher Autobot Slut!

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    Why would people pay so much for TFs toys?

    Mm..Then I'm dying to know why are Collectors paying tens or maybe hundreds of thousands for an antique?

    And why are there people paying millions to fly 'emselves into outer space?

    You tell me... :popcorn 
     
  9. Gammatron 64

    Gammatron 64 Well-Known Member

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    Economics 101. Supply and demand.

    MIB and MOC Vintage Transformers and Star Wars are worth so much because in the 80s, nobody kept them in box. Packaged pieces from that era are pretty hard to find. In the 90s, toy collectors started coming around, and they kept toys in package way more often.

    Star Wars is notorious for this. MOC Star Wars figures from the 90's-Now are barely worth anything, because there are so many of them. To make matters worse, a lot of them were way overproduced. Many are worth even less than retail (Episode 1).

    It also comes down to popularity. If it is a popular toy or character, more people want it, and thus the prices go up.
     
  10. hulk23869

    hulk23869 Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, finally a serious answer. I do not know much about toys, I'm just getting into it.
     
  11. deliciouspeter

    deliciouspeter Back in Black TFW2005 Supporter

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    Simple economics. Supply is limited, and demand is high.

    Also because you're paying for 25 years of storage. No one gets rich off this hobby. Even if a seller sells Fort Max for $3,000-$10,000 he still isn't making much money off it.
     
  12. Foster

    Foster Haslab Victory Saber Backer #3 Veteran

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    Because Grandus is a STONE COLD PIMP, baby, that's why!