This is where all my senses end...

[sith-smith]

Ha! I think in a few years once they all start to dump their stuff, I may get a job selling motorbikes 8)

 

[SublevelStudios]

I certainly don't find the collecting side of this hobby anywhere near as enjoyable as I did when I first began. Wandering around car boot sales was probably the most real enjoyment I had. And I really miss those days. Now I feel like it's a battle for everything, everything has a ridiculous value and you feel like you're being stitched up at every turn!

Yes, I miss those days, the thrill of the hunt. Was never a question of 'if' you found anything, it was a matter of 'what'!

I would come home on Sunday mornings at about 11am (having set out on foot at 6am!) with bin liners full of stuff, then spend the rest of the day cleaning it all up. Ah, the early 90's

I sold my first collection in the mid-90's and went on to collect other stuff, but I always loved the vintage SW stuff. Then, 2 years ago, after the birth of my daughter I had this urge to put together a loose set of figures and that was it, I got the bug again.

Sure, I've paid top whack on a couple of items, but I can tell you now that this stuff is still out there and available at reasonable prices. I've had dozens of cheap deals

 

[jambobbyb]

The Yak face...which started this whole thread...was a very rare figure back in the 90's. Now, in all honesty it really isn't. Though currently it appears that it still holds that myth status!

Perfect comment for me Gary, this proves what I was saying anyone paying this sort of money for a lose yak face hasn't got a clue what they are doing, any one who knows even a little about vintage knows Yak face isn't a rare figure. The comment I constantly keep coming across is "credit card" I think some people are using cheap credit to speculate on the price of items and newbies always go for 12 backs hence the stratospheric price rises on 12s apart from DT's no Kenner 12 back can be described as rare and that includes VCJ.

 

[Stormtrooper37]

My best collecting years were when I was a kid, not only collecting Star Wars figures, but Panini Stickers, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Zoids, MOTU and I collected Asterix stuff as well.

Back then I collected toys not because stuff was rare (because it wasn't) or for a focus or anything like that but because it was fun visiting toy shops looking at toys available and saving up and buying them with my pocket money.

The Internet has changed all that of course and has greatly contributed to the rise in prices across all vintage toy lines from the 60's, 70's and 80's.

It is not just toy's take a look at cars from the 80's. I would love a Golf GTI Mark 1 (which I had back in 1990) Today a decent unmolested one your talking £8k - £20k

 

[ODB]

I don't see prices falling regardless of the new films being awesome or EP1.

If there is no market "correction" and prices do not fall (even slightly) then I guess in the next 5 years or so 90% of us might not even be here, which is both sad and scary.

If we are due to be replaced by the wealthy, lazy, non community spirited AFA obsessed idiots then all I can say to those just starting out is: Good luck....

That is a depressing thought, I think the hobby is getting more and more fragmented as well which begs the question where is it all going?

 

[sith-smith]

Yes, I miss those days, the thrill of the hunt. Was never a question of 'if' you found anything, it was a matter of 'what'!

I would come home on Sunday mornings at about 11am (having set out on foot at 6am!) with bin liners full of stuff, then spend the rest of the day cleaning it all up. Ah, the early 90's

I have many happy memories just like that. Up and ready to leave at 6 and returning many hours later with a bin bag or two full of figures and vehicles and less than £15 spent!! 8)

 

[sith-smith]

I don't see prices falling regardless of the new films being awesome or EP1.

If there is no market "correction" and prices do not fall (even slightly) then I guess in the next 5 years or so 90% of us might not even be here, which is both sad and scary.

If we are due to be replaced by the wealthy, lazy, non community spirited AFA obsessed idiots then all I can say to those just starting out is: Good luck....

That is a depressing thought, I think the hobby is getting more and more fragmented as well which begs the question where is it all going?

Hopefully good communities like this and shows like farthest from will help prevent that

 

[TheGent]

What makes me fear is another point... Looking at myself there are figures I so need to hunt down but they are expensive. And I have spares to sell. My community driven heart tells me I should sell them for less on the three forums I am taking part in. My collectors greedy little heart says sell them to the newbies for bigger money and you will be able to buy those you still miss.

Which makes me appreciate Iain's straight conscience even more. His prices for figures have gone up as well but really moderate and he's the safe bank for honest deals and true conditions, non repro stuff and he's a nice guy as well.

