The Energon Pub

Megatron Wolf wrote:EDIT: a friend and i were just discussing this and i thought of another reason to leave collectors the hell alone, instead of collecting little action figures or buying a figure to try and cheer us up after a **** day we could be doing crack or getting drunk every night. Yes an argument could be made that collecting is as addictive as a drug but its a hell of a lot less damaging if at all and can always become an investment unlike drugs or booze, unless its a very very very old bottle of booze. Ill stop ranting now, well until next time at least. Qapla'

Why can't we do all of the above, you know, get drunk, collect toys, do crack , only kidding.

xyl360 wrote:

Megatron Wolf wrote:EDIT: a friend and i were just discussing this and i thought of another reason to leave collectors the hell alone, instead of collecting little action figures or buying a figure to try and cheer us up after a **** day we could be doing crack or getting drunk every night. Yes an argument could be made that collecting is as addictive as a drug but its a hell of a lot less damaging if at all and can always become an investment unlike drugs or booze, unless its a very very very old bottle of booze. Ill stop ranting now, well until next time at least. Qapla'

Why can't we do all of the above, you know, get drunk, collect toys, do crack , only kidding.

Doing crack is frowned upon?

agentcastle wrote:the show's been decent so far:

1) it puts my collection into perspective and shuts the wife up... for a lil while at least

2) for the most part, the chick knows her stuff; she encourages the people to keep the best and most meaningful parts of their collection - paraphrasing, "if you've got too many things to actually enjoy your collection, then maybe you've entered the realm of hoarding"

3) and yes, its almost always a spouse calling for help - so turn the show off before the final few seconds, otherwise your wife might catch the number and we'll be lamenting your losses next episode

Wow. Just wow. That is a bit sexist of you to speak that way.

But seriously - I'll have to remember this when I talk to this one collector whose wife not only supports his collection, but also gets to say what pieces are hers.

User897 wrote:I honestly don't know why the hell Seibertron.com is supporting this show. Lives will be ruined and collections decimated, so they put it on the front page?

LAME.

Not everything that goes in our news section is stuff that I want to support.

Truth be told, the concept of this show makes me cringe. Many people would probably think I'm obsessed. While Transformers does consume much of my day from morning to night, unlike most people my personal "obsession" has become a successful business with which I support my family. A show like this would attempt to make a mockery of myself or my business ventures with Seibertron.com.

I couldn't quite tell what was going on with the preview clip. Did the guy have high end pieces like that and was still living at his folks place in his mid 30s or did he have his own place and was holding onto high end pieces? If it's the former and he's over 22 or out of college ... time to get a place of your own. If he does have a place of his own, a show like this should leave him alone.

It'll be interesting to watch once. I'm sure I'll chime back in here tomorrow about this show.

bruh watching this makes me wanna sell my collection off, i have over 175 tf's but i dont want to be that 23 yr old nigga that still collects toys, it was a good 11 yr run rip my collection 2001-2012 maybe

chevymantf wrote:bruh watching this makes me wanna sell my collection off, i have over 175 tf's but i dont want to be that 23 yr old nigga that still collects toys, it was a good 11 yr run rip my collection 2001-2012 maybe

, I'm 33 and still collecting. In fact I didn't actually start collecting until 2-3 years ago and I've no plans to stop now, at least not as long as they're still making toys that I like.

It's up to you if you think someone like myself (and many others around here) are too old to still collect toys and that you're getting too old for it, but those of us who are still into it will probably still be collecting once you've sold off your collection of 175+ toys (I'm not sure how many I have at this point, but it's well above 175).

If I run out of space for my collection, I'll get a bigger place. I ain't selling and they can't make me .

Seibertron wrote:

User897 wrote:I honestly don't know why the hell Seibertron.com is supporting this show. Lives will be ruined and collections decimated, so they put it on the front page?

LAME.

Not everything that goes in our news section is stuff that I want to support.

