The toy has to be meaningful to me, either because its one of my favorite characters or because it is well made/engineered. I'm past the days of completionism, especially since apartment life doesn't suit it well haha.

Some examples: had no idea who Spinister was but was very impressed by the colors and the transformation, so ended up picking him up. Override was my favorite Cybertron toy as a kid so needed her update, plus she had a lvely transformation too. Victory Saber really impressed me. However I feel pretty satisfied on deluxe class figures in general, Elita-1 was the first I bough since Spinister I think.

 

I had rules. Like only one iteration of a given character. And we see how well that worked out.

But in all honesty, one rule I have now is that if I had it (either as an adult or a kid) and I sold it, no take-backs. So no buying old, used Beast Wars from my childhood: partially just because I’d feel so dumb if I inadvertently bough my own old copy—at a hefty mark-up!

 

I actually have a few in place to help save money, add variety to my collection and keep it looking nice.

1. Must always pass the "alt mode squint test", with the exception of BW who aren't really in disguise. Basically, everything must kind of look okay with some large part of my collection in all modes if I can squint and say "works well enough." Like even though Scourge here is technically too small it still passes muster (would buy up a Core Knockout and Barricade like they were candy, though.)

Also, bike bots can generally pass the squint with 3.75" figures so they pass.

2. No aerial vehicles unless Cybertronian. This is more of an extension to the squint test. No aerial vehicle can reasonably pass the squint test.

3. No Autobots with Cybertronian alt modes Recounting my collection I noticed that I am actually a little short compared to Decepticons in the Cybertronian alt mode department. Only short about two or three... which gives me an excuse to buy Tarn, heh.

4. Focus on fembots the most. At the moment, got about 15-20 dudes in most factions with like one gal each, with the highest number being my 2019-onward Earth Autobots, with their grand total of 3. It feels pretty lopsided, especially because I generally talk to more women in real life. Doesn't mean I ignore dudebots but they're lower priority.

5. Work toward variety in my collection as if it were a cast. So, different alt modes, genders, roles (like medic, scientist, bruiser, etc), molds, and colors. Try to not have more than two of a bot with the same mold/colors/role in each faction, with exceptions like Cybertronian Seekers. This one I'm not perfect at... I'm eyeing up a Road Rage even though there's Optimus and Road Rocket glaring at me.

6. Only get toys who I have an idea of how their characters would work, again treating it like a cast. Keeps me from getting bots who'll just be "there."

 

Rule #1: If I had it as a kid, it is a must buy as an adult

Rule #2: One toy per character but if they come out with a better version then I will get multiples.

Rule #3: Exceptions to rule #2 is Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Warpath, Cosmos, Skyfire, Bumblebee,

Rule #4: No new genre, no movies, no beast wars, hell no to Bayverse, Stick with G1

Rule #5: I have third party but I prefer Master piece

rule 6. All rules can be broken

 

I don't buy toys just to have a representation of a character or a design. If a toy of character/design I like is coming, but it doesn't look like it will interest me in any way, then I'm not getting it. I also don't buy toys for the sake of set completion. If I buy a toy that's part of a team, subgroup, or cast and I don't care for any of the other members' toys, then I'm not buying them either

 

My rules, similar to others here:

1. G1 only, cartoon & movie only.
2. Find the best representation I can of a given character, and snag it.
3. (I didn't know MP was a thing, so I came late to this one). Masterpiece scale only, or close enough.

My last, somewhat unique rule is that when I have room to display them (buying a bigger house this year) I want to do scenes, so more than 1 is acceptable if I have more than one scene I want to do. (Looking at my Legacy & XTB Stunticons, and CW & Zeta Combaticons specifically).

 

Nope

 

My only real rule is that if I can't get something at at least its msrp or lower then I can't get it.

 

Nope.

 

Just pick up what I like. I try not to buy figures of characters I don’t have any attachment to. Since 2021 I’ve started buying a few extra figures here and there to fill out my shelf with characters from every universe. I’m not attached to the UT but I still got Armada Starscream and am definitely getting Hot Shot and Optimus. I still get suckered into buying toys for characters I don’t have an attachment to, and sometimes I end up regretting it.

Pipe dream is to one day create an Avengers Endgame scene in either stop motion or photoshop using characters from across the multiverse. But we’ll see.

 

1) only external usage

 

The most sensible of rules, because otherwise you twist yourself up either not having something you want and like for no good reason, because of a set of inflexible rules, or you mess around in stupidly complex ways with your rules trying to cover every possible permutation and also trying to make specific things fit.

Rules can be good to have, but should not (hoho) rule you.

 

I have all kinds of rules, but the most important is create a budget, and stick to it. If you can't afford 2 of it, then you shouldn't spend money on 1.

 

As someone with self-awareness of this problem, I feel called out, lol. My situation calls for discipline though. I'm juggling multiple collections simultaneously, so space is a factor.

 

One rule, buy what I’m interested in. I rather have a figure that I really enjoy over having several that I hardly mess with.

 

- Don't buy shit just because it's on sale/clearance
- Try to stick to one figure of each character (I'm getting better about this)
- Try to avoid repaints and minor retools (exceptions made for the main 6 seeker jets, Datsun bros., van bros., etc. where the repaints/retools are established classic characters)
- Don't buy multiples (avoid army-building, no buying of "backup copies", etc.)

 

I've developed a fairly long list of rules over the years to keep my collection focused and to avoid going off the rails and spending too much and/or running out of space.

When a collection starts to get too big for its display area it is time to scale it back
Try to keep it to only one figure per character
If I get a new toy of a character that I already have the old figure must be sold/traded/donated/gifted
The new figure has to be a significant improvement over the figure I already have, to avoid “Malibu Stacy with a new hat” syndrome
Only keep up with what's current and being released (Studio Series '86 and Legacy)
avoid going after vintage toys
Avoid getting a toy just for the sake of getting a toy
Keep it feeling like a collection, not an accumulation
Focus on completing G1 and Beast Wars cast
Avoid to many repaints of the same mold (maximum 3)
Keep the factions balanced
One full-sized figure per character This includes alternate versions of the same character from alternate continuities.
However unique characters (Bulkhead, Knock-Out) from different continuities/shows can be added to the collection.
No movie toys (not a fan of the aesthetic and just means less I have to worry about buying.
No Masterpiece/3rd party is just too expensive and over-engineered.

 

Open everything.
Don't keep anything I am not 100% happy with.
Spend more time with my transformers than on the internet looking at/for them.
Don't be a completionist if you don't like a figure in a group/set/line.

 

old rule : buy DIaclone repaints of transforming robots released from Energon --> ROTF, including 3P / etc

new rule : 1:60-ish scale stuff for Diaclone  

 

My top rules:
- Character turns into cool car = get
- Character has fun Weaponizer gimmick = get
- Character is affordable = get