JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: Brian on March 28, 2011, 11:48 AM
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I know we've discussed before how much longer the line might last, but I was curious what would bring about "the end" of Hasbro Star Wars for you? I started thinking about this again while my wife was asking me how much longer they would be making this stuff (which, when you think about it, it is crazy how long this has gone on). I know some have already stopped due to boredom, feeling complete, prices, or something else. I expect we are seeing more people cut back or stop completely as we approach $10 figures. Plus, honestly - at least on the movie side of things - we're starting to get a pretty complete lineup.
I'm guessing we'll see movie figures at least through the 3D releases, and probably a little (or long) beyond that. The CW line will be there as long as the show is on I'm sure, and some form of Legends is likely as well. For me personally, I think I'm probably in until they stop making figures from the movies. There are still some things I want to see (resculpts, all-new, etc.) that I hope they get to over the next 3-5 years, but overall the collection is getting pretty complete at this point, with some pretty nice figures. Although I do collect some of the CW line, I think I'd use the stop of the movie stuff as a good place to jump ship. I'd probably pick something up here or there if it was spiffy enough, or I'd move on to something else I'm interested (likely Marvel/DC stuff). I've collected something (whether it was sports cards, comic books, or action figures) about as long as I can remember, and I think I'd probably continue on in some capacity - or maybe move on to other areas of SW collection (or finally finish my vintage collection).
Anyways, I think the end of the movie line (barring any new movies), would probably be the point where I would stop. I guess this is providing that the movie stuff doesn't carry on another 20 years for some reason. Unless the figures somehow took another huge leap in quality (like POTF2 era to now), I can't see continuing to re-buy these same characters again and again, if the line somehow went on that long. Depending on how the line is handled, I can't see how they wouldn't have the remaining wants pretty well covered in the next five years - at least going by our "top 10" lists and my own personal hopes. When is your stopping point?
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I can't stop. I'm not even going to try. Even when they stop making new figures I'd collect on the secondary market and start customizing and sculpting my own figures like crazy.
I've been at this since for 31 years and hopefully I'm not even half done.
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At this point I'm hoping the TCW line ends with the show in two years. Call it a day for the animated style and let me retire in peace. ;D
If they want to recycle those figures into a more realistic style, go for it. But only if the animated line is given a proper end.
With me, it's not about money, it's about space. And my wife. ::)
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Only if they stop making realistic movie figures/vehicles. Even then I would track down other things that I passed on or got rid of. Personally, I feel the line in terms of quality has never been better. If they keep up the pace they are going I do not see stopping ever. As we get more definitive versions of characters I think the "concern" of "having" to rebuy characters continues to become less and less of a issue. Many collectors are frustrated from distribution & price more than anything else. (The latter part most will deal with as what is not expensive these days. Many will curb but most will not stop.)
I am now 20 years in on collecting SW figures, for me to stop now is just out of the question. I started as a 14 yr old in high school and for all the changes in my life, all of the places/States that I have lived and for all of the people who have come and gone in my life SW figure collecting has been one of the three most consistent things in my life. As nerdy or pathetic as it may sound it's a normal part of my life like eating. Recently, I enjoy it so much more as my daughter loves spending time in my collection room playing with some of the stuff. Watching her play and pick out here favorite things has made my collection so much more special. Watching here little face looking at this stuff is priceless as someone else besides me enjoys the collection! (No surprise Cammie's big eyed dog thing and Woklings are her favorites!)
The one adjustment I have made is I no longer buy every single thing just because the SW logo is slapped on it. While I buy 95% of all new realistic items I will not support something if it's really stupid. I also do not support the animated line. (I only buy the real standouts of the animated line Embo, New Cad Bane, new Ahsoka) I vote with my wallet as to what I will support.
I hope this line does not end for a long time which it appears it will not. When it ends one day I can say for sure the best way to cap the line off is to make the Tonnika sisters. They would be the most fitting bow out to this line. Until then, Hasbro keep on making them! (and keep on supplying etailers more so I have no need to hunt!)
