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Collecting => Collector's Tips => Topic started by: aliasjcb on March 26, 2003, 12:37 AM

Title: Keeping up with figures
Post by: aliasjcb on March 26, 2003, 12:37 AM
How do you keep up with the figures you have? I just list mine on a spreadsheet to kepp up with waht and how many I have. Are there any good programs out there to use? Just looking for tips. Thanks.

John
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: JediMAC on March 26, 2003, 03:07 AM
I do it the same way John, on an Excel spreadsheet.  I just list all of the figures, including the upcoming figures as they're announced, with numerous cells following each one, where I fill in how many I have of said figure - including carded and loose, and how many I still need.  I have additional columns for movie, cardback, pack-in, etc.  Gotta stick with it, or you can lose track really quickly!

I think there's a couple sites out there that run figure collecting databases, but I always get an uneasy feeling that they may not be as reliable as me tracking my own collecting on my own computer.  Just my opinion though...
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on March 26, 2003, 02:17 PM
Everything that I own with the Star Wars name on it is in an Excel spreadsheet.  It is very detailed, and it's a defnite must for any collector.  I use it so I know what I own, and it's also used for insurance purposes.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: aliasjcb on March 26, 2003, 03:14 PM
I took this week off and since I had nothing to do today, I went through and updated my figure list. I was surprised that I have  about 220 figures! Thats probably not much to some here but pretty good for me.

John
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on March 26, 2003, 06:09 PM
That's a lot of figures there!  Are the all carded, loose, or a combination?
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: aliasjcb on March 26, 2003, 08:38 PM
That is all carded ones, with multiples of some. I have about 50 loose ones.

John
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Depmode on March 27, 2003, 09:59 AM
one of u kind fellas wanna send me a master copy of your spreadsheet?  ;D
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: chuckles on March 27, 2003, 10:29 AM
I keep my list on an excel spreadsheet as well. I just started doing this a few weeks ago so I only have maybe half of my collection entered so far. But it's definately the way go as it's so highly customizable and easy to work with.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Depmode on March 27, 2003, 10:46 AM
I do keep track of my LEGO in a ACCESS DATABASE. IT works pretty well.  :o


Again, someone send me the figure template please  :'(
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Mikey D on March 31, 2003, 10:24 AM
Mine's on an Excel spreadsheet with different tabs for different items (Carded figs, Loose, Vehicles, Lego) with columns for quantity, if the item is trade fodder (carded figs only) and comments, which is no where near being updated.  Once I get a new item, I update the list.

I still have to do a tab for all the misc stuff I have (mugs, glasses, Hallmark, etc) but I do have most of it written down.  It just needs to be put on computer.

And James, if you're interested in my template, send me an email at mdavidson@corjen.com and I'll forward it to you.  
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Angry Ewok on March 31, 2003, 11:59 AM
I've got a spreadsheet of my Vintage collection, but not my modern... There's just so many of them...
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Morgbug on April 3, 2003, 12:39 AM
It's all in my mind.  Mwah hahahaha.  Now if that don't scare ya, nothing will.  

I know most everything I have, simply by memory.  There are a few gaps as I traded quite a bit away last year, but still, it's pretty easy to know that POTF2 is complete, carded, except for Darktrooper, who remains a gap.  Too much for one figure, though I suppose it won't really come down in price.  And I suppose I paid just as much for that accursed wedge figure.  

I reckon there are about 150 loose figures and probably a couple of hundred carded.  Somewhere around that number anyway.  

I used to love the checklists at collectstarwars.com.  Wave by wave was pretty neat.  I think Hasbro has done an interesting thing with respect to tracking with the Saga line and numbering the figures (at least on US cards).  The lists here are pretty good and straightforward.  

Must be my age preventing me from using a database 8)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Depmode on April 4, 2003, 09:32 AM
what you say is true, especially when you're a completist... Cause basically, I know I have one of everything and so on lol ;) no seriously, i mean I will eventually know I have one of everythign when I am done :)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Morgbug on April 4, 2003, 11:12 PM
Well.  Yeah.  that's the short way to say it.  

But there aren't really anything but our type, are there?
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Depmode on April 5, 2003, 05:10 PM
some of us don't smell as bad as others, though  :P  ;)   ;D
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on April 7, 2003, 12:38 PM
Here's a screenshot of what my Saga figure list page looks like.  I have everything categorized pretty well with all the different figure lines.

