If/When Star Wars is Gone...Would You Collect, If So, What?

[Brian]

Long title, sorry .  Maybe this belongs better in Watto's, I couldn't decide for sure where to put it.  I just got to thinking, after inspiration from the "Collectors Challenge" threads, what I would spend all this money on if there wasn't Star Wars stuff out there to collect.  I'm curious to see what becomes of the SW line after this final movie rush, and what will be around to collect.  There will always be something, I'm sure, since there is such a plethora of Star Wars products and lines these days....but the action figures themselves might start to slow down, at least a bit.  I'm not saying I want Star Wars to go away, not at all, but it just got me to thinking that if the line does disappear (or at least the ones I collect), or comes to the point where it is mostly just repacks or something, where would your money go?  Would you continue to collect something else, would you start a new collection, would you save more money, or would you put it towards other ventures (cars, electronics, etc.)

Looking at my spending last year, I was over $600+ on Star Wars stuff alone, with another $150-$200 on "other" toys.  Not as high as many people here, but still a big chunk of money for us personally, and a big piece to throw elsewhere.  Aside from pursuing some vintage Star Wars stuff (and any other lines that would remain, possibly Unleashed), I think my collecting budget would be considerably smaller.  I'd like to think I wouldn't pick up any other lines at that point, and probably just stick with Marvel Legends as long as that line would continue/be relevant.  I really enjoy collecting that line, and there isn't quite as much stuff so it wouldn't be quite as financially overwhelming either.  I'd probably also start picking up a few more comics here and there (I limit that now), and maybe DVDs too.  Figuring on averages, even if I picked up all that Toy Biz put out in the ML line, as well as being a consistent buyer of 4-5 comic books, I'd still probably only spend about half as much, which in a way is a nice thought.  Anyways, like I said, I'm not looking forward to Star Wars being done...and I hope that it won't be.  I think we'll always see collectibles in some shape or form, because we see so many other lines surviving, being basically "collector-based", and Star Wars seems to have as big of a fan base as any.  I was just curious that if/when it ever happened, where Star Wars was less of a buying area, would you continue to collect anything.  Would you hang it up all together, or would you maybe pursue a new avenue (or just save the money)?

[Morgbug]

Well, I don't really look forward to that day, probably because the slow down will make me think too much, and I'll start culling my collection   That seems to be the inevitable thing I do when the interest wanes for some reason. 

I'm sure some other lines will creep in somewhere along the line though.  Not sure what, but something.  I see Star Wars toys, in one form or another, going until around 2007-8 before dramatically dropping off in terms of production.  Therefore, it's a while yet. 

As far as other things, well, the timing will pretty much be perfect with respect to my daughter increasing her activity and any expense that goes along with it.  I expect we'll buy a piano at some point, providing her musical interest continues.  CD's will become easier to pick up without considering so much, I very much enjoy music, but it's one area that sacrifices to justify the toys.  Electronics?  Yeah, without toys I'd have upgraded my car stereo, would have a bigger TV, probably own an Ipod.  Travel?  Who knows. 

But I've always been a collector - match books and bottle caps as a kid.  Stamps, bugs, spoons, pins.  It's definitely a genetic defect in my case, I just happened to stumble upon something that can be obscenely expensive, if you let it. 

[Brian]

But I've always been a collector - match books and bottle caps as a kid.  Stamps, bugs, spoons, pins.  It's definitely a genetic defect in my case, I just happened to stumble upon something that can be obscenely expensive, if you let it.

That's the same way I've been, always been collecting something.  Coins, sports cards, trading cards, rocks, matchbox cars as a kid, action figures, comics, something.  I think I'll always have to be collecting something, I guess I just need something to keep my interest...who knows.  I think there will always be some sort of ongoing Star Wars collection with me, plus comics and/or their figures.

[Scott]

The "have to be collecting something" is true for almost all of us here I think and something my wife just doesn't understand.  "Why do you need this?"  "What is that?"  I think the reason some people are multi-billionaires is that they "collect" money just as we collect toys.  Its something with the way our brains are wired that makes it such that you need to buy stuff that you really don't need to buy

When SW dies I really want to make a concerted effort to stop collecting toys.  I can be ok just buying books and reading for the rest of my life and creating a giant library.

I have too many collections already...DVDs, CDs, toys, books, video games, etc etc.  Phasing out SW would be welcome on space, money and sanity

[Ben]

I'd probably collect vintage carded GI Joe and MOTU figures. Maybe G1 Transformers, LOTR, Playmates Star Trek, and the Marvel lines.

I guess I'd just have more money for the other things I collect.

[Jesse James]

There's something kind of ironic about the timing of this thread just because I'm reading stuff at Scum right now that I find disturbing...

There's a movement, and don't get me wrong because there's some people involved in it that I get along with, but I just simply disagree with the philosophy that I'm seeing there...

