Carded, Boxed or Loose?

[NewForce]

hello all...
back in the early to mid 90's, I had pretty much amassed a complete set of Mego WGSH and Star Trek, both loose, boxed, and carded (not every variation, but at least one version loose, one version boxed and one carded version)... I have always been a loose collector, but one day I responded to a Toy Shop ad (early 90's) for a carded Batman (I had actually intended to open it), and the seller asked if I was interested in more, and I litterally purchased his entire (complete) carded collection pretty cheap (he never got around to advertising them, thanks to me)...from there, I became obsessed with getting one of each version of each figure...a few years of toy shop ad hunting, and I had "done" it...

mid to late 90's, I needed capital, so I sold my entire collection (figured if i was selling one, would sell them all, as I am a completist)... I remember dealing with many current and likely former members here...

in the early 2000's, some might remember Ahmed Aboo (sp?) decided to sell his collection, and I again bought his entire loose WGSH collection (after all, i am by nature a loose collector)...
2 years later, slow down in my business sales, and on ebay they went...

now, 5 years later, in 2007, I again decided it was time to rebuild (3rd time is a charm) my collection.... along the way, I picked up the occasional carded or boxed example, and now, I again, found myself chasing all 3 ...but, the reality is, I am "too" late to reconstruct former "glory" (I sold my Green Arrow, Aquaman, Riddler, etc, in the late 1990's for $750-1000 each...now, they are 5-6x that)...

so, my question to the group, is...how many are loose only, boxed only, carded only, or some combination?... and, is it even realistic to try to complete anything other than loose, these days (due to cost and availability factor?)...
I guess I am second guessing my endeavor to try to do all 3 (patience in NOT one of my virtues LOL)
rick

[censy]

Hey Rick,

I would say, its never too late, if you can enjoy the process of collecting. In other words, enjoy it and take your time. Savor each find, or auction win. I don't know how much money you can dedicate to collecting, but if WGSH are your priority, then I bet, in time, you can do it.

But I can relate to your story. I sold the more valuable megos in my collection in 2003, after the company I worked at folded. Since then I have made the decision to focus on my favorite line, POTA. MOC or MIB WGSH megos are expensive, so I have chosen to buy loose, minty figures and put them in repro boxes.

Welcome back to the chase!

Chris

[Action Martin]

Loose for me. I really can't afford to collect boxed or carded Megos at this time.

[miguet]

I'm still relatively new to the whole Mego experience. My collection started less than 3 months ago. I decided early on that I had to keep expenses low and buy cheap. Fortunately, I like the Star Trek line the most and prices fit my budget. It's amazing some of the deals I purchased. I prefer to buy loose figures but was lucky to find a MOC Spock and Kirk at a cheap price. However, Kirk busted his knee in transit. Just today on impulse, I bid and won a WOZ Boxed Cowardly Lion for cheap. I guess I'm starting a new line to collect.

[Bionic Joe]

Welcome back to the wide world of MEGO'S, My advice is collect what you like the best, I mostly collect loose figures do to a small monthly budget, But i do have a few carded figures none of the super high dollar ones but a KIRK.SPOCK,SPIDERMAN,BATMAN and two boxed AJ, Buliding a nice carded WGSH set will be hard but not imposible, just collect what will bring you the most enjoyment

[toys2cool]

carded for me

[NewForce]

thanks folks...
married with 4 kids keeps me very budget minded...my problem is, I don't like to stick to budgets! LOL
I have debated all day on whether to refocus on just loose, and sell the carded/boxed I have picked up in the last year, or keep all and take it slow... but, based on what the last batch of carded "key" figures went for, I don't think I can ever procure them again (or at least validate the expense of) and I suffer from "completist-itis"... at least with loose figs, I can go after (relatively inexspensively) all the diff type bodies, and uniform variants, and keep both the "hunt" and the "fun" alive...
rick

[Blue Meanie]

Loose is how I started and finished...and now have amassed a decent sized boxed collection. IMHO, if you are looking to collect Boxed or carded after completing a loose collection... I would go with boxed. It's a lot more attainable than a carded collection.

[NewForce]

Loose is how I started and finished...and now have amassed a decent sized boxed collection. IMHO, if you are looking to collect Boxed or carded after completing a loose collection... I would go with boxed. It's a lot more attainable than a carded collection.

good idea...

[NewForce]

Loose is how I started and finished...and now have amassed a decent sized boxed collection. IMHO, if you are looking to collect Boxed or carded after completing a loose collection... I would go with boxed. It's a lot more attainable than a carded collection.

thanks

[Bionic Joe]

Both the TOYROOM and MEGO73 make excellent repo boxes and cards, Something you may want to consider if you collect loose figures

[dumbldor]

Rick, you can do all 3, you just have to be patient and be willing to settle for some of the rarer carded figures in lower grade, at least in the short term, not only due to cost but also limited availability. Don't be discouraged by the outcome of the Vegas auctions. You can have a carded GA, Aquaman, Lizard, or Riddler for much less than those went for, but they probably won't be top grade.

[hyperjoe]

I like loose. Its easier to make love to them.

[Action Martin]

Both the TOYROOM and MEGO73 make excellent repo boxes and cards, Something you may want to consider if you collect loose figures

That's what I do. I buy loose and then get Anthony's boxes for them.

[NewForce]

Rick, you can do all 3, you just have to be patient and be willing to settle for some of the rarer carded figures in lower grade, at least in the short term, not only due to cost but also limited availability. Don't be discouraged by the outcome of the Vegas auctions. You can have a carded GA, Aquaman, Lizard, or Riddler for much less than those went for, but they probably won't be top grade.

thanks...I will admit, your collection has been "motivating" me to want to continue to collect all 3 niches...and I don't have to have "perfect" cards/bubbles, as I am a loose collector by nature... guess i will stick to the status quo for now...