The Energon Pub

I am a hugh and serious transformers collector and just wanted thoughts of other serious collectors as to why some collectors leave their transformers in the boxes and never take them out to transform? Does one not miss out on the pure joy and the "on hands" experience of transforming them?

I realize that taking them out of the boxes de-values their worth. But I am from the collector group that considers my collection to be PRICELESS and NOT FOR SALE! Besides I've spent too much money and time is investing in them not to play with them!

I have over 1200 different figures from all the different generations of transformers and they are ALL out of the boxes and in mint condition behind three glass cases. They are for displaying mainly, with the occassional need to move them around and and transform from time to time!(My two favorites groups are all the G1's and my extensive Optimus Prime and Megatron collection. I'd send pics of my collection, but I can't figure out how to get this site to give me more memory via attachments, to be able to send them with this posting. (Any help would be greatly appreciated!)

So after this long winded speech, I'd really be interested in hearing thoughts from both sides on topic!

If I had the money, I'd do both, buy one to keep in the box, and one to have out.

I personally perfer to release them from their plastic and cardboard prisons.

Just my opinion, buying transformers and not opening them to me is pointless.

--B-- wrote:If I had the money, I'd do both, buy one to keep in the box, and one to have out.

I personally perfer to release them from their plastic and cardboard prisons.

This is the general consensus around here, I've learned.

If you are into collecting Transformers as an investment, then keeping them in the box is the way to go. Otherwise, the only reason would be if the box and toy display well.

This debate always reminds me of Toy Story II.

It depends on the figure. Most of my toys I open up (about 97%). However, if it is a re-colour or something I want MISB, then no.

For example, my black Unicron from Energon is still MISB. However, I have Unicron from Armada open. No need for both to be open, and if I ever get hard up, the few that I have MISB will help out.

But again out of my entire collection only about 3% are MISB.

All of mine are opened.

I mostly keep them out of box. except for G1 n box, and G1 re-issues which i like to keep in the box. It helps the G1 style boxes don't need to be torn apart to remove the figure.
They can store the figure and you still have access to them if you want to transform them.

I kinda Wish Hasbro would bring those types of boxes back. the could still have twisty ties for security purposes. But once you remove them, the figures can still be placed back into the box and stored if necessary.

I will never keep a TF in its box unless I happen to acquire one I already own.

For me, the whole reason I love TFs is because of the (usually) talented engineering and intricate designs that enable a car or boat or plane to turn into something totally different and, somehow, believable. To NOT transform them would be a waste of all that ingenuity, in my opinion.

If you're starting an online store, though, I can see why you'd leave them boxed. Otherwise, they're toys: play with them.

with the exception of MISB G1 and G2, I open all of mine, though there are a few I buy 2 of, just so I can have MISB.

I open every transformer I get.
When I received EX-02 I contemplated the option to leave it MISB ($150 )

I said to hell with it, I opened it and I am so in love with it, (Sonic Convoy mode of course)

I agree, unless you want to sell them later to invest in your figures, I don't see any reason to keep them in their packages.

Most of mine are open and on display. But i have limited space at the moment.
The ones that i don't have room for in the display cases tend to stay in their box because it is easier to dust them.
But even then the only TFs actually misb are just ones like Cybertron scout & deluxe, bubble packaged Alts and so on that look a bit scruffy if you display with an opened box.

I have no intention of selling any of my collection, so the issue of affecting the value has no impact on how i display them.

How does one certify if they are "hugh" and "serious"?

I can't be Hugh, cause that's not my first name. And is serious quantifiable?

I used to be MISB collector over the past two years I have changed.I open a lot of Transformers now, some are still in the box.I usually don't open anything right away I kinda spread it out for a rainy day.

I try to buy two. One to keep in the box and one to play with. When my twin boys are older they get the loose ones.

There is something special about a toy that can last for twenty years without being opened, no matter which toy line it is.

I don't see any sense in leaving them in their boxes for eternity. Eternity is a verrrryyyyyy long time. I take mine out of the box, have Autobot/Decepticon Wars, find all the appropiate pieces, & then put them back. For Primus' sake, they are toys!! What purpose does a toy serve if it's cooped up in a box its entire life?!?!?! Although, I do have some G1's that have no box, & are stored in plastic baggies. I take those out too though. I make the best effort to play w/them yet keep them in pristine condition at the same time. You only live once. Unless you're Optimus Prime...........................

Outta the box, dude. Lack of space + they're f'n toys = No WAY I can keep 'em in their box.....

Mmm, it depends for me.

90% of the time the figures are released asap and the box goes into a plastic crate in the attic.

If I buy a MISB G1, those stay in their boxes as they were bought because their boxes appealed to me. I alos tend to have those loose as well anyway. The only exception is Fortress Maximus. Him I will release after buying MISB.

Sometimes the box is too pretty to open, or helps display the figure better. The book style reissues is a good example. I can't seem to open those. I've tried, but not succeeded yet. The Nike Free 7.0s might be a better example, where the box is almost part of the whole gimmick.

I could keep them MOC or MISB if i wanted, but I thought that the G1 reissues looked way better opened on on a shelf on display

I own around 30 transformers and only two remain MISB.

My Jetfire and Cobalt Security Team. I've bought a Macross Valkyrie re-issue that's close enough to Jetfire so that I can enjoy the transformation. I've already got Ravage, Buzzsaw and Laserbeak so I'm happy to leave the Cobalt Team MISB

I agree that a Transformer by definition needs to be transformed to be fully enjoyed.