(http://www.chrisrhoads.com/images/list.gif)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Thomas Grey on April 8, 2003, 12:23 AM
I have a ('sob') lowly MAC G3 and just list my figures as they appear on my trade list in QuarkXPress 4.11. No spread sheet, no formats, just a long list. My trade list is my entire collection basically. I reserve the right to deny trading certain 'keepers'. but post them to see if I can get something ultra-cool for them. Anyway, you Excel spreadsheet guys are way ahead of my game. I think just taking the time to get them all typed in is enough to warrant a few cheers! I agree with dustro in that it is essential you have some documentation of your collection for insurance purposes! I even have video taped my entire collection, piece by piece (took a long-ass time!). That ended up being kind of senseless because I trade quite a bit, but for the most part, it is evidence of what I own and what I trade for usually is equal to what I had when I taped it.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: proudfather2 on May 8, 2003, 03:30 PM
I use microsoft word and have all of the information for my carded figures in tidy little tables consisting of five columns and hundreds of rows. I have a table for every collection, ie.  Orange Card, Green Card, FF's, Saga Card #1, Saga Card #2 and so on.

In each row from left to right I list the name of the figure, as it appears on the card, then I list accesories/special features/Autographed in the second column. Then I list card # or production number, then release date. Below is an example ONLY:

   
ANAKIN SKYWALKER    Peasant Disguise    `02`01                   4-02   comPADME’ AMIDAL   Arena Escape   `02`02                   4-02    
OBI-WAN KENOBI   Coruscant Chase   `02`03                   4-02    
C-3PO                    Purple Version    `02`04                   4-02   
KIT FISTO    Jedi Master   `02`05                   4-02   
SUPER BATTLE DRO   Autographed   `02`06                   4-02   
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Mainland05 on October 23, 2003, 11:05 AM
Chris Rhoads, would you be able to forward me some of the spreadsheets, for examples, so i can do this too, the way you have yours organized is pretty sweet, here is my email : Surfer8oy19@aol.com, thank you.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on October 23, 2003, 08:16 PM
Chris Rhoads, would you be able to forward me some of the spreadsheets, for examples, so i can do this too, the way you have yours organized is pretty sweet, here is my email : Surfer8oy19@aol.com, thank you.

Sent you a copy of my spreadsheet per your request.  If anyone else would like a copy of it please shoot me an email at crhoads@ameritech.net.   8)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: aka DaBigKahuna on February 24, 2004, 02:57 PM
Chris Rhoads, would you be able to forward me some of the spreadsheets, for examples, so i can do this too, the way you have yours organized is pretty sweet, here is my email : Surfer8oy19@aol.com, thank you.

Sent you a copy of my spreadsheet per your request.  If anyone else would like a copy of it please shoot me an email at crhoads@ameritech.net.   8)

I really want to work on mine and also track items I have traded or sold.  I sent you an e-mail, thanks for the offer Chris.

This will beat starting from scratch.


-Fish-
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: jokabofe on February 24, 2004, 03:31 PM
i actually just got a copy of this spreadsheet from chris myself, and it is indeed a great place to start tracking your collection. 1 drawback - chris's collection is filled in to the spreadsheet  >:(

just kidding, just kidding, chris - i appreciate the effort that you put into making the spreadsheet and the fact that you freely distribute it to anyone who asks. i am in the process of cleaning out your items, and when i'm done and have a fresh and clean spreadsheet, i'll gladly share it with anyone who wants a copy. might be a few more days till it's done.

Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on February 24, 2004, 07:39 PM
I'm working right now on it by cleaning out my data entries so that everyone doesn't have to do it themselves (I'm talking to you crybaby Dave).   ;)   :-*

I'll have it sent over to you shortly Fish.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on February 24, 2004, 07:46 PM
You've got mail Fish.   8)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: jadesfire on February 24, 2004, 07:58 PM
Wow, that is impressive.  I have mine in Excel also and use the tabs at the bottom for different items but it's no where NEAR that organized.  I basically have the figures, the card color and price.  

Like I said, impressive...if I hadn't put so much time in to my simple version already, I would be asking for a copy of yours!!
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: aka DaBigKahuna on February 24, 2004, 11:40 PM
You've got mail Fish.   8)

Received, thanks you very much.  Very nice!