Truth be told, the concept of this show makes me cringe. Many people would probably think I'm obsessed. While Transformers does consume much of my day from morning to night, unlike most people my personal "obsession" has become a successful business with which I support my family. A show like this would attempt to make a mockery of myself or my business ventures with Seibertron.com.

I couldn't quite tell what was going on with the preview clip. Did the guy have high end pieces like that and was still living at his folks place in his mid 30s or did he have his own place and was holding onto high end pieces? If it's the former and he's over 22 or out of college ... time to get a place of your own. If he does have a place of his own, a show like this should leave him alone.

It'll be interesting to watch once. I'm sure I'll chime back in here tomorrow about this show.

You both need to watch the series before passing judgement. Because so far, they only respond to people who asked for help. And the Transformer fan, based on what was stated, is somebody that wanted her help in hopes of becoming financially dependent and get his business off the ground.

And the rest? Well...

- There was the couple who are Star Wars fans. The wife had allowed their collection get out of hand, with the husband saying it was because he could not say no to her. They only removed a Rex statue and a few key items that did not contribute to their collection.

- Then there was a couple who needed to get out of debt. The husband had an obsession with Catwoman, but hid his collection in their garage. He gave it up so they can be out of debt, as he was not allowing himself to enjoy these items.

- And then there was guy who owned tons of G.I. Joes and Hot Wheels. The collection was cluttered and not taken care of. And because he was treating it like a 401K, they only sold the mainstream stuff. The rest, his wife said that they are going to figure out how they will display these items - Which turned out to be very nice in appearance.

- And finally, there was the wife/mother who was obsessed with Barbies. She had doubles of many items, incomplete sets, and her entire collection even took over the closets in the house. She ended up selling most of her collection, minus the Holiday pieces and a few others, and was rewarded with a "First Barbie" (which is her goal) as a gift her husband and sons.

And the entire time, she is saying nothing more than the fact that if you plan to have a huge collection, you need to do three things: Take good care of it, display it in a manner that can be enjoyed and not be in the way at the same time, and keep it under control... As in keep track of what you own and not let it get out of hand that you cannot enjoy every piece.

So yeah - It is something worth watching if you care to control your collection, start a new collection, and need help reducing what you have (for whatever reason you might have).

I have never understood the point of collecting so many TFs that you couldn't display them. Buying them just to stash in a box is definitely way closer to hoarding at that point. I have all my tfs out on display, almost maxing out my room until I move into a bigger place. Why do some of you guys buy figures just to stash in boxes? (okay, if you buy doubles or triples, with the sole purpose of some to be a sort of museum piece, I gotcha. But otherwise, why?)

MINDVVIPE wrote:I have never understood the point of collecting so many TFs that you couldn't display them. Buying them just to stash in a box is definitely way closer to hoarding at that point. I have all my tfs out on display, almost maxing out my room until I move into a bigger place. Why do some of you guys buy figures just to stash in boxes? (okay, if you buy doubles or triples, with the sole purpose of some to be a sort of museum piece, I gotcha. But otherwise, why?)

Okay... I was going to stop responding to this topic, but I cannot because I very much like your question and point to your question.

And to answer your question: My collection are in the boxes that they were shipped in because I had decided in (December) 2011 that I wanted to create a collection that my future child/children can inherit. Something that will explain to them who I have become after all the struggles (life, collections, etc.) I had faced beforehand. And to make sure that this will happen in the future, I also chose to submit them to AFA - Something I have yet done because I constantly find more that I want.

Sadly, even once I get that done, I have no space in my room to display them. And with my situation, as it stands (finances, conditions that limits my life, etc.), I do not know when or if I will have a place to display them anytime soon.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:Okay... I was going to stop responding to this topic, but I cannot because I very much like your question and point to your question.

And to answer your question: My collection are in the boxes that they were shipped in because I had decided in (December) 2011 that I wanted to create a collection that my future child/children can inherit. Something that will explain to them who I have become after all the struggles (life, collections, etc.) I had faced beforehand. And to make sure that this will happen in the future, I also chose to submit them to AFA - Something I have yet done because I constantly find more that I want.