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I was just thinking about this. We're trying to sell our house in May and I was packing up my collection for Open House events. There was just so many figures...it just seemed endless. While there's a ton that I really love, there were mnay I looked at and said, "Why did I buy that?" (Many EU...sorry)
I've been collectiong my whole life it seems. I was on board from 1977 to 1985, and the from 1995 to today. I think that I just need to be more selective in what I buy. I no longer buy them all, that stoped a while ago. I think I may only buy whay I really, really want.
Here's an odd twist to the story...I've been dealing with depression for most of my post-teen/adult life. It's come and gone over the years. A year ago, I finally decided to try some mediaction. While it has helped some with the depression, this medication also helps with anxiety. In truth, it has made me less anxious about collecting. I don't really worry about "missing" anything. I look at my collection and I'm happy with what I have, not worried about what I don't have. I don't stop at TRU whenever I pass it. I just seem to enjoy it more, and worry less about controlling it. Maybe that's why I'm willing to just pick up what I totally dig.
I'm not out, but I am certainly not "in" like I used to be.
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Yeah, I'm pretty much in as long as they're still making realistic 3 3/4" figures - preferably from the films.
Although the prices need to level off (or ideally drop a little).
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I only collect the realistic style figures, so as long as they make those, I'll be collecting. I've scaled back a bit though...I no longer buy handfuls of clones, unless it's a new (and film-accurate) variety. But they've pretty much made all of those.
I suspect that even when the line ends, I'll put my effort into my displays. I really like my Jabba's palace display, and I want to create some similar display solutions when we buy a house.
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Price will ultimately determine how "in" I am... If things are fairly priced, I don't mind buying and hanging around... The higher the price goes the more I pull back. The more apt I am to not buy any given figure, for any reason big or small.
I have steadily decreased what I buy since 2007, when I was buying doubles and triples of almost every figure because everything they were throwing out there was affordable and pretty awesome. I'm still around, I'd still probably buy the things I really wanted, but as things have gotten worse I've become increasingly picky on what I'm willing to pay for. I don't know that anything would stop 100%, but I could easily see myself not really considering this even a "hobby" to me any longer, and more just something I do on a whim.
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I'd say when figure started costing more than $_______, but I've sold out on that stance many times.
Actually, finances aside, what's happening locally is more of what will make me quit, not finding anything in stores. I'm not an "order a case" collector, nor will I pay more than retail via online merchant or reward losers who scalp action figures. If I can't find most of it in stores, forget it. I want to see what I'm buying. Essentially that's what happened near the end of POTF2 with the EU wave. Never saw a one, and that ended my completist era.
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I totally agree on not rewarding those selling on a mark-up... I've not bought a figure for a cent over retail, and i'm happy about that feather in my cap, but at this point I think retail's going to make "scalping" a pretty unpopular option for income... I know a lot of the guys I talk to who sell are saying the line's just too much money.
The only figures I've paid extra for are original vintage of course, and even then I try to get it really cheap if I can, haha.
If I can't get it for retail I generally feel I can live without it.
The prices haven't driven me from the hobby either, but they ahve driven my old habits away... 2, 3, or more for customizing? Gone. Army Builders, even obscure EU stuff I'd buy 40+ of? Long gone. Prequal army building? Dwindled dramatically compared to OT. Vehicle extras? Nope, not anymore. For me, that's a TON of money I'd have spent in the past that I just don't spend anymore, and I see it in my wallet now... I've been able to put more away. If anything it's further incentive to save and buy even less. :-\ It's one of those things that starts opening your eyes to how much you spent before, and could've spent on other stuff. :-X
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We are a couple of weeks away from starting construction of our extreem makeover home remodel. We are adding about 850 sqft to the house. My Star Wars office will be coming back in a large new room! The room should be able to display most everything I have but I will not be adding more to it. I'll post a thread on the construction. We are aiming for a September completion date.
It's been hard to collect figures when you can't display them anywhere. At least now, I'll soon be able to see them again. Besides, figures cost way too much now. I'm going to enjoy what I currently have and not try to track down that 18th version of Vader with the two left feet. ;) I think I'm done unless I can pick something up for less then retail. There is no way I'm paying scalping charges or buying cases anymore. I'm becoming more interested in eletronics and classic video game systems anyway.
