I wasn't sure where to post this, because it can relate to any other lines outside of the Star Wars basic line. If it needs to be moved, feel free. Anyways, looking at figure collecting the past couple years - along with the plethora of exclusives coming up for C4 and beyond for the various line - it seems like, in some cases, its getting more and more difficult to collect. Even if you're someone that just orders what you want online, there is still the exclusive issue and some other problems.
I'm not complaining personally, because I've been fortunate enough to stay caught up on things so far this year with a combination of retail and online (primarily BBTS/HTS so far). I think a lot of times with my retail trips though, I've just been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. If I was only able to stop in stores on weekends - like I did before we moved to a "city" - I think I'd be mostly out of luck. It just seems like a lot of times if you find something you want (Star Wars or otherwise), you had better buy it when you see it - because it might be awhile (if ever) you see it again.
Like I said, I've had decent luck this year - but you do really have to keep on top of things. Checking the stores, refreshing the online store pages, and just lucking into things sometimes. I basically just collect the Star Wars basic figure line (and related things), as well as Spider-Man/Marvel stuff, and a few assorted other things - but it does seem to be true of a lot of lines out there. I couldn't imagine trying to be a mini bust completist this year especially. The McQuarrie figures (so far) seem like they are going to be a tough find all year. Making things worse, we hear of brand new figures exclusive to C4, and it is still up in the air if people not attending will be able to get these (without the help of great people on the forums). Anyways, there's other examples I'm sure people can give for their various collections (Star Wars or otherwise), but I was just curious if the current world of collecting has taken any of the "fun" out of the hobby for you? Sure, there is something to be said for finding things on the pegs (I always enjoy that), but I can see how things can be frustrating. Its to the point now where if I see something "hard to find" or "rare" in any way on the pegs, it seems like some sort of jackpot. Almost like I don't believe I'm actually seeing anything besides Obi-Wan or R2
. Anyways, I'm just wondering if anyone else has felt the stress (well, not necessarily stress, its just a hobby I guess) sometimes of trying to keep up with everything. It probably doesn't bother more patient people as much. I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm patient, but at the same time not patient enough to wait years to get a figure. I mean, there was a time when some of the buff/ugly POTF2 figures were fetching pretty high prices, and now most can be had for $3 or less. That might be similar to what the TAC and other lines will see in the future, but I don't think I'm quite that patient overall.
