This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Feel free to discuss anything about any of the thousands of Transformer toys here. Anything from Generation 1 all the way to the soon to be released, the never to be released or the hope to be released is fair game! Want to show off your stuff? Please post your's and see others in the Transformers Collections Forum.

Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Burn » Sat Aug 19, 2017 11:47 pm

Motto: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings to randomly click things in the Admin Panel to see what it breaks."
A few months ago, I did something I hadn't done in a while.

I picked up a G1 figure. E-Bay, or Facebook, or forums, I can't remember how I did it, I can't even remember which figure it was, but it stirred something inside of me. The excitement for collecting.

"Didn't you already have that though?"

I thought I did, but without realising, while I had been collecting modern figures, I was simply going through the motions.

There was no thrill of the hunt, because it has simply become easier for me to order them online, more often than not, the Takara Tomy versions, which means waiting for HobbyLinkJapan pre-orders to go up. So with a few clicks of the mouse, the order is placed and I have to wait.

And then the figures would arrive, I'd open them up, transform them a couple of times, and then there'd go on display. The only figure I truly got excited over was Titans Return Triggerhappy, because lets face it, that figure is just awesome.

"But Burn, we've gotten a lot of fantastic figures in recent years!"

This is true, I will not argue this fact. I feel the designers of late have really innovated, and I've enjoyed the engineering aspect of new figures. New figures are great, but, they lack nostalgia. Yes, nostalgia.

"Oh no, he's going to go Geewunner on us. I'm out!"

Hear me out here. I got back into collecting Transformers 15 or so years ago, because of some problems I was having mentally. They reminded me of a time in my life when things were simpler, and I was happier, and collecting Transformers helped me get through a very rough patch in my life.

It was also a time when Beast Wars/Machines had just recently finished their runs and one of aspect of collecting back then was discovering all these new figures and characters, and thanks to ball joints, putting them back together! Many lots were discovered on E-Bay and much fun was had working out what parts belonged to who.

But that was then, this is now.

And not much has changed. When I got that G1 figure all those months ago I was reminded of that aspect of collecting that was a lot of fun. Restoring the figures, bringing them back to life.

And it's this that has helped reinvigorate my collecting. Finding older figures (preferably with all their accessories) and restoring them. That may involve simply replacing their stickers (Toyhax.com is the place for them if you're curious!) or completely disassembling them and cleaning them before putting them back together.

Or in some cases, repairs may be necessary.

Did you know that Titans Return Trypticon was in fact not the first Transformer to have a problem caused by springs? While I can't say for certain he was the first, but I did discover that G1 Pointblank had spring issues.

I picked up a G1 Pointblank in a G1 lot last year, he had a busted door, but other than that he seemed to be in good condition, and he had his little Targetmaster buddy. In July I came across a seller on Facebook who had a few figures I wanted, including a G1 Pointblank. He emphasised that Pointblank had a problem with his left leg.

Image

See those knee joints? They have springs in them. There's two ratchets with teeth on them, one is molded into the outer leg, while the other moves back and forth as you transform the figure. Those springs allow that ratchet to move back and forth.

The problem is, the spring is constantly pushing the ratchet out, throw in years of age and transforming, and the screw that holds it in place eventually comes free.

But hey, that's fine, the G1 Pointblank I was getting had an unbroken door and that's all I needed to fix up mine!

Imagine my shock when I inspected mine and found the exact same problem with the leg.

To be honest, it probably didn't need to be fixed, he transformed fine, but I wanted to fix it anyway. So I set out to fix the problem, which to put simply, was the screw hole had become threaded.

Solution? Drill a larger hole and fill it.

Image

My first attempt failed, but I persisted. Eventually I resorted to removing the spring completely (it's actually NOT really necessary if you intend to display him in robot mode) and using a touch of super glue to hold the screw in place.

G1 Pointblank wasn't the only figure I've worked on recently. I also picked up Sparkabot Guzzle. Great little figure and his sparking figure worked as well. I already had Sizzle, though he wasn't in great condition either, which is where I lucked out and found a seller that had Fizzle AND Sizzle as well. So I could replace my Sizzle and complete my Sparkabots collection!

When they arrived they were a little on the dirty side, so I started with Fizzle. Took him apart, cleaned him in nice warm soapy water, inside and out and reassembled him. Not only was he clean, but his sparking feature worked better than it did when he first arrived.

I then moved onto Sizzle ... and that's where I ran into problems. The heads of the two screws in his legs snapped off, which meant I had to drill them out. Or, I could simply use the legs off my other Sizzle!

Those screws snapped as well, so back to drilling them out. Eventually I got him disassembled, cleaned up and put back together. A set of stickers from Toyhax later and Fizzle, Sizzle and Fo'Shizzle Guzzle and they were ready to rejoin the collection!

Image

Simple restorations really, but I took so much pleasure in taking old battered figures and giving them a new lease in life.

"You could do that with any era, clearly your Geewunner bias is showing"

It's not bias actually. When I returned to collecting, I collected what was current at the time, meaning I have all the figures I want from Beast Wars through to Titans Return.

