I'm giving up toy collecting.

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by transtrekkie, Aug 23, 2021.

  1. Rodr-Evil

    Rodr-Evil Anubicron TFW2005 Supporter

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    What keeps me connected to this is nostalgia, for me at least that's enough, they were my best years, as a child. Of course, I understand your reasons, good luck.
     
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  2. Tenebrouser

    Tenebrouser Craft...or is it crap?

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    Pretty much exactly what I did.
     
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  3. Sunbow Prime

    Sunbow Prime TFW2005 Supporter

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    agreed about exclusives
     
  4. OptimusTarzan

    OptimusTarzan Well-Known Member

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    Cool story bro. Good luck
     
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  5. Ctrl_Z

    Ctrl_Z Well-Known Member

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    46? seems like a reasonable time imho. I'd like to think I'll stop collecting when I turn 40 (at the end of this year). We'll see how that turns out. Worse comes to worse I'll sell what I don't want and keep a few choice pieces. I just really love toys. Kinds wish I'd taken a career in toys but also wonder if that would've soured me on it.
     
  6. Venixion

    Venixion Its always the middle of the night in Moonside

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    If its not making you happy anymore and you have more pressing priorities then do what's best for you.
     
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  7. Terrorpin

    Terrorpin Well-Known Member

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    I myself am not lucky enough to have a Dorknasium, but I have been working towards smaller displays throughout my home. Instead of full on "Display everything everywhere," I'm learning what I want to see most on my shelves and how to make it a display that's pleasing to the eye. Naturally that implies that shelf space is a commodity, and not everyone gets a go.

    So toys get divvied up into 3 categories:
    -Display this all the time
    -Display part time/cycle through
    -Sorry bud, sucks to be you.

    I'm teaching myself to pre-categorize these things at time of purchase. I've already cut my toy spending drastically, now I'm taking it a step further. By imagining where this thing belongs in my house, I can decide if those troublesome exclusives are really worth it. (hint: few are)

    So all in all, I've turned my hobby into an art project. Each toy is a piece of a display, instead of the hobby being a troublesome hunt. I get what I want and leave the rest for the real hunters out there. My time's done, so have fun.
     
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  8. transtrekkie

    transtrekkie On the level.

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    To clarify, the only things I would be adding going forward would be Legends/Core class TFs. The Hoth display is complete so nothing is getting added to it, same for Star Trek and the droids. I have 7 Bumblebees with no plans to add any new ones. Even with updated BW figures, there is a finite number of those I would want (IE: characters seen on the show).

    Also, exactly what you said about physical manifestations of those lines, yeah, me neither which is why I'm getting rid of them. I originally bought them for making little cartoon strips, but the people I enjoyed that with are no longer in my life so now it's just crap taking up space.
     
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  9. AutobotJazz1

    AutobotJazz1 Well-Known Member

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    I been in the same mood too. I'm not gonna into full details but a combination of exclusives, scalpers and atrocious distribution has been getting on my last goddamn nerves.
     
  10. imfallenangel

    imfallenangel Well-Known Member

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    I did a cliff note version that's easier to reply to.

    I've been doing it for over 40 years too, way way way before being a "geek", "nerd" or such was "cool, and life happened many times that made me slow down, stopped me for a bit, to the point of fearing having to sell for the money, etc. But never did and aside some theft and people being asses and breaking stuff, most of my older collection survived. To me, it's never been about "hey look, I have a collection" but that I just love and enjoy everything I have.

    So for your points I see it as per:
    10) sounds like you overloaded yourself, too many lines, brands and such. I stayed with science fiction, robots and spaceships for the most part, and though I may really like some things like Star Trek, Star Wars and such, I only got a few things and that was it, I have a lot of random stuff in a way, but not that much either, as I kept it simple with a specific range to what I'd get.

    9: I'm reaching retirement years in a few years and hope that I get the time to catch up on getting to play with my toys and the hundreds of old video games that I never did get to play... at the same time, I have a grandchild coming, and I've survived cancer, so I have a view about time that differs from many.

    8: unless I win the lottery, I'll never have the space I need, so I make due... and working on my story is very hard at times, having to use the floor, table and any space I can to do it... I even have a room for my collection but it's also for my tools and other stuff. I need to to a major cleanup and reorganizing and might succeed in being able to use it better. Thing is, it's a small room and not something that I can really use as a "man cave".

    You post is a bit confusing to the other person in your life.. your wife or other?, it's coming off strange.

    7. I've lived from paycheck to paycheck for most of my life, now I'm finally doing a bit better so it's better and I'm able to get some things that once I wouldn't consider... priorities, that's all, and yes, choose to do what's more enjoyable.

    6: I collect and it's for my own passion, never cared about "sharing" to be a main reason to collect and enjoy. I'm doing a seriously complex story now, and I do it for myself... I could write it, but I'd rather take pictures as photography has been another passion of mine and the latest TFs opened that door for me. I share on this forums and met a few fellow fans in my area that I discuss when I see them or such but it's not a factor in my drive.

