When I started collecting, I'd open the bag as soon as I had it in my hands. The last 5 figures I've gotten are still in the bag, begging to be set free...but I just can't seem to do it. What the fuck is wrong with me? Anybody else have this problem? I've always been on the "don't stash away, DISPLAY!" side of the fence, so am I losing my grasp on what collecting vinyl is all about? Please voice your opinions on why you would keep a figure in its virgin, bagged state or otherwise...Help me get past this mental/physical block I'm in...
sometimes i leave the box un-opened for a few days so I can savor the anticipation...kinda like the night before Christmas! Once out of the box, I might let the bag hang out for another couple of days and then finally treat myself and open the bag. Ulimately, all bags get opened! Can't play with toys in bags!!
I have some pretty rare figures and they are all open to walk around when they want. Well I actually still have a handful of them still sealed, but that's only because my curio is totally full. Once I get a new case they will be out in no time. I think it's great to get sealed figures, but I love to display them. I suggest taking some really nice pictures of them sealed so you can always look back on them that way, but open them ALREADY!!!!
Yep. Open 'em lad! I open everything as soon as I get it in the mail. I do have a couple things still sealed but it's only because there isn't any space for it. Even then I still often open them, have a look, sit them around on my desk or coffee table and put them back in the bag for later. Seriously don't believe in leaving things bagged anymore. Besides, are things really that different in price bagged or not?
I love getting them sealed and opening them is half the fun That's one of the coolest thing's about the vinyl toys, the value doesn't drop from being opened. I still have a ton of Star Wars toys from 96 in the packages rotting in plastic bins
I had all of toys sealed and stored in boxes, then I opened them all, and now have them on display. I still can't bring myself to open my handpaint skullwing. I want him to live his life untainted by the germs of the world, like bubble boy ALso i do think its neat, at least my observation, that there really isn't a price difference for new toys sealed in bags vs opened toys that include the bags and headers.
That, to me, is part of the beauty of the bag/header packaging - you don't have to destroy the package in order to open the toy. Regardless of any increase or decrease in value, sometimes things must be stored or moved, and it's nice to be able to just toss something back in the bag and pack it up. I try very hard (now, at least) not to buy things that don't move me, but sometimes it's difficult to tell what does and doesn't work until it's displayed with the rest of my collection.
I'm lazy and running out of space. Nearly everything I've purchased the last several months is still in its original box or bag.
I like the look and feel of figures in bags. It's kind of like when you score a baggy of stuff from a friend. It's sitting there, waiting to be opened and used. But eventually everything is opened and the bags are emptied. I don't even put stuff behind glass as I constantly like to rotate and move stuff around.
Exactly! That is what separates us from those other yard ape scenes that values MIB over loose... our scene celebrates the sculpts and promotes enjoyment! RFSO!
Think of all the poor fools who collect McFarlane stuff and never take it out of the plastic shells...cause they think it will lose its value...
Action figures do lose value when the package is opened. Most non-vintage action figures aren't all that valuable to begin with though. The only exception I can think of (though there are probably more) is the Star Wars Unleashed line. Some of those figures were going for a lot of money at one point...$100+ for figures that retailed for $20. I agree that the whole mint-in-box/bag thing is pretty lame though. The figures are meant to be removed from the packaging and appreciated. That is what the producers intended.
The only things I leave in packages are usually carded figs, not because of value...but you can hang them on the wall! haha. Shelf space filled up? NO PROBLEM!
I was partially influenced on this matter by the Toy Story movies and how it reminded me of how I regarded my toys as a little boy. They all had individual personalities. Later, I had a roommate who collected Beanie Babies (ugh!) but kept them all packaged up in storage boxes "because they'll be worth something some day." Heh, sorry dude, do the right thing and give them away to little kids. As for kaiju, I believe strongly in the "buy what you like, not what you think you can resell" ethos. I do keep the headers and bags in good shape just in case I might trade with someone who insists on having them, but ... monsters must be free! Mothra larvae can't bring the big guy down from within a bubble.
i would pay the same price for one that is opened & unopened (as long as it is in good shape)... but i won't pay the same price if it has no bag and header but for some reason.. the ones that were harder for me to get... i still have a hard time opening them (mainly because i don't have a display done yet)
Been thinking a lot about this, and I think it has to do with the need for anticipation as some of you guys mentioned. I'm not really concerned with anything losing value since I don't buy to sell. The SB/Blobpus/etc is great, bags and headers are totally non-destructable and the figures look great in or out of the bag (still have my Bloodpirate unopened, mainly because the header is too fucking cool!). Got 2 BxH kuns dying to be freed, I just have whip out the switchblade and slice the bags open...AAAARGH! I'm gonna do it! Thanks for the psychotherapy!
But if the header is cool, you can carefully remove the staples and display it. Or are you saying that you like the look of the header on an unopened bag?
yeah - the Bloodpirate signed header is amazing - it looks great with everything intact. All my other SBs are open...
Do people really care about the bag? I of course keep all the headers and stuff, but if I'm not storing the figure away for awhile, I just toss the bag...I mean, it's usually just a plain plastic bag, right?
i have a preference for the bag... i like to have everything that came with it (even if it comes with a piece of paper i can't read). i guess i can pass on the staples. maybe i'm just weird
I just throw the bags in a box. They take up virtually no space. But like Khanate said, I don't buy to sell. So I'd really have a hard time matching up a bag with a toy. There are some OCD freaks that keep the staples. That's insane.
Yeah, I'd say keeping the staples might be a sign of mental disorder! Then again, I'm not one to judge on the subject I just put the header inside the bag - keeps them matched and protects the header from damage (my dog vomited on a header of one of my first SB figures - hello, learning curve)...
you could also just slit the plastic across the top pull the toy out and roll the header so it's protected by the plastic. i really love the fact that you could have a cases of kaiju but the headers would all fit in a shoebox or two.
