|
|
Forums - News / General |
For General modelling or hobby-related topics that are not covered by any other specific forum. Please keep to topics concerning the hobby. |
| Topics | 2987 |
| Messages | 22316 |
|
|
| Subject: | OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? |  |
| Date: | Apr 30, 2003 |
| From: | Peter Ong | |
Have any of you ever thought or wished you bought other collectible items rather than model kits? Items such as stamps, diecast collectors cars, mini action figures, baseball cards, etc.?
Last weekend, I browsed through some of the toy and collector books and was amazed to see some of the prices given to just toys. For example, an original 1980s Optimus Prime sealed in the box is now worth $750-$1000!!! 1980s comics are worth $50-$400 sealed in their bags!
When I open my closet door and see all the unbuilt kits I have, at times I believe I'm in the wrong hobby since my unbuilt kits aren't worth anything above "personal value" or half their price. Oh, I've some rare OOP kits but I doubt many would want them and many won't wish to pay above retail.
True, models can sell for $100-thousands of dollars, but considering the time, paint, and money spent building them, other collectibles can sell for just as much without lifting a finger and just by waiting for years to pass by.
Do you find we as modelers are weird? We buy kits and aftermarket accessories from all corners of the world and yet other people like grannies with stamps and teenages with action figures are worth "more" than we modelers.
I don't know...I'm wondering if perhaps maybe I shouldn't have spent so much money on kits and instead invested in other hobby items that actually ***increase*** in value over time. Now those $14-$25 movie action figures found in record and video stores are hot. We all know why one can't put a price on built models: no two kits are ever alike. As for unbuilt kits, there's always someone who will sell them for less unlike sealed collectible items. To sell them for less means a lost of money.
One thing modeling has for it is we can "buy and make what we want" with just one kit. With collectible hobbies, one can fall into the trap of "must have/ buy more" to complete the action figure or comic collection. I had a neighbor's son who bought three of each comic book: one to open and read, one to keep as sealed, and one to trade or sell as sealed in the future. Still, three comic books at $5 each = $15 which costs half the price of a tank kit!
Your thoughts on the matter? Mind you, I'm not putting a price on this hobby, but I do wonder how this hobby will be like if the kits actually increased in value over time. It doesn't seem that the 1/6 "Battle Barbie" dolls took over the hobby. In my opinion, the movie/ comic action figure and comics are beginning to.
I wonder how the opinions are on the comic, toy, and action figure shop owners. Is business booming?
Pete |
| |
|
|
 | OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Peter Ong - Apr 30, 2003 |
| . . . Re: OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Jamie Tainton - Apr 29, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Ed Kusiak - Apr 29, 2003 |
| . . . Warning to above post: LONG as usual :-) - Peter Ong - Apr 30, 2003 |
| . . . Collecting is passive, modeling is engaging - Steven Brown - Apr 30, 2003 |
| . . . Re: OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Damon Agretto - Apr 30, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Thanks everyone! - Peter Ong - May 1, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - MSW - May 3, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - John David Blair - May 12, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Richard E. Slusher - May 7, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Karla - Aug 6, 2003 |
| . . . Re: OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Gary Binder - May 8, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Damon Agretto - May 8, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: OT: Collecting other hobby items---your thoughts? - Gary Binder - May 9, 2003 |
|
|
