Catching up on the last 10 years since being away from the forum!

[TC-14]

Hi everyone,

Firstly, it's good to be back: back collecting again (both vintage and modern), and also coming back to this fine forum. I joined in 2013, found this site to be a hive of valuable information willingly passed on from a great bunch of people- a real find back in the day!

Returning to the fold some 10 years later, I've picked up on some comments in various threads how it's a little quieter on here these days. Various reasons from what I can gather (life getting in the way and all that, which I totally understand), but another I've seen seems to be a mass migration to Facebook groups. I left social media behind a good few years ago (and I don't miss it and have zero desire to return, in all honesty!) but I'm interested to hear anybody's view on this: be it a positive or negative experience. I can see it's really had an impact on the For Sale activity on here, I was thinking I'd be making plenty of purchases through SWFUK again from trusted sellers old and new... but I see that's not the case in 2026.

I'd also be interested in hearing from collectors that are still active on here how their views and collecting habits have changed over the last decade, namely on things that I remember bringing a strong reaction back then, one way or the other. One being a staunch debate on the validity of grading from those for and against. Another is the Toy Tonis that are out there in the vintage collecting world. I remember seeing that unfold in 2013, and I know Jason Smith lost a lot of money before he realised and raised his concerns. Do people collect these now, do they have their own market, so to speak? I'm curious to know if collectors have mellowed on these topics (and any others you can think of) with the passing of time?

I know nothing stays the same, and I'm getting a little better at responding more openly to change as I get older. SWFUK still feels like home, though. Anyhow, I'll stop rambling on! Some of you may remember I was known for penning 20,000 word essays as a matter of course on a daily basis... you'll be glad to know some things don't change!!

Cheers,
Martin

P.S. I see that's only 416 words, so I'll give myself a pat on the back for keeping it short and concise...

 

[Gadders]

You must've disappeared from here around the time i joined (Jan 2016).
I signed up for one or two Facebook groups at the same time.
Back then FB groups were a LOT cheaper than ebay. But over time, as the groups have grown rapidly in membership, prices have risen and aren't that much different to ebay (despite what the groups say).
I deleted my FB account in December. I miss some of the groups (@Frunkstar Baggietastic group was a great source of information and there was a Lili Ledy one I got a bunch of paperwork from) but a lot were just chock full of crappy memes and loose figures which held no interest for me.
It would be worth attending the Echo Live events which are held twice a year in Redditch. Lots of the FB sellers in one place, and a good opportunity to socialise and make new contacts.

 

[Mini99]

Welcome back to SWFUK.
So much has changed in the last 10 years that for me the hobby is hardly recognisable from what it was.
To go through your questions and answer them one at a time I would say that:
1. Grading is still a subject that divides all lot of collectors. It was a booming business during the Covid years and the the backlog to get items graded is still a considerably long time. I personally don't collect graded items but that does not stop me buying something that is graded if it is needed for my collection but I would prefer not to pay the premium on top of the price that somebody has paid to get the item graded. I see a place for it for rarer items to authenticate the item and gives future owners confidence that the item is what it is, but often it's just a way to increase the perceived value.
2. Brick and mortar shops and toy fairs have become rarer over the last 10 years as Facebook has taken over the sales market as it cost nothing to have a page on social media and sell from there whereas physical buildings and all costs associated with them have increased dramatically. I would certainly recommend getting into Echo Live for their twice yearly events as mentioned before you can meet many like minded collectors and so many traders form all over the world, all in one place, it's like the old collector events of the 1990's, if you remember them! (Anyone can enter the event, you don't have to be a Echo member…but it helps in knowing what's going on and when)
3. And I suppose now we need to tackle the elephant in the room that is Facebook. I joined this forum 10 years ago. And there was so many sales here that my collection grew very quickly but after awhile the sales posts dwindled and I had no option (in my opinion) but to join Facebook. Up to then I had totally shunned social media but I was told it was where all the action was and that indeed was true, items were often snapped up in minutes. Things have changed slightly now, eBay is high up on my choice of somewhere to look for an item and the prices is on eBay can be far cheaper than Facebook as Facebook sellers seem to have now increase their prices beyond eBay prices no matter what Facebook pages may say. My advice is look everywhere not just one place.
4. As for the knowledge side of the hobby SWFUK is still an incredible resource, but there are also some very knowledgeable collectors on Facebook too. The biggest problem with Facebook is that if someone asks a question they will usually get loads answers from mainly uneducated so-called collectors that have got their information from here-say or worse other uneducated collectors. The trick is to avoid the questions that will undoubtably lead to a frenzy of opinions i.e. is it worth getting this graded etc. I personally don't post anything on Facebook other than a claim for an item that I want or items that I have for sale. There certainly was more "dick swinging" on Facebook than here, but I feel that that has declined over the last few years as a lot of the so-called collectors that jumped on the bandwagon after "The Force Awakens" was announced have left the hobby. The other issue is that finding old posts can be problematic where on here it's so much easier.
5. When I have items for sale, I often list them on this forum as well as Facebook/eBay but I honestly can't recall the last time that I had a sale on here but items usually sell quickly on Facebook. I truly would love this forum to be a hub of buying and selling but things have truly moved on and I don't think it will ever be what it was. Facebook won't last forever, nothing does, what will take its place is anyone's guess.
Enjoy this place it's special, I left for a while, but nowadays pop in most days.