There's a mini-rage flowing over people quitting collecting, either it be all together or simply quitting a segment (IE: quitting collecting of prequal items).  Things tossed about in the debate are "You're not a real fan..." blah blah blah.

I for one don't think you can judge fans by that...  To me, I honestly don't care if the line continues or not sometimes.  Sometimes I really want certain things, other times I think it's just time the line end because of various reasons...  Not to get off on a tangent there, it just struck me kind of funny talking about the "end" of the line with Star Wars and all...

Anyway, myself, I think if the line ended that two things would happen with me. 

First, I'd first be putting more time, $, and effort into customizing than I do now.  I dont' put much into any of that really, though I should be.  It's one of the better parts of the hobby I've found, and one that can yield the best rewards to me as far as satisfaction from collecting.  I know if I wasn't shilling out $5 a figure, multiple figures at a time most of the time, that I'd have the extra scratch to do what I really want to be doing...  Oh well.

The other thing is that I'd be collecting, as I do now, is the military figures I collect...  I doubt I'd do much more with that than I already do.  I can't get one of everything there...  Planes are just too big to store.  So I'd just army build what figures I want, get what ground vehicles I could, and pick out planes I like here and there...  Same as I do now.

Beyond that, customizing (especially since I really would know what I needed to work on) would be a major focus.  I'd get a lot more established there.

Between school, family, finances, social life, etc. though, I just don't do as much in that end of the hobby as I'd like to.  Mostly finances have held me back though, to do exactly what it is I wanna do, the way I want to do it. 

[CorranHorn]

Interesting that this thread came up, because for me in the last month, I've not had any Star Wars to collect. I was caught up with everything released in the 3.75" lines thru the Post-OTC waves on Dec. 31st. So I've had this whole month where I've not needed to buy anything in the modern line (though I did make a trade for the VOTC C-3PO, but I won't count that here). So to make up for not collecting Star Wars this month, I went into picking up the Transformers 3" PVC figures, from picking up several Takara SCF figs at a "vintage" toy/collectibles shop to winning a couple of ebay auctions for a missing Heroes of Cybertron figure from Wave 4 to a box of Takara SCF figures. I've been utilizing my time that way as of late and it's been interesting, cause there's a real chase to be had there. It's felt kinda good knowing that when I'm going into Walmart or Target, I'm not looking to catch up on whatever has just been released. I still have been looking mind you, but just to see what clearance stuff is available and if a store accidentally put out the ROTS preview toys early.

Anyways, to get back to the question at hand, I think that when the modern line ends, it will allow me a chance to better use my money to continue collecting the vintage line. Much like Jesse, I'll still be customizing, so my future modern purchases will likely be for that reason. There's still a lot to come from the modern line, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, the future depends on the success of the ROTS line. If it goes bad, Hasbro may be more likely to cut things short for the line, at least in terms of new products made, so the line may not have to end exactly for some of us to change our collecting habits.

[Jesse James]

Jason reminds me...  Hell yeah I'm gonna sink $ into vintage then too, so long as I see its "market trend" on a downward slope.

I'd like to get into carded figures heavily after modern's done.  (Vintage carded I mean)

With the new movies and everything driving it, the vintage has its spikes in price so I just stay away from it for the most part, save for reasonable loose figures to upgrade or finish up my collection...  That's about it.

Vinty though, yeah I'd still be into that.

[Darby]

As I was saying in another thread, the ROTS line has rekindled my enthusiasm for SW toys, which over the past year or so has been on the wane.  I've contemplated getting out at various times ("Every time I try to get out they pull me back in!") and I've reduced to buying only figures, and then only figures I care about.  If it's someone like Tion Meddon who I don't know anything or care about, I don't buy him.

I think ten years is a good long time to be collecting anything, and sometimes you just need a break.  Fatigue sets in.  The recent debate seems a long time coming, but I never get into the whole 'who's a real fan' thing.  If all the sudden there are requirements, then it's a club, and SW is more than a club.  It doesn't belong to a select few. 

But anyways I would welcome any stoppage of SW toys, but I'm sure I'd miss it after a while. 

[Jesse James]

Yeah I keep thinking it'd bother me eventually...  On the other hand it'd be nice knowing what I "need" to make myself.   Using "need" loosely of course.

I would dig seeing the line last for another 10 years so long as the product's good though...  If the line really took a major turn (and permanent turn) towards pre-posed figures, or action features, or a 6-point articulation that wasn't ever going to be improved...  I'd likely quit.

As it stands with vehicles I've decided to quit being a completist there because Hasbro just can't get off their ass and do them justice.  I mean, the Y-Wing is just laughable at this point.  The figures have advanced rather steadily since 1995, but the ships are like the 12" line in that they're few hits with many many misses.  Some people are content with what they are, but I'm not one of those and Hasbro's shown that if they can crank it out very cheaply, they will.