Sadly, even once I get that done, I have no space in my room to display them. And with my situation, as it stands (finances, conditions that limits my life, etc.), I do not know when or if I will have a place to display them anytime soon.

Interesting. Good idea about the inheritance part, and I only just looked up the AFA and realized I should have had a bunch of figures apraised properly before selling them off to create funds for Crossfire Bruticus, haha.
Perhaps I seemed kind of unsympathetic to those who just end up with too many that they run out of room. I can see myself getting that point without even knowing, given the steadily increasing 3rd party scene.

Its great looking back at some figures and reliving the great feeling of happening upon them. I just recently found RID Vehicon in Doha airport (near Dubai). Of all the places to find my most sought after RID figure, during a tormenting 48 hours worth of travelling around the world, I just kept it together, knowing when I get home I could enjoy it in peace
Sorry for the tangical story, but yea, each figure does have a story behind them to me, and thats a great thing, even if it isn't that big a deal to those who inherit them later.

MINDVVIPE wrote:Interesting. Good idea about the inheritance part, and I only just looked up the AFA and realized I should have had a bunch of figures apraised properly before selling them off to create funds for Crossfire Bruticus, haha.

Thanks. I just wish I had the benefit to do this sooner, as there are so many Transformers that I have missed out on. But despite that, I am going to go all-out and include the UV protection option if it does not alter the look of the casing.

And with my collection, as it stands, I can only see 2-3 of the 10 I currently own taking time to have its value pay off the price to grade it.

MINDVVIPE wrote:Perhaps I seemed kind of unsympathetic to those who just end up with too many that they run out of room. I can see myself getting that point without even knowing, given the steadily increasing 3rd party scene.

I can understand. I have seen photos of rooms where the owner has their collection set up in a very nice manner. I have seen other photos where I seriously wonder why they have their collection so poorly organized.

And with me - My goal is to have a room where I can display my entire Transformers collection. Either in a small "Wall of Fame" manner or blended with books and other items. Not sure yet, as I said I will stop buying once there are no more characters that I want to own.

MINDVVIPE wrote:Its great looking back at some figures and reliving the great feeling of happening upon them. I just recently found RID Vehicon in Doha airport (near Dubai). Of all the places to find my most sought after RID figure, during a tormenting 48 hours worth of travelling around the world, I just kept it together, knowing when I get home I could enjoy it in peace

I have a similar feeling with #4. It is a "Welcome to Transformers 2010" Predaking. Long story short - I first spotted him in Koriyama, but could not get myself to buy him despite the fact that my inner child was screaming "BUY IT!!!" in that manner.

My second attempt had me get him through TFsource. He was $170 (mint box), and sold out sometime after I ordered mine. I also worried that I could not have my order go through because I originally received my "the request was declined" phone message. It was not the case, and was one of the first pieces I received in 2012.

Then again, this year, I missed out on obtaining the original 2008 Henkei! Henkei! Transformers C-05 Hot Rodimus (MOSC) for a very good price in Akihabara.

MINDVVIPE wrote:Sorry for the tangical story, but yea, each figure does have a story behind them to me, and thats a great thing, even if it isn't that big a deal to those who inherit them later.

I am hoping to not have that be the case for me. Because I want to use it as a means for them to find what they like and want to collect. And maybe have them connect this collection with their own. But we will have to wait and see... Even though I am wondering how big my collection will become by then.

MINDVVIPE wrote:I have never understood the point of collecting so many TFs that you couldn't display them. Buying them just to stash in a box is definitely way closer to hoarding at that point. I have all my tfs out on display, almost maxing out my room until I move into a bigger place. Why do some of you guys buy figures just to stash in boxes? (okay, if you buy doubles or triples, with the sole purpose of some to be a sort of museum piece, I gotcha. But otherwise, why?)