-Fish-
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: dustrho on February 25, 2004, 03:06 PM
Wow, that is impressive.  I have mine in Excel also and use the tabs at the bottom for different items but it's no where NEAR that organized.  I basically have the figures, the card color and price.  

Like I said, impressive...if I hadn't put so much time in to my simple version already, I would be asking for a copy of yours!!

Thank you for the great compliments Beth.  I really do appreciate the positive feedback.  If you'd like a copy just let me know.   ;D
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: habs98 on February 25, 2004, 09:06 PM
There is some decent collector software out there.  I  use a program called Collection Explorer.  It keeps track of pictures, figure info, price/purchase history, and a place for additional photo's for those variations.  I think I paid under $15.00 for it.  
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Darth Kenobi on March 2, 2004, 10:00 PM
At the moment I keep up with the figures that I have in my head.  I usually do pretty good on not getting doubles but if I do I would just sell them to someone else.  Once I move out of my parents house and into my own place I will probally start to log them in on a spread sheet.  I actually tried to log all of my EP1 stuff but I never got it up to date with the tail end of the line and POTJ stuff.  
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: JediKnight87 on April 7, 2004, 12:17 AM
I know what I have because I put them in these huge storage containers (they're padded of course). I tend to stick to the ones I want and not buy every figure out there...
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 3, 2005, 04:09 PM
I use an excel spreadsheet with a different page for each line.  When I built it, I was trying to use some newly learned excel skills, and it looks pretty good with banners on the tops of the pages etc.

Each page basically has item and quantity, I need to add another column for price and then possible a total on the bottom of the page so I can get an idea of what my collection is worth, just in case I ever need to make an insurance claim.  :o
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: EdSolo on July 22, 2005, 03:06 PM
I also have a pretty extensive Excel spreadsheet for my collection.  I'm about up to 15 different tabs by now.  I've divided figures into 3 3/4", 12", and misc. (which includes beast packs, vehicles and special figures like 500th vader that aren't on standard cards as well as multi packs).  I then divided those three catagories into OT and prequel.  Further tabs cover books, food promos, replicas, ornaments, legos, and want lists and future items that are coming out.  Feel free to drop me an email if anyone wants a copy: emizerek@erols.com.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Victor_Von_Doom on October 11, 2005, 11:23 PM
I print out lists of figures from sites like Rebelscum and keep them in a binder. Thats the way I prefer it, but I'd suggest the Excel way if you are more computer inclined.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Ryan on October 14, 2005, 06:41 AM
I had a little excel system going for awhile but it didn't get along with my ADD. :P

I don't use anything right now, I have a fairly decent memory so I actually remember what I have.
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 14, 2005, 12:08 PM
I don't use anything right now, I have a fairly decent memory so I actually remember what I have.

Really?  Wow.  There's no way I could keep track of everything without my checklists. 

I have 2 lists that are most frequently used (simply with Word) - one that lists everything where I cross off the figures I have, and another that just lists the figures I need.

I've also got an Excel spreadsheet that track the # of figures I have and need.  Oh, and one for my expenses too.

What a control freak, eh?  ;)
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Errex on October 21, 2005, 12:57 PM
I keep a database in my Palm for all the stuff I've got for the past three years.

The software is HandBase 3.0, it is quite flexible and  ODBC compatible.

I'd still have to enter my older stuff into it, though...
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: SpudTrooper on October 24, 2005, 05:45 PM
i also use a Excel spreadsheet to track down my figures in my collection and the amount of $$ i spent on plastics  :'(
Title: Re: Keeping up with figures
Post by: Jabba the Slug on August 12, 2009, 01:07 PM
I actually just write down the figures I have, numbered, under the title of the line they came from. Whenever I get new figures, I just add to the list. May not be as efficient as a spreadsheet, though.
   
HOWEVER, if you go to REBELSCUM.COM, they feature something called "WEDGE ENGINE." There, they require to simply make a username and password, and you can go through lists of hundreds of action figures and collectibles, and add them to either your loose or carded collection. You can also grade the packaging if they're still carded. Also, the feature will make a complete list of the figures you have recorded, and will give you an average price for how much each item is worth. At the bottom of the list, it will tell you how much your overall collection is worth.