Has the pandemic changed your attitude to your collecting?

[poncho]

I've realised I need to downsize

I really should display stuff what's the point in collecting if I cant show it.

Maybe I should get rid of my high end stuff. now vintage starwars is more popular (lockdown purchasing and the influx of the mandalorian) and people are paying more for stuff that isn't worth more in the first place lol.

I saw a complete loose luke jedi sell for £75 just.

 

[jayums]

I really should display stuff what's the point in collecting if I cant show it.

That's how I feel about it too!

If I had a giant loft space or something I would maybe feel different , but having sold all my stuff off (and starting again !) my intention is to rebuild a complete loose set on shelves (possibly minus last 17 as I'm not that fussed by them enough to pay the prices), a few mocs , and a few of my favourite playsets / vehicles knocking around the place to give me the vintage vibes now and again.

 

[Palifan]

I really should display stuff what's the point in collecting if I cant show it.

That's how I feel about it too!

If I had a giant loft space or something I would maybe feel different , but having sold all my stuff off (and starting again !) my intention is to rebuild a complete loose set on shelves (possibly minus last 17 as I'm not that fussed by them enough to pay the prices), a few mocs , and a few of my favourite playsets / vehicles knocking around the place to give me the vintage vibes now and again.

That sounds the same as me as well and I have been slowly letting things go over the past few years that I either have doubles of or don't have the space for. One bonus is that I've sold a fair amount to different members on here which is nice to know that they've gone to good homes and also that I've helped a few people out with their focuses. There's still more to go though and I have that dilemma of keeping items I like but knowing I will probably never display them. There's no way that I'm going to display the vintage AT-AT for instance but do I keep an iconic piece that I never look at or let it go? It's a hard decision and I feel that when I need the money for something else maybe that's the time to move it on.

The problem i have is that I always seem to think of something toy related to start collecting :lol:

Ian

 

[jayums]

Ha well Ian. I'm looking for a decent AT-AT , so if you do move it on give the heads up :lol: . I missed out on a lovely one for sale on here a few weeks back from Sean, but did get a nice x wing.

I am enjoying collecting again but will stick to things I know I genuinely like seeing around , not just to fulfil that part of my brain which tells me to be completist or worry about the wrong colour blaster etc .

As for the pandemic , I do think it has given us time to reflect on things, and as much as I like my collecting , the things I want to do at the moment is to see family safely, have a pint in a pub , and enjoy live music. Also lose some weight :lol:

 

[theforceuk]

No but the flipping prices have!

 

[StarWarsFan]

No but the flipping prices have!

Totally agree on prices its mental.

 

[Admiral Snackbar]

Funnily enough yes. It's kick started my replacing things I gave away. I'm sure the psychology is something to do with yearning for happier times, but it's been fun so far.

 

[coomber75]

ive had simmilar thoughts, and about to sell all my vehicles that are in the loft and not on display and in all likelihood never will be.
on the plus side had to create a home office so now spend days surrounded by a smaller but great collection.
sadly no atat i can let you have mate

 

[edd_jedi]

I've been considering downsizing my collection for a while. My biggest problem is that literally nothing is on display, since moving into this flat we have had 2 kids so what used to be my office and 'display room' is now their bedroom. My entire collection is boxed up. It does make me sad that I can't see any of it, but whenever I open up the boxes to have a look I know I would find it very hard to sell any of it.

Also due to massive price rises in the last 10 years I have some major regrets about 'high end' items I sold back then, so I am reluctant to make the same mistake again. Obviously we don't know if prices will continue to rise, I think there's a very real chance interest and therefore prices will drop in future once we all start kicking the bucket!

We are looking to move in the near future, so I hope it won't be too long until I can display things again.

 

[Michael Sith]

Edd like you say hopefully a move will give you back the space you need to display.

It's funny but when your house hunting one of your Pre requisites will be " is there a room I can use for SW display" :lol:

We are lucky as both kids are grown up and married so I have my lads old bedroom as an office area to work from home, surrounded by my collection, that day will come for you Edd, kids fly the nest...Vintage is for life :lol:

 

[TheJabbaWookie]

I saw a complete loose luke jedi sell for £75 just.

Ha that's nothing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143915246685

 

[edd_jedi]

Ha that's nothing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143915246685

WTAF?!

 

[Mini99]

Ha that's nothing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143915246685

WTAF?!

I'm sure that these auctions can't be for real...can they?

 

[lejackal]

So it's a Luke Jedi, a Warok, or my selection- a Paliyoy 41 back Han Bespin :lol:

 

[jayums]

At this rate your minty loose run could be nearer 10k than 5

This kind of thing to me is complete insanity . I love the vintage line to bits , but in all likelihood this figure will be reproduced for a retro line for a tenner next year. If you love the nostalgic feels, that will do the job, and you can't blame people for thinking that way. In my mind you only pay 200 quid for a Luke Jedi if you see your vintage collection primarily as an investment. Obviously people can do what they like with their own money, I can't be the only one on here that thinks this is thoroughly depressing. Maybe it's sour grapes because I don't have the money, but I just don't think I would want to exchange 200 quid for a single lump of very reproducible plastic , and especially one that is ten a penny in vgc .

