Current feelings about opening a carded figure?

[English Paul]

In all the time i've been here it has never seemed frowned upon to open a carded figure, especially one that is generally considered common, or perhaps described as a 'beater', and has always generally been encouraged. I know I have opened three myself with no remorse whatsoever, and always recieved positive comments for doing so (new Mego smell and all that ).

I have noticed of late, especially in the SW collecting community that the acceptance of opening 'commons' or 'beaters' has changed and is now pretty much considered a sin. The main driving force behind this has been the emergence of the AFA U grade and as a result a lot of beaters were been opened to furnish this fad. It dawned on people that the 'beater' might disappear altogether leaving only high end carded figures or loose to choose from, thus eliminating budget or new collectors who are just happy to have a few carded figures in their collection.

So, i'm just wondering if the Mego community might see a shift towards frowning upon opening carded figures also? One less from the pot will always be one less as there is no reversing what is done.

[HardyGirl]

To quote Sting: "Free, free...set them free!" I will open boxes, but I'm careful about the way I open them, b/c I save them. I was really sad when I moved into this house, b/c I had to throw some out, but I do save packages and boxes. And the toys are getting played with!

[Sideshow Spock]

I have noticed of late, especially in the SW collecting community that the acceptance of opening 'commons' or 'beaters' has changed and is now pretty much considered a sin.

I saw the discussion about this at RTM, in reference to a guy recently getting pounced on at Rebelscum for opening a vintage "beater":

Threads.Rebelscum.com: Purchased a ROTJ Gamorrean Guard (65 back, HK)...

[torgospizza]

I'm not going to open a carded Mego when I can get nice loose ones, myself. However, to those guys on Rebelscum freaking on how a guy treats something that's his own property, I must quote Donald Gibb: "NERDS!!!"

[Werewolf]

I have no problem with people opening their toys.

[Trappy Trek Freak]

If its really old and carded I probably wouldn't but I did open a Remco conan just to use the head for a custom Conan. Newer figures I open if I think its cool if it looks cool on card I keep it on card. I have no problem with opening something.

[RG]

it's odd because there are tons of beater star wars figures out there. but there's also a much larger group of collectors of star wars. I think the ones that get mad are the ones who can't afford even the beaters, teens and 20 somethings that don't realize collections take time to build so they're after the quick and cheap. Also anti AFA's ... anything that helps AFA they're going to hate. I know I hate AFA but heck ... if someone wants to seal up their toy let them pay for it ... I will never buy an AFA so no skin off my nose.

Star Wars collectors have this odd mentality that every star wars item if their's or not will become theirs someday ... just that mine mine mine generation. I quit posting at RebelScum due to that. plus when I helped benbarb with his rare/prototype cardback figures ... I was given the cold shoulder big time and pretty much became an outcast since they figured I cost them a good deal on very rare items lol. oh well I'd do it again in a heartbeat :D

I know I've pulled at least a dozen vintage star wars figures off the card ... including a Pop up light saber R2 and lando general ... ev 9d9 and warrok ... I blame repros for my actions. I wanted them mint with real weapons ... and I paid for them and didn't AFA them.

as for megos ... I've pulled bo and daisy off the card along with luke duke, a starski, and a thing. even made a goofy video of the time I pulled the bo and daisy off the card hee hee ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueEqcSIZiRs

really the star wars folks need to realize is once someone owns an item it's theirs to do with as they want ... even if they want to burn it they have the right to do.

[Mikey]

My opinion

Once our generation is done collecting and is gone, there will be a surpluss of both Mego's and Star Wars figures that most of the current general population wont want.

Collectors seem to think there is no ceiling on the value of their figures given enough time, but I think the opposite.

In 20-30 years most people wont care if Luke is carded or loose - because most people wont want him.

[English Paul]

My opinion

Once our generation is done collecting and is gone, there will be a surpluss of both Mego's and Star Wars figures that most of the current general population wont want.

Collectors seem to think there is no ceiling on the value of their figures given enough time, but I think the opposite.

In 20-30 years most people wont care if Luke is carded or loose - because most people wont want him.

Good point......

.....but, i'm sure the same thing was probably said about Buddy Holly, or Elvis or the Beatles but there always seems to be a fresh audience waiting in the wings.

Deterioration of the figures and packaging will, in my opinion, have a far greater effect than people falling out of love with them.

[Brown Bear]

Two years ago I received a MIB 12" Lex and Zod from a member here. I think I admired how they were kept in the box with the twisty ties still around their necks for approximatley 10 seconds, then gentley tore the box open.

My toys are opened!! Just my opinion, but I see no point in buying something that you leave in the package. It's like buying a sweet old car and never driving it on the highway.

[Meule]

You bought it, you decide what you do with it, that's no one else's business

[wilbs518]

What ever makes a person happy.

[jwyblejr]

The Star Wars geeks would have a heart attack with what Pez collectors do. They open just about everything,rare or not.

[ScottA]

I have opened 4 carded Megos since I became a collector. I found the 3 Fantastic Four figures I never had as a kid at a Lionel Playworld in ATL in '89. The cards were not beaters and were pretty nice. They just had that big Lionel price tag on them. But I freed them any way. They are in my collection still. Then I freed a Chopper from S&H so I'd have a complete loose set. His card was a beater. I don't regret opening any of them.

[jimsmegos]

To me it's "As you see fit". I personally like loose toys so I can pose 'em and such. I also like carded one's too but solely for sentimental reasons. Well sometimes I think a figure simply looks better carded.


*adding to (had to grab the baby)*

For me though after having been bit hard by the falicy that was "action figures for investments " back in the 90's I'll NEVER do that again. Toys for me are now all about FUN, not investment. I'm a half *** TV guy not a commodittee's broker. One must know their limitations.