12 Tips for Buying Sports Action Figures
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Buying Sports Action Figures
Sports action figures are available as both toys and collectibles, and the line between toy and collectible often blurs. Many figures that were initially marketed for children have gone on to be some of the most valuable figures around. Other figures are made specifically for collectors and often have initial sticker prices that separate them from the sports dolls made for children. For collecting purposes, buying sports action figures can be tricky; buyers have many options, and prices fluctuate wildly. In order to avoid overpaying and other common mistakes, new collectors can adhere to the following 12 tips:
1. Establish a Budget
Left unchecked, a collecting hobby can be a financial, time, and space sinkhole, so collectors must budget their resources in order to maintain enjoyment. Start by identifying available funds and display space, and then make a prioritized list of desired figurines. Be sure to leave space for future releases. Price all of the figurines on the list. Identify the optimal price and the upper limit, which will provide a reference point for hunting down an action figure and negotiating its price. A collector can splurge on their most coveted figures but should be patient while targeting optimal prices on the rest.
2. Know the Types of Sports Action Figures
New collectors should invest the time in educating themselves on the market. There are many different types of sports action figures available, and the sheer amount of choice can overwhelm the uninitiated. Arguably, the most popular sports action figures are made byMcFarlane Toys. Other popular brands include Hasbro, Kenner, LJN, Jakks Pacific, and Mattel. Companies like Hasbro and Mattel are known as toy companies, but they both have a line of premium action figures targeted at collectors. McFarlane Toys, on the other hand, is exclusively a collector’s brand, and its figures have a reputation for a level of detail not found on other products.
New collectors should invest the time in educating themselves on the market. There are many different types of sports action figures available, and the sheer amount of choice can overwhelm the uninitiated. Arguably, the most popular sports action figures are made byMcFarlane Toys. Other popular brands include Hasbro, Kenner, LJN, Jakks Pacific, and Mattel. Companies like Hasbro and Mattel are known as toy companies, but they both have a line of premium action figures targeted at collectors. McFarlane Toys, on the other hand, is exclusively a collector’s brand, and its figures have a reputation for a level of detail not found on other products.
3. Learn the Going Rates
New collectors should stick to sports action figures that are currently being manufactured until they have more experience. Current figures are readily available and available at a standard retail price. It’s also possible to buy current figurines at a discount. Figures that are no longer published, on the other hand, are trickier because the buyer has to deal with appreciation and, in the case of unpackaged figures, condition. Collectors should monitor prices on the Internet, in prices guides, and by attending conventions and similar events. New collectors will develop a feel for the market by monitoring the prices of the action figures that they own and are targeting.
New collectors should stick to sports action figures that are currently being manufactured until they have more experience. Current figures are readily available and available at a standard retail price. It’s also possible to buy current figurines at a discount. Figures that are no longer published, on the other hand, are trickier because the buyer has to deal with appreciation and, in the case of unpackaged figures, condition. Collectors should monitor prices on the Internet, in prices guides, and by attending conventions and similar events. New collectors will develop a feel for the market by monitoring the prices of the action figures that they own and are targeting.
4. Buy New Sports Action Figures ASAP
Companies that make action figures manufacture them in runs. When a run ends, it means that no new instances of that particular figure will ever roll off assembly lines again. When that happens, figures that are still in their retail packaging will appreciate. In the case of action figures marketed as toys, the initial markup can be significant. Although there are exceptions, such as a weak economy or a craze trend, under normal circumstances, depreciation is rare among retail-packaged action figures. Therefore, collectors should purchase newly released sports figures as soon as possible.
Companies that make action figures manufacture them in runs. When a run ends, it means that no new instances of that particular figure will ever roll off assembly lines again. When that happens, figures that are still in their retail packaging will appreciate. In the case of action figures marketed as toys, the initial markup can be significant. Although there are exceptions, such as a weak economy or a craze trend, under normal circumstances, depreciation is rare among retail-packaged action figures. Therefore, collectors should purchase newly released sports figures as soon as possible.
5. Decide to Display the Figure Packaged or Unpackaged
When buying a sports action figure, know ahead of time if it’ll be displayed in its retail packaging or not. This decision can have a significant effect on the amount paid. If the collector wants to display it outside of the retail packaging, then they can purchase an opened figure. Action figures that have been removed from their retail packaging are available at a significant discount, relative to the going rate of an unopened version of the same figure. Additional discounts are available if the collector is willing to buy the figure without any of the packaging or printed materials that were included with the item at retail. However, condition becomes a significant concern when purchasing opened figures.
When buying a sports action figure, know ahead of time if it’ll be displayed in its retail packaging or not. This decision can have a significant effect on the amount paid. If the collector wants to display it outside of the retail packaging, then they can purchase an opened figure. Action figures that have been removed from their retail packaging are available at a significant discount, relative to the going rate of an unopened version of the same figure. Additional discounts are available if the collector is willing to buy the figure without any of the packaging or printed materials that were included with the item at retail. However, condition becomes a significant concern when purchasing opened figures.
6. Be Picky about Condition
When buying retail-packaged action figures, the retail packaging should be relatively flawless. Major folds, bends, and marks can significantly reduce the value. When buying used sports action figures, evaluate the condition and then adjust the price accordingly. Opened figures are much harder to resell and, unless very rare, must generally be in pristine condition. Opened figures should include an additional discount if they do not include the original packaging and printed materials.
When buying retail-packaged action figures, the retail packaging should be relatively flawless. Major folds, bends, and marks can significantly reduce the value. When buying used sports action figures, evaluate the condition and then adjust the price accordingly. Opened figures are much harder to resell and, unless very rare, must generally be in pristine condition. Opened figures should include an additional discount if they do not include the original packaging and printed materials.