Furthermore, when loosies like this are fetching hundreds, it invariably means the next wave of repro will be even more likely be indistinguishable from vintage. The next Stan solo won't put his stamp on the legs. What then?

 

[Crumm]

It certainly has as far as prices are concerned, I just had my eye on a minty Biker Scout on fleabay
Ended up selling for £63!...£63!...For a Biker Scout. I mean, they are a great figure, and I really want to add a minty one to my collection, but not at £63! and it was not even a Ledy or short mouth or anything like that.

I am prepared to stump up reasonable cash for good figures, but that is taking the piss! I understand how Jayums feels, I don't have tons of money lying around to be able to compete, I just want to complete a mint loose run because I love the figures. I don't see them as an "investment", just a part of my childhood that I would like to re-capture.

Things have gone insane, and if it stays this way, or gets worse, I will probably never finish the run that I started four years ago.

However, on the flip side, the 43 figures that I have collected so far are rocketing in value. Not that they will ever be sold though.

 

[Diamond76]

I could be one of the idiots that has started collecting during lockdown. However the price of the originals figures is far too much and I have bought the Modern Retro Collection instead because they look very similar to the figures I had as a child. I think there is a review somewhere comparing them. I have branched out to the POTF 12" it again these aren't true retro but some come with a hefty price tag!!

 

[Crumm]

I could be one of the idiots that has started collecting during lockdown. However the price of the originals figures is far too much and I have bought the Modern Retro Collection instead because they look very similar to the figures I had as a child. I think there is a review somewhere comparing them. I have branched out to the POTF 12" it again these aren't true retro but some come with a hefty price tag!!

I wouldn't say that Diamond, you started because you wanted to collect the figures, same as everyone on here. But you too have noticed that the prices are crazy, it's a real shame that people who just want to collect for the love of the hobby/ childhood reasons now seem to be seriously priced out, even with some of the basic figures.

Perhaps "idiots" was a bit of a strong word, I will edit that.

 

[Diamond76]

I could be one of the idiots that has started collecting during lockdown. However the price of the originals figures is far too much and I have bought the Modern Retro Collection instead because they look very similar to the figures I had as a child. I think there is a review somewhere comparing them. I have branched out to the POTF 12" it again these aren't true retro but some come with a hefty price tag!!

I wouldn't say that Diamond, you started because you wanted to collect the figures, same as everyone on here. But you too have noticed that the prices are crazy, it's a real shame that people who just want to collect for the love of the hobby/ childhood reasons now seem to be seriously priced out, even with some of the basic figures.

Perhaps "idiots" was a bit of a strong word, I will edit that.

I think idiots was mild

 

[jayums]

I think the thing to always remember with eBay is that it doesn't reflect what an item is worth , just often what it is worth to the 2-3 people who happen to be prepared to bid silly sums at a particular given time. As for 65 quid biker scouts, there is never any reason to pay that much, they are common as muck. A bit of patience and the same condition one will turn up for half that figure or less.

I don't know what is going on at the moment re: prices. Perhaps there are a lot of people working from home, not spending on other stuff / going out etc, or having a tough time of it and tuning out with childhood nostalgia.

I'm collecting a loose run at the moment, but I won't ever complete it . Even if the money wasn't an issue and I had 350 quid to spend on a minty pop up r2, I'd always rather spend it on something else (Star Wars vintage or otherwise!). So in that sense, the prices for me long since exceeded the intrinsic value of the figures.

 

[jayums]

I could be one of the idiots that has started collecting during lockdown. However the price of the originals figures is far too much and I have bought the Modern Retro Collection instead because they look very similar to the figures I had as a child. I think there is a review somewhere comparing them. I have branched out to the POTF 12" it again these aren't true retro but some come with a hefty price tag!!

Wave 2 of the retro collection in particular are really good figures. If you just want the vintage feels without breaking the bank I would recommend them. The packaging is dire, but loose they are great.

 

[Diamond76]

I could be one of the idiots that has started collecting during lockdown. However the price of the originals figures is far too much and I have bought the Modern Retro Collection instead because they look very similar to the figures I had as a child. I think there is a review somewhere comparing them. I have branched out to the POTF 12" it again these aren't true retro but some come with a hefty price tag!!

Wave 2 of the retro collection in particular are really good figures. If you just want the vintage feels without breaking the bank I would recommend them. The packaging is dire, but loose they are great.

Yes I even like the packaging so its a no brainer.
I have got involved in the 12 inch figures bought myself an OB1 for £15 + P&P. Seems to be a fair price.

 

[Mini99]

It certainly has as far as prices are concerned, I just had my eye on a minty Biker Scout on fleabay
Ended up selling for £63!...£63!...For a Biker Scout. I mean, they are a great figure, and I really want to add a minty one to my collection, but not at £63! and it was not even a Ledy or short mouth or anything like that.

