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Wondering what the attraction is to collecting MISB?

Recent posts of peoples collections got me wondering.

What motivates a collector to buy a TF but never really experience the work that went into designing it.

I am talking about MISB collectors that arent in it to resell. They simply prefer their collection in box.

im not rlly one of them but i guess just the mere apperance of it i personally think the g1 boxes are pretty sick so thats why i have a few in box but misb idk id like to transform my stuff at least once

Every once in a while, I buy Doubles to keep MISB and one to enjoy.
I think to MISBers, the logic of a Transformer undisturbed is a filling feeling, knowing it is there to cherish. Guess they have that connection.

The vast majority of my collection is MISB, I'm sure you have seen the pictures

I usually buy doubles though so I can play with them. It's the Takara stuff I tend to only buy singles of because they are much more expensive than the mass retail stuff in the states.

Because if you've seen the mold once, why open it again. It does nothing for me to open a recolor because I know how it works.

Mines is cause of storeage reasons and the other stuff I collect. Transformers are not the only thing I collect and keeping them MISB help me store them better. Yes I have a few that's out of package but those are doubles and even those are still stored in boxes in the basement. If only I have more room I would display them all out the box. With my Zoids and Gundams I have no room to display them.


blkbitcloud1

I only like G1 stuff MISB.

GetterDragun wrote:Because if you've seen the mold once, why open it again. It does nothing for me to open a recolor because I know how it works.

I guess I would question, if you arent going to open it, why own it at all?

Remember how it felt back in the 80's to walk down the toy aisle and see all those treasures sitting there? I didn't get many when I was young so I guess I get a high from just seeing the toy in it's package. I appreciate the untouched quality of it.

I always buy two of each figure atleast so i can have one MIB, and one to have on display.

I agree with many in this thread. I'm a mint in box collector but I have diverse reasons for it. First, just like what was previously stated, I love looking at my toys the way I did as a kid. Wishing I could buy one and was unable to. Now I can buy one and look at it just like it looked sitting on the shelf and it brings back memories that I enjoy. That excitement and disire to own that particular one! Second, when it is mint in box, you know the figure inside is flawless and never touched. Third, I find it relaxing to know that if it becomes valuable or continues to increase in value mint in box will give me the best return. And if selling mu toy collection is what it takes to pay for my kids' college, it is nice to know that it is there and can be sold to do so. Lastly I TRY to buy 2 of everything if at all possible. One to open and enjoy and the other to box up (in hopes of having a room some day to devote to displaying my collection).

Sid Burn wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:Because if you've seen the mold once, why open it again. It does nothing for me to open a recolor because I know how it works.

I guess I would question, if you arent going to open it, why own it at all?

Because I'm a collector and once I have transformed a figure, it does nothing for me to transform one of a diffirent color. Plus the figure in the box looks better on display to me.

It just depends on what the toy is for me. 90% of my Star Wars stuff is MISB, because the figures look the same out of the box as they do in the box, and they're just easier to display in the package. The unleased figuers are all out of package and assembled on shelves, those look too cool to leave in the package.

On the other hand, 90% of my Transformers are free. I display them in robot form for a while, then I'll go through and transform them to display in Alt mode. After a stressfull day at work, i'll transform a whole shelf full. it calms me, and keeps me from destroying the world.

I just open everything. If you don't open a transformer, you only get half of your figure really. So yeah why keep Transformers MISB? Unless its a very rare figure, that you could then resell for some big $$ or is having some sentimental value or something...

What I do is that I'll open everything, transform and then display the figure for awhile. Then I'll transform them a few times for the fun of it. And then, I'll just put them back in the box and display them as so. And I will then repeat until I have too many boxes and not enough space... I do like to see figures MISB, but for transformers, I'll have to open them to actually really enjoy what I got for my money. I hate to see a collection of stacked up boxes everywhere. Why invest so much money in it, if its just to pile up the boxes and do nothing with it. I see too many of those, and I can hardly understand why would one do that. Sure space is a big problem for alot of collectors, but some are just leaving it as it is.

To each their own of course, but I like to pay for something and actually enjoy it afterward. I won't enjoy a box all that much, I will need to open it at some point. But that's me.

JTKranix wrote:The vast majority of my collection is MISB, I'm sure you have seen the pictures

I usually buy doubles though so I can play with them. It's the Takara stuff I tend to only buy singles of because they are much more expensive than the mass retail stuff in the states.

Someone I can relate to. A kindred spirit of sorts. You are my double

All joking aside I completely agree with this post as I fit the bill for this type of collecting. I also find it easier to display the items from my collection and to dust them. I buy doubles of the ones that I want to display.

See attached pics below for what I mean. Those MISB will never leave their twist-tie prisons

-Z- G1 Snarl Rules wrote:

JTKranix wrote:The vast majority of my collection is MISB, I'm sure you have seen the pictures

I usually buy doubles though so I can play with them. It's the Takara stuff I tend to only buy singles of because they are much more expensive than the mass retail stuff in the states.

Someone I can relate to. A kindred spirit of sorts. You are my double

All joking aside I completely agree with this post as I fit the bill for this type of collecting. I also find it easier to display the items from my collection and to dust them. I buy doubles of the ones that I want to display.

