So I just made my first majorly expensive purchase on a figure (over $50) and spent $75 with tax and shipping on a pre owned Studio Series 08 Leader Class Blackout. And I have no idea what to do. That price is pretty good, right? It’s the best I’ve seen for a genuine figure in great condition with all its parts, and it didn’t seem like a lot at first. The money came in, and 2 minutes after being paid without hesitation I clicked pay and finish, and it wasn’t until after that when I thought “holy shit that’s $75 and I have no idea what I could have done with all that”

I usually spend money on projects like leather working or other things of the like, but I’ve never spent money on a figure like this. I currently don’t have ANY projects planned, I like it a lot, I’ve been collecting Studio Series figures, and I was excited about the figure, but after seeing that money disappear I had a bit of a panic. What do y’all think? How do you deal with that feeling and what would you say to me? How do I feel better about it?

Thank you

 

Don't take this the wrong way.... other TF fans spend hundreds of dollars for just a single figure/statue. Many people would think that is crazy. But hopefully it might help you with your anxiety. $75 is hopefully not going to mess up your budgeting.

Blackout is an amazing figure, from what I've seen. You just had to pay the late tax.

 

75 is pretty small compared to other toys, like the MPs, or even the amount of money some people shell out for (I've seen people pay 800 for a complete G1 Overlord with his box in excellent condition).

With that said, I don't really think paying 75 for a toy that was released 2 years ago is a good deal.

 

I’m so desensitized i eagerly paid for Haslab unicron

 

All good points. And yes knowing some people spend $800 and well over that makes it better. Just felt weird for some reason, but it is what it is, and it’ll be nice to have. Thanks for the replies, gents. Have nice nights

 

I just set aside money that I wish to save monthly, and buy whatever I want with the rest.

If it makes you feel better, I bought a MISB PlayStation 1 game for about $300 excluding shipping. I am probably never going to open and play it, it just allows me to sleep better at night knowing that I have it in my collection...

Is it a big deal? I think not really; most people I know spend more much more on drinking and travelling, and women bags and shoes can cost a couple of thousands... So just because we collect toys, we are wasting our money?

 

To you that may seem like a little bit but to me and him its alot

$75 for ss blackout is alot of money, honestly the only good thing about him is his looks, he looks great in robot and alt mode but the articulation is very limited and transformation is a pain in the ass not to mention the helicopter blades feel weak and are easily stressed

 

75 is also quite a bit for me. I’m just stating that spending 75 dollars on stuff within the fandom isn’t that much. Again, how much or not really depends on how deep of a rabbit hole you want to dig yourself into.

 

You should've probably gotten the KO version for that money (It's taller I think and has some extra stuff.)
However comma, I spent like 120 bucks a month on Transformers at minimum so 75 bucks really aint that much, not that you should spend money like I do though.

 

Willrhami, forget what other people spend on figures they want. Everyone is on different financial levels. That anxiety due to the higher-than-normal expense should go away once you enjoy the figure on-hand. You may always sell it, if you find that it doesn’t bring you enough joy. If you are able to afford it, it’s good to treat yourself like this once in a while. Enjoy your figure and your collection.

 

Yeah, believe me, desensitization will sink in eventually. Last year, I had to have a 5-hour mental argument to myself is I could even conceive of the money for a leader class... I dropped $180 on DX9 Omega Supreme last month.

 

Recently my sister was freaking out to me since she just spent roughly 60 dollars on something, she's asking me how can I get used to spending that much.
I shrugged and said "you get used to it"
I bought like four SS leaders (a leader costs 60 dollars roughly) without blinking so yeah...

 

Im surprise my wife didn't divorce my ass when she found out i drop $600 for the haslab unicron figure. But again her ring cost more than unicron. -=)

"That's how we do it, make it rain make it shower"

 

I remembered thinking paying 60 bucks for a leader toy was the stupidest thing I’ve seen in years in 2018, but this year I’ve finished the Seacons...

 

Probably you did overpay, but there are toys much more expensive than that. Lots of the larger MP style figures, for an example.

But if you're into crafts then you've got an even bigger money sink anyway.

 

I dropped £200 in full payment no hesitation on the preorder for Armada Optimus Prime from Fanshobby back in June (can you tell I’m a fan?  ) even though it’s not due until out December or January 2021. Two years ago I would have never even dreamt of spending that much on what is essentially a toy, even if it’s a high end piece.

I think you’ll be very okay spending 75 every now and then, but it’s definitely something you want to keep an eye on if you’re not working or don’t earn much to do with what you want after bills as boring as that is.