That being said, and I say this with a disclaimer that I have only really searched locally (Australia), from my searching on E-Bay, and even what I see on Facebook and forums, there's not much out there from later lines like Armada.

And I feel that is because we are live in times where things are more disposable. It's easier to go out and buy something new rather than to fix it. Kids toys missing an arm? Just throw it, we can duck down the shops and get another one.

And to me, that's disappointing, because the generation that grew up on Beast Wars and A/E/C now have disposable incomes and will be looking to get figures they missed out on as kids.

But where are they? Where are the complete figures? The junkers?

Believe me, if I came across some of those figures I'd snap some up for customising purposes, but they just don't seem to be out there.

Of course I do have some G1 bias, it's what I grew up with, it's what helped me through a dark patch in my life, it reminds me of a simpler time, and I have to admit, I'm pretty damn proud of what I've achieved of my G1 collection and would like to get to a point where I can say "I may not have every G1 figure, but I feel my collection is complete to me".

It's that goal, plus the joy of restoring figures, that has helped me rediscover the joy of collecting, and I know I'm not the only one. Take a look at our Transformers Toy Haul thread. Others are collecting G1 figures. We have an entire thread dedicated to the clunky Pretenders!

I've seen interest from the younger generation who are discovering Marvel UK, and all the characterisations some of the lesser known toys received, or even characters that never received a figure until recently. Like the little wheel that could, Scrounge!

And I have to admit, I do enjoy talking to some of the younger collectors who are discovering G1 and suggesting figures to them and helping them find them. Who doesn't enjoy the thrill of hunting down a figure?

So for once, in what has been a long time, I feel the excitement and joy of collecting.

How about you though? Are you an old fart like me enjoying the hunt for old figures, or maybe you enjoy hunting modern figures, or maybe you're a young whipper snapper delving into the history of Transformers and looking to collect across the eras. Let us know on the forums!

"Oh thank **** he's finally finished waffling on!"
Burn
Forum Admin
Posts: 28677
News Credits: 226
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:37 am

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Evil Eye » Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:25 am

Motto: "Don't be a goddamn coward."
Weapon: Acid Spray Gun
When I went to TFNation (yes I will shut up about TFNation eventually) I was surrounded by toys of all eras, but found myself drawn towards BW Transmetals in particular. Now that I own three of them, I kinda want more. They're very nice looking figures, quite well engineered for the time, and again, nostalgia (I watched BW on Hasbro's website just after the movie came out and the Transmetals were always the ones I thought "Wow, I need some of them!" about).

So once I'm able to properly collect again, BW figures (TMs and TM2s especially) will be on my priority list.
Ha ha Transformers go brrrrr
User avatar
Evil Eye
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5395
News Credits: 12
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:24 am
Location: 199X
Alt Mode: F-4 Phantom II
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 7
Endurance: 8
Rank: 6
Courage: 10
Firepower: 6
Skill: 8

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Rodimus Prime » Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:16 am

Motto: "Individual freedom above all else."
In 11 days, I'm going to be 35 years old. I've been a fan of Transformers for 30 years. In the last 10 years my collecting fire dwindled somewhat, simply due to the figures not being very appealing. I wasn't as enamored with the Generations line as most of the fandom. I even tried to cull my collection by putting everything up for sale and keeping whatever was left. But then, Combiner Wars and then Titans Return were released, and their appeal just kicked my collecting urge up about 4 notches. Was it the impressive updates to the G1 figures, most of which I had owned and lost over the years? Most likely. Bottom line is, I feel like the way I felt in the late 80s when I was getting Transformers for the 1st time, and the way I felt in 2000 when I got back into collecting after a 5 or 6 year hiatus. It might wane again after Power of the Primes is done, or it might not, depending on what's next. For me, it's all about the appeal of the product, and its ability to connect with my memories of childhood.

I do think there is joy in repairing old figures, especially G1 toys, which are much sturdier and can withstand some fiddling/rough handling. Unfortunately I don't have the patience for it. I get in a rage if I can't transform a figure exactly as the instructions say. But that's probably not the figure or the instructions, but rather my anger issues. >:oP
........Image
Rodimus Prime
God Of Transformers
Posts: 14561
News Credits: 22
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2002 8:31 pm

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby kurthy » Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:22 am

Motto: "Illumination through acceleration!"
Weapon: Metal Tearing Serrated Circular Blade
Good read, Burn.

I stopped being interested in G1 toys after Classics started coming out (wish I hadn't been out of collecting then).

However, I did find a bunch of Armada guys for my son that I had had before I stopped collecting two Christmas' ago. I had to restore armada Megatron, OP, and Overload. They are out there.
kurthy
Pretender
Posts: 709
News Credits: 13
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 7:51 pm
Location: Iowa City, IA
Alt Mode: John Deere 6M Series Tractor
Strength: 1
Intelligence: N/A
Endurance: 4
Firepower: 1
Skill: ???