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For me it's when they stop mking things that interest me and can fit into my collection. I stopped being a completeist long ago and just buy things here and there.
If they ever go back to those crappy action features...I'm done.
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As long as they make OT (or OT based EU) realistic figures, I will stay in. If the line went all PT or CW, I'd be gone.
I really want a good Detention Block Trooper from Episode IV.
I will continue to buy the "upgrade/update" figures and replace the inferior versions (I'm looking at you Death Star Trooper and Lando Skiff).
Like some of you guys have mentioned, I have kids that are pretty into it now and it is neat to see my daughter snag her favorite astromechs and female jedi and my son grab ewoks and stormtroopers and want to play.
I am probably the kool-aid drinker in the bunch though. Hasbro could change scales and if the asthetic was good and articulation was good, I'd probably re-buy the whole collection all over.
VOTC figures were $10 so as long as we are getting great articulation and good likenesses, $10 is not that bad. I don't golf, I don't drink, I don't play video games, I don't go to concerts, I have only 1 other hobby and the stuff there makes $10 a figure looks extremely CHEAP, so it is all relative I guess.
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If it makes you happy, then so be it.
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For me, as long as I can afford to collect and they are making realistic figures, I am probably going to still be in hobby. Plus as long as I like customizing, that's going to be a big influence too. But over time I've already changed my collecting habits some, and I'm sure that will continue as I get older and my priorities change with having a second child soon. I've never been a completist either, so that helps in not feeling compelled to buy things.
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I don't think there will ever be an end to it for me. Just a scaling back and getting rid of extra or chessy stuff.
Most of the figures being produced these days are far superior in many respects to figures in the past. Though I can't say that many heads are better on some of the humanoids because of the ball jointed necks This is why I will keep some older figures, plus it's cool to put them together to get an "evolution" for better or worse of the figure. Not everything new with better articulation is an improvement in sculpting IMO.
An eventual creating of Jabba's Palace or the Cantina diorama in the most realistic way that I can like some have done is high on my list of things to do way into my adult age. Hasbro is more than halfway in creating all these characters.
The things I have done in the last few years that has curbed my collecting is stopped being a completist, stopped being a mint on mint card collector and have to have every card and their variations for each run thumb tacked to my wall. I quit building armies, though an occasional squad is ok.
The TVC cards are the pinnacle of sweetness, but Hasbro burnt me out with all the scotch taped cheesy packaging of the past. So sorry but it's too late to be a completist. Plus the prices don't help. Now I enjoy collecting a heck of a lot more with loose figures. It's a lot easier to find a mangled card with a complete figure in it, than spending all that time and gas looking for the perfect card, or ordering a case of figures with some figures I don't want and paying through the nose. Though the last time I had to do that was the with the last red card 2010 EU wave where every figure was new..no problem.
Nope not going to call it quits just yet, but there are ways to cut back.
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It's interesting to see the coomon thread here. When we take charge of what we buy and don't buy, we're happier.
Truth is, my few favorite figure desires (Tatooine Biggs, Dr. Ezavan, Cz-3, anything McQuarrie related) have all been made. I don't think I have any one burning desire for a specific figure anymore...well, maybe a few. But otherwise, what we have been offered since 1995 has been beyound my wildest dreams, and I'm glad I've stayed with it...
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I've been around it for a few decades myself. While I like some of the vintage, the price stops me from buying more. For the most part, I have everything I need to set up a cantina display, a Jabba's palace display, and a pretty huge hoth display. But there really isn't space, so adding more items to buckets seems a tad crazy.
While I bailed on the carded collection some time ago, I found myself getting back in to it with the Clone Wars series starting at the beginning of 2010. My 10 year old daughter watches the shows on DVD with me, and there is far more new material to mine in CW. The fact that every now and then I could get a bunch on sale for $5-$6 helped. 15 years of movie figures is just about enough for me. Although I wish I had grabbed a couple more of the new gamorrean guards last year ::).
