Has the success of Toy Hunter helped or hurt us???

[Teemu]

I personally think the show needs to be about toys and NOT about Watching Toy Hunter's Sales and lining his pockets..

Him buying the toys is fine,But I don't really care about watching him sell stuff or how much he needs to make in sales.

[EMCE Hammer]

I think Jordan does a great job within the template he's given. I'd rather have this than the void we had before.

[gummi]

First, I'd just like to say that Wednesday is now my favorite television night thanks to Toy Hunter. I love hearing about the history of the toys, and I actually enjoy seeing the buying and selling process as well. It's a lot of fun scanning the collections in the background for items in my personal collection. As far as the hobby goes, I don't think it's hurting it. If anything, it has people digging through their basements and attics looking for the things to sell all of us. I guess it could drive asking prices up for sellers that actually watch the show, seeing as how some of the people featured have lost out on some big money by selling their toys to Jordan instead of selling them outright to collectors. I know most people don't have the connections that Jordan does, but it would still be a bitter pill to swallow watching him make a $10,000 profit off a toy that you sold him weeks earlier. Even people that know what their items are worth take huge losses on these things. The lady that sold the original Star Wars figures to him this week said she knew they were worth $26,000, but because she knew he had to make money on them, sold them to him for $15,000. I was really surprise by that one.

[kingdom warrior]

I hope we can all agree that Jordan has made toy collecting sexy.

1 2 3 4.....

[superherocrazy]

I can't wait for my workday to be over on Wednesday's knowing Toy Hunter is on that night, it get's me through the day sitting in my cubicle dealing with ungrateful people. I'm envious some nights on the items he finds and the prices he pays but I find it very entertaining. I do wish there were less commercials and more show but we know that won't happen!

I agree with a lot of other members that long before TH came along there were other shows that caused people to think they had a goldmine in their attics and basements, trying to get rich by jacking up the prices. Just take a look at the prices at your local flea markets, yard sales and toy shows compared to a few years ago. The bargains are few and far between now but as a collector the hunt is part of fun. There's nothing like finding that holy grail, when we least expect it, and paying way below what it's worth.

I think we can all agree that as collectors we buy what we like and aren't worried about the monetary value it might be worth down the road. The satisfaction of adding a new item to our collection is reward enough!

I say keep up the great work Jordan and I'll continue to tune in each week!

[MegoMoe]

Lots of good insight... At first I was worried I brought up a bad topic, but after reading all these posts I'm convinced the good outweighs the bad. I hope the show and our hobby continues to grow.

[LovetheLizard]

Hey Jordan,

If your in the UK can you hunt down a Palitoy green carded Lizard for me?

[Fuzzysnail]

Hey Jordan,

If your in the UK can you hunt down a Palitoy green carded Lizard for me?

How about a Zorro!!! Or any of the sweet Palitoy carded Megos.

[alex]

I dont think its going to do damage to the market, as ebay prices havent shotup, your always going to find one lunatic on ebay who thinks hes sitting on gold, but thats been going on way before TH. I think people will be more educated what they have in thier loft. I cant really understand why they have to inflate the prices, maybe Vinny can explain why he sold the Aj stuff for 60% more than they were worth(not having a go) just wondering. Also I kinda feel it strange when someone knows the value of thier toy, and then sells it to Jordan, knocking off nearly 40% off its value sometimes, surely U could sell it on ebay or privately and get your asking price. I also found it strange when Jordan was asked to break down a price for the SW figures, and it was really emphasized what a strange request that was, I personally thought that was a very natural question, and should be responded without practically going ***. I think it should me more about actually finding great deals, without people throwing money at him, the history lesson would be a cool thing too. And lastly, and Ive noticed this on other american shows, why the hell do they keep reapeting the same clips, as if I cant remember what happened 10 minutes ago in a 20 min show, are adverts in the states really that long lol, it just seems such a waste of time, when other stuff could be put in.