I am prepared to stump up reasonable cash for good figures, but that is taking the piss! I understand how Jayums feels, I don't have tons of money lying around to be able to compete, I just want to complete a mint loose run because I love the figures. I don't see them as an "investment", just a part of my childhood that I would like to re-capture.

Things have gone insane, and if it stays this way, or gets worse, I will probably never finish the run that I started four years ago.

However, on the flip side, the 43 figures that I have collected so far are rocketing in value. Not that they will ever be sold though.

There will always be the exception to the tule, but nice biker scouts are still selling for far less than that on eBay and FB.
A few have sold this week for less than £20 and were in very nice condition.
The old rule stands "if it's too much walk away another will always pop up again".
Don't loose heart.

 

[jayums]

Absolutely agree - 3 of them (no weapons) popped up on eBay yesterday, all under 15 quid , less the pistol. They all looked in vgc. I wouldn't be paying more than 22 quid complete even for minty as another one will come along soon enough.

 

[Wreck-It Ralph]

I've realised I need to downsize

I really should display stuff what's the point in collecting if I cant show it.

I decided to downsize recently as I was going to convert a spare bedroom in to a display area but I decided to convert it into a playroom for the kids instead. I had all my 41, 45A and 45B's boxed up which was giving me no pleasure so decided to put them up for sale.

I love my Palitoy Logo'd debut set which I have on display in a hallway in wall vaults which I feel is an excellent use of space as walls are usually dead space. I am enjoying exploring ways of expanding my existing display area to accommodate more 30 Backs as this will be my only collecting focus moving forward.

I genuinely feel relieved to be downsizing and not to be collecting 41,45A and 45B anymore, it feels like a weight off my shoulders as these items can be very expensive and when you don't really want them and don't display them you end up feeling guilty when you buy them.

 

[coomber75]

ive pondered about selling up, but im fortunate enough to have completed my loose run, and majority of my moc, although i still think stragely mocs are staying at better prices than loose, im guessing down to space needed to display, so have focuseed more on mocs, with occasional loose upgrades... but as all said its a patience game, have missed out on 5 baradas but have my limit and dont go beyond.. i just need that one auction to fallright, in fairness ive not exactly rushed, i think im 7 yrs in now :lol: :lol:

 

[Darth Bobby]

Personally the pandemic has made me take stock and I'm now thinking maybe I was spending too much on vintage. I probably wont buy much else as I completed the loose run and have a few moc's and thats enough for me to have on display. The prices are a real downer and although there are a couple of items I'd really like I couldn't justify spending the money. I had to go into Boots the chemist yesterday and they had a massive display of sun tan lotion. The weather was cold and grey and I thought "I'd love to go somewhere sunny for a fortnight", I think once the restrictions are lifted and people can get out and about a few people will be selling up and booking nice holidays. Maybe old plastic toys will lose their appeal once the pubs reopen. Strangely I've gotten a lot more into modern, the Rogue One line and some Vintage collection really appeal to me. I bought a modern Helix anniversary kit and it gave me the same feeling I had as a kid. Plus I can open it!

 

[revilluk]

As many have said, I had way too many figures. The first lockdown was an opportunity to have a good sort and sell on the excess; the prices are so high it just makes sense now.

I have a full collection displayed; a bunch of variations and one focus. I still enjoy looking what is on the market and will buy the odd figure but not like in the past where I bought to excess. It was more affordable so buying for every variant and COO was easier and more fun.

I thought 5k for a full mint collection was a good guide. Now if you hit it right it would be so much more. Not loose change to a lot of people.

I just wonder if future generations will take up the vintage collecting hobby or if it is that 'our' generation are at an age where we are able to pay for nostalgia. I suspect the latter!

Hopefully our impressive displays will encourage our grandchildren to keep them rather than burying them with us

 

[Mini99]

I just wonder if future generations will take up the vintage collecting hobby or if it is that 'our' generation are at an age where we are able to pay for nostalgia. I suspect the latter!

Remember that this is our "nostalgia" not theirs...they will have their own.
Just take a look how collectable POTF2 and Freeze Frame cards have become over the last couple of years...

 

[jayums]

I just wonder if future generations will take up the vintage collecting hobby or if it is that 'our' generation are at an age where we are able to pay for nostalgia. I suspect the latter!

Remember that this is our "nostalgia" not theirs...they will have their own.
Just take a look how collectable POTF2 and Freeze Frame cards have become over the last couple of years...

I totally agree . I see kids into things like Pokemon cards etc when nostalgia kicks in for them , it will be for whatever they are into . And it sure as heck won't be vintage Star Wars figures.

Of course that mint graded 12 back moc will always highly prized - its pop culture history - but I think you'd have to be deluded to think your run of the mill figures will be worth more (relatively speaking) in a decade or two than they are at the moment. It's a bubble cause by demographics.

Pay what it's worth to you. Enjoy it (display it if possible). The true value is the pleasure it gives you now from owning it. If it happens to be 'worth' more in the future then that's a bonus, but I wouldn't rely on that as a reason to pay over the odds now .

I just ask myself - in the next ten years if you knew this stuff would be worth half what you paid for it, would you sell it ? The answer for me is no.