The Energon Pub

Depending on the figure..

1 classics to keep closed, and 1 henkei to keep closed, and then only a classics version to open..
or
1 Henkei to Keep closed, 1 Classics to keep closed, and 1 Henkei to open and display..

I know it's nuts..(and expensive and space consuming) that is how I have tons of Marvel legends..
Had I the money, I would continue to do this.. which seems excessive.. but I just can't help the urge to want to do this with all the classics Henkei figures, and anything else from transformers. As I said, the only thing that is missing and keeping me from doing it is the lack of money..it's like having a Gambling disorder or something..

I am begining to believe that the MISB collecting is a serious disorder.. worse then a regular collector..

we suffer enourmous agony over not being able to open the figures, and yet stress over the condition of the packaging and the figure inside!!...and we can justify purchasing more as long as we have a perfect unopened version in a safe place..

it's money consuming, time consuming and on and on..

I mean at times I look intently at a figure over and over and inspect it to another, sometimes I compare up to 6 figures or what ever is on the shelf... taking into account the packaging, the figure inside and it's paint applications, mold errors from what I can see through the plastic package window, and so on..when a Wal-Mart or other store employee, sees me doing this, they either think I'm trying to mask the intent to steal, or I'm a geek..

either way..

When I walk into a store to buy a transformer.. this little Motto goes off in my head "one to open, one to keep closed.."

I think I have some sort of MISB transformers collecting disorder.. that or I'm just Mental!!..

I usually open one instance of a mold, and then keep all the rest MISB. I've got alot of Universe 2.0, Movie '07, and ROTF MISB, but not as much of the other lines. I also tend to keep exclusives MISB, but not always.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:I usually open one instance of a mold, and then keep all the rest MISB. I've got alot of Universe 2.0, Movie '07, and ROTF MISB, but not as much of the other lines. I also tend to keep exclusives MISB, but not always.

there are only a few reasons my collection remains MISB.. I have no duplicate to open, no place to display them and the number 1 overall main factor... money..

I could live with certain molds being kept in their packaging..

but what I wonder is what if this disorder turns into wanting "EVERY" figure to have duplicates for display and MISB.. like the progression of a disease. Some people actually took out loans.. I'm not that bad.. but I could easily see that becoming me, if I were to loose all sense of reality..but I think I'm okay.

just sometimes this impulse comes over me and it's like man!! I want to hold that in my hands, and own a prestine perfect unopended version as well.. not so much for collectability of resale..

but because that is just how I am..

If I won the lottery, I'd have a field day..

I just crack them open.

I still obsess over them and stand by close to freaking out when I let my nephew play with some, but when it comes down it, these are toys. They are meant to be played with, posed, displayed. Not kept static in boxes, some not even correctly showing what you have.

IMHO, the only reasons for holding on to Mint packaged items is to either:
-- Display them as a collection or at showcases.
-- Resell them.

I currently have a total of 3 pieces in package, ROTF Superion (just waiting until the FP set arrives) Cybertron Scrapmetal (bought an extra one on sale for a friend how had found one before i could tell him, one day I'll likely customize it) and ROTF The Fallen. The only reason He is still in package is because I haven't figured out yet if i'm keeping him or trading it to another friend who still hasn't found one at retail.

The other bit, is I have a hard enough time when buying figures when you see them thru the blister pack, making sure I'm getting one where it looks like it has the right paint apps, or with Joes, that the eyes look right, I really don't want to obsess about if the package has a dinged corner or bent plastic insert. Let alone get pissed of if that damage occurs after the purchase.

This reminds me of a PowerPuff Girls episode and a Simpsons Halloween episode where Lucy Lawless was.......

skywarp-2 wrote:

Razorclaw0000 wrote:I usually open one instance of a mold, and then keep all the rest MISB. I've got alot of Universe 2.0, Movie '07, and ROTF MISB, but not as much of the other lines. I also tend to keep exclusives MISB, but not always.

there are only a few reasons my collection remains MISB.. I have no duplicate to open, no place to display them and the number 1 overall main factor... money..