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby leokearon » Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:06 am

Motto: "Every little bit helps"
Weapon: Dark Saber Sword
I love collecting and (attempting to) restore any G1 toys I get. I once bout a G1 Ultra Magnus Cab + Trailer and Powermaster prime Cab for 42 in a charity shop and for some reason (maybe because Magnus is my favourite TF), I was complete to complete him and prime and I did. I did the same for a G1 Rodimus Prime by brother got me for Christmas. I love doing it but it can be frustrating like my Motorvator Flame with 3 tyres.
Looking for:
G2 Sideswipe's spoiler
User avatar
leokearon
Gestalt Team Leader
Posts: 947
News Credits: 18
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:37 am
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 6
Endurance: 6
Rank: 7
Courage: 6
Firepower: 8
Skill: 9

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Blackstreak » Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:37 am

Motto: ""I'm stronger than I look, but not as strong as I think I am.""
Weapon: Laser Rifle
I remember the joy of hunting down Transformer figures. Actually, I still do it but not nearly as much as I used to. One of the biggest joys of collecting has to be the hunt. Sometimes I even enjoyed the repair/replacement of parts and the restoration and completion of a figure.

Then reality set in. It gets expensive. Obviously some are more expensive than others like the Pretender Monster Decepticon team found here: https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/g1-1989/monstructor/991/1/. The plastic can break only so many times before I give up.
Image

# of Transformers in collection: 332
Looking for 1985 Action Cards
Blackstreak
Godmaster
Posts: 1500
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:14 pm
Location: Norwood, OH
Watch Blackstreak on YouTube
Buy from Blackstreak on eBay
Alt Mode: Datsun 280 ZX or Dodge Viper
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 5
Speed: 9
Endurance: 7
Rank: 5
Courage: 9
Firepower: 9
Skill: 8

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby ArmadaPrime » Sun Aug 20, 2017 12:44 pm

Weapon: Requiem Blaster
An interesting read!
Personally I feel that whilst the love is still strong, there's definitely a little less of the raw excitement. I thought perhaps it was an age thing but I think it's more about knowledge? If I get a figure chances are I already know a lot about it through leaks, official reveals, review samples/dodgily-acquired-early-copies, and the fact that on a budget I tend to be firmly in the two-waves-late-off-ebay box rather than the preorders-months-in-advance one.
Now in general this is great- it can better inform purchases and build up hype for figures, but there's honestly been times where I've passed on a figure simply due to seeing so much I might as well own it already.
Maybe this is actually saving me from getting toys I won't be that excited by and hence avoiding the get-stuff-on-autopilot pitfall you mention, I honestly couldn't say. It does end up leading me to some purchases I'd never have expected otherwise- whilst I do really want, for instance, a Topspin, and will get one eventually, i could just as easily get a slightly older or more obscure figure I've little knowledge of and enjoy the discovery aspect that way.

Not really sure if I'm heading to a conclusion here, but perhaps it's this: news and leaks and reviews are great, but too much of a good thing can sometimes serve to dampen, rather than build, the hype.
...or maybe I should stop buying toys half a year after they come out, and actually get on board with the hype while it's still fresh. such is the life of a broke student in a market with nonsense distribution :roll:
Certified Expert™ in reading wikis to pretend I know more about things than I actually do
User avatar
ArmadaPrime
Brainmaster
Posts: 1439
News Credits: 3
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:41 am
Location: Berkshire | Birmingham

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Burn » Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:44 pm

Motto: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings to randomly click things in the Admin Panel to see what it breaks."
ArmadaPrime wrote:If I get a figure chances are I already know a lot about it through leaks, official reveals, review samples/dodgily-acquired-early-copies, and the fact that on a budget I tend to be firmly in the two-waves-late-off-ebay box rather than the preorders-months-in-advance one.
Now in general this is great- it can better inform purchases and build up hype for figures, but there's honestly been times where I've passed on a figure simply due to seeing so much I might as well own it already.

This is an interesting point! The thought did briefly cross my mind. As I live in a rural part of Australia, well removed from any capital cities, I'm often weeks behind others in Australia in finding figures in stores (hence why it's just easier to go with TakaraTomy, I'm already waiting, may as well wait a little longer). I see reviews, people posting their hauls and then talking about figures and by the time I get my hands on it, the hype has gone away.
Burn
Forum Admin
Posts: 28677
News Credits: 226
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:37 am

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby MadProject » Sun Aug 20, 2017 3:37 pm

Weapon: Sword
I'd love to go hunting for new figures (I'm not a big collector of old series, except for the toys I had as a child) and whenever I go shopping, I go taking a look at the toy aisle.
Sadly, purchasing online is my only valid option to get TF and other toys I collect, since here in Italy it arrives almost nothing.
It's kinda depressing going at supermarkets and toy stores (there's one pretty big in a town near the one I live, about 30 minutes in car) and find anything but old-but-no-old-enough (usually recently released figures, like first wave of TR) and 1-3-flip/flop figures.
The biggest joy I had in hunting down figures, and probably the last one, was near Christmas 5 or 6 years ago.
I was at this mall looking for a new PC, and while I was there they were cleaning the back of the store, putting a lot of unsold things on sale.
They took out the old toys while I was checking the price of the pc, and there was, on the pile, an old RID 2001 Optimus Prime in MINT condition (maybe some minor damage due the time)
The sale was really big (like a % less for each unsold year) and basically it costed something about 10 USD.
Obviously, he came at home with me.
User avatar
MadProject
Fuzor
Posts: 241
News Credits: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:30 am
Location: Italy
Alt Mode: Armored truck
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 4
Endurance: 10
Rank: 7
Courage: 9
Firepower: 4
Skill: 8