[Vinny0026]

Alex - I touched on this in one of the other posts maybe you and some of the other members missed it so I will just re write it.

when you are watching the show - it is very hard to see but D (Daryl Run DMC) bought 2 AJ's not one. One was a mint in box AJ, even had the replacement AJ stickers in the box. But he also bought a dead mint - case fresh Afro American AJ (which I grabbed from a Mego Museum Brother Mike Mc5 - thanks Mike , plus the 3 boxed suits. I have seen that Black AJ go for 75-100 a few times via ebay in far less condition than the one I sold. (being worn, or incomplete). So IMO he got everything at just about fair market value - If you break it down its like he paid 90-100 for Black AJ, about 50 for MIB AJ, and about 25 for 3 suits.

Hope that clears things up - if you watch it in slow motion you will see on top of the AJ mint in box is a other AJ in a plastic dragon clam shell case.
If you have any other questions just let me know

[Gorn Captain]

They stopped broadcasting the show here after one season, so I'm no longer up to speed.
It's always nice to see familiar collectibles show up, but for me it still felt a little orchestrated. No surprise there, all of these shows are put together in a certain way, and I never enjoyed that kind of thing.

What does amaze me is some of the price quotes. Whenever I hear "I usually sells these for $30", I can't help saying "man, I need to shop at Jordan's, 'cause I've never encountered prices like that!"

But in the end, I'm glad the show is there, I will watch it just for seeing the figures, not the prices. And I do realize that it is still a show, which is always an artificial environment to some extent.

[clemso]

Class! just for responding.

Hey guys...

Oh boy.. I feared this thread would come along some day. It's my worst nightmare... especially to think that I may have hurt the hobby I love so much.

Please remember a few things:

I was a dealer and collector long before TH was on the air.. and i will continue to be.. long after it wraps. I would never, ever do something that I think would directly hurt collectors or dealers... especially those making a living and supporting families from their "toy deals."

The producers and network added the "money aspect" of the show. I read comments about me "not being transparent" about my business.. and the simple answer is: there is nothing to be transparent about. I am told that my goal needs to be "X", and it's up to me.. to make that goal.

You also need to understand.. the "monetary gains" and "haggling" is part of a formula right now for TV. Pawn Stars, American Pickers, and other shows all deal with the money aspect of shows. It appeals to the people who think "I may have that in my basement too!" It draws people into the show... and keeps them captivated.

While I may not agree with all the time... the final word is coming from the Executives above me.


Now.. as I have said before on these groups.. and in real life.....this is a SHOW. Some aspects are produced for TV. It makes for good television and brings in a wide audience, which ultimately is good for the hobby I believe.

However, as far as "reality television" is concerned, this is about as real as it gets. I am using my own money.. and I am really a dealer in my private life. I do travel to the shows ( and yes, production DOES pick up some of the cost).

But, for the most part.. what you see is real.

If you have any questions, please.. please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always here, and love speaking to people.

Thank you again for accepting into this incredible community of people, I love coming here.

All my best
Jordan

[kisstour03]

I rarely watch any of these "Collector" shows because they make me so mad. The inflated prices are one major sticking point with me. And the one called "Collector Intervention" or whatever it's called ticks me off because it's almost always a spouse or friend that has no clue about the appeal of collecting trying to get the collector to sell part or all of their collection. I do watch certain shows that don't make a huge deal about the worth of the collections showcased. They just go and film a segment and talk to the guy/girl about this cool stuff they have a passion for. "Fanatical" was one good one. It was people who collect items from their favorite TV shows. And there used to be one on A&E that was hosted by John Larroquette called "Incurable Collector" that was really good and focused more on the items and the people who collected them.

[luclin999]

While I generally enjoy watching the shows, I do admit that the "love of the hunt" is sometimes a bit smothered by the whole "how much can I get for this?" side of the program.

[Teemu]

While I generally enjoy watching the shows, I do admit that the "love of the hunt" is sometimes a bit smothered by the whole "how much can I get for this?" side of the program.

The Hunt part is fine,but watching Toyhunter line his pockets with $$$ and talk about his personal sales all the time stinks.