Is education key for the collector?

[_Lee_]

Whats everyones opinions on the way a person should they collect whilst protecting themselves?

This has been brought up with the recent surge in repros,rip offs etc. I myself beleive that you do need to educate yourself before you step down the rocky road of SW collecting, but notice there are people who beleive that isnt the case. I made a post on RS a while back and said id have zero sympathy with someone who had paid hundreds,maybe thousands for a MOC/MIB or similar item only to have a repro without them knowing it. This was is no way meant as an 'elitist' dig ( i dont consider myself to be one either) but moreso frustration as to how this happens to new collectors on a regular scale. Surely if you are going to spend big money, you need to do your homework and put yourself around a bit before taking the plunge.

Buying an original advertised item and receiving a repro is a different animal as it is a blatant rip off scam. This has been known to happen but is more than often brought out into the open.

Would be good to hear some comments from you guys about this. I never like to see anyone ripped off, but then again do some people ask for trouble?

 

[Richard_H]

Big end items - yes. You wouldn't drop hundreds/thousands on a car, electrical item, holiday etc without research. I also have zero sympathy with those who drop big money on these items, especially AFA ones, without doing the graft.

Small end items I do have sympathy for. A £6 figure with a repro weapon is different IMO. The guys who purchase these are typically the beginner collector, or someone just wanting to relive their childhood, and shouldn't be expected to need to do research to see if an item is genuine or not.

 

[mr_palitoy]

There needs to be a way in for new collectors not to get burned, and that has been AFA/UKG (toy Toni aside). We all have to start somewhere and learn. We all bought our first MOC once.

Jason

 

[Michael Sith]

If I had the expendable income to purchase high end, as investment, then I would do what any sane person would do...research....and ask questions.


All hypothetical in my case, but I agree with Rich, high end then do the work, but lower end collectors and newbies, then yes it's such a shame there is so much repro out there and hate to see people getting ripped off.

Again SWFUK , safe haven :wink:

 

[_Lee_]

Great replies guys. I have the same thought about loose figures with repro weapons. Hopefully many will realise the internet is a wealth of info and help and forums exist to help.

 

[Jediknight3263827]

i have been so tempted to start MOC collecting but always get put off as im too scared of getting ripped off its a lot of money to lose.
also the technology that is around today are we 100% that even with good research we will be safe to me there could be 99.9% near perfect repros out there that some of you could tell the difference if you had it in hand and had others to compare it with,i for one have never owned a MOC so to me it would be perfect.

 

[tiefighterboy]

I will say this. Education is a must, but that does not mean we turn our heads away from Orme, Poon or repros and just use education as a crux for not bothering to raise attention to them. RS is currently doing this and I find it to be a pretty lame ****ing excuse...that and the collect how you want. Not sure why they bother to have a watch out thread anymore.

 

[Michael Sith]

i have been so tempted to start MOC collecting but always get put off as im too scared of getting ripped off its a lot of money to lose.
also the technology that is around today are we 100% that even with good research we will be safe to me there could be 99.9% near perfect repros out there that some of you could tell the difference if you had it in hand and had others to compare it with,i for one have never owned a MOC so to me it would be perfect.

Look at the FS section on here, if your looking for a certain MOC then put up a wanted thread.
You are safe as houses buying on the forum, or if you see a MOC on ebay that your not sure about, don't out on the forum, but pm a trusted member on here, or put up your questions.
As you progress in collecting, you will pick up on the pros and cons, but always utilise the wealth of experience on the forum to assist you, that way you won't get burned, and you are certain of what your getting.

 

[Jediknight3263827]

i will get the courage one day haha :lol: and if im honest i deffo dont want a little prisoner of a MOC in an AFA clear cell and it would deffo be off here as this forum and you guys have helped me so much already just by reading all the comments on posts.
Also where is the best place to get a good price guide on what i should roughly be paying.

 

[Section 8]

Jediknight "Also where is the best place to get a good price guide on what i should roughly be paying."

Not sure how up to date this list is, but I often browse it just for an idea of which Moc demand a better price.

http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17490

I only live down the road in Ashton in Makerfield and know quite a few collectors in the area. I and the others will no doubt be happy to help you out with any bits and bobs you might want.

 

[Jediknight3263827]

Not sure how up to date this list is, but I often browse it just for an idea of which Moc demand a better price.

http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17490

I only live down the road in Ashton in Makerfield and know quite a few collectors in the area. I and the others will no doubt be happy to help you out with any bits and bobs you might want.

cheers pal appreciate the help

 

[Fishtalk]

It's indeed sad that a new collector is afraid to buy a carded figure for fear of getting a fake, education is of course the key - study photos of genuine MOCs, or better yet pick up a couple of cardbacks from the classifieds here.
Once you know what to look for, you'll be able to spot a repro a mile away. Most have the same giveaways - wrong font, colours way off, bubble too big and more.
As others have said, buy from here on the forum and you'll be fine.