New to collecting

[Freeze]

Hi,

For a few years now I've been considering collecting figures again. Between 1977 and 83 I had everything (figures apart from final 17 and most vehicles) but in mid 80s my mum decided to give the lot to a charity shop.

Been reading so just picking up on things like AFA grading, MOC, the fact that Snaggletooth came out in blue once!

I want to collect, and retain them as valuable collectables, so do I go for graded or MOC? Now the odd part, I also want a set I can actually feel and display, as I want to introduce them to my young son too. So, for the second set any tips on where to buy, would need to be complete as well.

To build a complete vintage figure collection, two sets, would a budget of £10k cover it if I build the collection over a couple of years? What grading should I be looking for, AFA80, 85 or 90?

Thanks for your time, I look toward to collecting with you all!

 

[TwistedMetal]

Hi mate and welcome too the forum, as far as buying loose figures i would say here is the best place rather than ebay, atleast you know you are being sold too by honest sellers who will describe things correctly and will show many pics too view, not saying you won`t find some good stuff on ebay but at the same time there is alot of badly packed and badly descibed stuff sold through ebay.

Thanks.

 

[itfciain]

100% the right place to come - and I know a man that can help you along the way - especially with your loose collection

To answer your question about costs, this hobby can take up as much or as little of your budget as you like. A lot will depend on how quicly you will want to buy things, how diverse you want to go especially with the carded figures and how in depth you want your collection to be

I would think that you could put together a nice run of loose figures including the Last 17 for around the £1200 mark. With cards, you should be able to pick up a lot of decent cards for around the £50 mark - or maybe £80 if you want them to be AFA graded

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Agree with Iain 100%

10k can take you places in this hobby but at the same time if you collect 3 Packs or Foreign MOC Meccanno Lil Ledy or Toltoys then 10k would dissappear at the click of a button.

PS if your thinking WTF is he going on about?

Feel free to ask the guiys and will explain but buckle up for the ride of learning the differences between PBP Lil Ledy and Baggies

Welcome

 

[edd_jedi]

If you're patient you could put together a full set of MOCs for a fraction of 10k. That's an average of over £100 a figure - the majority can be bought for under £50 and many even less.

If price is your main concern, you want to be targeting 99p start auctions on eBay. But there are obviously risks. If you want quality without the hassle but for a higher price, then forums are the way forward. I disagree that forums are cheaper, nobody sells anything for under market value. At least on eBay there's a chance of a bargain if it's poorly listed.

 

[Badderius]

Welcome to the forum,

It really depends what run you are wanting, each figure on any card back then as Edd said pick a full run less than the 10K mark.

However if you are wanting each figure on their film release debut card then the price gets higher and higher to say the least, and on their debut card release then will prove a long and fun, but expensive trip.

Really depends what route you want to go down.

Cheers

 

[Freeze]

Thank you for all the advice, this is great

Not sure if I'm on the right lines, but purchased my first figure yesterday, is this what I should be looking for:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170934359760?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

One quick question - I've read "passed the float test" for some accessories, what does this mean?

Thanks!

 

[itfciain]

Nice figure - although I am sure you will find similar (if not better prices on here :wink: )

The float test is a very basic way of checking whether a weapon is original or reproduction - basically, with a few exceptions (yoda cane, gamorrean guard axe, teebo axe, logray staff) if the weapon sinks then it will be a reproduction.

However, those that float aren't automatically vintage - there are a number of site where you can compare the weapon in order to check it is original - or you could post pics up on here.

Rule of thumb is that if it is a basic weapon and it floats then it is very likely that it is an original

 

[JuniorChubb]

I had a bid on that WM myself, wondered who got him...

Good luck with your collection Freeze, buy more of it on here though. Save eBay for the occasional quick fix.

 

[Stormtrooper37]

Nice figure - although I am sure you will find similar (if not better prices on here :wink: )

The float test is a very basic way of checking whether a weapon is original or reproduction - basically, with a few exceptions (yoda cane, gamorrean guard axe, teebo axe, logray staff) if the weapon sinks then it will be a reproduction.

