I get it, buying stuff is fun when you do it online, you don't get the instant gratification of having the thing in hand. The period where you don't have the money and you don't have the thing can suck. Just remember, it'll feel so much better once you get the excitement of the new toy in hand. Do be aware though of your spending. It's easy to get used to buying expensive stuff online, get numb to the anxious feeling, and spend more than you should. It's good that you're aware of you're spending habits

 

When I started my first hustle in elementary school, my grandpa told me it's okay to spend a dollar as long as you are earning two dollars.

As long as you are responsible I say don't overthink it and enjoy the hell out of it when you get it.

(Or you can always resell him if you don't like it).  

 

This is what can happen if you become desensitized to high prices. He started collecting in 2011, lol

Dad has world’s largest collection of Transformers memorabilia

 

Worst part.. I know someone that's worse than that (not me as I've been very specific about each figure that I buy and not a completist, but to note that I probably have similar numbers (or even more), but not only TFs).

But one thing to consider.. when does one crosses the line between collecting and hoarding...?

 

Now that's one environmental crisis in the making...

 

if that room is everything I guarantee I have more (if 3p counts, and because I had a 16 year head start), but wow.

 

Eh, you're experiencing sticker shock from your first big aftermarket purchase. It'll go away eventually. You'll either get desensitized to spending that kind of money or you'll price yourself out of certain things in the future. Plus, at retail Blackout was $50-$55 here in the US depending on where you picked him up from so $75 isn't a bad "late tax" on a two-year-old in demand Transformer. Trust me... it could have been worse. I can say that the desensitizing usually starts once you get the figure in hand though. Usually, you have that thrill of finally purchasing that thing you've been eyeing for a while, then you have the realization that you just spent a lot of money on that thing that could have gone to a lot more stuff instead of just the one thing, but then when you get the figure in hand that feeling starts to go away as long as you end up not being disappointed in what you bought once you get it. Each time it'll get easier and easier until you don't feel the buyer's remorse aspect anymore. Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

I currently have two $1000+ figures in my collection, so I personally wouldnt sweat $75 for an aftermarket figure if I really really wanted it.

 

Meh, I’d say it’s a good deal, considering the figure has likely not shown up in stores for a while now. Blackout’s a fun dude, so I’d say you made a good purchase (even if yours has the decal defect like mine did).

Plus, it could be worse; you could’ve spent 90 dollars on Overload, find him at Target and pick him up for 30 bucks there, and then two days later have the second Overload come in the mail. No guesses on who that happened to.

 

Wow, this was a great message. Thank you for putting in the time to write this. Transformers holds a very specific place in my heart like MANY others, and I have had a specific goal of a few figures I’ve been going after. It’s only about 10 figures and I have purchased 8 of them, and that was one of the last two. I wanted to get the characters and figures I love, quality over quantity, and this was one of the ones I wanted on that short list compared to some other’s collections. With Star Wars especially I’ve wanted to build up a collection of figures, but as the price has gotten way larger, it becomes very messy. I am 17 now, and as a kid I didn’t have the figures I wanted, I usually opted for the LEGO sets, which I still have and love, but as an adult I want the characters and designs I love from the films, not the enjoyable play sets I had back then.

The same thing applies to Transformers. I never had the toys as a kid, and it wasn’t until a couple years ago with the Studio Series line that I wanted to start a collection. But again as figures get better and better the price goes up and the paint applications get slightly worse. The paint I can get over in most instances, even though I wish it was better, but the price for me as a person that loves to do big projects relating to film props and costume oriented things outside of building collections, it can be a strange transition. And I don’t frequently get paid unless I get a job from a neighbor, so.

It really depends on what’s happening with projects, I guess. But for a smaller collection, with a planned amount of figures, I probably get over the price on this. I wanted to thank you for sending a lengthy message, it really helped to see it, and it meant a lot. Messages like this help me a lot and really contribute to the life of the forum.

 

Hehehehe yeah that sounds bad. Hopefully that “mystery man” can get a proper resale on that figure and get money back lol

 

What two figures would total over 1k if you don't mind me asking?

