How do you focus on what to collect, with new toys constantly coming out, I see so many toys both modern and vintage I'm constantly drooling over. I have a narrow (but wide) "wants" list that goes far beyond what I post here. I'm definitely not a completionist, but at the same time, there are so many great sculpts currently being made, and also from the past. How do you narrow down the list so you can always keep the collecting without running out of space and becoming a hoarder?
I’m not wealthy. That’s how I do it. I just can’t afford to buy everything that strikes my fancy. It’s easy when you don’t have the option. It’s why my user photo has always been an empty wallet.
I have a set budget which keeps me to a few core toys I like to try and score for myself. I also have a space for my toys that I like any new toys to be able to fit into (tastes recently have def been for smaller toys) For other toys that I think are cool I just enjoy seeing others collect them and the photos they post. Sometimes the joy comes from seeing your buds score some awesome toys.
I'm a hoarder. As such, i have limited space, so I tend to be more picky nowadays. It also helps to be deep into collecting toys, years of obsessive searching, so i have a sizeable collection and still enjoy owning it all. Sofubi wise, I'm content to grab the occasional gem, but the days of mandarake boxes arriving almost weekly are long gone. I'm not made of money ...
I usually buy toys that I love and believe will keep, and only if it’s for a reasonable price. I guess that’s the problem these days though, not much is reasonably priced anymore. I also go through my collection and really scrutinize whether I still love my toys or not. If I’m just not feeling it anymore, I usually sell it here. If it doesn’t sell here, it goes to eBay. Another thing is I rarely ever collect more than one of a certain sculpt. The only exceptions I’ve made is I have two Gargamel Gameppas, two Gargamel Garudans, and two Gargamel Mecha Zagorans. (There’s obviously a pattern here )
I understand the sentiment, even if I won the lottery I would have a hard time paying the prices that come out of the "secondary" market. I have big eyes but when it comes down to it, my daughter comes first, then her mom (we're currently separated but it is what it is) then me. I work construction/design/... , and it pays well, but not 5k for an Izumonster HxS Godzilla well. Toy hunting has literally changed my life, I just don't want to exchange one expensive habit for another. I hate toy scalpers so I've been working on finding another way to be part of the market and pay for my extra curricular obsession.
Half the fun for me is watching my daughter play with toys, so it's always cool to find stuff here, I think with vintage stuff the scrapes and bruises are fine because some other kid already had their turn. That said Mint stays Mint. Gargamel is the best! The Garudan is the only toy of theirs I haven't had the chance to play with. Their "Losers" show was great. I agree with Bob on this too, I love seeing other people get the things they've been searching for for years. Half of the thrill is in the hunt (and the hunt can save lives).
I think time (for me) has taught me a few things. Prices have gone up all around, so I really can’t afford to buy up stuff like I used to. Time has also shown me how things we take for granted can change and prices can plummet as people move on and new waves of collectors hit the shore with different sensibilities and trends they enjoy. When I was feeling as you are now, I turned to my Booska focus. Away from the hype and silly prices. Even that has changed—so I’m glad I’m pretty-much caught up within my focus. nowadays, I’m kind of jaded with all the new stuff coming out. The old makers I follow are out of reach or not doing regular stuff. I’m trying some new things, but thankfully, not too much blows my hair back these days. Not the way it used to.
This is a big one for me too. It’s been 15+ years that I’ve been on skullbrain collecting soft vinyl. The makers that drew me to this hobby are mostly defunct, or like @Vombie said not doing more than a couple releases a year… ggml does their lucky bags and the occasional release, secretbase hasn’t put out a fighter in nearly a decade… thankfully Pushead and astrozombies still do… but there was so much stuff coming from my favorite makers in their heydays that there is plenty to be on the lookout for, and since it’s not the new hotness, sometimes good deals can be had. It’s just waiting for stuff to surface. The current makers I collect I take a much more relaxed view on. Like I said I can’t afford everything I like, so I’ll pick up what I can when I can. There will always be more toys. And the hype toys? They don’t even register on my radar. I have my upper limits on what I’d spend on a toy. And these days hyped up toys can clock in at or more than my monthly mortgage payment. If I’m buying stuff like that, my personal priorities are clearly out of whack and someone slap some sense into me.
That is the absolute key for me as well. Give yourself a fairly strict monthly budget. That way you have to save up a few months for any toy that is really expensive which in turn makes you really think about if it's something you actually want or it's just something you wanted at the moment. It also helps you appreciate cheaper toys too. If you can get 7 really cool smaller toys or just one cool expensive toy it gives you something to consider.
I'm actually currently working on a series of fight figures. Geronimo is the first. Louis Pasteur is the second. I'm more excited about the Omake's TBH...
Great question! There are so many nice toys out there. Prices have been climbing and some are just astronomical crazy! My golden rule is collect what you really like (I mean reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally like! ). Try not to be swayed by what everyone thinks is "cool", or what everyone "wants" because it's "rare"! I collect vintage as well as current sofubi. I'm literally running out of shelf space after 16 years of collecting sofubi. Because of space, I am super picky now, and only collecting the odd vintage, select Bwana's toys, and only Buta new releases. Although the mind and heart is easily dazzled by all of the new stuff coming out. I force myself not to buy at first glance (unless it's buta!) -- usually after a couple of days, that impulse goes away, and I don't end up adopting a toy. I think there is a lot of pressure to buy the toy right away, because you're afraid it won't be available (in many cases that's true, but with staggering prices these days, I just have to say no). The "instant buy" is only reserved for Bwana (really cool stuff) and Buta toys (my main collection) at this point, all others have to pass the wait and see test. For toys that are super hard to get and only available by lotto (Swimmy Design Lab, Staaaaaan Toys), I might put my hat in, but I won't pay insane second market prices anymore. I don't regret any of my purchases because of the Golden Rule. For toys that need to find a new home (seldom), I have sold a few things here, but now I wait to donate them to the Annual Suicide Prevention Fundraiser: http://skullbrain.org/bb/index.php?threads/2022-suicide-prevention-fundraiser-prize-list.51386/ A SUPER DUPER worthy cause! And an easy way to re-home toys and give back. Good luck with your collection
Before making a purchase, ask yourself, "If this toy holds no value, and I could never resell it, would I still want to own it?" If the answer is no, then you probably shouldn't buy it. Make your purchases soley off what you enjoy and what brings you happiness. Don't fall into the hype of any given toy, and just collect what you like.
Wow I didn't know that was even a thing! This is awesome!! I'm in on that for sure when it comes around I have a bin and I really would love to contribute this year.
I like the repros because I can actually use them for photography without having to worry about the money, I love Devilman, and Gojira so I'm usually drawn to the classic teal red black color schemes, and then there are some "grail" items, I'll never get because of rarity. I miss Le Merde's resin work actually, but the nods to the past are irresistible.