So random pieces that fit my focused display ideas, or cool sub-lines like the McQuarrie figures, are about all I am looking for these days. And I am someone that would like to see Hasbro try harder at creating environments. Call them playsets, backdrops, whatever, but I like things that make the figures look better on my shelf.
I'm not sure I'll ever completely stop. Just re-focus, rotate stock, etc.
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If the quality of sculpt, paint and materials declined to the level of Hasbro's other lines. For now, figures like the cross-eyed Anderson Cooper B-Wing Pilot are still pretty rare.
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Totally off topic...I sat next to Anderson Cooper in 1999 on my flight to Denver for the first Celebration. He was on the phone and kept saying "One day at the show, then to the Ranch..."
At the time, I didn't know who he was, and he was obviously no big deal becuase he was riding coach as well. I asked him if "The Ranch" was Skywalker Ranch, and he said yes, and we got to talking about SW and E1, which he was seeing early.
He was interested in me, because at the time I was working regularly with SW Kids Magazine and sometimes on "The Insider." I was also working at Celebration (he was covering it for some news outlet) running drawing sessions at the kids booth.
He wasn't really into SW or anything, but he didn't seem to think that we were all nerds.
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For the most part I hit the end back in late 08 early 09. I'm an OT collector and for the most part already have everything I need. Except for a new Death Star, still holding my breath on that. Price and assortment killed it for me. I buy by the case and after about the 2nd or 3rd wave it no longer makes sense because of all the repacks. I buy a handfull of figures for myself each year but I always buy OT ships/playsets but they just don't make enough of those. I have a lot of gripes with the line but nothing that I really need to go into here and for the most part are the same issues everyone else has.
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I think something cataclysmic would have to happen for me to stop collecting, then again.... I quit smoking overnight after eleven years so who knows...
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For me it's about price, sadly... I've even noticed that I haven't bought a single basic figure in a while, too. If the price hits more than $12 (and it's almost there, too), I'm definitely out. These days, I buy one figure on occasion, I'm so behind in TVC, which is a shame because I really love that line. I haven't seen any TVC figure beyond the ROTS wave. I'm doubtful my local retailers will catch up.
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For me it's all about interest. I collect PT figures ( Mainly Ep. 3 and Clone Wars) The animated line is really my only main line, besides an occasional Vintage figure. When Hasbro stops making things I like then I'll quit. My other main interested is EU novels and comics, so that will be there for awhile....
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Sadly I am basically at the end right now. Or it's just a funk I'm in. Anyway here are some reasons lately.
1) The past several months I can't find a damn thing I want. It's all peg-warmers. I never found any of the AOTC wave. NONE! I have never seen Death Star Escape Luke, Han Yavin, etc. I sure as hell can't find Dagobah Luke, AOTC Clonetrooper, or even Lando. Heck, I never even a saw a $10 Wicket in the wild.
2) The price is basically $10 a figure which means even if I were to find a whole wave I'd only be able to buy maybe 2-3 tops. Maybe a couple more.
3) I HATE buying cases of figures. I have to drop $100 for about 8-10 figures. I just can't do that even on a credit card because I don't wish to add to my minimum per month. Plus, there are always a couple of figures I don't want. It's a pain going on the boards or wherever to dump them off on others.
4) I have pretty much lost any interest in going on toy runs. It's a waste of time really to go in and see all the same pegwarmers.
5) My overall enthusiasm has dipped to an all-time low.
I am hoping the Blu-Rays rekindle my interest. Or that I can find at least one sought after figure either at the store or HasbroToyShop. Maybe that will help my funk.
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Sadly I am basically at the end right now. Or it's just a funk I'm in. Anyway here are some reasons lately.
1) The past several months I can't find a damn thing I want. It's all peg-warmers. I never found any of the AOTC wave. NONE! I have never seen Death Star Escape Luke, Han Yavin, etc. I sure as hell can't find Dagobah Luke, AOTC Clonetrooper, or even Lando. Heck, I never even a saw a $10 Wicket in the wild.
2) The price is basically $10 a figure which means even if I were to find a whole wave I'd only be able to buy maybe 2-3 tops. Maybe a couple more.
