The Energon Pub

Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

Where are you moving from?

My suggestion would be to take as much as you can as carry on luggage and mail the rest to yourself. Really, registered mail is far more likely to reach you than checked baggage.

I like to keep accessories in labeled zip-top baggies so they're organized, otherwise you've got the right idea.

I'm assuming you're using a shipping/moving company for the rest of your stuff? Ask them if they have any pointers too, they'll know better than anyone.

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Diem wrote:

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Where are you moving to?

Counterpunch wrote:

Diem wrote:

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Where are you moving to?

Either to Brighton in the UK or San Francisco in the US. If anyone knows any awesome stores or Seibertronians in the area that'd be great too!

However you choose to move them I would make sure they were insured properly.

Counterpunch wrote:Where are you moving from?

My suggestion would be to take as much as you can as carry on luggage and mail the rest to yourself. Really, registered mail is far more likely to reach you than checked baggage.

The Philippines.

Oh man, insurance. I didn't think of that.

Diem wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

Diem wrote:

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Where are you moving to?

Either to Brighton in the UK or San Francisco in the US. If anyone knows any awesome stores or Seibertronians in the area that'd be great too!

If you move to Brighton I'm not too far away! Let me know if that's where you go.

My tips for packing TFs:
Wrap them in your own clothes and linen. Slip individual figures inside (clean) socks. You probably want them in alt mode so there are less bits sticking out.
As for accessories, I say jumble them all in a box and have fun matching them up later - sort of like a jigsaw! I keep my kibble in a box and I had a great time trying to figure out which missile went with who.

Mykltron wrote:

Diem wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

Diem wrote:

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Where are you moving to?

Either to Brighton in the UK or San Francisco in the US. If anyone knows any awesome stores or Seibertronians in the area that'd be great too!

If you move to Brighton I'm not too far away! Let me know if that's where you go.

My tips for packing TFs:
Wrap them in your own clothes and linen. Slip individual figures inside (clean) socks. You probably want them in alt mode so there are less bits sticking out.
As for accessories, I say jumble them all in a box and have fun matching them up later - sort of like a jigsaw! I keep my kibble in a box and I had a great time trying to figure out which missile went with who.

Last xmas I got a ton of Transformers from my dad, then I had to fly back with them and that's what I did. Nothing got broken, so it got the job done.

I'm actually a really big fan of wrapping in newsprint. Just one other tip, don't overpack any boxes. You want air in the boxes to absorb any crushing damage during transit. If you've got a solid mass of figures and padding, good luck if there is any trauma to the box.

Diem wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

Diem wrote:

Nickolai wrote:Well, made big life choice and if everything goes all right I will be moving to the United States to live and work. The only forseeable problem is I have a medium-sized (roughly 200) loose TF collection that I'm too attached to leave behind or sell. I'd love stories and tips from people that've moved a collection of that size or larger. I have no idea how to go about it, besides bubble-wrapping each individual fig and segregating all the accessories/missiles and putting them in color-coded boxes.

I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Where are you moving to?

Either to Brighton in the UK or San Francisco in the US. If anyone knows any awesome stores or Seibertronians in the area that'd be great too!

Sorry to necro this thread, but I just wanted to confirm that I am moving to San Fransisco.

Diem wrote:I'm in the exact same position...I'll be moving to (probably) the US later this year (sorry guys, no more early-bird Alternity reviews after the Seekers) and have a similar size collection to move. If anyone has any more good tips I'd also be grateful.

Sads.

El Duque wrote:However you choose to move them I would make sure they were insured properly.

Be careful with this too, you could be setting yourself up for some very hefty customs fees. Make sure you clearly mark them as personal goods which you already own. 200 TFs could be valued in the thousands and depending on where you ship them to that could be a LOT of duties.


I've personally only moved fairly short distances, but here are my tips. I also work for one of the major worldwide couriers, so I know a few things about safe shipping:

-Pack them in their original boxes whenever possible

-Put loose figs in vehicle mode, and fold in wings, etc if possible, to avoid breakage, and remove all accessories, put them in boxes or ziploc bags. Accessories could be put in bags/boxes according to series and/or faction, for organization.

-Wrap loose figs in bubble wrap, crinkled blank newsprint (not printed, you'll get ink on them) or paper towel. Avoid stryofoam anything, it's messy.

-Pack them in sturdy boxes, and as mentioned, don't overpack. Fill the empty space with more of whatever you're packing with.

-Make sure your boxes are WELL sealed with packing tape. I've seen far too many packages come open due to not enough tape, spilling their contents all over, which of course results in damage or pieces getting lost.


I also suggest bringing the most valuable figures with you personally. I doubt you'd have to worry about theft, but couriers are suprisingly rough with packages, partially due to the use of automatic conveyor belts and such. That's why you need to ensure you have sturdy boxes to put them in. Minimizing the number of boxes is also a good idea, to prevent loss. Less packages = less chance one of them will get lost.

Also, if you own any Megatron figures that transform into guns, pack them in robot mode and possibly plug the barrel with a 'blaze orange' plug. You don't want your expensive MP-05 getting siezed by customs.

one word.

Zip-Lock.

I also forgot one important thing. Always write both the "TO" and "FROM" addresses clearly on the shipping box itself. It will be on the shipping label as well, but sometimes those fall off, and then no one will know where to send your package. This way you're safe. It's also a good idea to put your phone number on as well, that way they can contact you if there's any problem with your package.

Diem wrote:Sorry to necro this thread, but I just wanted to confirm that I am moving to San Fransisco.

Cool.