I must thank @edd_jedi and lately @Blackbeard for keeping this place accessible for us.

PS:it's a lot but nowhere near 20,000 words!

 

[TC-14]

You must've disappeared from here around the time i joined (Jan 2016).
I signed up for one or two Facebook groups at the same time.
Back then FB groups were a LOT cheaper than ebay. But over time, as the groups have grown rapidly in membership, prices have risen and aren't that much different to ebay (despite what the groups say).
I deleted my FB account in December. I miss some of the groups (@Frunkstar Baggietastic group was a great source of information and there was a Lili Ledy one I got a bunch of paperwork from) but a lot were just chock full of crappy memes and loose figures which held no interest for me.
It would be worth attending the Echo Live events which are held twice a year in Redditch. Lots of the FB sellers in one place, and a good opportunity to socialise and make new contacts.

Thanks mate, yeah I think I started drifting away from collecting back in 2016. A great insight for me in regards to the Facebook groups... I was a regular on social media almost daily back then, but I never encountered them... I was clearly scrolling away not paying 100% attention! I'll look in to the next Echo Live, thanks for the advice- much appreciated!

 

[TC-14]

Welcome back to SWFUK.
So much has changed in the last 10 years that for me the hobby is hardly recognisable from what it was.
To go through your questions and answer them one at a time I would say that:
1. Grading is still a subject that divides all lot of collectors. It was a booming business during the Covid years and the the backlog to get items graded is still a considerably long time. I personally don't collect graded items but that does not stop me buying something that is graded if it is needed for my collection but I would prefer not to pay the premium on top of the price that somebody has paid to get the item graded. I see a place for it for rarer items to authenticate the item and gives future owners confidence that the item is what it is, but often it's just a way to increase the perceived value.
2. Brick and mortar shops and toy fairs have become rarer over the last 10 years as Facebook has taken over the sales market as it cost nothing to have a page on social media and sell from there whereas physical buildings and all costs associated with them have increased dramatically. I would certainly recommend getting into Echo Live for their twice yearly events as mentioned before you can meet many like minded collectors and so many traders form all over the world, all in one place, it's like the old collector events of the 1990's, if you remember them! (Anyone can enter the event, you don't have to be a Echo member…but it helps in knowing what's going on and when)
3. And I suppose now we need to tackle the elephant in the room that is Facebook. I joined this forum 10 years ago. And there was so many sales here that my collection grew very quickly but after awhile the sales posts dwindled and I had no option (in my opinion) but to join Facebook. Up to then I had totally shunned social media but I was told it was where all the action was and that indeed was true, items were often snapped up in minutes. Things have changed slightly now, eBay is high up on my choice of somewhere to look for an item and the prices is on eBay can be far cheaper than Facebook as Facebook sellers seem to have now increase their prices beyond eBay prices no matter what Facebook pages may say. My advice is look everywhere not just one place.
4. As for the knowledge side of the hobby SWFUK is still an incredible resource, but there are also some very knowledgeable collectors on Facebook too. The biggest problem with Facebook is that if someone asks a question they will usually get loads answers from mainly uneducated so-called collectors that have got their information from here-say or worse other uneducated collectors. The trick is to avoid the questions that will undoubtably lead to a frenzy of opinions i.e. is it worth getting this graded etc. I personally don't post anything on Facebook other than a claim for an item that I want or items that I have for sale. There certainly was more "dick swinging" on Facebook than here, but I feel that that has declined over the last few years as a lot of the so-called collectors that jumped on the bandwagon after "The Force Awakens" was announced have left the hobby. The other issue is that finding old posts can be problematic where on here it's so much easier.
5. When I have items for sale, I often list them on this forum as well as Facebook/eBay but I honestly can't recall the last time that I had a sale on here but items usually sell quickly on Facebook. I truly would love this forum to be a hub of buying and selling but things have truly moved on and I don't think it will ever be what it was. Facebook won't last forever, nothing does, what will take its place is anyone's guess.
Enjoy this place it's special, I left for a while, but nowadays pop in most days.