I could live with certain molds being kept in their packaging..

but what I wonder is what if this disorder turns into wanting "EVERY" figure to have duplicates for display and MISB.. like the progression of a disease. Some people actually took out loans.. I'm not that bad.. but I could easily see that becoming me, if I were to loose all sense of reality..but I think I'm okay.

just sometimes this impulse comes over me and it's like man!! I want to hold that in my hands, and own a prestine perfect unopended version as well.. not so much for collectability of resale..

but because that is just how I am..

If I won the lottery, I'd have a field day..

Hey, I thought about taking a loan for Rikkomba's AEC collection. I was sorely tempted.

I understand where you are at. Collecting definitely requires a certain type of personality, and that type is usually also given to excess and obsession. I've spent about $600 in two weeks because of a *desire* to own *everything*. I had extra cash for once and I just got a raise at work, so I treated myself. I just ended up with four copies of the exact same minicons in different paint schemes. And I'm going to buy more. I think the title of your thread should just be "Collecting: A Serious Disorder?", let alone MISB.

I have to open them up. I don't have any that are still sealed up. I open them as soon as I get home.

I think that when you take a step back and look at any type of collecting, there's an element of pre-occupation. Whether it's simply the collecting or more specific elements like desiring MISB items. As long as it doesn't take over your life, it's cool.

Convotron wrote:I think that when you take a step back and look at any type of collecting, there's an element of pre-occupation. Whether it's simply the collecting or more specific elements like desiring MISB items. As long as it doesn't take over your life, it's cool.

dude, when you buy more then 1 person should possibly own of an "Action Figure" and you are always chatting it up on this website..

Heck no!!

when you spend over 150.00+ on a single plastic action figure..

it has already "taken over your life."

Hehe, I stand corrected!

Hmm, I did pay over $100 for a partly metal, partly plastic figure(MP-01B) so it's too late for me too!

Convotron wrote:Hehe, I stand corrected!

Hmm, I did pay over $100 for a partly metal, partly plastic figure(MP-01B) so it's too late for me too!

\


welcome to the padded cell!

skywarp-2 wrote:when you spend over 150.00+ on a single plastic action figure..

it has already "taken over your life."

I disagree.

Though undoubtedly collecting and the hobby is a significant part of where my free-time goes, to call it taking over my life is absurd.

I'm married, have a good job, have a social life beyond the hobby, and etc etc example example of being normal...

I mean, I worked hard in school, got my gradute level education, worked to establish savings etc...so, the measuring stick of spending $150 on a figure as being crazy is kind of relative.

I hate to put it like this, but I'm like all 'whatever' about price most of the time, not because I'm genuinely being arrogant or elitist, or worse yet, obsessed with the hobby to the point I have no life, but rather because that's where life has taken me with work and fortunate opportunity.

Again, I'm not boasting or attempting to be arrogant (in this particular instance. I'll get back to being a boastful douchebag asap...), but it's pretty judgemental to say that this or that dollar amount is the mark of you having lost it.

skywarp-2 wrote:welcome to the padded cell!

Yay! Padding!

Counterpunch wrote:I disagree.

Though undoubtedly collecting and the hobby is a significant part of where my free-time goes, to call it taking over my life is absurd.

I'm married, have a good job, have a social life beyond the hobby, and etc etc example example of being normal...

I mean, I worked hard in school, got my gradute level education, worked to establish savings etc...so, the measuring stick of spending $150 on a figure as being crazy is kind of relative.

I hate to put it like this, but I'm like all 'whatever' about price most of the time, not because I'm genuinely being arrogant or elitist, or worse yet, obsessed with the hobby to the point I have no life, but rather because that's where life has taken me with work and fortunate opportunity.

Again, I'm not boasting or attempting to be arrogant (in this particular instance. I'll get back to being a boastful douchebag asap...), but it's pretty judgemental to say that this or that dollar amount is the mark of you having lost it.

Yay, I'm saved!

Seriously, though, great points, CP. I totally agree.

I think that the cost of an item, regardless if it's an antique stamp or a toy, is justified if the purchaser has no qualms about making the purchase. If it's something within your ability to afford without compromising your quality of life, a $10 Transformer is no different than a $100. If you get enjoyment out of the purchase, I think that's what matters. I mean, people can easily spend that much money or more on a fancy night on the town but to them, it's worth it. Who am I to judge them on how they spend their money?