    5: Exclusives are now a money grab, so yeah... sadly some many fans have been feeding that monster.

    4: I set a range of what I'm willing to pay for something, and that's the end of it, and in time, I come across some that will be within that range... heck, I see some prices and know that even if it looks amazing, I'll consider it outside of my "bubble", even if I was rich and money was not an issue, I would still refuse to spend that sort of money over what's really about 10-20 dollar's worth of plastic. Yes, the development and so on is worth a lot of the price, but at some point, it's a question of balance and money grabs. Hell, I've got some low price figures that are freaking amazing and I know that the ones that are 4-10 times more aren't going to be that much better. Basically, I'm picky and when I go to a con or such, I'm very picky and make sure that I have a clue to what things are really worth.

    3: I see this as going back to your # 10 and #8 in parts... Stretched out too much, and so much has become a crazy scenario... so yeah, I understand this one as right now, I just want a few of the coming/present figures and I can't even be sure that I'll be able to find them... it shouldn't be this crazy, but it's part of how things are now... low production, higher price to maximize profits, and the jungle is full of "geek chic" collectors so the competition to just get anything is harsh... very harsh.

    2: food and shelter are the only true necessities, something lost on many. For me, I've always been ready that if I had to lose my collection it would be rough, as it's been a part of me, not just property. Each toy has a life within my head, and I'll never have the time to ever bring them all out. But still, life would continue. My collection is just my escape, my passion, the world I've built and enjoy.

    1: I've done all I could to move away from the headaches. I'll "hunt" as I feel that (and when) I can, and don't worry to much, I go with a pessimist attitude that I won't find anything so that when I do, I get to enjoy the moment instead of the entitlement that I've seen some people have.

    "That said", I'm glad to hear that you will keep your favourites, and that what you seem to be doing is re-evaluating. There's times that I now have so many that it's an overload, I love all of my toys but feel bad that I can't enjoy them like I used to when the numbers were low and I could grab to 2-5 favorites and enjoy them, when now I have hundreds of favourites.

    TL;DR: Life takes turns, things aren't the same from 40, 30, even 20 years ago, and it's something that many that have only started can't understand, as they just weren't "there" and it's hard to really explain. The moment I see anyone go into the "pre-orders, get online, happy to pay the equivalent of a month's rent on a single figure" or such, are from a very different mindset, and have a very different perspective to what collecting used to be like and about. No insult meant, just saying that it's just very different.
     
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  11. Sylent

    Sylent Making Cybertron great again

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    I go through this line of thinking every so often. I get sick of the terrible distribution, impossible-to-find exclusives and the rat race and sell off a portion of my collection, but then, something always drags me back into it.

    I collected Hot Wheels back in the 90's, but it became impossible to find the Treasure Hunts and 1st Editions (thanks to corrupt employees and butthole collectors), so I quit --> Started collecting DC Universe Classics --> The DCUC line ended, so I quit --> Started collecting Marvel Legends --> Tired of getting extorted into buying figures I didn't want to make a BAF --> Started Funko Pops --> Convention exclusives made things impossible to find or WAY too expensive --> Started collecting sneakers --> Sneaker App sucks...

    It's an endless cycle. Ultimately, I've learned to be extremely judicious with my collecting, stop buying duplicates, limit the impulse buys and only purchase things that I really care about.
     
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  12. Capirus

    Capirus The Gray

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    Yeah, this all sounds pretty reasonable to me. I think for you, it's probably the best choice to hang up your hat on collecting. Plus, having space free up is an awesome feeling, haha. Might as well just keep the stuff you really like and get rid of the nos and maybes.
     
  13. Erland

    Erland Well-Known Member

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    The problem with buying online these days, consist of pre-ordering everything and then hoping you have the money 2 months later when the figure finally comes in. I know you shouldn't buy stuff you can't afford but maybe I can afford it today but in 2 months something happens and I have to use my money on something more important but I'll have them money next check... just not this one... you end up getting screwed and lose that preorder or you get over charges on your account. I don't like the idea of having money pulled from my account without a warning. Give me a day or 2 to make sure I have things in order before taking the money.

    On top of that you have to hope that whomever you ordered with doesn't cancel your order because they took too many preorders. Also, you have to be all over the sites on the dates the figures are announced or your gonna miss the pre-order with in minutes of being announced and just hope that sometime down the line one of the sites will do a second/third order or actually put some in stock.

    I finally got an order in for Beach head, for my first Beachhead (GIJOE) just like 2 days ago and he's been "out" for months now. I still haven't got a Slug because no one has one in stock yet even though they've already come and gone in stores.

    I seriously miss walking into stores and seeing 3/4/5 cases of whatever on a shelf instead of 1 case at a time, every 2 months if you're lucky. The Hunt no matter in person or digital is getting tiring all together.
     
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  14. Tenebre

    Tenebre Sharkticon

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    Yeah, I'm going through this too. Not quitting entirely, but paring down. Like way down. My problem is wanting to collect TFs in different scales: CHUG, Masterpiece, and 3P Legends. I got out of 3P Legends pretty quick before I got too deep; they're great toys, but I don't need them.