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby DeathReviews » Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:02 pm

Motto: "No matter where you go, always remember, I'm right behind you!

https://www.youtube.com/c/DeathReviews"
Some of us have the best of BOTH worlds. Because of weirdness in distribution, we can only order some figures online because they rarely, and sometimes NEVER, appear in local stores. And yet we still must go out hunting for figures in stores, just like in ye olde times, because sometimes you get lucky and find ones in store that are cheaper than they charge at online distributors.

The thrill is still there - you just have to know where to look ;)
"No matter where you go or what you do, always remember, I'm right behind you!" - Death

Click - Like - Subscribe - Awesome!
User avatar
DeathReviews
Brainmaster
Posts: 1469
News Credits: 30
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:45 am
Location: Everywhere
Watch DeathReviews on YouTube
Strength: ???
Intelligence: Infinity
Speed: ???
Endurance: Infinity
Rank: N/A
Courage: N/A
Firepower: N/A
Skill: ???

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Burn » Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:32 pm

Motto: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings to randomly click things in the Admin Panel to see what it breaks."
DeathReviews wrote:The thrill is still there - you just have to know where to look ;)


I know where to look. At the only store in town that has Transformers.

I can travel 100kms (60miles) north, spend an hour driving just to get to a city, then spend another hour driving around to get to various stores, knowing all too well that the result won't be any different because we're located half a country away from the nearest capital city.
Burn
Forum Admin
Posts: 28677
News Credits: 226
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:37 am

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby hausjam » Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:45 pm

I hate the hunt. I DESPISE the hunt. It's worth it once I have the item I want though. Maybe it's just me, but I love boxed G1 figures. I love the packaging. I just sit and stare for hours at my boxed G1 collection.
User avatar
hausjam
Minibot
Posts: 125
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:30 pm
Location: Chicago NW Suburbs

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Megatron Wolf » Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:31 pm

Motto: "Cry havoc and let slip the Wolves of War, Vae Victus!"
Weapon: Saber Blade
Im 31 and i can safely say ive been a fan all my life. My earliest memories are of playing with transformers, pretty much every picture of me as a kid i have one in my hands or near me. Back then finding a figure ive been looking for was a happy experience, but these days not so much. Its not cause iv lost the passion for collecting i still love doing it, its just so damn frustrating now & that is what i feel when i find stuff. It use to be when i found something id say "hell yeah this is awesome" and race home to open it, now its "about Fracking time" and then decide if i want to pay the high price or risk waiting for a sale. Hasbro has sucked the joy out of the franchise for me with the increasing prices, decreasing quality & horrible distribution. This is why im not buying as many hasbro products anymore, and when i do its because i know if i dont i wont ever see it again. Its a shame really cause collecting is suppose to be a joyful hobby but for many of us its become a frustrating slog.

There is a bit of silver lining though, with the money i save from not buying hasbro stuff ive been able to start buying comics again & working on other collections that i had to neglect in order to afford transformers. That is where i get that feeling i use to get as a kid, coming home with a stack of comics from my favorite series both new and old waiting impatiently for the next issues to come out, going on ebay finding gargoyle & alien/predator figures that i could never find as a kid and finally getting them without spending a tone of money. Transformers will always be special to me, its been a part of my life for this long and it always will be but if things keep going the way they are it wont be at the top anymore.

I didnt plan on writing an essay but once i got going i just couldnt stop, so ill close things off with some sage advise: if you find yourself losing the passion you had for collecting or any hobby in general just take a step back and reevaluate it. You dont have to abandon it completely just do it differently, instead of focusing on new stuff look for old stuff that you dont have or cut back and start a 2nd collection, try rediscover and old one or hell bite the bullet and do something different entirely. There are plenty of options out there you just need to take control, and remember missing out on one figure isnt going to kill you or destroy your collection. Sure youll be pissed and you have a right to be but you can always use that money on something else.
Current TF count: 2042

User avatar
Megatron Wolf
Faction Commander
Posts: 4948
News Credits: 8
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 8:30 pm
Location: New York
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 8
Endurance: 10+
Rank: 10+
Courage: 10
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby MaverickPrime » Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:47 pm