See attached pics below for what I mean. Those MISB will never leave their twist-tie prisons

I think I just soiled myself a little when I seen those pictures!! fecking awesome man!!! MISB rules!

I am also the same, I love things being MISB, and I dont ever plan on selling any the things I have collected thus far. In many ways it takes me back to the awe of looking at the transformers on the shelves when I was young, but never being allowed to get any of them. In a way that was my transformers toy experience as a child, just being able to look at them and enjoy the box work and stuff. Hard to explain.

-Z- G1 Snarl Rules wrote:All joking aside I completely agree with this post as I fit the bill for this type of collecting. I also find it easier to display the items from my collection and to dust them. I buy doubles of the ones that I want to display.

Interesting, I didnt think of the childhood nostalgia factor of MISB. The nostalgia I get for TF is opening them and transforming them.

I wont say I totally get it though, certainly I will continue to open mine. I have seen G1Snarl's Collection pics before, and heard you post about your collection as well, comments like "its easier to dust them MISB" I totally dont relate to, as dusting never enters my mind when buying a bot.

Right now, I am getting ready to move, so everything I have bought in the last 6 months is displayed MISB so it will be easier to pack up come move time. I have noticed anytime anyone sees all the MISB stuff, they ask "are you going to open it"? with a look of confusion.

Do MISB collectors get this alot? How do you explain why all these toys are in the boxes?

Some of the Takara boxes dont even show the toy, its a sealed box, How do you justify buying those? Visually you are adding the equivalent of a cardboard box to your collection.

Yep, I just buy 2 of everything. 1 for MISB ... 1 to keep loose.

Classics cliffjumper doesn't need to be opened, for I already have BB out of his plastic prison. 1 per mold, I don't role play with them or anything. They are neat little puzzles that I like to carry around with me to challenge people that I know. You'd be surprised how many people can't figure it out on their own. I guess one just has to own the patience required to get the job done.

With that said, nobody touches my BT Grimlock, or other cool toys like that!

Plus, seeing every movie toy hanging MISB in my own house is quite a thrill. I know that I won't EVER see that at any toy store.

I can't wait until the line is over, so I know that I actually have them ALL!!!

Sherade wrote:Every once in a while, I buy Doubles to keep MISB and one to enjoy.
I think to MISBers, the logic of a Transformer undisturbed is a filling feeling, knowing it is there to cherish. Guess they have that connection.

I'm just gonna second this. I have very few boxed TFs that don't have an open double. Some of my more expensive or rare figures are kept boxed to keep them safe, but even still, on those figures I'm always looking for a affordable double to enjoy!

Plus it makes my collection look much larger than it really is

I currently own 565 Transformers and around 300 Star Wars figures then the misc Marvel Legends / DC Super Heroes stuff.

That number doesn't include my original G1 toys from when I was a kid but it will once I figure out what I have. I picked up random things though out the years, then when Robots in Disguise came out I went insane and bought the entire toy line. Things happened and I couldn't afford the hobby so I never really got into Armada, Energon or Cybertron. I got the bug again when Classics came out, this time I was in a much better place and the vast majority of my collection has been aquired over the last year and a half.

For me personally, if it's how the figure and the box look. If it's a carded Deluxe I'll most likely open it, but if it's a nice multi-pack or nice figure in a nice pose in the box, I'll just keep it in there.

I have a lot of MISB stuff that I just haven't gotten around to opening yet, but it's not my general policy. I do get a certain kick out of the mystery and promise of an unopened toy, but I'll get around to them eventually.

Permanently MISB toys as an ideal is unjustifiable lunacy as far as I'm concerned. Having something just for the sake of having it, rather than to experience it and enjoy it. I'm sorry, but buying 2 of everything is just a sickness of the mind.


I always open them carefully and preserve the packaging anyway. Even that is a bit crazy, you wind up storing boxes of empty boxes.

I think sealed box/card collecting is cool. Personally, I like to demolish the packaging. To each his own, it's all good.

I'd go NUTS if I was a sealed collector. Only because it would be nearly impossible for me to find stuff in mint/near mint packaging.

Question, are most sealed collectors ok with dinged/frayed corners, creases, etc?

tripleconsole wrote:Question, are most sealed collectors ok with dinged/frayed corners, creases, etc?

I like a perfect box or card, and I try to get only good ones but that not the case all the time. Most of the time it's the toy that has to be mint for me. I will that a box/card with crease's and dings but not all the time.


blkbitcloud1

AlienQuiksilver wrote:Plus, seeing every movie toy hanging MISB in my own house is quite a thrill. I know that I won't EVER see that at any toy store.

I can't wait until the line is over, so I know that I actually have them ALL!!!

This is what I was hoping to find out, I get a thrill out of owning an entire line (or at least everything I wanted from that line) but that is only part of the experience for me.

From what you are saying, its that feeling of completion that keeps you collecting. Of course, the collection is never fully complete so you keep chasing that feeling.

Does that sound right? Is that the reward of an MISB collector, or more correctly a MISB completist ?