just curious about this lately- as i think about my spending habits between my collecting habits (toys / records / books / cassettes) feel free to elaborate or not!
Last year I bought toys between two and four times a month. I would say most of those purchases were online but if I went to a show, I would buy at least one thing. There were probably less than five purchases at estate sales or flea markets.
I buy toys as often as I want! But there are a few factors: 1. Does it fit in with my collection? 2. Is it something I've been after for a long time? 3. Is the price reasonable? That being said, I probably purchased less than 10 sofubi toys last year, which is a lot less than past years. I find it really hard to be excited about modern releases and (especially) current prices.
After collecting for over 10 years, it's a lot less than when I first got started. I remember in 2014-2015, at my peak, I was buying toys several times a week! Back then, I was keeping track of my spending but stopped because it became too much of a burden since I was buying so much. The excitement faded over time especially after realizing I didn't actually have the space to display everything. Now, I'm focused on a few small sub-sections of my collection, so when those things come up, I go for it. To echo what @Roger said, when I go to an event, I usually buy something. Last year it worked out to be about twice per month. And I'm actively planning on selling a bunch...but man it's hard to let go... tl;dr ~twice per month
A lot less these days. Sometimes it might be 2 pieces a month—but if things are slow, I’m slow. i think last year, I mostly bought RxH with a couple tokojis at the end. Other toys definitely passed through. Some stayed. RxH averaged 1 per month. Then it’ll be nothing for a while, then I get hit with some luck. My Booska collection is nearly caught up as far as what I pay attention to. RxH is about same. Things have been slower. I like it that way.
Looks like the last time I bought a toy was Oct '21! I've definitely considered buying a toy from time to time since then, but never felt the urge strongly enough to follow through.
I am very much in the building a collection phase; spent enough that some would croak and others would scoff I suppose. I feel like I'm largely through the exploratory phase, and am now ready to focus on a few goals with the odd pop-up piece here and there. On thing that's both fun and overwhelming is that there's always something new and shiny around the corner, but also vintage stuff to learn about and find. And the in-between stuff! I recently discovered Death Climax Space Troopers for example... Can't buy everything, so now it's just prioritization. Tracking down or saving for what I like and trying not to get distracted.
I’m pretty much broke since I got into reptiles and amphibians. Another very costly hobby. I think I only bought two toys last year. I still check the sales threads and eBay just to watch prices.
Vic's sentiments (with slight edits) sum up where I'm at these days. Sweet spot for the last few years has been smaller < $100 figs but exceptions often arise. For shits & gigs tallied up email receipts for toy buys over the last 6 years. Not 100% accurate: - rare occasions I trade or sell the receipt gets deleted - most con purchases are straight cash or card but gives a rough idea. 2017 - 22 (+ Dcon) 2018 - 26 (+ Dcon) 2019 - 10 (+ Dcon) 2020 - 39 (!!!) *retail therapy at its finest 2021 - 15 2022 - 27 (+ Dcon) Far more discerning in my purchases than the early days, but the frequency hasn't slowed nearly as much I'd thought. Pattern seems to be less buys on the "odd" years. We'll see how '23 goes...
Can't really afford Sofubi these days so I just buy cheaper vintage toys to make up for it ... books will always be my other addiction, so I buy plenty of those too. As I've mentioned before, when you slow down or stop buying sofubi, it really makes you appreciate what you already have. Instead of chasing the new releases, getting all stressed, i can relax and enjoy my collection.
I started buying much more toys during the pandemic (1-2 a month) and slowed drastically from last summer. Part of it is space related (I display all my toys, like them spread out and dont have much space in my current home) $ related (going out more again, wanting to travel + how the economy is going) and last Dcon left me with an uncomfortable feeling and wanting to distance myself from the all thing. I sold most toys I bought then and only bought one since. The IG hype thing is getting way too much too. No idea why now though, it's not like it was different 2 years ago. I have been spending way too much time on this silly app and seeing fellow collectors doing the same is not helping me feeling ok about it, quite the contrary. Super glad artists are selling their things and dont want to be part of the shop drop and lottery madness anymore. I tend to have phases like this. I will probably spend more in books and music this year. Better for my health.