Motto: "Why do I even bother?"
Weapon: Metal-slashing Claw
I went through something similar when I got FINALLY got RiD Ruination last year, all 5 together, missing their individual weapons(except for Mega Octane's riffle, Ro-Tor's arm cannons and Rollbar's pistol) and MO's chest plate, but with all the combiner kibble and even the ramp, but man! They were really dusty! I disassembled as much as I could without taking out pins or the screws that just wouldn't come of and then I washed them up as best as I could.
After I finished, I felt like I had bonded with them in ways I hadn't really felt since I was a little kid and I went all out playing with my toys, not caring about playing in the ground, grass or water, taking pieces off due to battle damage or adding clay for reasons I just can't remember, somehow they felt more alive and I felt like they had more play value than fully articulated figures, I was having way more fun with toys with nothing but shoulder movement and knees at best!
I had wanted that set since I was like 8 or 9 and when I knew it was on it's way, I feared that ot would be underwhelming, with Combiner Wars already close to it's ending...but I was surprised at how well those G1 molds held up, somehow seeing them as I had seen them in the cartoon all those years ago.
They all now have a special place in my heart because of this, specially Armorhide, who I could take almost completely apart, made me feel like I really knew all about him, like I had owned him for years.
MaverickPrime
Vehicon
Posts: 330
News Credits: 26
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:15 pm
Location: Mexico, the land of awful toy distribution.
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 9
Endurance: 7
Rank: ???
Courage: 10
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby zko » Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:08 am

Motto: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."
Weapon: Battle Blades
I think for me my "rediscovery" moment was when they started bringing in RiD figures again after BW died off. I had gone many years as a G1er from the time G2 died off to through the era of BW up until RiD and Unicron trilogy started getting the more classic figures that turn into vehicles instead of monsters out on the market.

There is probably my biggest regret though, that I didn't get into BW as a collector and see alot of the awesomeness that line had except for occasionally looking at figures in the stores.

I think my fondest memories of collecting have to be of Cybertron and Animated figures, just because distribution was so great for those and every one was so well designed. I think I wound up with almost every stock figure from TF: Animated but the Roadbuster Ultra Magnus recolor, though since I have the blue original one it doesn't hurt that bad heh.
"Optimus never disappoints... unlike YOU Starscream!"
User avatar
zko
Micromaster
Posts: 67
News Credits: 2
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:39 pm
Strength: 7
Intelligence: Infinity
Speed: Infinity
Endurance: 9
Rank: 9
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 7
Skill: 9

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby NeonPrime » Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:50 am

Motto: "Believe in nothing and you'll fall for anything."
Weapon: Battle Blades
For me I started collecting with the first movie back in 2007. Like the author it helped get me through a rough patch. I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and had a weekly routine mapped out that I'd follow (TRU Wednesday, Walmart & Target Friday) and couldn't wait to get home and open any figures I was able to find. Between the toys, movie, video game and comics I had a blast.

However nowadays it's not quite as thrilling. Distribution within the last few years has been so bad that the thrill of the hunt is gone. there's been a lot of waves that were scarce or skipped all together. While I still can't resist checking toy departments I'd much rather just pick up want I want online so that way I have it. Especially this year with my favorite 'bot Hot Rod, the only movie figure I plan on picking up, being a Walmart only exclusive.

In addition to distribution is the rising cost of the figures. $20 for a movie deluxe!?!?!?! I understand the whole rising oil and production costs but the current pricing is just plain absurd. Personally I think if Hasbro stopped wasting money on all the dumbed down one steps, non transforming toys and other peg warming merch they could afford to lower the price. I'm actually glad the movie sucked so hard so I'm not compelled to pick up the entire line like in previous years.

With all of that said I ,like the author, find myself picking up and enjoying older figures. Whether it's G1, Beast Wars, Movieverse, or heck even bootlegs to fill in the gaps in my collection or to restore or kitbash I find it more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, I've picked up many cool figures especially with the Titans Return & RID line. But with the lack of distribution and absurd prices I think it's actually cheaper and easier to pick up the old stuff.
User avatar
NeonPrime
Minibot
Posts: 170
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:14 pm
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 5
Endurance: 9
Rank: 6
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby ScottyP » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:10 am

Weapon: Battle Blades
Great read!

The mention of Toyhax/Reprolabels can be spot on for newer things too. Generations Crosscut was one that got the "open it, transform once or twice, put on shelf" treatment initially. However, after taking the time to use their upgrades on it, it became one of my favorite more recent toys. That added interaction brings another element to the enjoyment of the hobby. There's a small part of doing stickers that gives me the feeling I'm creating something, even if that's not really the case.
Listen to me ramble about robots on the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast
User avatar
ScottyP
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5559
News Credits: 637
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
Buy from ScottyP on eBay

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Rated X » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:52 am

