I guess that is what makes us different from each other is our collectible differences. Aside from a few newer cool things and still dying to find the Marx psychedelic colored repros monsters and some Pop-Tops at a cool price I can't understand the gravitating towards every low end finger puppet/figure/etc on the market.
By the same token spending double a car payment on a piece of plastic action figure also makes me go ...Hmmm.
The most I have EVER paid for one piece is Possessed Peggy a year after retirement. $417.00 delivered. Pat Magee studios about 4 years ago.
(http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp47/WickedLester666/peggy1.jpg)
I think that with times being tough for at least most of us that people would refrain from the "instant gratification" thing on the cheapie stuff. I mean what do ya do,keep in a drawer. Persoanlly even tho I now have a shelf with figures again I dub these "dust collectors" And for the high end stuff,what would make you spend hundreds if not 4 figures for something cool you either had or wanted as a kid? I minored in psychology in H.S so I am always thinking on this.
Sorry If I offend,just being a realist here.
Realist eh? How many sane people have a possessed Peggy in their closest. Only kidding Lester, but you do have a point with what to buy and when to call a halt. I love Universal monsters yet have passed on numerous figures and stuff, the price was a factor but more the thing of how many Frankenstein's or Dracula's do I want. The Sideshow 12" yes the bust and the large formats no. Although some of them are great I can't just justify buying them. So yes I'm a realist too.
Quote from: tv horror on September 03, 2010, 07:32:30 PM
Realist eh? How many sane people have a possessed Peggy in their closest.
;D To be totally honest Bro. She is not in a closet nor the hallway in the pic. She is actually at the left side foot of my bed being a guardian. Many mornings I wake up and give her a silent thanks for protecting me from all the evil toys/clowns/dolls in my room. She;s my body guard from evil. ;D
Evil toys and props. Gotta love em. >:D
I love her kick ass pose.
Hmm,almost 90 views and no one wants to admit to their OCD? ;)
I have plenty of faults, but that's not one of them!
A car payment, or a month's rent, for a few ounces of rag and petro by-product doesn't work for me.
Best,
-Craig W.
i have to admit if I see a cool action figure, especially a DC character I usually gotta have it.
The most I ever spent for a toy was $150 for a 1979 Kenner Alien in mint condition. I wanted one as a kid and never got it. I won't pay more than that for a collectible toy. I've only bought a few toys for $100. I've only paid at the most $15 for a comic book. I won't buy something just because I'm a fan of it. If I enjoy movie/TV series/comic and see a toy which I thnk is realy cool and is afforable I'll get it. Most of my collection is of toys i saved frm my chldhood. I have bought reproductions of older toys, such as my Captain Action figures.
I find it funny that women will spend $$$$ for designer handbags but think we're crazy when we buy a collectible toy.
Quotegravitating towards every low end finger puppet/figure/etc on the market.
on the other hand, a Curse of the Werewolf finger puppet for a dollar - I'll gravitate.
I really try not to buy anything too expensive either. I used to enjoy the thrill of how cheaply I could buy a monster, that's why most of my stuff is missing accessories or loose when I got them. My tall monsters are also in my bedroom, Lester, that's why it's hard to photograph them. The most I've ever paid for a UM is $35 for my Frankenstein Pozer when I was in Chicago. It was at least 5 years ago, and I thought it was soooo expensive. But I really love stuff that hangs on my walls! I like to be surrounded by cool images. Now my Disney stuff.....yikes! Some of it was super cheap and some of it was over $50. But by the same token, I only own about 5 pairs of shoes and maybe 3 purses. That stuff doesn't really mean as much to me as my monsters do. I just replace shoes/purses when they wear out.
It all comes down to how much disposeable income you have on hand and how much pleasure the item brings you. I wil spend money on ANYTHING that brings me pleasure without a second thought as long as I have a comfortable savings to take care of my living expenses. You only live once (unless you're in a George Romero film), you might as well enjoy it. As far as "dust-collectors", everything in life collects dust (my computer and I collecting dust as we speak). I don't mind, as long as it looks good while collecting it.
Here is why I hate dust collectors. At one time not that long ago my passion was 54-70mm figures that I had painted. I had mmm maybe 200 mostly painted but dupes of ones I did not because I am like a Crow and LOVE bright colored plastic figs. Atlanic western figs from the mid 70's being a fave. Also higher end pro sets from Conte Collectibles. I had 24 linear feet of figs and dioramas that 3 times a year would eat up a full day dusting buildings shelves and rinsing off figures then resetting everything. Pain in the ass to say the least. Didn't have the room or $$ for glass display cabinets. So eventually I sold a bunch,bought a few small acrylic shelf cabinets and the rest are boxed up. Then I gravitated towards masks and props. Still a twice a year chore but not near as bad. I just can't fathom having hundreds of figs in many cabinets and finding the space,especially with someone you live with in finding the time and the room for all this. Not to mention all the $$.