I have an Activators Cliffjumper, bought it for less than $10. I think it's such a neat little Transformer and value it as much as any other Transformer I own, including my first MP figure of Starscream. I don't have a figure I don't really dig. For me, it's all about collecting what I think is cool. If someone like skywarp-2 prefers MISB, and he's by far not alone in the Transformers collectors community, what's the difference to me? Two collectors with our own preferences. So, I don't think that MISB collecting is a serious disorder in itself. As long as it doesn't negatively affect one's day to day living, it's fine.

Convotron wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:welcome to the padded cell!

Yay! Padding!

Counterpunch wrote:I disagree.

Though undoubtedly collecting and the hobby is a significant part of where my free-time goes, to call it taking over my life is absurd.

I'm married, have a good job, have a social life beyond the hobby, and etc etc example example of being normal...

I mean, I worked hard in school, got my gradute level education, worked to establish savings etc...so, the measuring stick of spending $150 on a figure as being crazy is kind of relative.

I hate to put it like this, but I'm like all 'whatever' about price most of the time, not because I'm genuinely being arrogant or elitist, or worse yet, obsessed with the hobby to the point I have no life, but rather because that's where life has taken me with work and fortunate opportunity.

Again, I'm not boasting or attempting to be arrogant (in this particular instance. I'll get back to being a boastful douchebag asap...), but it's pretty judgemental to say that this or that dollar amount is the mark of you having lost it.

Yay, I'm saved!

Seriously, though, great points, CP. I totally agree.

I think that the cost of an item, regardless if it's an antique stamp or a toy, is justified if the purchaser has no qualms about making the purchase. If it's something within your ability to afford without compromising your quality of life, a $10 Transformer is no different than a $100. If you get enjoyment out of the purchase, I think that's what matters. I mean, people can easily spend that much money or more on a fancy night on the town but to them, it's worth it. Who am I to judge them on how they spend their money?

I have an Activators Cliffjumper, bought it for less than $10. I think it's such a neat little Transformer and value it as much as any other Transformer I own, including my first MP figure of Starscream. I don't have a figure I don't really dig. For me, it's all about collecting what I think is cool. If someone like skywarp-2 prefers MISB, and he's by far not alone in the Transformers collectors community, what's the difference to me? Two collectors with our own preferences. So, I don't think that MISB collecting is a serious disorder in itself. As long as it doesn't negatively affect one's day to day living, it's fine.

I think there are great points on both sides.. seriously though, you Both make great points...

maybe it is the perspective from the MISB side that makes me think I'm losing it..

because with MISb, the boxes take up lots of space.. and so from that view, it makes it look as if we have tons of stuff and have gone off the deep end...

skywarp-2 wrote:I think there are great points on both sides.. seriously though, you Both make great points...

maybe it is the perspective from the MISB side that makes me think I'm losing it..

because with MISb, the boxes take up lots of space.. and so from that view, it makes it look as if we have tons of stuff and have gone off the deep end...

Brother, only the sane question their sanity. You've still got it so don't lose it!

i say you have either one classics/henkei of each character opened.... thats all you need

Personally i've never understood why people collect for MISB.

You buy something, you want to enjoy it. You buy a toy, to really enjoy it you need to take it out of the package. You leave it in the package your enjoyment is limited to holding the box and staring at it.

Want a cheaper option? Print out a picture of said boxed toy and paste it onto the side of a tissue box. Now you can look and feel to your heart's content, and i've just saved you a few dollars.

Is it a disorder? nah, it's a simple preference.

Burn wrote:Personally i've never understood why people collect for MISB.

You buy something, you want to enjoy it. You buy a toy, to really enjoy it you need to take it out of the package. You leave it in the package your enjoyment is limited to holding the box and staring at it.

Want a cheaper option? Print out a picture of said boxed toy and paste it onto the side of a tissue box. Now you can look and feel to your heart's content, and i've just saved you a few dollars.

Is it a disorder? nah, it's a simple preference.

Bah! Print out a picture? Who needs that? I just shut my eyes and imagine...ah, yes, that's the stuff. Mmmm...MISB G1 Cosmos...oh, you're still here.

Well back on topic, I don't have a lot of MISB Transformers and like I said earlier, I mainly have them that way because I have duplicates(Classics are displayed, Henkei are MISB) and I don't have the space to put them up. So they're in storage for now. My Henkei Skyfire is displayed because I don't have Classics Jetfire and I'm not sure I need one.