I must thank @edd_jedi and lately @Blackbeard for keeping this place accessible for us.

PS:it's a lot but nowhere near 20,000 words!

Cheers mate for your hearty reply! Great to read, I feel like I'm all caught up, now. I've taken onboard your advice of looking everywhere re. buying, many thanks. although I can't face (a sort of pun, intended ) going back to Facebook. I'll stick to contacts in the collecting world and Ebay, and Echo Live has got me intrigued... I'll have to check out the next one. Thanks again to you both for taking the time to bring me up to speed- much appreciated!

 

[Frunkstar]

You must've disappeared from here around the time i joined (Jan 2016).
I signed up for one or two Facebook groups at the same time.
Back then FB groups were a LOT cheaper than ebay. But over time, as the groups have grown rapidly in membership, prices have risen and aren't that much different to ebay (despite what the groups say).
I deleted my FB account in December. I miss some of the groups (@Frunkstar Baggietastic group was a great source of information and there was a Lili Ledy one I got a bunch of paperwork from) but a lot were just chock full of crappy memes and loose figures which held no interest for me.
It would be worth attending the Echo Live events which are held twice a year in Redditch. Lots of the FB sellers in one place, and a good opportunity to socialise and make new contacts.

Glad you enjoyed the group, shame you are no longer on there, it's something that can be toxic though so I get it, I keep to a few of the good SW groups on there as well as a couple f the classic Honda groups, but I agree a lot of the groups are full of it

 

[Cazza]

I don't feel I miss out at all by not being on FB. In fact, the complete opposite- the benefits of not being on it far outweigh the negatives IMHO. Sticking to Ebay, networking with fellow collectors and possibly a visit to Echo (never been myself) sounds like a good way to go.

 

[Gadders]

Glad you enjoyed the group, shame you are no longer on there, it's something that can be toxic though so I get it, I keep to a few of the good SW groups on there as well as a couple f the classic Honda groups, but I agree a lot of the groups are full of it

Yeah I do sometimes wonder if I made the right decision.. but it was a mental health choice. I was spending too much time scrolling and getting annoyed by all the totally irrelevant posts that are in the timeline. I certainly feel better for ditching it, but do miss a couple of the groups and people.

 

[Frunkstar]

it can be a mare if you get sucked in, it's being consious of not doing so & staying on target, way to much **** on there

 

[Blackbeard]

Welcome back to SWFUK.
So much has changed in the last 10 years that for me the hobby is hardly recognisable from what it was.
To go through your questions and answer them one at a time I would say that:
1. Grading is still a subject that divides all lot of collectors. It was a booming business during the Covid years and the the backlog to get items graded is still a considerably long time. I personally don't collect graded items but that does not stop me buying something that is graded if it is needed for my collection but I would prefer not to pay the premium on top of the price that somebody has paid to get the item graded. I see a place for it for rarer items to authenticate the item and gives future owners confidence that the item is what it is, but often it's just a way to increase the perceived value.
2. Brick and mortar shops and toy fairs have become rarer over the last 10 years as Facebook has taken over the sales market as it cost nothing to have a page on social media and sell from there whereas physical buildings and all costs associated with them have increased dramatically. I would certainly recommend getting into Echo Live for their twice yearly events as mentioned before you can meet many like minded collectors and so many traders form all over the world, all in one place, it's like the old collector events of the 1990's, if you remember them! (Anyone can enter the event, you don't have to be a Echo member…but it helps in knowing what's going on and when)
3. And I suppose now we need to tackle the elephant in the room that is Facebook. I joined this forum 10 years ago. And there was so many sales here that my collection grew very quickly but after awhile the sales posts dwindled and I had no option (in my opinion) but to join Facebook. Up to then I had totally shunned social media but I was told it was where all the action was and that indeed was true, items were often snapped up in minutes. Things have changed slightly now, eBay is high up on my choice of somewhere to look for an item and the prices is on eBay can be far cheaper than Facebook as Facebook sellers seem to have now increase their prices beyond eBay prices no matter what Facebook pages may say. My advice is look everywhere not just one place.
4. As for the knowledge side of the hobby SWFUK is still an incredible resource, but there are also some very knowledgeable collectors on Facebook too. The biggest problem with Facebook is that if someone asks a question they will usually get loads answers from mainly uneducated so-called collectors that have got their information from here-say or worse other uneducated collectors. The trick is to avoid the questions that will undoubtably lead to a frenzy of opinions i.e. is it worth getting this graded etc. I personally don't post anything on Facebook other than a claim for an item that I want or items that I have for sale. There certainly was more "dick swinging" on Facebook than here, but I feel that that has declined over the last few years as a lot of the so-called collectors that jumped on the bandwagon after "The Force Awakens" was announced have left the hobby. The other issue is that finding old posts can be problematic where on here it's so much easier.
5. When I have items for sale, I often list them on this forum as well as Facebook/eBay but I honestly can't recall the last time that I had a sale on here but items usually sell quickly on Facebook. I truly would love this forum to be a hub of buying and selling but things have truly moved on and I don't think it will ever be what it was. Facebook won't last forever, nothing does, what will take its place is anyone's guess.
Enjoy this place it's special, I left for a while, but nowadays pop in most days.