Everybody has their limit. Once in a great while if something is VERY limited I may hit the CC for a hundred or so and just get it only if I REALLY want it.
I used to be a big microbrew/import beer guy. Over the last few years I have seen beers I love that are seasonal go from $10 a six pack to $16 a 4 pack. I just cannot justify spending that kind of $ when I need $1,400 to redo my patio doors or $1,000 for some much need concrete work on my front sidewalk etc etc. So I drink mid level spiced rum and IceHouse which is 1/3 the cost of most of my beers. I'll buy 2 sixers of good stuff 2-3 X a month. How the hell do people have the $ to go to bars these days?
Times were a few years ago I had some decent disposable cash fundage and I was STILL carefull about how I spend it. With this crap economy unless it is a good price,about to disappear and go up in price or something I have been seeking a long time and maybe not even then, 80% of any X-tra $ over budget goes into savings and stays there for either the house or back-up if one of us becomes unemployed.
Look at it this way,if you drink enough of that seasonal beer, the patio doors won't even be an issue.
I find all this fascinating, we as collectors with our rational and opinions on collecting the things
we love or absolutely have to have. As LESTER quoted.........
QuoteI guess that is what makes us different from each other is our collectible differences.
Most definitely, and thank goodness. That is what discerns each and every one of us. For example,
I have paid X amount of dollars on(
so called...RARE) figure(s), and little to nothing for larger items.
Last year I purchased a Gemmy Animated Friday the 13th Jason Voorhees, which retailed for $239.00.
No way in H.e. double hockey sticks was I going to pay 239.00. I waited patiently........ a few months
later shopping at KMART, there stood JASON, in all his glory at 130.00......Oh Yeah!!!!! Huge dust magnet!!!
What I still do not comprehend in the collecting world is the outstanding big ticket items. Such as REMCO's
CREATURE from the Black Lagoon or Phantom. Oh, I understand the fact that these toys are cool
and sought-after. But, let's be realistic...... I have seen so many toys, and the price tags are F*****G ridiculous.
I dunno, I think the Remco Creature looks like a figure of a kid wearing a cheap, cloth Halloween costume (like a Ben Cooper).
Quote from: Mord on September 04, 2010, 06:06:12 PM
Look at it this way,if you drink enough of that seasonal beer, the patio doors won't even be an issue.
See that is the thing. A few years ago I would have thought like that. Now I buy minimal. Lately it's golden age comic reprints at 2/3's cover off Amazon. The seasonal beer beer spending is down to a fraction of what it was because I realize my patio doors/concrete work/tree trimming is MORE important than $ self gratification which is why I don't buy 25 Death Studios masks that I would like to have because I have the $ to do so.
A: because I would Tap my reserves out and
B: because I don't have the space.
So
C: Why spend the $ on crap you may want but don't really need once the $ and space and time involved is pushed to the limit of reality. I Love what I have now but I don't live in a snow globe.
Quote from: Mord on September 04, 2010, 06:18:38 PM
I dunno, I think the Remco Creature looks like a figure of a kid wearing a cheap, cloth Halloween costume (like a Ben Cooper).
Maybe
that is the whole appeal of the toy?!? I would like to own the Creat'r or Phantom.
I'm just not willing to pay a mortgage payment on them. Silly. if ya ask me. :D
Lester, I have to agree with you on this. I find it very hard to spend a large sum on a toy or collectible when I know that money would be better spent on necessary expenses. So I make requests for my birthday, Father's Day and Christmas. That's where I usually get the more expensive items (but not over $100). I take pleasure in scouring the clearance isles and closeout stores for items. Also what I can't find or afford I make. I love to sculpt and that allows me to make my own collectibles.
Well, I only buy what I really love, or "can't live w/out". I'm mostly a paper collector, so my most expensive purchase has been first issues of Famous Monsters & Spacemen magazine. That was over 10yrs ago, at close to $500 together.
I see many things I want, especially at UMA, but I usually find I have a similar item that already fufills the desire. I've come to this, not only for practical reasons of space & $, but, I know I've posted this before, if a collection becomes an accumulation, then it's not special or fun IMO. And I CAN be OCD...if I let myself.
