| Collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and just | | | | garage sales. These will have the best price but you |
| about anything can be collected. Some people collect | | | | will have to know how to buy something from them. |
| for fun, and some people collect for investment. | | | | You can negotiate a better price and get discounts |
| Most people will start out collecting for fun, and a | | | | for buying multiple action figures. I would not buy |
| few people will become serious collectors. I have | | | | from these last two places unless you know what |
| been collecting action figures for 23 years, and only | | | | you are collecting inside an out. |
| seriously for 18 years. The biggest difference in the | | | | How do you know what to buy? Keep these things |
| two types of collectors is one buys or adds to their | | | | in mind when you are buying collectibles. It's all about |
| collection by convenience, the other by careful | | | | condition and demand. If you are collecting for your |
| planning and extreme searching. There are some | | | | own enjoyment, then you can buy anything you |
| good guidelines for both collectors to use to make | | | | want to buy. For an example, I also collect comic |
| the best decisions when buying for any collection. | | | | books and have many comics that are worthless |
| Collect something that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, | | | | because of damage but they complete my set. I will |
| you will spend the time to know everything about | | | | never be able to sell these, unless someone wanted |
| that subject. If you don't enjoy it, you will make | | | | to complete their set. They act as a place holder until |
| decisions based on whim or book price. I tried to | | | | I can find a near-mint condition one to replace it. If |
| collect GI Joe and Barbie, but I wasn't into them. I | | | | you are collecting action figures as an investment |
| made a few mistakes because I didn't do the correct | | | | then you need to follow these steps when buying |
| research to make an informed decision. I specialize in | | | | them. First, never ever use this line "it looks good for |
| Marvel and DC comic book action figures. That's what | | | | its age". If you can say this about an item, it's |
| I love to read and discuss. Because of this, I have | | | | probably not worth buying. Price or worth is based on |
| the inside track on what's new and what's happening | | | | two things. Demand and condition, when buying |
| in the comics. There are sagas and stories inside of | | | | action figures in a store look for the most popular |
| stories, that's why you'll find slight variations in one | | | | and for a box that has NO defect. When buying out |
| action figure. Bottom-line is collect something you love | | | | of the box items, make sure that they are old |
| to read or study. | | | | enough that having a box is just a bonus. If the item |
| Where do you buy action figures? There are several | | | | is only 20 years old it should have a box and that |
| places to buy them, but keep a few things in mind. | | | | box should be in great condition. If that item is 50 |
| First, antique stores are out there to make money | | | | years old, you can get away without a box, but the |
| on anything that looks older or is old. You will not find | | | | item must be in great condition. For example, no |
| a "good" price here. If you go to small towns that | | | | broken parts, everything is there that came with the |
| have an antique store, you will have a better chance | | | | toy when it was new. Another thought is to buy |
| of buying something for a descent price. Second | | | | action figures that aren't popular, I have seen many |
| place to buy is at a discount retailer. These include | | | | of these go up in price. Mostly because of demand, a |
| for example, Wal-Mart, Target, Toys-R-Us just to | | | | comic will start to market that character and |
| name a few. One thing to keep in mind with a | | | | everyone will want it. Unless you are in the know, |
| discount retailer is to make friends with the | | | | this is the hardest one to guess. |
| employees. I had a friend in Toys-R-Us. He would pull | | | | Collecting is a fun past-time and can really be a good |
| action figures for me before they went to the shelf. | | | | investment. Just remember to do your research and |
| He would also keep me informed on recalled toys. | | | | try to have fun. Buy items using a method, not by |
| This made my life easier; I didn't have to worry | | | | impulse especially if you are looking for investments. |
| about getting to the store before a certain action | | | | And know everything about the line you are |
| figure was sold out. Third, and probably the best | | | | collecting, this will help you buy the correct action |
| depending on what you collect are flea markets and | | | | figures and know when to sell them. |