Anyone ever look at how much you spent on a toy line?

[Myoldtoys]

I think I have a mental disease of some kind. Part of the fun for me is getting the figures for a great price. I could theoretically fork over the going rate for a figure, but there’s just so much more pleasure to be had waiting for exactly the right moment and circumstance to scoop something up for a steal. Really, I must be sick in the head.

Also, I legitimately enjoy restoring old, beat up stuff. I love watching Toy Polloi and other fans’ restoration videos on YouTube. It’s really a lot of fun.

I am the same way. There are items that I buy because they are in great condition, but then there are things I buy specifically to fix. Like two white suited Evel Knievels I bought. If you wash the suits, the ink from the felt bleeds on the white. I cut the clear thread to remove the V. Washed the suits super clean and sewed the V back on like it was originally. You could say that was OCD. But they look excellent now.

Have you seen some of my restoration posts on this forum?

[MIB41]

I get what you are saying. I break down all expenses and even categorize all the items on the charge card bills. I can tell where it all goes. I was just curious how others with the same hobby rationalize or the rules they create for themselves. There have been some great responses. I enjoy hearing from others.

I love the toys I have. I also think that in most cases I have much less invested then I could sell them for...which I have no plans on doing. I get some sense of accomplishment knowing I have a great collection and I haven’t spent that much (relatively) to get it.

Oh never think because I have funds set aside I'm out there blowing through it on impulse. Like many of you I LOVE the hunt. I've put many a figure together from parts. People think there are no deals left out there, but they would be mistaken. About ten years ago I found a boxed Mego Spiderman, (completely intact and in good shape) but spent with shipping like $25! I have a comic book store that gets old stuff in occasionally. Whats interesting is the store often overvalues more current items that might be 6 months old versus something 30 years old. I bought a like-new Mego Justice League playset for $20. I picked up the Remco Monsterizing machine for $15! So I hunt quite a bit. I was also lucky to hold on to allot of things from my childhood as well, so between that and the deals, I'm well ahead on the after market value. But, like you, I'm not trading stock here. I bought them to have them and to enjoy them. None of these are wallflowers. I hold them and let my grandson play with many of them, which is a joy. So they have a function and purpose in my life. If they sit in my storage room for more than six months without getting rotated out, then I deem them ready to sell. Thats my current measuring stick for cycling out old stock to create new space. I don't let things collect dust anymore.

[ToyTalk]

I sleep better at night if I don't think about it

[Ninersphan1]

I sleep better at night if I don't think about it

yep, I'll second that. That said I stopped collecting Hot Toys/Sideshow 1/6 offering as they have gotten way too expensive. I have a rule regarding my vintage GI Joe stuff not to spend over $100 on any given piece, I've only broken that for one piece and it was only by an extra $25. becasue even at $125, it was a deal.

[Wee67]

When my wife moved in, she got insurance and I had to take account of my collection. We got a special rider for the toyroom. Inventorying it was enough of a pain, but putting dollar figures on such fluctuating "securities" was truly a pain in arse. Take, for instance, my carded Lizard. It has a corner cut off. Also, I got it as part of a lot that included all the carded WGSHs except Iron Man, Wonder Woman and Green Goblin. How do I determine what percentage to assign to the Lizard versus carded Spiderman or Invisible Girl?

[PNGwynne]

I sleep better at night if I don't think about it

Sometimes what I have keeps me up at night. And sometimes what I don't have keeps me up at night. It's vicious cycle of obsessive insomnia.

I've had this reoccurring dream/daydream for decades of what a proposed Megabug Gladiators "wave 2" would look like. Curse you, Kenner!

[ToyTalk]

Sometimes what I have keeps me up at night. And sometimes what I don't have keeps me up at night. It's vicious cycle of obsessive insomnia.

I've had this reoccurring dream/daydream for decades of what a proposed Megabug Gladiators "wave 2" would look like. Curse you, Kenner!

I have been rebuilding my collection after selling everything on here some years back. My wife is supportive but she is starting to question her rationality. LOL

[Myoldtoys]

I sleep better at night if I don't think about it

Ha ha. I was expecting someone to say that. I have never lost sleep because of toys. That is reserved for work and other stress of being an adult. I’m in the process of buying a used car. Last night I dreamt that I picked up the car and they put tractor tires on it. It also had a crane on the top which stuck up about 10ft. I was stressed because it would not fit in the garage.

[Mikey]

……………. Last night I dreamt that I picked up the car and they put tractor tires on it. It also had a crane on the top which stuck up about 10ft. I was stressed because it would not fit in the garage.

I bet you ate peanut butter before bed.

Does it EVERY time

[Liu Bei]

I am the same way. There are items that I buy because they are in great condition, but then there are things I buy specifically to fix. Like two white suited Evel Knievels I bought. If you wash the suits, the ink from the felt bleeds on the white. I cut the clear thread to remove the V. Washed the suits super clean and sewed the V back on like it was originally. You could say that was OCD. But they look excellent now.

Have you seen some of my restoration posts on this forum?

No, but I’d love to take a look. Which sub-forum are they in?

[Myoldtoys]

No, but I’d love to take a look. Which sub-forum are they in?

Most of them are in classic toys with a couple in the sub category GI JOE. You can right click on my user name, and then click posts. That search show all posts and comments I have made though. Not just the threads I have started. I’ve posted restoration picks for Evel Knievel, Lone Ranger, gi joe (big and small), maybe more.

[tay666]

I think I have a mental disease of some kind. Part of the fun for me is getting the figures for a great price. I could theoretically fork over the going rate for a figure, but there’s just so much more pleasure to be had waiting for exactly the right moment and circumstance to scoop something up for a steal. Really, I must be sick in the head.

Nothing at all wrong with that.
That is half the fun, those great scores for amazing prices.
Also, I didn't say 'going rate'
I said 'what I consider a reasonable price'
Often those two things are very far apart.
Anything I am interested in, has a certain value to me, if the asking price is above that, I move on. That goes for retail, or secondary market.
There are several model kits I would love to add to my collection, but the producers have asking prices above that. That's fine. It's their product, and they should set their price at what they need to make money. But for me, that item isn't worth that much. If it's meant to be, then eventually, I will run across someone selling their personal kit for a price I am good with.
On the other hand, if there is something that really does it for me, I will come up with the cash to pay the asking price. Especially if it is rare, or doesn't come up for sale often.

Most people would be shocked at what I am willing to pay for Prehistoric Scenes model kits.
I usually find scores for 1/3 to 1/4 going market value. I generally won't even considering buying for anything above that. Unless it's in European or Canadian packaging that I don't have. Then I will pay full market value, plus the crazy international shipping costs.

[Myoldtoys]

If it's meant to be, then eventually, I will run across someone selling their personal kit for a price I am good with. On the other hand, if there is something that really does it for me, I will come up with the cash to pay the asking price.

When I see an auction item I’m interested in, I will wait for a couple minutes left and see where the price is. At that point I decide what it’s worth to me. Sometimes it’s already over what I would pay and I move on. I bid what it’s worth to me. Just one bid. Almost never works for Star Wars items. There is always someone willing to spend way more than me.

I started this thread thinking that I would analyze what I’ve paid for some toy lines this week. That hasn’t happened! What a crazy week.