How Would You Begin a WGSH Loose Collection?

[Hedji]

So, I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but my Mego WGSH collection is pitiful.

I have a decent Batman, a minty Robin, my childhood Spidey and Cap, and a garage sale find Penguin. I also have some naked beaters like Riddler, Superman, and Batgirl, but they are really rough.

I think it's time I built a nice loose minty collection of World's Greatest Superheroes.

But How???

In other words, what suggestions could you experienced fellas give a newbie like myself? Should I save up a ton of money and wait for a huge lot LIKE THIS?

Or am I better off one figure at a time?

I'm afraid I don't get out to too many toy shows. My time with family doesn't really permit a lot of that. Where's the best action? Here? eBay? Facebook?

Are there seasonal times of the year when it's a buyer's market?

Are there any pitfalls or dangers you can warn me of in advance?

I'd like to go as all-original as possible, but I can tolerate a repro emblem here or there I suppose.

Oh, and I'm not too hung up on variations. I'd just like a nice fairly minty example of each character.

I guess I'm deciding now's the time because I recently completed a collecting goal of the 12 Large Size Star Wars dolls, so this seems like an appropriate focus now.

I suspect many here have already taken this journey long ago. If you knew then what you know now, what wisdom would you share?

[Bronxboykev]

Be Paitent... Good deals are there to be had... Keep checking the sale thread here... There are many Mego Facebook pages... The a couple of main ones I recommend, Mego Mania and Mego Madness and yes even e bay... Patience is the key and don't be afraid to negotiate prices... Good luck!!!

[PNGwynne]

None of my Megos have repro parts, with the exception of a knee-pin on my Mugato. I bought one figure at a time (here and on ebay)--and sometimes multiples to 'bash an excellent example. In several instances, I purchased packaged figures and opened them. I upgraded and flipped a few figures, too as well as selling extra parts to support future acquisitions.

The biggest challenge is accurate grading and pix/descriptions, but to be honest even packaged figures can have "imperfections."

I decided early on which versions/variants I liked best and focused on those for certain characters. So, I don't have several Spideys, etc. or many T1s, but I have what I suspect is one of the nicest loose Mego collections.

Price-wise, I think prices are higher in the first quarter because of tax returns, but you can sometimes find good deals around the holidays. Also, consider avoiding certain characters when a related film comes out: I recall looking for Iron Man when the first film had debuted, and prices were inflated thusly.

[RickD]

Have fun with it. Put your money into one nice loose Mego a month. You will appreciate your collection more if you don't buy it all at once.

[Blue Meanie]

Buyers market for anything on ebay is probably nearing the end. Usually the buyers market on Ebay is from around the end of May to just about the 2nd or 3rd week of September. The end is usually subject to how early Christmas shopping starts. It keeps changing each year. From about September to the end of the year it's a sellers market on Ebay. At least that's what I've noticed in 16 years on Ebay. I usually give the advice of piecing your Megos together...keeps the interest in the hobby. There will be a figure or two that you will say to yourself "I need to buy that as a completed figure". In those instances I'd say pull the trigger and buy it as a complete figure. Just have fun with it is the best advice I can give. If you can try to get to a Mego Meet. One last tip...Don't know how close you are to Stormville Flea Market...but try to get to that. I've never been...but people have told me it's not a bad place to start when looking for vintage things like Megos.

[jwyblejr]

Start with the common ones and then work from there.

[samurainoir]

Save up. Attend Mego Meet. Go nuts in the dealer room. 8)

[Wee67]

I would reiterate patience. It's the number one way to keep the hunt fun while not letting all the dark sides of collecting to come out. Figure out about what you're willing to pay for each figure and stick with it. Don't let a few missed auctions start driving up what it's worth to you. Usually, you can get a fair price if you wait and keep plugging along.

I will also agree, however, hitting Mego Meet is great way to get a bunch of loose figures for a good price. You could triple your collection at Beto's table alone.

[Gorn Captain]

Back when I was a kid, we only had Superman, Batman and Robin here in Belgium. Very basic.
So I found the Museum in 2008, and now I have a full set of Marvel WGSH and all Batman figures (one exception, still need a Catwoman).
I've had some great deals here, but basically, it was one at a time. Batgirl was the hardest, took me five years of patience.
The members here got me all I ever dreamed of as a kid. Well, except Erin Gray, of course...

So my advice: slow and easy, one at a time. Unless you score a cheap lot.

[MIB41]

The most important aspect of starting a collection like this is to make it fun. There are allot of ways to build a loose collection. You can find many in auction "lots" and other times you can find them reasonably priced at the marketplace here or at yard sales. It's my experience that flea-markets are only good for ideas to add to your list. Most loose figures in a flea market will be priced higher than what you would typically find on Ebay or Amazon, so save your parking and/or admission fees. Don't rule out comic book stores that sale antique toys. Sometimes you find tremendous deals there. I picked up the Justice League playset completely intact for $20.00. And lastly, know what you're buying. The repro market is vast and ever more evasive on loose figures. Decide early whether that is or is not a factor in building your collection. Whatever works for you is the right way to go. But be careful not to let people oversell you something that is loaded down with repro parts. I recommend Ben Holcomb's book. FTC is getting ready to re-release that so it may be a good addition to your collection. All my best in your search for childhood treasures.

[Mr.Marion]

Buy what you love, if you're a Batman fan there are enough figures and playset to keep you busy. If you like the Teen Titans there are 4 of them. If you're into marvel go for those. Even Tarzan has an 8 inch figure and a bend n flex.

[Mikey]

I've mentioned this story many times in the past but i'll say it again.

I completely built from scratch a 100% complete all original Conan for under $15.00.

Took a few years

It all comes down to a lot of patience --- I mean A LOT --- and wheeling and dealing.

In the end your piece will be that much more sweeter than if you just went out and bought one at market price.

Anybody with money can make a "museum" overnight

The fun part is being a collector

[EMCE Hammer]

I have seen some great lot prices in the past two months. If you're trying to build a nice collection, my advice is to avoid beaters. Clean and incomplete is OK, but if there are issues with condition just pass and save your money. I'd also purse a mixture of hard and easy ones, but be mindful of any opportunity for a good deal. If you quickly do all the easy/inexpensive first, the process can get painfully slow and expensive pretty quick. Buy a couple Penguins for every Thor/Conan/GA etc. and space it out. Avoid repro parts too, unless you can't stand having Riddler on the shelf without a belt. That's $5 plus shipping that you'll lose money on one day.

[jwyblejr]

$3 plus shipping if you get the FTC belt.

[Gorn Captain]

I've had some great deals over the years here. Couldn't have made it this far anywhere else.
Best thing is not to focus on one figure, but just see which deals come along. Eventually, you'll have a full set.