I must thank @edd_jedi and lately @Blackbeard for keeping this place accessible for us.

PS:it's a lot but nowhere near 20,000 words!

We need to start thinking how we can make the site more alive, I guess. One was introducing the app. We're still improving it and hopefully that adds more members or existing members become more interested to participate again since it's easier compared to browser.
I feel like people are now seeing the impact of being too exposed on Social Media and are moving back to space like forums or real face to face interaction.

 

[Mini99]

I feel like people are now seeing the impact of being too exposed on Social Media and are moving back to space like forums or real face to face interaction.

Let's hope so.

 

[weasel]

Food to see you back @TC-14, been a while.

I am still on FB…sort of. I have a profile but I was never much of a poster on FB. I normally deactivate my account between bouts of selling. I tend to use the FB groups to sell as my remaining stuff is fairly niche and I'm keen to keep it off Ebay 1) cos of the fees and ******s on there, and 2) I've heard horror stories of people getting bills from HMRC after selling stuff on ebay and who has receipts for every little thing they sell on ebay?

Anyways, good to see you back

 

[TC-14]

Food to see you back @TC-14, been a while.

I am still on FB…sort of. I have a profile but I was never much of a poster on FB. I normally deactivate my account between bouts of selling. I tend to use the FB groups to sell as my remaining stuff is fairly niche and I'm keen to keep it off Ebay 1) cos of the fees and ******s on there, and 2) I've heard horror stories of people getting bills from HMRC after selling stuff on ebay and who has receipts for every little thing they sell on ebay?

Anyways, good to see you back

Thanks mate, it's good to be back! I can understand you steering clear of Ebay... HMRC have eyes and ears everywhere. Do you give a heads-up on here nowadays in regards to what you're selling before it goes live on Facebook? If so, I'll definitely keep an eye out.

 

[TC-14]

We need to start thinking how we can make the site more alive, I guess. One was introducing the app. We're still improving it and hopefully that adds more members or existing members become more interested to participate again since it's easier compared to browser.
I feel like people are now seeing the impact of being too exposed on Social Media and are moving back to space like forums or real face to face interaction.

I really liked the changes on SWFUK when I came back, and the app seemed a logical progression. Blackbeard and the mods, you're doing excellent work. Much respect to the lot of you! And I think you're right... so many people I know have decided to step away from social media for various reasons. And absolutely no disrespect to anybody that enjoys using Facebook et al, but for me it was just the right thing to do in giving it up, and I've felt better for it. I'm certainly enjoying reconnecting with everyone on here, it's more... (and I'm going to punch myself in the kidneys for using this wanky definition, but I can't think of anything else that's appropriate) organic. There. I said it

It's just a good place to be. And hopefully more will return to the fold like I did.

 

[weasel]

Not much left to sell TBH. I lost the bug about 10 years ago and have been slowly selling down. Life and kids have taken over and the MOC's may as well go to someone who can display them safely.

 

[TC-14]

Not much left to sell TBH. I lost the bug about 10 years ago and have been slowly selling down. Life and kids have taken over and the MOC's may as well go to someone who can display them safely.

PM on its way to you, just to see what you have left!

 

[Blackbeard]

I really liked the changes on SWFUK when I came back, and the app seemed a logical progression. Blackbeard and the mods, you're doing excellent work. Much respect to the lot of you! And I think you're right... so many people I know have decided to step away from social media for various reasons. And absolutely no disrespect to anybody that enjoys using Facebook et al, but for me it was just the right thing to do in giving it up, and I've felt better for it. I'm certainly enjoying reconnecting with everyone on here, it's more... (and I'm going to punch myself in the kidneys for using this wanky definition, but I can't think of anything else that's appropriate) organic. There. I said it

It's just a good place to be. And hopefully more will return to the fold like I did.

Organic encounter... I keep seeing this lately on social media.

 

[Gadders]

Harbert adverts posted on this thread: https://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/threads/vintage-adverts-harbert.46206/
Apologies if any duplicates posted..