As far as the high price of vintage monster ephemera- while I have always collected for the gratification/satisfaction of it all, investment has to come into play, too. In the last 30 years, the appreciation of the value of things collected have by far outpaced my 401K- even in this economy. So I keep collecting.
Quote from: Monster Bob on September 05, 2010, 10:57:12 AM
As far as the high price of vintage monster ephemera- while I have always collected for the gratification/satisfaction of it all, investment has to come into play, too. In the last 30 years, the appreciation of the value of things collected have by far outpaced my 401K- even in this economy. So I keep collecting.
There was a time that I tried to do that. I made some pretty good $ back in the Toy Shop days. However with several interests it usually came down to sell most of this collection to get the next one. Never had the money to keep things AND buy others. I still cringe when I think of what my Hotwheel Redlines would be worth today as well as my runs of very early Creepy,Eerie etc in higher grade. >:(
I have to say as is usual, this thread comings at an auspicious time for me. Having had to deal with space, and water damaged collectibles, and the like, right now I'm at the point with some things that I come across, and think to myself "WTF was I thinking?" while at the same time seeing posts on here for some awesome items and some items mentioned here, which seem to cause drooling". Now I'll be the first to admit there is the nostalgic factor for many, as I too have re-collected things from youth, but does one need to buy ANYthing which is Monster related or is it an insatiable need to spend and collect in general? I do not buy just because it is of the imagery of a Monster.
I have admittedly spent some serious high dollar amounts on the collectibles and for Halloween/ Christmas items intended for decoration.
...and yes, I've spent a load on Halloween already in preparation for decorating.
...I ask in all sincerity...
IS there a friggin Doctor in the house????!
OG
OG
You are NOT alone. I know that there are quite a few who are primarily monster oriented.
These are some of the things I have collected and sold due to $$ issues over the years.
Monster mags mostly Eerie ,Creepy ,Eerie Pubs as well as Skywald and some FM.
I had a couple hundred horror comics ranging from House of Mystery to Crypt of Shadows To Werewolf By Night . Vault of Horror etc etc.
Precode Crime comics.
Hot Wheel Redlines. I took a gamble on a quick sell and borrowed my mortgage $ on a collection of 100 cars. There was a lot of crap $3-5 cars but also key pieces like the Mountain King Semi complete NM with crank.That was a $400-500 piece alone.
Megos-Dude I had at least 30 figs,super heroes,monsters,Action Jackson and vehicles.
G.I Joe 60s-70s Figs Gear vehicles etc.
Matchbox mostly 60's
Corgi cars.
Tin Toys.
Marx figures and playsets.
So you can see why I was a buy and sell guy. I know I should have kept a few key pieces (I do have a handful) of each one but when another collection comes up and you suddenly have a $1000 out of pocket medical or car bill things happen..... I'm grateful to have owned this stuff for a few years anyway but wish I had been a bit smarter about it. I will also say that spending over the years THOUSANDS of $ to try to recoup childhood memories/joy was just filling a hole because something else is lacking in my life or thought process.
Now I am primarily masks,movies,comic reprints and books. I collect ONLY what I REALLY have to have and have pondered on a buy for close to 2 years if it is a $300 prop. I'm sure that some of my low run items have gone up in value but do not collect expecting a profit anytime soon. The market is WAAY different now.
I also understand the WTF was I thinking mode. Last year I gave away about $100 in LOTR figures because I am no longer after over 25 years into the D&D/Fantasy stuff and couldn't get $20 for them on Feebay.
Thanks Lester! I have to laugh now, as I ALMOST picked up your MIA twin Brother at the Halloween Club on Sunday! Should've taken a photo!
What rubs me royally after having many of these things for several years, and then trying to sell them only to find a saturated market, or to have in the case of the Star trek TMP 12" figures, Biliken and Horizon kits falling victim to carelessness. As has been the case for many of us, I did not really have a place to display these things, so they were kept/boxed in containers.
On the brighter side, some of the things that have not been successfully sold, or have been cleaned up from water damage, are now being enjoyed by my 2.5 year old!
I hate being the one wreckless, unmarried guy on this site, but I get a hell of a lot more pleasure from the things I want than from the things I need. I don't have any kids so the toy allowance is all mine. Bring on the seasonal beer!!!
I have to confess
I spent most of my money on women and drink
And foolishly squandered the rest
I was into buying and selling toys big time during the heyday of Toy Shop. Made some money, but when my wife found out I was using credit cards to purchase the inventory, that ended it. I don't have a lot of space in my bedroom, so I have to keep my collecting to a minimum. I used to spend upwards of $300.00 on some items, but found I needed to sell them later to pay bills- so in the long run I stick to monster model kits.