7. Buy Sports Action Figures at a Discount
When buying current sports action figures, there are ways for the collector to buy at a discount. The most common discount is the retail discount, which is common on eBay and similar retail sites. The retail discount is a below MSRP markdown that will disappear as soon as the run concludes. Another common discount is the preorder discount, which is available when the collector pays for the figure prior to production. A third common discount is the bulk discount, which is available when the collector buys multiple figures at the same time. Wholesale discounts are not exclusive to new figures, and many vendors sell vintage figures in bulk lots.
When buying current sports action figures, there are ways for the collector to buy at a discount. The most common discount is the retail discount, which is common on eBay and similar retail sites. The retail discount is a below MSRP markdown that will disappear as soon as the run concludes. Another common discount is the preorder discount, which is available when the collector pays for the figure prior to production. A third common discount is the bulk discount, which is available when the collector buys multiple figures at the same time. Wholesale discounts are not exclusive to new figures, and many vendors sell vintage figures in bulk lots.
8. Haggle
A common mistake that new collectors make is that they accept a listed price as a final price. Usually, however, the listed price is the seller’s best-case scenario, and they will be willing to negotiate. Using the pricing information achieved earlier, make a fair but aggressive offer. Seek compromise while remaining within the predetermined acceptable price range. Remain objective. Collectors must be careful not to let their emotions get the best of them. In auction scenarios, make a max a bid and stick to it. Last-minute bid increments are usually bad decisions.
A common mistake that new collectors make is that they accept a listed price as a final price. Usually, however, the listed price is the seller’s best-case scenario, and they will be willing to negotiate. Using the pricing information achieved earlier, make a fair but aggressive offer. Seek compromise while remaining within the predetermined acceptable price range. Remain objective. Collectors must be careful not to let their emotions get the best of them. In auction scenarios, make a max a bid and stick to it. Last-minute bid increments are usually bad decisions.
9. Be Aware of Peak Buying Periods
Collecting sports action figures is a year-round hobby, but there are two periods in particular that warrant special attention: right after a major convention and right after the release of a new figure or line. Vendors attending conventions purposefully overstock, so after major conventions, there is often an influx of overstock sold at significant discounts. Likewise, when a new figure or line is introduced, the market often gets flooded with those items, which often translates into excellent buy-low opportunities. This is often a good time to buy items with the intent to trade and sell high later.
Collecting sports action figures is a year-round hobby, but there are two periods in particular that warrant special attention: right after a major convention and right after the release of a new figure or line. Vendors attending conventions purposefully overstock, so after major conventions, there is often an influx of overstock sold at significant discounts. Likewise, when a new figure or line is introduced, the market often gets flooded with those items, which often translates into excellent buy-low opportunities. This is often a good time to buy items with the intent to trade and sell high later.
10. Buy Low, Sell High, and Trade
Vintage action figures appreciate, and industrious collectors can use this to their advantage. Keep in mind that collectibles aren’t necessarily great long-term general investments, but collectors can use them effectively as short-term investments in order to get more out of their budgeted resources. A newly released sports action figure can often be traded a mere year later for a figure that is much more valuable than that initial cost. Collectors have to be careful, however, not to be stuck with figures that they don’t want, so it’s best only to buy low on figures that will clearly have long-term value within the collecting community.
Vintage action figures appreciate, and industrious collectors can use this to their advantage. Keep in mind that collectibles aren’t necessarily great long-term general investments, but collectors can use them effectively as short-term investments in order to get more out of their budgeted resources. A newly released sports action figure can often be traded a mere year later for a figure that is much more valuable than that initial cost. Collectors have to be careful, however, not to be stuck with figures that they don’t want, so it’s best only to buy low on figures that will clearly have long-term value within the collecting community.
11.Attend Conventions and Similar Events
Conventions are often a mixed bag for buyers, and the prices and selection are generally better online. Conventions, however, can still be very useful. They’re an excellent opportunity to see the new products firsthand, stay current on prices, and to identify upcoming trends. They’re also an excellent venue for trading, and although trading can be time consuming, it often yields a better overall return for the collector than a direct sale will.
Conventions are often a mixed bag for buyers, and the prices and selection are generally better online. Conventions, however, can still be very useful. They’re an excellent opportunity to see the new products firsthand, stay current on prices, and to identify upcoming trends. They’re also an excellent venue for trading, and although trading can be time consuming, it often yields a better overall return for the collector than a direct sale will.
12. Target Limited Editions and Special Features
Sports action figures are often released in limited editions and with special features, including mistakes. Limited editions can be exclusive sets, or they can be a premium subset of the main run. Generally, these special action figures are worth their premium because of how collectors value them. In addition, collecting is about owning special things, and a limited edition sports figure can be quite a treasure.
Conclusion
Sports action figures are a popular pastime, and hobbyists enjoy collecting their favorite players and figures that represent their favorite teams. Buying sports action figures can be a challenging process; there is a wide range of options, and it’s easy for the new collector to overpay. There are steps, however, that the new collector can take to avoid the most common mistakes: Collectors should budget, create a prioritized target list, price those targets, and then haggle for the best possible price.
Sports action figures are often released in limited editions and with special features, including mistakes. Limited editions can be exclusive sets, or they can be a premium subset of the main run. Generally, these special action figures are worth their premium because of how collectors value them. In addition, collecting is about owning special things, and a limited edition sports figure can be quite a treasure.
Conclusion
Sports action figures are a popular pastime, and hobbyists enjoy collecting their favorite players and figures that represent their favorite teams. Buying sports action figures can be a challenging process; there is a wide range of options, and it’s easy for the new collector to overpay. There are steps, however, that the new collector can take to avoid the most common mistakes: Collectors should budget, create a prioritized target list, price those targets, and then haggle for the best possible price.
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