3) I HATE buying cases of figures. I have to drop $100 for about 8-10 figures. I just can't do that even on a credit card because I don't wish to add to my minimum per month. Plus, there are always a couple of figures I don't want. It's a pain going on the boards or wherever to dump them off on others.
4) I have pretty much lost any interest in going on toy runs. It's a waste of time really to go in and see all the same pegwarmers.
5) My overall enthusiasm has dipped to an all-time low.
I am hoping the Blu-Rays rekindle my interest. Or that I can find at least one sought after figure either at the store or HasbroToyShop. Maybe that will help my funk.
I'm going to kind of steal your post Broem, because it's the same kind of crap that puts me to my rope's end with the hobby... I'm not there yet but I'd put myself as "close". Especially now that Hasbro has done THREE good Rebel Army builders, they've really hit my top wants now and I'm not as interested in newer figures as I was in getting that last key guy (Fleet Trooper, obviously) knocked out.
But to just kind of pile onto what you said...
1) I didn't have the same trouble finding stuff as you did, to some degree... I ordered Wave 6, glad I did as I haven't seen much of it. Mostly Wave 4 and 5 are just shipping here, which tells me a couple things... First, Wave 6 may ship for a while, and that Wave 4 and 5 are clogged up in the system because they continue to ship here. I JUST saw DSE Luke for the first time ever at retail on Thursday evening, so my advice there is don't give up yet...
Patience is always a virtue in this hobby. I've never once had it not be. You know that though, but it always bears repeating I guess. I'm seeing more Wave 5 now than ever... Wave 4 I'm still seeing in some capacity, and even Wave 3 still dribbles out in some form or another.
But I can't blame anyone for frustration there... I ordered through our site here, at EE, and I was really happy I did on Wave 6. I'm abandoning relying on retail to find stuff. Instead I'll use it for extras I may want. I'm getting cases from here out though I think.
2) I'd be the last person to argue with anyone, ever, on price driving them away... Figures are $8.99 at WM/Target, and $9.99 at TRU and K-Mart. K-Mart at least has their Rewards Card Program, which works at Sears as well (and I buy tools semi-often there since I like Craftsman stuff). With that, I have K-Mart down to reasonable now... At $9.99 I wouldn't shop there though otherwise. I haven't bought a basic figure at TRU in over a years. TRU can choke on the green weenie.
Ultimately though, price is what will force me to quit... $8.99 is my threshold... I think this is absurd for the basic line. Everyone has problems right now, and Hasbro is cranking out stuff where they've cut back on paint aps a lot (Every figure I examine pretty much has a corner cut that just a couple years ago wouldn't have), they're on the cheapest cardbacks ever to produce, and they re-use mroe and more parts or repaint more and more figures... For me they have to get the line to something more reasonable.
I've quit army building anywhere near what I used to. I'll buy Fleet Troopers, but that's the only exception I'm making. I've also basically abandoned figures for fodder unless it's like the $6.50 Legends/CW stuff. Hasbro's lost a lot from me financially in the last year.
By comparison, in 2007 I want ape**** buying figures... I was buying tons of Legends, tons of basic figures. Almost every figure in 2007, I bought at least 3 of, and with army builders (even McQuarrie stuff) I wound up with a dozen or more in many cases. How the line's prices shift from here out will determine whether I stay or not. I can't blame you for not wanting to buy $10 figures.
3) Can't argue with people who don't want cases... I think for people wanting to stay, like me, it's the only option right now. For those not wanting to stay, I can't blame them. Fortunately some army builders were cool extras to have (for me... this varies for everybody obviously). At the same time though, I really don't want that extra Bar2D2 I have, ya know? I don't blame you at all for this either... For people REALLY wanting to hang in there, and tired of hunting for things they can't find because of gas prices, I think cases are the only way to go. EE was great with me, and it went back to the site so I'm obviously shilling that a little bit because I care about Jedi Defender, but it's also the only way I think I'd legitimately stick with collecting right now.
4) Toy Runs still happen for me, more on the weekends now though when I'm out anwyay and in an area with more stores. While out, I stop in. Sometimes I see something, sometimes not. Even with cutting my runs down, WM still has steadily gotten new in... But in dribs and drabs. With new figures 1 to a case, it's easy for everything from a case to get bought by one person, when the other 90 figures on the pegs are white Phase 2 Clones and E3 Obi-Wans.
