I just pulled the trigger on AM Smokescreen. Except, he's not for me. I bought him for my closest friend, who is also a collector and a big Smokescreen fan, I've known him for 9 years now. So that got me thinking, do you buy presents for other collectors you're close to? Let me know if you do, and if so, how much are you willing to drop?
When I was in China I got a DOTM Optimus Prime mobile phone strap (China exclusive supposedly) for a friend. Also gave a Legends Shadowstriker MOSC to another friend before. Those are the only instances I can remember giving Transformers stuff to friends.
Have never bought a TF for a fellow collector/friend. Most my collecting friends have more expensive tastes than I could ever afford.
I will buy forum member BBBBlackwell a Transformer for Christmas. We have been friends since Powermaster Prime was the latest rage.
Yeah I've given collectors free stuff before. I know it's bad form to keep track, but I'm not, I just remember them because they were always well-received and it's been a huge pleasure: - Test shot unpainted G1 Cyclonus - BT-15 Binaltech Prowl - Japanese G1 MIB Huffer - Loose complete Mexican G1 Inferno - MISB Alternators Shockblast - Some Japanese TRU exclusive platinum Microns - MIB production sample orange-canopied G1 Ramjet - MISB Reissue Tigertrack but even better are the free gifts I've received from fellow collectors, friends, totally eclipsing the list above and demonstrating the kind of amazing people we have in this hobby: - MIB unused Lucky Draw Black Tracks - MIB Masterpiece Grimlock and Masterpiece Skywarp - MIB unused GiG Diaclone Ligier (Mirage) - MIB unused GiG Diaclone Police Sideswipe - MIB Japanese Diaclone Police Sunstreaker - MIB unused Joustra Diaclone Toyota (Trailbreaker) - MOSC Joustra Diaclone Cromar (Powerdasher jet) - 1984 Ceji Revell catalogue + binder - MOSC CHUG Wheeljack - G1 Sideswipe - MOSC Joustra Diaclone Cheetah (Brawn) - Joustra Diaclone comic #4 - Classics Cyclonus + Nightstick - PVCs, Titaniums, Robot Heroes, paperwork, stickersheets, instructions, styro Probably loads I've forgotten. WIthout other collectors the hobby is zero fun. All the best Maz
It's a very hard thing to do. Especially when your friends have common interests. Basically when you have a friend with a good financial income AND they are a collector, it becomes almost impossible to buy them TF related gifts. What I try to do is think of stuff they think is cool, yet wouldn't buy. See what they're saying "that's cool, but too much" and hunt for a sale/deal. Stores like marshalls and TJ maxx are really good for catching past season stuff that is no longer available at mass retail, and you can usually afford a lot more for the prices they sell for there. I do not like buying brand new product though, especially when there's like a 95% chance they will buy it themselves before it is given to them. It's the niche things that they might have passed over that usually make the great gifts.
I've given away Predakings, Ravage X-9, G1 toys and all manner of things. I've been very lucky with what I've had come my way for presents, luckier still to have the mates I do.
My cousin always coms over on Christmas Eve and we are both Transformers collectors, but i never get around to buying him a gift. Maybe this will be his lucky Christmas, i just need to find what to buy him.
I don't know any collectors. A good friend of mine buys a lot of hello kitty stuff but I don't know if I should call her a collector, I don't think so. She kind of collects spiders, but I wouldn't ever buy her a spider, because I have arachnophobia. That's why I haven't been in her sleeping room for a loooong time. And I don't intend to change that.
