Being a relatively new collector myself, I've always been interested in other peoples' stories. How did you get started collecting? What steps did you take to work your way into more "hardcore" collectibles? Do you think you've gone overboard? Can you see yourself changing your mind about collecting or evolving even further?
I officially started collecting a little over a year ago. I had purchased toys in the past, but nothing that ever really affected me. One day I stumbled across an inexpensive Banpresto Dragon Ball figure at the bookstore I had been working at, and it caught my eye. At the time, the price of $39.99 was steep to me, and I had to really justify spending so much money. As soon as I took it home and got it out on the package, I was in awe. The paint apps, the sculpt, everything just blew my mind. I started purchasing other Dragon Ball figures whenever I got the chance until I had a pretty substantial collection, but I would never spend more than $40 or so.
That same year, in December, I went through a really rough breakup and (in an effort to cheer myself up for Christmas) purchased a more expensive figure that I'd really been wanting. I believe it was 80 or 90 dollars. I fell in love. That really started my collecting obsession. Now I only hunt for stuff I'm really in love with from each franchise that I'm attached to. I don't buy the cheap figures anymore because I can't justify the space that they hog. I prefer 1/6 scale statues and action figures. I haven't purchased a 1/4 scale statue yet because I'm still not at that point, but I can foresee myself doing so in the future when I have more funds.
I'm by no means a completionist or a hoarder, though. If I change my mind about a piece or no longer like it, I'll box it up and sell it. If I like something, but I don't think it's perfect (or it's too expensive) I'll pass. In the future, I want to have a small collection consisting only of pieces that I'm in love with. I try to represent all of my favorite franchises.
I officially started collecting a little over a year ago. I had purchased toys in the past, but nothing that ever really affected me. One day I stumbled across an inexpensive Banpresto Dragon Ball figure at the bookstore I had been working at, and it caught my eye. At the time, the price of $39.99 was steep to me, and I had to really justify spending so much money. As soon as I took it home and got it out on the package, I was in awe. The paint apps, the sculpt, everything just blew my mind. I started purchasing other Dragon Ball figures whenever I got the chance until I had a pretty substantial collection, but I would never spend more than $40 or so.
That same year, in December, I went through a really rough breakup and (in an effort to cheer myself up for Christmas) purchased a more expensive figure that I'd really been wanting. I believe it was 80 or 90 dollars. I fell in love. That really started my collecting obsession. Now I only hunt for stuff I'm really in love with from each franchise that I'm attached to. I don't buy the cheap figures anymore because I can't justify the space that they hog. I prefer 1/6 scale statues and action figures. I haven't purchased a 1/4 scale statue yet because I'm still not at that point, but I can foresee myself doing so in the future when I have more funds.
I'm by no means a completionist or a hoarder, though. If I change my mind about a piece or no longer like it, I'll box it up and sell it. If I like something, but I don't think it's perfect (or it's too expensive) I'll pass. In the future, I want to have a small collection consisting only of pieces that I'm in love with. I try to represent all of my favorite franchises.