However, those that float aren't automatically vintage - there are a number of site where you can compare the weapon in order to check it is original - or you could post pics up on here.

Rule of thumb is that if it is a basic weapon and it floats then it is very likely that it is an original

Never knew about Yoda cane, Gamorrean guard axe, Teebo axe, Logray staff - thanks Iain

 

[Freeze]

Nice figure - although I am sure you will find similar (if not better prices on here :wink: )

The float test is a very basic way of checking whether a weapon is original or reproduction - basically, with a few exceptions (yoda cane, gamorrean guard axe, teebo axe, logray staff) if the weapon sinks then it will be a reproduction.

However, those that float aren't automatically vintage - there are a number of site where you can compare the weapon in order to check it is original - or you could post pics up on here.

Rule of thumb is that if it is a basic weapon and it floats then it is very likely that it is an original

Thanks, I'm becoming more of an expert each day!

Got my collection up to 6 now and bid on a blue Snaggletooth, I'm not sure if I'm overpaying so will probably stick to these forums for next few purchases.

Just ordered the new Steve Sansweet book, are his books any good?:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Ultimate-Action-Collection/dp/1781161399/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353320781&sr=1-1

 

[chazb73]

Hi Freeze - nice WM figure!Good luck with collecting!! I also never knew bout yoda's snake ect - great info!

 

[Bramistuta25]

Another fantastic book is this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Star-Wars-Vintage-Action-Figures-A-Guide-For-Collectors-John-Kellerman-Last-17-/121016655521?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item1c2d279ea1

It will give you a wealth of detailed information. :wink:

 

[Bramistuta25]

BTW... Just to put my tuppence worth in, whilst I agree there are definitely some bargains on poorly listed items.

I also think that there are a lot of pitfalls that inexperienced or new collectors as well as old ones can fall into. eBay is filled with people trying to sell off items that are not what they seem or are not as rare as they make out, plus you never really know what your gonna get, at least on the forum your reputation (especially if you sell a lot) is absolutely paramount and therefore there's no way you could get away with it. (not that we would).

I think if you stick to the forum and build your general knowledge up instead of instantly going out and buying up everything you'll be a lot better off, no-one on the forum is under priced but I also believe no-one is over priced either, a fair market value seems to be the case.

I advise you do your homework, ask as many questions as possible to the point of being irritating, haggle with the sellers and grab yourself some good deals... That's exactly what I do, but people still seem to accomodate me! :lol:

Good luck!!

Bram

 

[thenightmarcher]

Speaking as someone who has also recently gotten back in the game with the aim of finishing the collection my Dad started for me, rummaging through bargain bins, up to his elbows in General Madine (figuratively speaking), it's definitely worth lurking the boards for bits & pieces, if only to help decipher the acronyms bandied about in the world of collecting.

Anyone with a pair of eyes & half a brain will tread cautiously on eBay regardless of what they're buying, but I'm sure everyone will agree that it's pretty plain to see that there's always a handful of trophy pieces knocking about on there, among a sea of mistreated Jawas in repro capes.

I started out using the RS board as I found their website's guide to figures, weapons & variants very helpful in sorting the wheat from the chaff on eBay, but once you get your teeth into the message boards, you'll find there's a world of better bits available from like-minded individuals who are more than happy to assist your collecting & not just swipe your dollar.

 

[Richard_H]

Yes, I did exactly the same. From comments on here it is now appearing clear to me that the RS photo archive needs a massive update

 

[thenightmarcher]

Yes, I did exactly the same. From comments on here it is now appearing clear to me that the RS photo archive needs a massive update

Yeah, & it's really just the tip of the iceberg with regard to identifying variants etc, but I found it helped to make me aware the enormous amount of fake gear out there (particularly weaponry), & ultimately plug me into a community I might never have discovered otherwise.

 

[Richard_H]

Yes I agree with you there although I think the photos of the weapons could be of better quality too.