But the community idea is much more worth to me. I just sold a complete mint set of the first twelve to a forum friend for 200€. It would have gone up to 250€ on eBay for sure.

If you start thinking about the money, you stop thinking about the hobby.

 

[sith-smith]

If you start thinking about the money, you stop thinking about the hobby.

That sums it up perfectly!

 

[edd_jedi]

I do think it's a shame that a lot of sellers are going straight to Facebook because it's quicker. I have used FB for selling but always at least post on the forums first. People seem to forget that Facebook is 'throw away chat' so all these sales/discovery threads are lost within hours. Forums are as much for preservation as they are for discussion IMO.

 

[sith-smith]

While that's true, in all honesty FB gives you a much larger audience and when you are trying to sell something it can be a guaranteed place to sell.

I tried selling a 41 back Luke Bespin (nameplate removed) On here for years, at memorabilia, and took to the first 7 Farthest Froms.

No Luck.

Put it on Jason's FB page sold it and had the money in my PP account within 10 minutes!

That said I think I would always use this site first, then FF. RS next, followed by FB. Last resort is always eGay

I do feel a sense of loyalty to fellow members on here so would always give first option to this community. IF no one here is interested then move it somewhere else.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Interesting thread guys!

I started to seriously collect Vintage when I joined here. Before I mainly concentarted on Modern POTF while bit and bobing on Ebay with my loose vintage set. But this community was a real eye opener for me and fulled my collecting even more!. After I completed my exams in 2009 my parents brought me a Loose YakFace and R2 Pop Up Saber from Ebay. They got the pair for £95. £54 for Yak and £41 for R2 Pop Up. That was the first time I had ever held those figures in the flesh before that I had just seen them on Ebay.

Add to that the Fact I got an AFA Graded 85 Yak from this very forum last year for £100 shipped. Todays prices are crazy even for myself who started seriously collecting the Vintage Line in 2011. people like Pete and Todd must be rubbing their hands together. And as for the many people who walked past that shelf of 50p Yaks in the Charity shop back in the day they must have Nightmares

On the plus side, I'm only 30 so maybe in 10-15 years time when all the rich guys have moved on, AFA have gone bankrupt and all the movie spin offs are making people puke I'll be able to collect again woo! :lol:

There will also be **** loads to buy too with everyone dumping their stuff

Here Here Joe! 8) When (not IF i dont think) the hype dies down its gonna be awesome.

 

[phreatobite]

My first collecting goal in when I got back into vintage in 2008 was a complete mint loose set and I put it together for about £500. The most expensive individuals figs were Yak and R2 pop-up which cost me £40 each. You could still nab a lot of the last 17 for around £20 then.

 

[itfciain]

What makes me fear is another point... Looking at myself there are figures I so need to hunt down but they are expensive. And I have spares to sell. My community driven heart tells me I should sell them for less on the three forums I am taking part in. My collectors greedy little heart says sell them to the newbies for bigger money and you will be able to buy those you still miss.

Which makes me appreciate Iain's straight conscience even more. His prices for figures have gone up as well but really moderate and he's the safe bank for honest deals and true conditions, non repro stuff and he's a nice guy as well.

But the community idea is much more worth to me. I just sold a complete mint set of the first twelve to a forum friend for 200€. It would have gone up to 250€ on eBay for sure.

If you start thinking about the money, you stop thinking about the hobby.

Aww thanks Holger - nice to be appreciated

 

[Capetown]

http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24551

 

[Michael Sith]

I am a newby still in my eyes, been on the forum a short period compared to others, prices are stupid now compared to when I joined.
The feeling of security you have when buying/ trading via members on here is worth it's weight in gold, with the ramp up of interest in SW and the increased demand, then the unscrupulous sellers come out of the woodwork on ebay etc, and buying becomes fraught with danger in regard to paying over the odds, or being stung by repro.

Since joining I gained a different perspective and an affliction/obsession, became a hobby :lol:

Thank god for SWFUK. Safe haven :wink:

 

[paulcalf]

wow I definitely won't be completing my collection any time soon.

As a child I didn't buy the last 15/17 when they were £1.59 (i was getting too old)

So as an adult i'll won't be paying hundreds of pounds for a yak face (too tight)

 

[beginner]

come on, who needs a yakface if you can have 10 of this genuine Gentleman's :lol:

just kidding

 

[TheGent]

And again the old grumpy chump... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371280736429

 

[bobbybobs]

Wow.....