I have nothing on display. Just current toys that are accessible to me in tubs that I need for galleries (such as DOTM, Classics, Movie, and TFP toys). While I understand where you're coming from, it's really no different than someone who has a lot of money in the bank or a vacation home that they own somewhere else that they only visit a few times a year. For someone like me who owns about 4,000+ Transformers toys which I've accumulated over the past 30 years, the galleries on this site are my display. I probably get a similar satisfaction from completing galleries that you guys get when you see your figures on display and see your collection growing.

Episode is over and there is no responses from the haters and trolls who assumed things about this. Huh.

And with his part of the episode... I have no idea what to say. One side has me feel for him when he sold his prize piece. But on the other side, he placed himself in that predicament. Especially since he is trying to run a business, not use money that is not his for his collection.

I was only able to catch the first 15 mins or so before having to turn my attention to something more pressing.

Two questions: When will this re-air? And what and where is this friggin' toy district in LA that the Toy Hell guy was talking about!? I wanna go there.

It Is Him wrote:I was only able to catch the first 15 mins or so before having to turn my attention to something more pressing.

Two questions: When will this re-air? And what and where is this friggin' toy district in LA that the Toy Hell guy was talking about!? I wanna go there.

Same here. All the times I've been to L.A. and I could've been conducting a little business as well. http://www.downtownlawalks.com/?f=toy_district

Seibertron wrote:

It Is Him wrote:I was only able to catch the first 15 mins or so before having to turn my attention to something more pressing.

Two questions: When will this re-air? And what and where is this friggin' toy district in LA that the Toy Hell guy was talking about!? I wanna go there.

Same here. All the times I've been to L.A. and I could've been conducting a little business as well. http://www.downtownlawalks.com/?f=toy_district

Amazing.

Btw, there's a Hulu channel for Collection Intervention. Last night's episode isn't up yet, but I'm sure it will be soon.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:Episode is over and there is no responses from the haters and trolls who assumed things about this. Huh.

And with his part of the episode... I have no idea what to say. One side has me feel for him when he sold his prize piece. But on the other side, he placed himself in that predicament. Especially since he is trying to run a business, not use money that is not his for his collection.

I fell asleep about 1/2 way through the episode last night. Did not like the approach about the guy with the comic books. He should ditch his fiancee. She's going to be on a witch hunt to get rid of those comics their whole marriage. Solution to the guy's problem is that he needs to get a storage unit for $50 to $100 a month. Problem solved ... everyone's happy.

As for the Toy Hell guy, the #1 rule of business is you've got to make money. If it's not making money where you can pay your bills and reinvest into your business, then you're doing something wrong. He's too old to be having financial support from his parents. They're a big part of the problem by enabling his behavior.

And now I see why he's having difficulty with his business ... http://toyhell.com/fiftyoffsale.htm. He needs to spend some time and resources bringing his website up to modern website standards. It looks like it's from the 1990s. Plus you can't just give away large amounts of money to lure people in. That's not how you run a business, especially knowing that he's in financial problems.

Seibertron wrote:I fell asleep about 1/2 way through the episode last night. Did not like the approach about the guy with the comic books. He should ditch his fiancee. She's going to be on a witch hunt to get rid of those comics their whole marriage. Solution to the guy's problem is that he needs to get a storage unit for $50 to $100 a month. Problem solved ... everyone's happy.

Actually... He not only got to meet his favorite comic writer, but had gotten advice on why it is good to reduce his collection. Before getting a nice item from him. That, and he traded in around 2,000 comics that had no real monetary value for a very nice, signed Silver Age comic. Near Mint+ condition, I am presuming. And one that is the first full appearance of a fan-favorite character.

Not saying who, as you need to watch it.

Seibertron wrote:As for the Toy Hell guy, the #1 rule of business is you've got to make money. If it's not making money where you can pay your bills and reinvest into your business, then you're doing something wrong. He's too old to be having financial support from his parents. They're a big part of the problem by enabling his behavior.

Tell me about it. And what sucked, for me, is the fact that he had boxes full of (possibly MISB) Generation 1 pieces. And while I am sure he said that he has complete sets, one of those boxes looked like it contains a Operation Combination set. Which despressed me because I can barely find a MISB "Encore" Convoy (much less one worthy of submitting to AFA).