However, I can see a side of MISB that may involve the desire to have pristine figures. If they're sealed, they're untouched and perfect in a way. But as I'm a collector who just goes for Transformers that I think are cool, I'm big on taking them out of the package, transforming them, and posing them for display. I've got Henkei Ratchet and Classics OP doing an 80s action film poster pose on the top of my subwoofer. They rock to White Lion's TF theme like nobody's business.

I used to be a MISB collector but this was before I started collecting Transformers again. I used to do the duplicate purchases (luckily there weren't any Japanese versions to worry about) with the pre Marvel Legends figures and the Star Trek figures to name a few. I eventually realized that I was wasting my money on figures that I couldn't really enjoy, that took up more space than opened ones, and would not be as valuable as I thought kept in mint condition. I then "cured" myself by not collecting multiples unless I knew they were rare/hard to find. I also made sure to limit the multiples to no more than 3-4 per toyline. I still pretty much adhere to this technique today with the Transformers figures and I have been happy with the results. I can still enjoy those figures that are packaged and the rest that are opened without loosing too much space.

The only part of my collections that I keep MISB are Star Wars / GI Joes / store exclusives, the rest of the stuff I open a few a day just to keep some excitements.

honestly, the open figure galleries here taken by seibertron, enable MISB collectors to continue with our sickness...

skywarp-2 wrote:honestly, the open figure galleries here taken by seibertron, enable MISB collectors to continue with our sickness...

Hehe, stay away from the galleries! It's for your own good!

Disorder? More of an obsessive compulsion.

Many times, I have been tempted to get two TF's for display and storing, but rationale got a tight grip on me every time I was at the store.

As a rule, I open up TF's with packages that I can put them back in, without them looking as if they've been opened before. In other words, that leaves most deluxe figures MISB, with the voyagers and leaders alternately on display and MIB. Since I don't plan to sell the figures, I don't need them MISB to preserve value.

I just like to keep them in boxes for aesthetic purposes.

In any case, the nature of a TF as a dual-mode toy makes it really tough for me to keep them MISB. Unlike Star Wars vehicles and and PVC figures, there are always two ways for you to display a TF; bot or alt mode.

skywarp-2 wrote:

Convotron wrote:I think that when you take a step back and look at any type of collecting, there's an element of pre-occupation. Whether it's simply the collecting or more specific elements like desiring MISB items. As long as it doesn't take over your life, it's cool.

dude, when you buy more then 1 person should possibly own of an "Action Figure" and you are always chatting it up on this website..

Heck no!!

when you spend over 150.00+ on a single plastic action figure..

it has already "taken over your life."

I spent over $200 for a Yamato 1/60 Macross YF-19 last month; guess that means there's no turning back for me. Just great. Chalk that up to my already long list of obsessions: coffee, beers, cigars, working out...

skywarp-2 wrote:when a Wal-Mart or other store employee, sees me doing this, they either think I'm trying to mask the intent to steal, or I'm a geek..

I think I have some sort of MISB transformers collecting disorder.. that or I'm just Mental!!..

I think you're all on to something there!

I don't understand the need for MISB collecting at all. For something like model cars I can see the point, but not with shape-shifting toys. Keeping it in the box (especially in alt mod) is avoiding the main point of the toy. And as they're so pose-able these days it makes even less sense. As you buy one to open as well that doesn't seem as bad apart from the waste of money issue. I think there are so many unique figures out there that buying duplicates it's a ludicrous waste of money.

Hmm... I hope I don't sound too harsh here, I'm not trying to insult you. If you conclude that you DO have a problem I suppose you could seek counseling.

Burn wrote:Personally i've never understood why people collect for MISB.

You buy something, you want to enjoy it. You buy a toy, to really enjoy it you need to take it out of the package. You leave it in the package your enjoyment is limited to holding the box and staring at it.

Want a cheaper option? Print out a picture of said boxed toy and paste it onto the side of a tissue box. Now you can look and feel to your heart's content, and i've just saved you a few dollars.

Is it a disorder? nah, it's a simple preference.

That is exactly what I was going to say. Keeping them MISB is basically like buying a picture of the figure. I always open mine, it allows me to play with them whenever I want, put them in a cool pose and display them, there's so much to do with them it's a shame to keep them sealed.