I hustle some extra income to buy my pieces. Prices range anywhere from the cheap to the expensive. If I have to have a piece, I do my best to hunt it down, work out a good price and hustle some cash. My rule, nothing comes from my savings account so in teh end if I want something bad, either I'll sell some pieces off or work in some extra cash.
Just like Art, I feel my collection retains its value. I do not feel I am losing anything on it. I could always sell some pieces if needed.
Sal
I prefer the higher end stuff, meaning $100-200. But I do not collect $300-400 plus figures if for no other reason than those pieces tend to be larger in size as well as price. My wife wouldn't cotton up to a LIFE SIZE Dracula head staring her down in her own home!
QuoteMegos-Dude I had at least 30 figs,super heroes,monsters,Action Jackson and vehicles.
I think MEGOS are still a good investment, still cheap enough to buy, with a great return.
Megos are fun to collect too.
Quote from: Mord on September 07, 2010, 07:22:56 PM
I don't have any kids so the toy allowance is all mine. Bring on the seasonal beer!!!
I hate you. ;D
Quote from: Scatter on September 09, 2010, 05:44:47 PM
I hate you. ;D
Don't hate the player......hate the GAME!!!!! >:D
I spend very little really on collectibles. I just don't have the disposable income with the kids and the house and the incessant and unrelenting parade of bills and everything. But really, I don't mind it. I go out a couple times a month and scour thrift stores and garage sales looking for stuff,and I really love it. I get as big a kick out of getting something cool for cheap as I get for actually having the item displayed.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on September 09, 2010, 05:45:40 PM
Don't hate the player......hate the GAME!!!!! >:D
LOL!! Nah, I got nothin' but love for my brethren and sistren here!! ;D
Quote from: Scatter on September 09, 2010, 05:52:00 PM
I spend very little really on collectibles. I just don't have the disposable income with the kids and the house and the incessant and unrelenting parade of bills and everything. But really, I don't mind it. I go out a couple times a month and scour thrift stores and garage sales looking for stuff,and I really love it. I get as big a kick out of getting something cool for cheap as I get for actually having the item displayed.
I think a majority of us here (UMA) and the rest of the world do not have a disposible income
anymore. Cheap stuff is good, and always cool to find little surprises a garage sales.
When we move, I get my man-cave, which will be a media room that I alone decorate---with stuff that represents special things to me. Some sports stuff and some monster stuff for the most part. I have all kinds of plans for said room-----and anything that won't be displayed prominently in there simply won't be bought. So, no.... I have no drawers full of goodies-----not that I am against that... it just isn't in my plan.
Quote from: Sean on September 14, 2010, 10:05:47 PM
When we move, I get my man-cave, which will be a media room that I alone decorate---with stuff that represents special things to me. Some sports stuff and some monster stuff for the most part. I have all kinds of plans for said room-----and anything that won't be displayed prominently in there simply won't be bought. So, no.... I have no drawers full of goodies-----not that I am against that... it just isn't in my plan.
Ah yes, so lay the best laid plans of Mice and Men....that was the plan, before the wife and the LM intervened.
Quote from: Sean on September 14, 2010, 10:05:47 PM
When we move, I get my man-cave, which will be a media room that I alone decorate---with stuff that represents special things to me. Some sports stuff and some monster stuff for the most part. I have all kinds of plans for said room-----and anything that won't be displayed prominently in there simply won't be bought.
I am dreaming along with you my friend. When we move my wife wants walk in closets and I want my man cave...one day....
Quote from: BaronLatos35 on September 15, 2010, 02:27:07 PM
I am dreaming along with you my friend. When we move my wife wants walk in closets and I want my man cave...one day....
My entire home is a
man cave dedicated to Horror/Sci-Fi/ Cult. I guess I'm the lucky
one.....and a cool Wife.
Patience is a virtue. So is any degree of talent. I offset the price of high end items I want by painting for other people-- and having them pay me in "stuff" most of the time, or cash with which I buy the "stuff". I also let someone else be the impulse buyer. That way when they are tired of the impulse buy and are wondering "why did I buy that?", I can pick it up for a good rate when they want to dump it. It works more often than not and has helped grow my collection immensely in the last 20 years. My friends think I am "cheap", but I just think its smart. ;D
That's a brilliant strategy! It's great that you can use your talent to make others happy while enhancing your own collection.
Quote from: Opera Ghost on September 15, 2010, 11:03:11 AM
Ah yes, so lay the best laid plans of Mice and Men....that was the plan, before the wife and the LM intervened.
What he said.........