New Collector Tips

[Andycron]

Hey,

I’m new to collecting transformers – had a few when I was younger but these got damaged/lost over time and I’m excited about building up a new collection now that I have some spare cash to spend. I’m more interested in vintage figures than some of the later periods as I’m a bit of an old duffer at heart :)

I’ve been looking at Optimus Prime figures for sale online – where better to start a new collection than the big man himself.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mh-5Nfx7L.jpg

I have found a few places that are interesting but was wondering if anyone had any good tips as to where to start? Also what are the pitfalls I should be looking at to ensure that I get good quality? Finally any tips for how to care for the figures once I acquire them would be gratefully received – what are the best ways to store and maintain them. I don’t want a repeat of my earlier loses.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[predahank]

Not a bad place to start. How big did you want to go? I have a beauty if you want to start with a splash

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q610/hank4hire/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshkyfyv2u.jpeg (http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/hank4hire/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshkyfyv2u.jpeg.html)

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q610/hank4hire/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvtenbg0z.jpeg (http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/hank4hire/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvtenbg0z.jpeg.html)

[tusko]

Hello Andycron! Welcome!

I like sites like SHMAX.com (http://www.shmax.com/products?q_filters_keywords=G1%20Optimus%20Prime&q_filters_toyline=198).
It is a collector site and is fastidious about remakes and reissues. They are trying to do some pricing stuffs, but the database isn't there yet. There is a learning curve to figuring out the site but it's a pretty comprehensive list.

TFU.info is also great for variations and reissues (http://tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm).

If I were you: These boards are a great place to start. Lots of nice people here in the BST forum.

If you are okay with short stacks, Toy R Us had a reissue Prime (http://www.shmax.com/product_details/770/optimus_prime)15 years ago that's still pretty reasonably priced BUT has short stacks so kids don't poke their eye out, and long missiles on in the trailer. If that's cool for you, look for that.

My 2 cents.

[Andycron]

Hey,

I’m new to collecting transformers – had a few when I was younger but these got damaged/lost over time and I’m excited about building up a new collection now that I have some spare cash to spend. I’m more interested in vintage figures than some of the later periods as I’m a bit of an old duffer at heart :)

I’ve been looking at Optimus Prime figures for sale online (http://www.canada.for-sale.com/optimus-prime-g1-takara) – where better to start a new collection than the big man himself.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mh-5Nfx7L.jpg

I have found a few places that are interesting but was wondering if anyone had any good tips as to where to start? Also what are the pitfalls I should be looking at to ensure that I get good quality? Finally any tips for how to care for the figures once I acquire them would be gratefully received – what are the best ways to store and maintain them. I don’t want a repeat of my earlier loses.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Great advice guys! thanks for the help.

[justprime]

Define you goals for the collection some thing simple like g1 isn't so simple if you include the tf's produced out of country and never released here ....also are you going to collect third party or ko's to fill holes or be part of the collection....pre tf's is another angle....loose or boxed or boxed sealed..prototypes are another thing that you may consider...lot to think on
..

[TRUCKvsGUN]

Try to do most of your buying here, on cybertron.ca. You'll save some money and the people here are honest about what they're selling. Ebay and kijiji are full of bait & switch.

[Shepp]

My best advice is to start off slow. Pick and choose what looks interesting to you and start from there. You're getting pieces of interest and "art" (or just toys to fiddle with), you aren't getting bulk stock.

Reissue figures are often less expensive than their vintage versions, and are more likely to include all the accessories (and be in better condition).

Unless you plan on keeping packaging, go for loose.

Beware of knockoffs. There are many out there and ways to tell them apart from the real deal. Some people do care about KOs in their collection, others don't mind. I mean, there are a lot of neat KOs out there. Just make sure you're getting what you pay for.

If you're looking for stickers to upgrade or fix a figure, check out reprolabels.com but make sure if you sell that figure down the road that it's listed as having reprolabels.

There are many 3rd party companies with many products. Some are better/different figures of released ones, others are entirely new creations. Some are just accessories. Keep in mind that because they are a more limited production they will cost more than what you could get through retail. Oh, and there also knockoffs of 3rd party stuff, so watch out for that too.

Read and watch reviews of figures you're interested in. And don't be afraid to ask questions.

edit: beware of gold plastic syndrome.