I wont' give toy runs up, but I've not done toy runs lately, any time other than when I was out for something else. Where I live, I'm 45 minutes to anything really, haha. I have to go, to go shopping at places I sometimes need stuff... So I just fold them into that.
5) This is probably the thing that just really varies the most for collectors... How do you get pumped for something you're just not pumped about? I still get kind of giddy looking at a new figure, but I've got a sense of exhaustion too about collecting. Certain figures just wear me out anymore I guess.
Hasbro's overall quality is good for me, but some of it is just a letdown (Much of wave 5, for instance), and that hurts enthusiasm for anyone about the hobby I think. I haven't hit the point where I'm disinterested when I see something new though. Usually when i see new, I still get the "new figure giddies" enough... I still care I guess. I've got a million other worries/responsibilities though, so toys get pushed back a little more every year.
Anyway...
Right now, for me, the biggest shot in the arm is if the line goes back down by at least $1/figure at retail (and if TRU would actually slightly attempt to compete with other retailers instead of just going all Kay-Bee on us). I'm ok on overall quality... Distribution could use some tweaking, but overall I think it's a case of "one bad apple" right now (that white Phase 2 Clone)... If he weren't in such heavy rotation, I think more Vintage would ship... He's the only heavy pegwarmer in my area. There are others, but nothing like that guy. Couple that with K-Mart and Target just not restocking for one reason or another, and TRU sort of pricing itself out of selling or even getting anything in since Wave 2 (my area... Wave 3 in others), and it's a situation ripe for people to lose interest.
I'm sort of curious right now if Hasbro feels sales of Vintage have been good or not. If they feel they recaptured that collector core that they felt they lost. Build-A-Droid was pretty slick... A free figure or two per wave, if you bought everything, was interesting incentive. We lost that then... basically lost 1 or 2 figures per wave, even if they were random repainted droids or whatnot, plus figures shot up by a buck... All for a cardback that looks nice, but I'm buying toys instead of cardboard... To me, that got off on the wrong foot from the get-go I guess.
Regardless, I'm not out... Not yet. I could easily jump ship next week though if something went wrong with the line and I just said, "f this, I'm out". There was a time that I'd sludge through something crappy... Hell, I stuck with it in 2002. That was the worst time for me, as a collector who liked articulation and neutral sculpts. This is yet somehow worse, but not so much because the figures suck, like back then.
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Those last two posts are excellent. I will never be out. I love SW too much, but for me now it's either the store I am near happens to stock (whether it's near my house or if I'm out and about) or if a store somewhat close is reported to have something new stocked then I will buy it. But the fun days or running around and having to have everything right away are long gone.
So if I miss out on something because of it. Oh well
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I'm the same as Nick - I'll never be fully "out" - I'm still collecting at a pretty high level - with all of the squad building and multiples that I buy. If costs started to become a huge factor - I could easily drop those extra opener purchases in order to keep my complete loose and MOC collections going. I think in order for me to stop one of those the price per figure would have to jump up to $15 and for me to stop both the price per figure would have to reach $20.
And while in 20 years I may eat these words, I think that if the line ever gets that high - there won't be a line anymore since very few people are going to be willing to pay $15/$20 for a 3.75" action figure.
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I was thinking about this, the vintage collection has gotten me to buy Clone Wars and even Legends more than I had in prior years. Part of that is the improved articulation in some Clone Wars releases, and some recent additions to Legends, but price and availability are factors.
The Vintage Collection had gotten MOC and nostalgic types to buy more figures, probably. But the same old situations exist, stores are still ordering more Legends and Clone Wars. But now when those go on sale or get reduced, the collector-aimed series (Vintage) does not, which increases its "peg warmers", and makes restocking of that series slower. Instead of Pons Limbics and Brea Organas hanging around on pegs, we have ball-jointed hipped Sandtroopers and ROTS Clone Troopers, which seemed unthinkable 2 years ago. (We also have 4-LOM, which doesn't surprised me, as he bombed back in 2007...enough to make it to clearance at some stores.)