Motto: ""Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.""
Weapon: Saw-Edged Pincer
Ive pretty much had love for Transformers since I was a kid. Of course as a kid, I was limited to what I could convince my parents to buy me. I had stopped collecting areound age 12 when the micromaster 4 packs first came out because I remember buying the Air strike patrol and whatever the autobot 4 pack was called. Buy that time I had been absorbed by music and all my allowance money had switched to cassettes of the 2 Live Crew, N.W.A., and Ice T. Collecting music became another lifelong passion as I grew up and got into CDs and DJ vinyl. But I was one of those lucky ones that kept everything and my parents never threw out stuff. So I have my entire G1 collection to this day including Trypticon.I was meticulous with my parts so I still have nearly every piece. The decals did get some play wear though. I had a lot of fun restoring them with reprolabels and lining them up with the precision I never had as a kid. Cant say I get into fixing though. I got a friend who is also a lifelong collector and I refer all broken figures to him because he is a customizer and artist. Anyways, it was the 2007 movie that brought me back into collecting. At first I just wanted a Starscream since he was my favorite character, but I quickly caught the collection bug with my completionest habit lasting for the first 2 movies and most of the 3rd movie line. During this time I discovered e-bay and bought all the G1 figures I wanted as a kid but never had gotten to enjoy in hand. I also discovered chug figures and started buying select favorite characters since back then it seemed more like a small homage line vs. what it morphed into today. Chug eventually took over my interests as the line expanded every year and I started being more selective with movie figures mostly just buying all Decepticons and one Prime from each movie. By then I was a full blown chug collector. I had discovered this website looking at pictures online of figures I wanted to buy. Back then this site was also very different. It was run by a mostly American staff that fully supported the 3rd party revolution since Hasbro wasnt giving G1 fans everything they wanted. Needless to say, this site has evolved into something very different now but thats another story. I discovered botcon in 2010 and was compelled to atrend since it was happening right in my backyard. (Im in Miami and Botcon was in Orlando) I enjoyed it so much I went toBotcon 4 years in a row. After 2013, I saw less of the people I knew attending so I called it quits and bought the figures online saving all that airfare and hotel money which made so much more sense. I have been addicted to collecting to this day and spend most of my hobby money on it. Slowed down on 3rd party figures because lets be honest, Hasbro is finally getting it right and filling in the gaps. At first I never liked MP figures because of their huge size and referred to them as " barbie doll figures". I ended up liking them and now have the entire offical decepticon line up along with a few KO seekers of obscure characters ala CHMS style. I just bought my first MP-10 because everybody needs a Prime in their life, but I have no intention of starting an MP Autobot collection, at least not for now. And I refuse to do 3rd party MP figures because Im not gonna take the bait this time around like most of us did with Fansproject and TFC before combiner wars came out. So to close this, I can say collecting is addictive and Transformers are truly "plastic crack". Sometimes I wish I never started because im curious what I would have used all this money for or what my collection room would be used for instead. But im in it and happy. Dont know how ill sell all this stuff in my older age. Im too lazy to piece out my collection and deal with shipping. Some big time collection flipper is gonna have to take a road trip down to miami and make me a cash offer I cant refuse. It will be worth their time. But thats when im in my 50s or 60s. Im only 40 now. So my passion for this hobby runs deep. Thats my story.

X
Rated X
Banned
Posts: 8420
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:25 pm
Location: Miami, Florida
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 2
Endurance: 10
Rank: 7
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 10+
Skill: 8

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby wilcosu35 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:17 am

Burn, i recognize some things in your story.
I was born when G1 was on tv, so naturally i didn't grow up with it. I did have some transformers when i was young but they were mostly second-hand, incomplete and well-played with.
My real entry into the brand came when Beast Wars was on tv here in the Netherlands. I spent my pocket-money on a bunch of figures, but later grew out of it. After i moved out to study, i gradually picked up interest again and started buying. It wasn't collecting, it was hoarding. At a certain point i had most of the figures from BW up to and including AoE.
Then i got my own house, and after first cramming all my stuff into a room, i found out i didn't enjoy it anymore.
Part by part, series by series, i sold off my collection. The only thing i retained were my Masterpieces, which i'd decided would be the only thing i wanted to collect from then on. It was roughly at that time that MP-10 was released and the series really started to kick up the pace.
I've been an avid MP collector since then, but you are right in that there is no hunt involved: Simply open the webshop of your choosing, place your preorder and wait for it to arrive at your doorstep. Unpack the figure, transform it once or twice, and put it on the shelf. It makes for a nice collection but the acquiring isn't very exciting.
So then, early this year, i decided i wanted to add something new to the collection. Never having seen G1 (though i have watched it a couple of months ago), i wanted to have something from that era, a piece of history if you will. Ofcourse, since my main collection is MP and those take up an increasing amount of space, i wanted something which would not take up much room, and would be relatively easy to acquire in good condition.
Having that in mind, and having done some research, i settled upon Micromasters.
So over the last half year, i've bought a bunch of the little guys but i still have a lot to get. Which means i'm actively collecting again, actually being on the lookout for figures that i haven't got yet.
And that thing, the hunt for the stuff that you want, is exciting, and is part of what makes me happy as a collector.
'Met grijze worst, lekker warm, formaat afgeschoten kinderarm.
Wordt in Utrecht zeer terecht, al eeuwenlang het brood belegd'
wilcosu35
Headmaster
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 11:57 am

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby Burn » Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:20 pm

Motto: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings to randomly click things in the Admin Panel to see what it breaks."
Rated X wrote:Dont know how ill sell all this stuff in my older age. Im too lazy to piece out my collection and deal with shipping.

This is something I've thought of many times over the last few years.