 

I like the figure but I'll second the blades issue. Gotta be careful with those.

 

I mean last year I dropped 575 USD on Haslab Unicron so...

Yeah. Stick around the hobby long enough you'll either get desensitized to price shock or you'll price yourself out!

 

Prices are all over the place.

I've paid over 450$CAD for a figure (NOTE: non TF) at one point because it was going to be "THE" ultimate version of this character that came with all the accessories/ships that I waited close to 40 years for such a figure. But this was a heavy on the metal and design, and top quality. (Soul of Chogokin Grendizer set if curious)

For TFs, prices have increased a LOT in the last few years, doubling and more, so what used to be a much easier on the wallet hobby, has been placed into a fairly serious "investment" (meant to build a collection/not as "for resale value"). My personal view is that due to the popularity of the "geek" culture, what was once considered a "kid's thing" (toys) has now become part of the "adult world" as the number of collectors and fans increased by a massively huge factor.

This means that where old toys at garage sales and flea markets (and eBay and the like) were more of a "old toy to sell instead of throwing it out", as turned into a fairly lucrative market. With some harder-to-find figures easily fetching over a hundred dollars. Then the evolution of 3rd parties that produces figures that Hasbro doesn't do, or a very different take on certain figures/characters, it's no longer a case of stopping at the local store and seeing a fancy figure that grabs your attention... it's almost a commitment to do the math, the research, the time invested, and either buy/order locally or online.

At this point, 75$ is around the "new" standard for leader size figures, for example, here in Canada, 70$CAD (plus tax) is what I've paid for Siege Ultra Magnus/Shockwave/Astrotrain, and for ER Prime.

The moment it's a difficult figure to get, or not available in your area, expect to either get it online at possibly a bit more, plus the shipping costs.

With Deluxes at 30$CAD, Voyagers at 40$CAD, I look at my shelves and find it a bit rough to consider how much I've spent on my collection for the last couple of years (due to this doubling in prices) and am thankful that Earthrise and SS have been very limited in what has interested me...

Harder still is the fact that Hasbro becoming incredibly cheap, and the lack of accessories and all the gaps ended up making me invest in 3rd parties kits to complete some of the figures, nearly doubling their "value".

And I also have ended up going into customizing the figures as Hasbro has also been cheap with the paint.

There's still a few figures that I'm aiming to get, but the numbers are slowing down and soon I'll be out except for the ad-hoc figure that grabs my attention.

So, if your budget is limited, you need to aim for sales, and the hope of liquidation prices, and the acceptance that some figures won't happen.. maybe later on when you have more disposable income, but with the added risk of scalper pricing.

To get through that "how can I spend that much money on a toy" feeling:

Are you enjoying it? if yes, then take it for what it is... something fun.

Do you waste money on other things? Take in consideration how much some people spend on alcohol and drugs, on going out to expensive restaurants, etc. and if you don't do such, then consider this a treat, and one that is a physical thing that you will have for the rest of your life to enjoy.

Think about the "why" you wanted it, and if you are happier with it than not having it.

Myself, I've been collecting longer than many members on here have probably been alive (over 45 years) and I love my collection, it got me through hard times, it makes me dream and go into a small bubble at times when I need to let the world outside to let me be for just a while... it's not a passing phase like it may be for some, to me it's just my way to enjoy life a little bit more in a way that nothing else can do it.

I consider my collection a part of me, a reflection of what I love and passionate about, I love to fiddle with each one, and if it helps me stay young at heart.. all the better.

There's very little that I've been able to have in life, and these toys have been "my" way of taking care of myself and treating myself to something I enjoy. So I do admit that I hate the heavier prices, but I also consider these toys as something that makes my life a bit better, and for that, there's the old saying that "it has no price".

But in the end, it comes down that they are toys, and just remember your priorities in life and to budget for it from your "disposable income" only. If it causes you financial hardship, then skip it, if not, just enjoy it best you can.

 

I'll parrot a lot of what others have said.

Toys are expensive these days. They just are. And as a collector you have to find your balance. I certainly have a threshold in my brain. I mean, I wanted the Haslab Unicron, but I couldn't justify spending a huge chunk of savings on it. But that's me personally. I just spent 170 on Earthrise Scorponok...which is one of the more expensive Transformers that I've bought.

But it's a heck of a fun figure. And there's where I fall for most things. If they're fun to play with and transform and mess around with...then it's worth it.

Just don't go broke.