Hi all...this might be a silly question, but wanted to ask... So we all enjoy collecting for many different reasons - myself, probably for the toys I could never have/find/afford as a child. I now enjoy the massive selection (and holy-grail finds) we are blessed with in this day and age. I enjoy un-boxing, transforming from robot to alt mode and back, then posing in my cabinets. My 2 questions are this really; - those that keep your 'bots MISB - do you ever wish you could open them and enjoy the transformation, or does that not bother you? - I keep all my boxes/instructions/used stickers etc in my loft...should I bin them, or keep them (they are not in the way up there)? I guess there is no wrong or right answers, I am just interested to what people think really? Anyway, let me know and thanks for stopping by.
Toss the box. (Takara or Con exclusives store the box) Play with the toy. Store the instructions (toss any inserts). Continue to play with the toy. I have an TF alternator Decepticharge MISB....Taunting me.
Buy two, then keep one MISB. Actually, I do also own some MISB of figures that I’ve never handled in real life. I have a G1 Whirl, and that’s a mold I’ve never held in my hands, ever.
I open almost everything. If its a mainline wide release, the box gets tossed but I save the instructions and any other inserts.
My guidelines: 1. Buy to play with, so open everything. If it's worth something later, then great! 2. Only keep boxes that can be reused during any move (throw away card or and packaging that requires the plastic tie straps). 3. Keep instructions, throw away insert. Collectable cards are a challenge for me, I feel like just tossing them most the time, but I keep them. I used to buy 2 of each to play and sell, but that got expensive and I realized I didn't sell stuff fast enough to justify the extra storage.
I never buy anything with the intent of keeping it sealed. I may not be as quick to open something, but the goal is usually to open and enjoy what I purchase. I toss the original packaging for mainline retail releases, but will mostly keep import and exclusive packaging.
I do both. I often would like to open some of the sealed figures...but once I’ve had them for more than a few weeks without opening them, I feel bad about doing it. I know... Keeping the boxes and other paperwork is a personal preference, really. If you plan to sell them or put them back into their boxes for display, you might consider keeping that stuff. Otherwise, put the instructions and unused stickers away for safe keeping and just toss the boxes.
I mostly tear 'em open and play with the toy. There are a few I have kept sealed, some due to knowing the toy has GPS problems, for the most part though I have several doubles of Grimlock toys to keep MISB because he's my favorite character. As far as the cardbacks/ boxes/ instructions...I used to keep every one of the scout and deluxe cardbacks I bought, but I have an extensive collections so it got out of hand. I threw away all the cardbacks and instructions with no regrests. I do keep ahold of the boxes for exclusives, as well as all the G1, 3rd Party and Masterpiece packaging I have. I need to reevaluate again since I have just too much stuff saved in boxes. The G1 (especially Japanese G1) and Masterpiece boxes are definitely not going anywhere though.
I open all of my toys, transform them and display them. Life is too short not to enjoy things in life. I don't care about selling the Transformers or keeping them as investments. I doubt the next person will enjoy them like I would. I also think that toys are a poor investment. Only a handful are worth anything significant and most modern toys are produced in massive numbers.
I never keep a box. No intention of selling. Play as in display. I get enjoyment out of posing a figure. Plus taking pictures to share with the board.
Great to read such varied replies. I echo those that enjoy the actual transformation/play/display...though maybe I should slim down on the stored boxes!! Thank you for all the comments so far, really interesting to read!!
My answers: My 2 questions are this really; - those that keep your 'bots MISB - do you ever wish you could open them and enjoy the transformation, or does that not bother you? For figures I keep sealed, I typically get an extra to unbox. I have very few figures that I have MISB specimens of that I don't have a MIB or loose version of. - I keep all my boxes/instructions/used stickers etc in my loft...should I bin them, or keep them (they are not in the way up there)? These are ultimately questions you'll have to answer for yourself. Everyone collects differently. For me, all aspects of the product are aspects of the collected thing. Box art and paperwork are a component of the figure. Especially for G1, the box artwork and paperwork offer an added facet of the figure and the mythos surrounding that particular figure/character and the toyline as a whole.
Ive been keeping every siege figure misb. I display them like a giant store display. That gives me joy.
Not an MISB collector. Nothing stays sealed with me. Just like the Prime Wars Blast Off I just bought. As soon as he arrives, he's getting opened.
Call me weak willed, but I like to play with my toys; they're just so cool! When they're not in my hands, seeing them posed on the shelf makes the room (and life) a little brighter for me. As for the boxes, I keep the cool looking ones (i.e. MPs, Generations voyagers, Takara or other exclusives) and toss the rest (usually cardbacks).
Oh look, this thread, again. Throwing Out Boxes... Boxes. When is too much just too much? Boxes Boxes and boxes and boxes! Thats like, 3 minutes of searching the forums. Boxes, keep or discard? Where/ How do you store your boxes? What do you guys do with all your boxes?? I'm throwing out all of my boxes, and it feels so good. Thats 10 minutes in. We clearly have more than enough box threads. Ah yes, here was the one I was looking for Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Im not smart enough to link myself from another thread, so here "Mods, can we get a seperate forum for boxes, since it seems there is a new thread every week, and people cant be assed to actually look through recent threads. It could be named Boxtasrophe, since it caused so much emotional pain.:
Each to there own choice, i personally like to open the ones i have not opened and display because i have not got anything to display them with i would spend the money getting more transformers i want.