    I'm at the point where I'm wondering if I need CHUG or MP either. And this stuff is just so expensive. I might stick with CHUG, but only G1 updates...and ones where I feel it's the definitive version. Like I haven't picked up Kingdom Ultra Magnus because I feel a better one will come along sooner or later, maybe in SS 86. And I've been thinking of upgrading my MP Seekers (I have the MP-11 mold). But the thought of spending all that money on upgrading, especially when I already really like the Earthrise mold (and even the old Classics mold)...ugh.

    I got heavily into vintage G1 a few years ago, and they're what I appreciate the most. I love getting a new vintage piece. With modern TF stuff, I feel like I'm going through the motions. So I might just go all vintage. Let's face it, the only "complete" G1 lineup is vintage, not CHUG or MP.
     
  15. SCENARIO

    SCENARIO Well-Known Member

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    Great points have been made, I can relate to most of this. was into MP first and foremost for the original aesthetic but then that all changed plus the prices. There are things that currently keep my interest, WFC has been great.

    I was big on TMNT original figures as a kid. Thought about getting into Super7 but for reasons decided not to start something else…I just don’t know where it will end/cut short which I’ve seen before elsewhere.

    Bit of a tangent: Can relate to sneakers, got rid of everything except for my main runners roughly 10 years ago. Peak hobby for me was mid to late 00s. It was a great time for me personally and I hate sounding like this but being into sneakers wasn’t the same as it is today where it feels like it’s really known now, I don’t know how to explain it but it’s different. I never would have thought back then felt like I was apart of something that not too many people knew about. And if you knew you knew. As I said I hate sounding like this.:lol 

    The sneaker hobby I loved since a youth wasn’t the same anymore. Was acquiring less and less. It was causing me anger/disappointment/stressing me out. I didn’t want to constantly pay 2-3x price for a sneaker on the secondary market, which would definitely be way out of my budget if I did that.

    There was a lot left on the table of course. Now, have I been tempted to use the app in question to get something ultimately pulling me back in? yes. Have I had luck getting anything? no. I was truly naive to think so. I do however keep tabs on what’s going on from time to time because it is still of interest, but from afar.

    sneaker vent self therapy session over :lol 
     
  16. FAKER II

    FAKER II Cheap Repaint

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    I could never see myself outright quitting. But there are times I think I'd be happier if I just focused solely on vintage 80's toys and sold off everything else.
     
  17. transtrekkie

    transtrekkie On the level.

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    Thank you all for the replies. I've seen plenty of people express frustration over scalpers, distribution, exclusives, and other frustrations, but I don't think I'd ever seen anyone post about it in the bigger picture. Like all of those things combined make what should be a fun hobby into a nightmare of frustration. So I guess I was just curious if anyone else had thrown in the towel due to the combined big picture like I am. As for posting in multiple places, Transformers isn't the only thing I'm interested and forums aren't the only places I engage with other fans. I have at least three different Masters of the Universe groups on Facebook that I'm a part of as well as two of the Toyhax/Reprolabels groups on there as well.

    Ok, to clarify the significant other, she's my wife. We just got married back in September, she moved in about 2 1/2 years ago. Most of her stuff is in the garage. Stuff that could be at least stored in the former Dorknasium. Also, we like to do stuff. Like last weekend, we went to Alcatraz. I've never been, so we made a day trip of it. It was great and fun and part of this is the fact that I'd rather spend my money making memories with my wife than blowing it on useless crap that isn't going to be appreciated or used.

    Also, apparently my sales thread needs to be updated, everything that I'm getting rid if is going on ebay. A lot of it's already there. Same username as here.
     
  18. transtrekkie

    transtrekkie On the level.

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    YES!! Exactly how I feel about this hobby. It's not just the one thing that's making me give it up, it's all of those things.
     
  19. volatus

    volatus Cat Herder

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    One solution to this is to use a pre-paid gift card to make your pre-orders. Whenever you place a pre-order, load the appropriate amount of money onto the gift card and only use the gift card for your pre-orders. Then the money is properly earmarked and you don't run into budgeting problems.

    Thanks to Kellen at BBTS for giving me this idea.
     
  20. transtrekkie

    transtrekkie On the level.

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    Yeah, this too! I was just thinking the same thing with regards to Earthrise Optimus Prime. Like, how much better or more "G1y" can he get? A better example would be the 30th anniversary 3 3/4inch Darth Vader figure from Hasbro. It has enough articulation to do the Macarena, and the head has the outer helmet that comes off. Underneath that is the upper mask/helmet complete with painted details where the upper helmet connects, and that comes off to reveal his scarred head, which can turn separately from the lower mask/helmet. And that is articulated at the neck. I mean, I really genuinely don't know how much more detailed they could get. After I bought that, I told my friends that I never need to buy another one ever again because there's no way they'll make a better one and to this date, they still haven't. So then you wind up going one of two ways: You either get the definitive version and never buy another one, or you get on a never ending cycle of each year getting the newer better one and selling off the previous one. And that's just a hamster wheel I wannna get off of.
     
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