 

I think its not fair in the thread to critique what isn't or is expensive, everyone is in their own financial situation and as a community should respect that.
Me personally I would not spend 75 for late tax on SS movie figure. But if you enjoy it then you do you I hope the figure is what you wanted  

I think we do need a separate thread or discussion about compulsive buying without taking a second to ask if I should "Is this figure really necessary to my collecting habits or is it something to give me some dopamine?"

 

Thanks guys, this all meant a lot. Again, to some if doesn’t seem like a lot, but yeah, first time big purchase can be a weird feeling. It was nice to wake up this morning and see responses from people helping me out, it certainly made me feel better about the purchase. I wish I could reply individually, but there were so many it would just be impossible. Thanks again everyone

 

Thank you, exactly. For me, being a teenager that loves to make things and do big projects that frequently cost over $100, that money is almost a whole project right there. I also don’t have a consistent job, so I get decent pay from doing tough yard work for neighbors, which pays well, but comes and goes. And so I don’t know when I’ll get money for projects again if I want to do one. It’s a precarious and complex banking system. Good to remind people that finances are all different to different people.

 

Of course man I was in your boat back in highschool, getting a voyager was a big decision maker because that could've been gas money or something else. Do i regret it? never cause if it wasn't for CHUG I wouldn't have ever got back into TF

 

I feel like there’s a perfect middle ground between what I felt last night when I posted this and feeling nothing about purchases, where you’re like, “ok, I spent x amount, I’ll wait for y and z later to recoup my funds.” But last night was full on paranoia, lol. I’ve ALWAYS suffered from that feeling of online purchases and gratification. If you ask my family how many times a week I will mention shipping speeds, I feel it would be a large number... But in most cases, the things I purchase are older or harder to find and therefor can only really be purchased online. I’ve had problems with waiting on that stuff. But, I am feeling a lot better now with peoples replies, and this is the most expensive figure I planned for in my collection as of now, so. Should be good! Thanks for the comment!

 

Ultimetal Battle Damaged Optimus Prime and Hot Toys Hulkbuster

 

You're very welcome. And I understand where you're at... there were times that even a 10$ figure was a huge thing for me, as it could mean a toy for me, or food for my children.

By my teen years, my collection consisted of the few precious birthday and Christmas gifts and what I would be able to get from any source. TFs didn't even exist then, so that at least was a good thing(?). I started working at a fairly young age, but also had to survive, so I'd get the few that I could, and my "main love" for robots was more from the Robotech/Shogun Warriors/Gundam type universes, while Transformers were a limited thing aside that I'd be quite into them, the cartoons, the comics, etc. but not so much for the figures, but would get those I could.

Now, I'd say TFs are about half of my collection, but I don't stop at anything... if it looks good, fits with my "world of toys", they will be crossed-over. (check my graphic novel "True Origins" - link in my signature below, and you'll see that I do mix my figures up quite a bit, building sets with cardboard, rulers and markers, with items from thrifts stores, etc.)

But know that Transformers have been around for decades and I don't believe that they'll be going anywhere soon, and if the last few years are an example, odds are that at one point, old will be new again and we'll get a new generation of possibly improved engineering versions at some point.. at least, I would hope so.

I will admit that the last couple of years have been quite exceptional as we did get a rehash of modern engineering of the very first G1 figures such as the Combiners (Prime wars) and the Siege bringing back quality plastic and amazing figures, while SS that at first were not very impressive and barely improved the "original" version (same being nothing more than repainted exact same molds), the last few have been very nice... I can state that for example, if you can get a Shatter (deluxe), I would believe that you'd love it, it's one of my favourites of this year.

But look out for sales, collectors here that might be selling their collections (part), even try to find local Facebook groups or such as for example, in my area, I've been able to get a few figures at a very fair price in perfect conditions. Local "cons" or "geek garage sales" can be a great source for cheap figures too.

Online, some stores will have great sales and consider that even a "cheap" and unpopular figure might end up being a favourite for you... watch videos but take the "critics" with a grain of salt and judge for yourself before dismissing a figure, and also the opposite... some figure will have some people screaming about how great it is, and it turns out that it's all about their take and nostalgia about the character over the quality of the figure.

And most of all.. have fun, and enjoy your "toys"!