Over the next few weeks I'll be taking photos of figures I'm looking to get rid of, mostly movie figures that I don't like/need. But as for the rest? I have no idea.
Burn
Forum Admin
Posts: 28677
News Credits: 226
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:37 am

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby ExciKaiser » Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:25 pm

Burn wrote:I thought I did, but without realising, while I had been collecting modern figures, I was simply going through the motions.


I couldn't have said it better.

I recently rediscovered the joy of collecting and even playing with my TFs.

But not with G1 figs, but with Titans returns.

I think I explained it in my first/introductions posts and also still recently in the TR topic.
I'm still not 100% sure why, as I said it's maybe the line-gimmick thing which relinds me the Unicron trilogy area, or the quality of the toys, we need to admit the lasted generations before CW were quite crappy..But it brought me so much back into collecting that even felt the need to register on a forum because I suddenly wanted to discuss TFs with other people !

So different root causes and different solutions, but I completely understand what you describe about "rediscovering the joy of collecting". I'm currently completely inside this period.


Rodimus Prime wrote:In 11 days, I'm going to be 35 years old. I've been a fan of Transformers for 30 years. In the last 10 years my collecting fire dwindled somewhat, simply due to the figures not being very appealing. I wasn't as enamored with the Generations line as most of the fandom. I even tried to cull my collection by putting everything up for sale and keeping whatever was left. But then, Combiner Wars and then Titans Return were released, and their appeal just kicked my collecting urge up about 4 notches. Was it the impressive updates to the G1 figures, most of which I had owned and lost over the years? Most likely. Bottom line is, I feel like the way I felt in the late 80s when I was getting Transformers for the 1st time, and the way I felt in 2000 when I got back into collecting after a 5 or 6 year hiatus. It might wane again after Power of the Primes is done, or it might not, depending on what's next. For me, it's all about the appeal of the product, and its ability to connect with my memories of childhood.


Nothing to add here, we're apparently twins, even for the age. Except it's more TR than CW which brought me back.

and like you I wonder what will happens next, will they be able to entertain this renewed interest ?

Burn wrote:Over the next few weeks I'll be taking photos of figures I'm looking to get rid of, mostly movie figures that I don't like/need. But as for the rest? I have no idea.


I already started some years ago, I definitely saw myself my interest lowering. I've been completlist for the first movie, and I still don't really know why. I've been able to sold them back (except Prime). I even got some 3P, that I also sold back.

I think at some point in the time, I was getting TFs by habit, the current releases", even going to 3P etc.

We could think it's what I'm currently doing with TR being completelist with no reason, but no, there something different. I don't know what/why/how, but it somewhere made me realize I should get only TFs which entertains me, not the ones which are current, newsed in websites, available on BBTS etc.. (and throw out those don't like and I was keeping for no other reson than "people said it's a good figure")

The main visible difference ? I now have a hunt list in ebay, with several listings and automatic searches.
something I never got before, as I was simply getting what was currently released..
Not english-native speaker. Thank you for being cool on my typos.
My Collection - Transformers Go Combiner Teams onboard !
Image
Looking for the claw-shield-gun which comes with Magna convoy.
User avatar
ExciKaiser
Combiner
Posts: 489
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:12 pm
Location: France
Buy from ExciKaiser on eBay

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby galvatron00 » Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:08 am

Motto: "Peace through sandwiches."
Weapon: Shoulder-Mounted Mega-Blast Missile Cannons
That's a pretty dang nice write up Burn.

I have a similar feeling to the restoration process, although it's mainly been adding 3rd Party upgrades, Reprolabels, or the minor paint customization to figures I almost parted ways with.

I still have a lot of my G1 figures (I'm fairly certain I'm only missing 10-20 based on accessories/instructions/tech specs) but there are definitely some in need of repair. I guess I haven't repaired some as I didn't want to break the only copy I had. Maybe I should contact TransformerLand to see if they can send a random box of bots that they wouldn't sell otherwise for parts! I think G1 Prowl and G1 Devastator are the ones in need of repair the most..

I, too, am at an impasse of what to sell and what to keep. It's not fun, and seems to be quite frustrating actually. I just want the figures to get enjoyed by someone else if they are sitting at my house in storage.
Image
User avatar
galvatron00
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 6651
News Credits: 15
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:54 pm
Buy from galvatron00 on eBay
Alt Mode: Kings Hawaiian Food Truck
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Rank: 8
Courage: 9
Firepower: 5
Skill: 10

This thread looks random enough since Rodimus Prime singled me out with a rule that Ryan didn't make

Postby Jason5billion » Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:58 pm

Motto: "God bless,JasonScottIrelan"
Weapon: Cyclone Cannon
Decepticon Octone gives me joy to play with and to have added to my collection, and it's strange that he doesn't have a landing gear because he's a large Transformer.

I wish I could get a response from Ryan instead of Burn and Ryan because they've added more rules than are covered on the rules thread. The rules only cover personal attacks/threats, adult(18+) material, discussion or promotion of illegal activities, and pseudo-modding; and there's nothing about spamming or trolling; and if anyone's guilty of the first rule, it's Rodimus Prime for threatening me with warnings and bans for starting my OWN random toy thread when it's Ryan's website, not his.