It's two totally different processes. The emotional ride of hunting down the next thing and getting or not getting it vs admiring the collection you have. I think I went all the way into the chasing the next thing to cope with pandemic and whatever that was for me. Now I have a repulsion for it, a bit like I cant see a bottle of wine after drinking too much one evening. Right up until my body forgets the day after and then I want to open a bottle again... I am silly. I still very much enjoy my collection in that more relax state you describe. Without needing that next toy (or the one I just missed) next to it.
Guesstimating an average . . . probably 'something' every couple of weeks, although these days its more down to Hikaru, Mr Headlock or the Mandarake toy gods shining on me with old/cheap/obscure randomness than anything else. Between the sucky economy, cost of shipping and 2023 sofubi state of play, most of my disposable income is now being disposed of elsewhere. Usually in the form of books, duds, bikes or travel. Back in the day, it was something every few days (spoilt for choice at retail and an abundance of old gems on the aftermarket whilst playing catch up on Secret Base), with monthly bills hitting £1-2k+ . . . on top of £200 bi-weekly tattoo sessions. Thinking back on it, that was NUTS! (bearing in mind paying $500 for a toy was almost unheard of), but family always came first and it was all just part of the game.
I probably average four toys or pieces a month. Already in the beginning of January I've bought two toys and three art pieces. And that MVH hoodie. But, this is my birthday month, so I'm making excuses. I definitely cut down since I first started with sofubi nearly ten years ago. At that time everything was so new to me and I couldn't believe how awesome it all was. Now I try to just buy from artists I really love. Every once in a while, like every other month, I'll buy from someone new. Like this month I bought a toy from Garden state sofubi. A little kaiju. I love what I have and have everything displayed. I think the pandemic made me appreciate it all much more as I was inside my home all the time. And prices went crazy and I couldn't afford a lot of it. Though, I would like to stop buying for a while so I can pay off my credit cards. I say that to myself every month but haven't been successful.
2022 was a crazy toy year for me, especially the end of the year. Made 6 figures for the first time ever (thank you hospital overtime and bonuses! ) and probably averaged at least one new toy a week, including multiple “grails.” But I’m getting married in March so I’ll probably be down to buying something like once a month
I don’t really have a set amount, just as the collection has filled up there is less and less stuff I want. And also stuff I do want, I’m just unwilling to pay the going prices for lol. I think there were two things that popped up in December. What gets me is using buyee, once I have a box I’m more inclined to buy things on YJA because it seems like a waste to pay international shipping for 1 thing. So I will often buy things I might not have bought alone on something like mandarake. Though with these items the price needs to be good too. I really only collect toys though and don’t care about things like fashion or shoes or prints records, so I don’t really have anything else competing with my sofubi money.
I'd go minimum 3 a month from 2017-2021, sometimes much more. Unfortunate side effect of filling my apartment to the gills and leaving me without much money to do other things. I spent 2022 not really buying, and sold just under half of everything after realising I'd lost motivation to even unpack my boxes. Am a lot happier now, have been getting maybe 1 toy a month since October, sometimes not buying at all It's going to sound corny, but getting married and living with my partner has reshaped my priorities a good deal. I get a lot more satisfaction out of a new couch or a joint trip than new dolls, things that make the household or both our lives nicer. Annoying thing is that Ilu Ilu has become so expensive, buying 1-2 a year will probably add up to a good chunk of previous years. Of course, I will still try to do it. Oh no.
Thinking about it, I'm really back into gaming nowadays, so it could be argued if I stopped buying books and games for my Switch ... I'd have money to spend on Sofubi. But, I don't wanna ...for now I'll just enjoy sofubi vicariously through SB'ers photographs (and chat). *edit. I'm so full of shit, just been bidding on sofubi