Something I've always wondered is, why some collectors buy multiple numbers of the same fig? Case in point, the collector that appeared on an episode of Pawn Stars that tried to sell his G1 collection to them:

Trato Feito (Pawn Stars) - Coleção de Transformers - YouTube (video's in english)

I see like half a dozen PM Primes, several Devastors(in both colors), 3-4 Scorponok's, 4 Omega Supremes, a boatload of Blurr's, etc. I can understand having 2-3 of something, for various purposes. But more than that of something? What's the purpose?

And just to be clear, this is NOT any kind of hate topic. Just something I've been wondering about ever since I saw that ep.

 

I don't know, maybe so they can show them in both their modes? Then why have four? I'm confused as well.

 

I only buy multiples for troop builders (Wreck-Gar, Scourge).

 

I usually buy two of each figure if I like them a lot, one to open and one to keep sealed, I'm partly an "MISB" collector, that's one reason.

Other reasons include:

- troop building (I troop build non-traditional figures like Mini-bots, Legends, etc.)
- trying to find the best example/specimen (mostly in the case of G1 stuff), and to be honest, even if I do find a mint example, I tend to keep the others, kinda hard to let go since I've grown fond of them
- they turn into weapons (in the case of Arms Microns) and I like my figures to be heavily armed

 

It's because it's like plastic crack, and if you see something going for less than you think it should you feel compelled to get it even if you already have it.

Or in the case of new toys I buy multiples if I think they'll be worth more some day

 

dude, that collection is worth more than that. the lack of packaging hurts though

 

One for vehicle mode, one for root mode, one to keep in package, one to customize, perhaps one to just pose while you tinker with the other one.. the list goes on.

 

Thing about transformers though is you cna't really tell what it's worth without a close look.

Do the powermasters have the powermasters, do the headmasters have the headmasters? do they have their weapons? Are there missing wheels? etc

 

To me, there are five reasons. 1: So you can show both modes. 2: To have multiples of the weapon for the figure to double wield. 3: To represent multiple figures. 4: So you can brag to your friends that you are super nerdy. 5: To repaint into another figure.

 

Hasbro likes it when they sell out of toys. The more they sell, the more likely they will produce more products. You will never know when someone happens to want an extra item that you want that you can trade or sell to them...

 

I only buy multiples for two reasons:

- Troop-builders.
- It's a figure I really like, but there's some sort of known issue with it that may lead to the figure breaking in the future. In that case, I buy an extra to keep MISB, just in case the original copy I have does break. I think I only have 1 or 2 figures I've done this with.

 

Plastic crack addiction...

 

I like to have multiples.

Takara Versions
Hasbro Versions
Loose and Carded / Boxed versions of both.

Usually I own 3 / 4 of each figure and all the variant / retools / remolds / repaints.

 

To display on different shelves, one for alt mode and bot mode etc.

 

for the guy in the episode, he seemed to only like g1, maybe when he finished the series, he just kept buying out of a love for it, or he bought in lots, and acquired multiples that way

 

I only buy mutiples for troopbuilding purposes

 

In the case of the G1 collection, it was either variants or just multiples he acquired by buying in lots. Or, often times collectors will pick up things that they don't need or want because the price is really good and they'll be able to sell or trade up to what they want. Flipping toys can go pretty far if you work hard enough and pay attention.

For other stuff, it depends; I personally will buy multiples of figures where the transformation will eventually destroy the toy, I'll buy a second MISB if I really like the packaging and presentation, I'll buy variants and deco changes, or I'll buy multiples if I'm really impressed by a toy and want to display it in both modes at once. I don't troop build, but that's another reason.

 

If I really like a figure I keep one MIB and open. If its a figure i really like yet its rare, I usually get just one but debate opening it.

The only other multiples I get are for troop building and I've only done that with Vehicons in my entire collecting life.

 

I rarely buy multiples. I tried to get into the silliness of troop building but that just got expensive. Lol. Ummm... But for the most part I buy 2 of figures I REALLY like. I'm planning on buying 2 MP Soundwaves. I have RTS & United Jazz. 2 Battle for Cybertron Cyclonus. And 2 RID Scourges. Guess I buy 2 just in case something happens to one of them. Came in handy with RID Scourge. The chrome on the trailer of the the figure I opened got all cloudy and ugly on one side. Glad I have a backup  

 

For figs I like, multiples are there for the inevitability of unavailability and the (likely) high price on the secondary market.