Some people are saying "fold Legends into Vintage". Nah, I say fold vintage into Legends. Then I get a figure stand, a keen card game card and extra weapons for less money! ;)
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I have left over distrobution before
I will do it again
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It's definately perceived value. The legends and CW come with stuff while the vintage is just the figure and a dollar or two more. All I see around my stores is sandtroopers and clone troopers that I have before. I don't see them any different from the legends version except on a card I don't care about. I can get both of these figure x5 from our favorite ebay seller for the price of one in retail.
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I've been done since w4/w5/w6 hit a few months back with the exception of the Jedi Turbo Taxi (I'm a sucker for vehicles) Just bought my first home and finally unloaded my storage unit after 6 years and frankly I'm disgusted by all of the stuff I have so I plan on dumping 80-90% of my SW collection in the coming months to have a somewhat manageable collection to go along side with my TF/Joe stuff.
Its been very easy to collect all these years by just throwing everything into storage thinking I'd have room for everything someday, but that's not the case now that this is reality. Not to mention I've been getting burnt out on this hobby as of the past couple years - oh and the price hike made this decision much easier to swallow.
It was fun while it lasted though... :)
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I'll tell you what would be the "end" for me...not finding anything again. Nothing at all. I was in Las Vegas for a week on business, and I had plenty of driving around to do. I stopped at every Target, TRU and Wal-mart I saw. At least 2-3 a day, many in the morning. Nothing new at all.
As it is now, I have 1 wave 5 figure, 1 wave 4 figure, and the Sith Yoda. That's all I've seen since early Dec when I complted wave 3.
This is almost as bad as spring 2002...at least this time the figures we're waiting on don't suck.
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Just too many sand and clone troopers. Too bad they are too expensive to army build.
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Well I'm off work tomorrow. I may go on a toy run to about 4 stores. I'll be pissed off if I find nothing...again. At this point I'd take an R5-D4. Anything from wave 5 or more. I may just resort to focusing on some Clone Wars figures. They always seem to rotate those figures pretty well.
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This might fit in the "future of" thread as well, but just a topic that has come up again lately. I like to be a positive person, and don't mean for this to be a "the line is dead!" Thread, but it is starting to look like there won't be a "basic" 3 3/4" line for the Rise of Skywalker. It sounds as if we will still get some Vintage Collection figures, but it will probably be somewhat limited. All that being said, it is starting to seem like it is possible that the 3 3/4" scale might be heading towards the end, or at the very least become much more limited.
At this point, if we get to the point where Star Wars collecting - at least affordable, retail level stuff - is either 5" or 6", how would your collecting change? Would it end when/if the 3 3/4" scale did, would you focus more on 6", switch focus to another property, or something else altogether? I personally hope we continue to get Vintage Collection figures, even if it is only 16-20 figures per year. If they eventually move on, I'd probably continue to pick and choose from Black Series, save some money, or focus on vintage toys more.
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3.75" is it for me. As long as it continues, I'm still in. I'm 24 years into this line and I'm not starting over in 5", 6", 12" or any other scale. If they kill it, I'll keep collecting Super 7, Gentle Giant, and I'll probably wade into vintage a little more than I have traditionally. I'd be disappointed and hope it's a temporary thing, but I'd be using it as an opportunity to spend less on collecting.
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Of course, I always say I am basically a "retired" collector anyway, but the end of the basic line will probably push me back out the door. I am unsatisfied with the aesthetics of the current crop of Vintage figures and my pickings there will be few and far between. I've no interest in the Black Series. Ditto the Galaxy of Adventures scale.
I didn't bother with TFA figures in 2015 at all, but after the fact I put together my own collection of 12 of them that I found to be essential and bought that to represent the film in my collection. Rogue One was full of OT sculpts so I grabbed those, plus another round of 12 essential characters. For TLJ I bought a few figures, but I never bothered to put together a list of 12 to represent the movie so it isn't done. The Solo line was too hard to find so I never finished that up either, just dribs and drabs of what I saw. Most everything I have bought the last few years has been 5POA basic line stuff.