The landspeeder resculpt was outta left field, and it was everything that every vehicle should be...  To-scale, nicely detailed/painted (and accurate), and made to look like a prop that functions like a toy.  Another case-in-point, the TIE Bomber...

Then we get a Y-Wing that's like 1/3 the size it should be, poorly painted...  TIE FIghters with wings that just look absurd..  AT-ST that looks like the Ford Festiva of walkers...  And the Sandcrawler and Shuttle I won't even get into considering the price.

I wouldn't shed a tear if they came out tomorrow and said "No more vehicles, ever".  I'd just know what I had to put on a "to do" list then.  And I'd just consider it one less thing for them to put a pack-in into it that I would want...

**cough**RA-7 Droid**cough**

[Paul]

Well technically every time a prequel movie year rolls around Star Wars is gone for me.  And in those years, I increased the size of my WWII Dragon Figure Collection or my other non-toy collections (WWII Militaria, and other non "Junk"). 

But I do also get distracted by the "shiny object" since much like the federal government, if I don't spend my budget, I lose it for the next year (not really but very close)...so I've ended up getting distracted by Resaurus/Plan B SWAT figures, Marvel Legends (even though I only know WHO the guys are not how they fit in the Marvel Universe) even..GASP...Star Trek figures (it was just one time and I didn't inhale).

I've seen some SNEAK PEEKs of a new line from Dusty Trails that IF it takes off, could even knock Star Wars down to a second tier rating anyway(but I'm not holding my breath)

My problem is that I still have my Star Wars and GI Joe RAH collection from when I was younger.  The Vintage SW is complete (or as complete as I care to make it) so unless it is to upgrade a figure, I really need to get into it.  Same thing with my Joe collection, I have all the 82-90 stuff which is when interest in the line died for me.  So I can't sink time and $$ into finishing it off.  I don't have the recessive "Completist" gene so I fortunately don't feel the need for the complete collection. If that (or any of this post) makes sense.

I was able to quit Dragon Figures cold Turkey a few years ago out of monetary concerns, but once my business got on it's feet, I never went back. But oddly my interest in WWII stuff altogether kinda died at the same time (I haven't been to a WWII re-enactment in YEARS and I used to go 4-6 times a year for example).


As far as the "IF you don't collect/buy new stuff then you are not a fan" debate occurring elsewhere...I guess all of us old guys who didn't buy a new figure at retail after 1985 weren't fans for a whole decade (which is probably the first time most of the proponents of the above stance even SAW a Star Wars figure in stores)

In summation your honors...

When Star Wars ended the first time, I sank it all into GI JOE RAH (actually Joe had been pushing SW out the door since 82, much like SW pushed Johnny West and the Lone Ranger out the door 5 years earlier).  Probably will just do the same (unless some of the YoJoe.com  Chicken Littles are right and the "Joe" is falling the same time SW does).  If that is the case, then I'll obsess MORE on the Dusty Trails Wild West Figures and somewhere in a closet/landfill Johnny West and the Lone Ranger will finally get their revenge as the circle will be complete

Oh and I will probably just BUY customs from some of the guys who are willing to sell them.

The defense rests....or needs some rest.

[evenflow]

I guess when star wars is gone, I will go with Marvel Legends. That is the only other thing I am collecting right now. No telling how long minimates and Kubricks will last but them as well.

[John C]

I have cut way back on SW.  I haven't seen much that I really wanted since the Saga line came out.  I would buy every 3 3/4 inch figure before then.  I have the VOTC figures and some of the OTC, but I won't buy any post OTC stuff.  I don't feel the need to have everything any longer.  I won't be buying every ROTS figure, either.  Just the few that I really like.  I'll still collect GI Joe, LOTR and DC stuff the day they stop making Star Wars if those lines are still around then.

[Angry Ewok]

I, too, am one of those pitiful types who has to have some sort of collection going. Before Star Wars dies, I'd like to start building a bigger vinyl collection. By then, hopefully I'll have a decent library worth of tunes. I'd also like to start a bonsai garden or something.

Maybe I could go back to building WW2 airplane models or something.

Scary, scary thoughts.

[CorranHorn]

As far as the "IF you don't collect/buy new stuff then you are not a fan" debate occurring elsewhere...I guess all of us old guys who didn't buy a new figure at retail after 1985 weren't fans for a whole decade (which is probably the first time most of the proponents of the above stance even SAW a Star Wars figure in stores)

I've not seen the debate that JJ referenced, but I'm willing to bet you're right in thinking who is saying that silly crap. To be honest, I'm willing to bet there are just as many collectors of the toyline who aren't big fans of Star Wars. Sure they watch the movies and stuff, but maybe they don't hardcore obsess over it, like some of us do. I'm willing to bet that's the case for many vintage collectors and they've been collecting longer than many POTF2 and beyong collectors. So all those kiddies in that debate should just shut the hell up!