I probably starting collecting in a bigger way around 97-98 with the release on the Jun Planning Nightmare before Christmas 16" range. Star wars wasn't something I was particularly picking up as I was into Kid Robot type figures at first and not really thinking about vintage items.
As for star wars it was probably around 2006-7 with the discovery of ebay. Actually the first item I picked up was a loose farm boy Luke from a shop in Canterbury when I first starting seeing my future wife and that inspired me to put together the first 12 loose, which the bulk came from ebay. I didn't even have a computer at the time and had to use one in an internet cafe to place my bids :lol:. It was probably the Christmas of 07 that I bought my first mocs which were repro ones from the US
.Fortunately I realised very quickly that these wouldn't do and ended up getting Kenner ones. Those first 12 I then sold and went all out for Palitoy reseals and never looked back!
It's funny writing this out as looking at the dates it doesn't seem like that long ago I got into it. I must admit that through all my collecting time I've always picked up different toys, both new and old and at the moment tend to be buying non Star Wars items (other than lego and some TFA ones). For me having a diverse collection is what brings me the most happiness and even though I do buy modern items they tend to all be based things from my childhood with a retro style to them (like the 3A and Mezco Judge Dredd line and reaction figures).
I've no plans on stopping collecting at this point but may need to work on getting a new cabinet to display a few more of them.
Ian