I did try to do a Google search for TTC Transformers to see if there were any females in series three or higher, but I couldn't find anything about series three of those, and it would give me joy to find out what's on the list of that series and the ones from the others, so I can go to another store to see what they have to collect.

You may think you're doing your job, Rodimus Prime; but is anyone paying you to read each and every little post and make up new rules to single people out who have mental disabilities? I doubt it very much.
Image
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan
Jason5billion
Banned
Posts: 499
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:49 pm
Location: Orange City, Florida
Buy from Jason5billion on eBay
Alt Mode: Astarshipthatcancloakgowarp5billionVehiconstarTbirdStingrayXKEmore
Strength: 10+
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: ???
Endurance: 10+
Rank: N/A
Courage: N/A
Firepower: N/A
Skill: N/A

Re: Rediscovering The Joy of Collecting

Postby shajaki » Fri Sep 01, 2017 10:07 pm

Motto: "A man who wants nothing is invincible."
Hittin 'em where he lives? Ballsy.

Nice copy paste job by the way.
User avatar
shajaki
Matrix Keeper
Posts: 9943
News Credits: 293
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2012 5:56 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Buy from shajaki on eBay

Re: This thread looks random enough since Rodimus Prime singled me out with a rule that Ryan didn't make

Postby Rodimus Prime » Fri Sep 01, 2017 10:31 pm

Motto: "Individual freedom above all else."
Jason5billion wrote:Decepticon Octone gives me joy to play with and to have added to my collection, and it's strange that he doesn't have a landing gear because he's a large Transformer.

I wish I could get a response from Ryan instead of Burn and Ryan because they've added more rules than are covered on the rules thread. The rules only cover personal attacks/threats, adult(18+) material, discussion or promotion of illegal activities, and pseudo-modding; and there's nothing about spamming or trolling; and if anyone's guilty of the first rule, it's Rodimus Prime for threatening me with warnings and bans for starting my OWN random toy thread when it's Ryan's website, not his.

I did try to do a Google search for TTC Transformers to see if there were any females in series three or higher, but I couldn't find anything about series three of those, and it would give me joy to find out what's on the list of that series and the ones from the others, so I can go to another store to see what they have to collect.

You may think you're doing your job, Rodimus Prime; but is anyone paying you to read each and every little post and make up new rules to single people out who have mental disabilities? I doubt it very much.
I won't allow you to degenerate another thread into your personal blog. Check your PM.
........Image
Rodimus Prime
God Of Transformers
Posts: 14561
News Credits: 22
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2002 8:31 pm

Next

Return to Transformers Toys Discussion

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SHATTER Transformers Bumblebee Movie Energon Igniters Power Plus Series 2018 New"
SHATTER Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers Bumblebee GO FOR THE GOLD One-shot IDW Comics 2018 OCT180684"
Transformers Bumbl ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "OPTIMUS PRIME Transformers Rescue Bots Academy Featured Feature Playskool 2022"
OPTIMUS PRIME Tran ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Heroes of Cybertron POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME SPARK ATTACK Transformers HOC New"
Heroes of Cybertro ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "RATCHET Transformers Studio Series 82 Deluxe Bumblebee Hasbro 2022 New"
RATCHET Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "ANIMATED BUMBLEBEE Transformers Legacy United Deluxe Class Hasbro 2024 New"
ANIMATED BUMBLEBEE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "World's Smallest Transformers BUMBLEBEE 1.25" Micro Action Figure Authentic New"
World's Smallest T ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "OPTIMUS PRIME Transformers Armada McDonald's Happy Meal Fast Food 2002 230719B"
NEW!
OPTIMUS PRIME Tran ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers Rise Of The Beasts Optimus Prime 19” Popcorn Bucket AMC New 2023"
Transformers Rise ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Funko Pop! Transformers BUMBLEBEE Pocket Keychain Dangler 1.5" 2020 New"
Funko Pop! Transfo ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers Fan Book 2020 with OPTIMUS PRIME + MEGATRON Legion Figures Takara"
NEW!
Transformers Fan B ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BUMBLEBEE Transformers Cyberverse Tiny Turbo Changers Series 2 Hasbro 2019 New"
BUMBLEBEE Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BUMBLEBEE Transformers Authentics Bravo 5" Action Figure Hasbro 2018 New"
BUMBLEBEE Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "STING SHOT BUMBLEBEE Transformers Cyberverse 1-Step Changer Hasbro 2019 New"
STING SHOT BUMBLEB ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers MPM04 Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Authentics Grimlock Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Evolution Optimal Optimus" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Sinnertwin" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Deluxe Windblade and Scorchfire" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 13 Voyager Class Movie 2 Megatron" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of the Primes Voyager Class Starscream" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe Ratchet Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Hasbro Transformers Generations Titans Return Soundwave and Soundblaster" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight Premier Edition Voyager Class Megatron" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Robots in Disguise Warrior Class Autobot Ratchet" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titan Masters Overboard Action Figure" on AMAZON