The Energon Pub

Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:01 am

Just wanted the opinion of you guys bcoz I'm confused..... Do transformers collectors unbox their transformers or do you just leave it in the box? If so when do you open them? Issit only the limited edition ones you keep em' in the box or sth? I would like to know what you guys do with your transformers!

News Credits: 15 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:28 am

I unbox everything unless I have nowhere to display it at that time. Can't see the point of buying something you like and not opening it to have a play, its just a thing in a box.

News Credits: 22 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:24 am

I open them all. The only ones I haven't opened when I got them were the 1st 2 Chinese Year figures, Ultimate Prime and Energon Prime. I was gonna collect them all, btu i gave up and sold them. I did get more for MISB than other loose figs before, but I would rather open and enjoy the figures even if they lose some value because of it.

News Credits: 241 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:42 am

Optprimus wrote:Just wanted the opinion of you guys bcoz I'm confused..... Do transformers collectors unbox their transformers or do you just leave it in the box? If so when do you open them? Issit only the limited edition ones you keep em' in the box or sth? I would like to know what you guys do with your transformers!

It all depends on personal preference, really. A good majority do unbox toys for display (even limited editions), but that's it. Each has different reasons for unboxing or keeping them sealed, down to keeping the actual boxes or tossing them. One could almost write a book about it :lol:

Personally, I unbox everything (except maybe doubles), but I do keep the packaging. Of the US packaging, I keep the cardboard and inserts and toss the bubble, but the Japanese packaging I keep completely intact. I should mention that when I look for second-hand toys, I prefer them loose rather than MISB, as I'd feel guilty opening up an old sealed toy (especially G1 up to Beast Machines). Plus, they're cheaper when loose.

What we all agree on though, is that if you're in it for the "potential profits", you're in it for the wrong reason.

News Credits: 12 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:05 am

Gotta set 'em free. They're not financial investments; they're toys.

Most of the time I open the package the instant I get home, but sometimes I'll keep it in the box for a few days just to savor the anticipation.

I save all the cardbacks for Deluxes and smaller. I'm constantly battling myself over whether or not Voyager boxes are worth keeping. I've tossed some and kept others, depending on the line. I always save special packaging like Masterpieces or Platinums.

IMO, the only TFs that should be kept sealed are original G1 figures, out of respect. Opening a G1 figure that's been sealed for 30 years is like disturbing the tomb of a mummy. You'll probably be cursed.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:21 am

A post was done here about a year ago about this similar topic which also had some pics of the TFs that came with batteries. They exploded obviously. I recommend at a minimum opening the ones containing batteries and either removing them, or displaying them.

Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:52 am

They're called Transformers. They need to be Transformed periodically! They can't do that sitting in a box or on a card.

As for when I do it: At the latest is as soon as I get home with it. Sometimes it is as soon as I get from the store to my car. Heck, I think on occasion I've even started opening the package while walking to my car.

News Credits: 9 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:16 am

Mine are 2/3 loose, 1/3 opened or sealed; mostly any kind of special edition, reissue or book box design stays in box; the rest come out.
I am a graphic designer so my appreciation for the boxed stuff transcends my collecting habit.
However, you do you ; if it makes you happy open them, if not keep what you want sealed.

News Credits: 2 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:52 am

From time to time, this type of question will always be brought up.

In my case, I always open them. These toys need to be transformed and posed. I may have some still in the box but that is I don't have time to open them yet.

Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:55 pm

Ah how I fondly remember keeping Animated Starscream boxed for so long - the packaging and vehicle mode just looked so good. They I opened him. Then his hands fell off. Then his thumbs. Then his 'tail' fin coverings. In this case - some figures are better left boxed!

Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:33 pm

I only collect Masterpieces... in most cases 2 of the same figure to either A. keep one MISB or B. have one in robot mode and one in alt mode.

Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:44 pm

I unbox all of them. They're no fun in the package. However, I've saved all my voyager/leader/multi-pack boxes since '09, and I started keeping the deluxe packages in late '10 when they made them easier to open. Sometimes I like to display them in the box though, and when I don't want to display them, I just keep them in the box and store them in a container.

News Credits: 60 · Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:39 pm

Two TFs I haven't unboxed yet. TFA Tomy winged Optimus Prime and his default form

Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:37 am

There's really no right or wrong answer to this question, it all comes down to your personal reasons or preferences for collecting... and yes, it hurts me to even have to say that, especially in relation to transformers toys which are basically 3 toys in 1, and toys are for playing with!

In terms of at what point I unbox them, I usually wait until I get home and unwind from the long trip(yeah I kind of have to always go out of town on a hunt for TFs) to open anything. I managed to snag a few loose cybertron figures at a nerd shop once that I messed around with in the car... which is where I learned my Brushguard was missing his chest missile :BANG_HEAD:

Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:35 am

open them always

News Credits: 1 · Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:58 pm

For un=-oxing purposes here was a post done a while back about the batteries corroding. Has soom good pics with it.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=97854&p=1536898&hilit=batteries#p1536898

News Credits: 14 · Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:05 pm

I don't collect boxes with things inside them. I collect the things inside the boxes. I open all my transformers, though I do keep certain boxes for storage and display if they are really nice. i.e. MP boxes, Resealable packaging, etc...

MIB collectors must have had a nightmare with Habsro's 25th Anniversary Transformers Universe G1 Optimus Prime box. I destroyed mine trying even to be extremely careful when opening it. It was pointless to keep it afterwards.