I suppose if Hasbro decides to do more unproduced Retro figures in the future I will collect those. So far I am 100% on those (Tarkin) but only running 50% on the straight-up reissues.
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I'll only collect well-articulated 3.75" figures for SW. I collect NECA and DC Collectibles stuff, but that's much more limited, and I'm not interested in collecting SW in any other scale. To me, it works because the scale is compatible with vehicles. Take that away and it's not worth it. Plus, as others have said, I'm not starting over after so many years.
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I already collect both 3.75 and 6". I'll be disappointed if 3.75 dies for sure. I collect a little non-Star Wars, but mostly Star Wars. No chance for me of "the end". I'm not going all in on 5". But there will always be something to buy to keep this enjoyment in my life. Of course if no company produces anything then I guess I just catch up with what I've missed over time
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I'm a 3.75 and 6" collector. I dabble in other lines (Sideshow, Unleashed, Gentle Giant, ToyBox, etc.) when there is something specific that catches my eye.
I will not be going all in on 5" figures and will likely just dabble with that line if there is something super cool that catches my eye.
Over the years I've consciously sold off whole lines (Galactic Heroes, 12" figures, Titanium) because I've tried to streamline a bit and focus on 3.75 and 6".
I'm old enough and my collection is large enough already that I don't need to add another scale and aesthetic. I would likely spend my collecting money tracking down vintage items I don't have, posters, and other items vs. spend it on a new scale.
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After 41 years of collecting 3.75" figures, I don't see myself changing. Hell, after being spoiled with all the SA figures we were getting around 2010, I don't even go for 5 POA figures.
If the 3.75" line dies, I'll focus more on prop replicas, costuming (I have a few helmets in addition to my ANH Stormtrooper armor), and a couple of movie posters (Mainly Rise of Skywalker and I need a Rogue One theatrical release one sheet).
It might actually free up some cash for a few more Disney trips! Looks like the immersive hotel at Disneyworld's Hollywood studios will cost $1,000 per night! I make decent money as an engineer but holy **** that's a lot of money to drop on a weekend stay!
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I’ve technically been collecting the 3 3/4” scale Star Wars figures and vehicles since the tail end of the original vintage toy line in the mid-1980s, though the bulk of my collecting has dated from the Galoob Action Fleet and Kenner/Hasbro POTF days in the late 1990s and peaked in the 2010s with the Legacy and “Vintage” collections. Since the mid 2010s and the Disney takeover of Lucasfilm, I haven’t collected as much of the 3 3/4” scale as outside of the new Vintage collection, the quality just isn't where it was a decade and more ago. I still try to get some of the main figures and ships for the new movies, but I’m not sure where things will go after the upcoming “Rise of Skywalker” film, at least as my 3 3/4” collection is concerned. If the Vintage line continues and keeps offering the highly detailed vehicles (like the Imperial Assault Tank) then I’ll continue in that scale...
However, I’ve never been an exclusive collector, meaning I typically don’t collect just one line or scale of figures in a genera like Star Wars. Case in point is my large collection of the 6” Black Series figures. I’ve really enjoyed this line since it came out in 2013 and typically try to get figures of the main characters for each film, legacy characters, vehicles, or other items that catch my interest. I’d like to see the 6” Black Series Line continue for a while and add more star fighters and other vehicles. The line seems to sell well for the most part and has a lot of potential...
Lastly, there is another part of me that wonders how long Star Wars can continue in popularity? Already there are signs that the general public is starting to tire of Star Wars... As a kid, I remember when the craze over the original movies died out and I’m quite frankly surprised things have kept going as long as they have. We have basically had available a steady stream of action figure, ships, and tons of other Star Wars merchandise since the mid 1990s, which is really incredible! I’m just curious as to how long all this will go on - and if I’m going to need a larger house to hold it all :P
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I just don't know for sure what "The End" would be for me. Before the Vintage collection returned, I did feel lukewarm to what was available, especially with the unwanted return of 5 POA figures. However, at this point, my love of the OT is still strong and for the foreseeable future I'll still ravenously procure anything Hasbro to offer from my three favorite films of all time.