Seibertron wrote:And now I see why he's having difficulty with his business ... http://toyhell.com/fiftyoffsale.htm. He needs to spend some time and resources bringing his website up to modern website standards. It looks like it's from the 1990s. Plus you can't just give away large amounts of money to lure people in. That's not how you run a business, especially knowing that he's in financial problems.

Yup. He has pieces that he has yet to sell in his house, which is stockpiled with bootleg toys, anime-related toys, and his own personal collection that I want. Plus, you have to go to his archaic "order" page just to find a way to contact him.

And yup, he does have that Convoy I want. But I need to get the other piece I am thinking of getting first. Especially since I have made it be known that my collection will be all AFA'd in the end.

There have been times I thought who would be worthy of inheriting my collection when I pass away. Recently I came across someone who is. He's a talented model hobbyist who recently opened a shop that caters to a wide range of anime/toy culture enthusiasts. He plans on hosting community based activities like cosplay, anime group meetings, gunpla building, modeling classes, and more. You can even sell your collection in his shop for a fee.

In the name of self-preservation I haven't told him I think he's worthy of my collection when my spark burns out.

I may sell some of my collection through him if I tire of it, which is not uncommon for me. I have zero tolerance for toys once their joints become loose and I can't fix them. Trash! Not as cool to me as before? Trash! Hmm ebay? Nope. Trash! Don't have nor know any kids. Trash! Out of sight, out of mind.

Point is I may have a lot in my collection (in my hobby room), but I don't keep everything, and I'm not one of those whose addiction gets out of hand: no space, no self-control, and no money.

dedcat wrote:It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Stormrider wrote:

dedcat wrote:It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:

Stormrider wrote:

dedcat wrote:It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

PrymeStriker wrote:

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:

Stormrider wrote:

dedcat wrote:It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

Eh, many collectors do the same thing. They see these toys (and yes, sorry to burst any bubbles, these are all TOYS ) as some kind of monetary investment. While you can make money off of old TF's, that never was their intended purpose.

Of course, the flip side is, they were never intended to be collectible pieces of nastalgia either. We made them that, the same as Hot Wheels collectors, vintage automobile collectors and every other type of collector out there, which is precisely what gives them increased monetary value over time.

She's the equivalent of a high-end liquidator. She is to assess the items she's presented with and give an estimate based on the current market value and provide that info to her client who is the owner of the item(s) she's assessing. Her job is basically to do what a seller on ebay does when estimating how much to charge for that vintage piece of TF history.

I get this side of collecting, I understand it, but I disregard it. As much as I love these hunks of paint, plastic and metal, all they ever were and still are is toys. Just a bunch of toys, and I'm an adult who collects and plays with them. They are not my 401K, they are not my stocks and bonds, and they are not some plastic legacy that I'm going to leave to my children so that the spirit of the Transformers will live on for future generations.

That's just me though, and I know that many (if not most) collectors don't see it the same way that I do. But that's also exactly why I hate the concept of shows like this. Ooo, wow, look at how much those old toys are worth! I should sell them all and make a ton of $! No, not me, sorry, that's not why I collect them.

PrymeStriker wrote:I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

I agree when it comes to the Generation 2 Botcon exclusive. It should have been used as an incentive to sell off the items not worth having in his collection. This could allow him to have him either have his main collection graded or put in acrylic cases, and ultimately let him and others have fun looking at them... Talking about them... And so on. Mostly because it is a key piece to his collection at that time.

However, she ended up talking about his financial issues more than the clutter. And she disconnected it from the rest because it had monetary value, as well as the fact he was constantly in debt. I cannot entirely disagree with the idea that he needed to sell it, as he put himself in that predicament. But she could have, at least, gone from the monetary value (and it not being a G1 piece) to the fact that if he keeps up what he does... He will find himself selling it if he continues doing what he is doing.

Anyone have a link for the Transformers episode (youtube, any other site)? I'd like to check it out.