A couple of lesson I learned after my first year of collecting. Don't rush filling up your collection and don't buy figure because they are in a good deal, buy it because you like it.
As a beginning collector, I am taking every precaution possible about the character I buy. Such as “Are there better versions/ brands of them?” “Am I getting it as cheap and quality value as possible?” “Is it actually worth it?” For me, I’ve recently gone on a Bandai Figuarts zero Demon Slayer shopping spree. It cost a fair bit altogether, but i’ve got them less for normal retail value, from reputable sellers and characters I obviously know. But never would I buy a character that looks beautiful, and I don’t even know who the hell they are
@@DTTCReviews I only buy figures that I've seen the Anime series, I guess there are people out there that buy without knowing the characters? I wouldn't know. I only buy mostly scale figures, because the resin takes too much space that i don't have and my wife would kill me. Lol!! 😅
One thing I would say is don't impulse buy. I personally wait a while on figures I'm considering and have not regretted most of my decisions. But don't wait too long because some of the pre-orders have a timer.
I agree I’d also say that don’t treat the hobby like an investment opportunity. Chances are you are going to lose money so only buy things you actually love. Also don’t watch a show and immediately buy all the figures lol give yourself a cool down to make sure it’s not just hype leading you! I will say with the box thing, I keep all my boxes but not all my blisters (granted I have a small collection and In 2 years I’ve sold 1 figure) I personally just keep the box for when moving I’ll pack the box with bubble wrap and/or packing paper (only exception is really delicate figures)
Hype is a scary thing, I've seen so many people jump head first into this hobby! I'm surprised you keep the box but not the blister... First I've heard someone do that ngl... 😅
Another thing I would mention is the constant upkeep to keep your collection free of dust if not housed in an enclosed display. When dusting your figures I highly suggest using a soft make-up brush of varying sizes to get into all the nooks and crannies without causing any resistance or damage to the more intricate figures.
Welcome back man! My personal tip would be to dustproof the display cabinets early. Dusting takes up a lot of time and increases the risk of accidental damage. It's a must for pet owners xD
My 7 would be... 1. The space required to display figure collection properly. 2. Space to store the boxes... 3. Missing out on preorders to avoid scalping. 4. The price of shipping from Japan. 5. Staying away from resin figures if you move frequently. 6. . Prize figures can look good too don't just buy expensive scale figures. 7. Frustration of saving the money for preorder and it gets delayed few months and constantly worried will it come out before I get paid due not having the money anymore..
Best place to find cheap figures is AmiAmi. Second would be Solaris Japan. I like having different shipping options and being able to combine orders to save money. Also buying figures used can help. Some collectors take great care of the figure and box that it’s like new. I’ve bought figures rated B but looked A.
Knowing about bootlegs is a big one. Before i started my collection 4 years ago, i had no idea about authentic merch. I bought figures from ebay and by the 3rd one i realized "why do these look like shit"?? Once i learned about Amiami there was no going back.. Idk who else started out like me but i think its crucial for a newbie collector to learn the difference early on.
I would like to add to this because I see people who buy bootlegs intentionally because they can't afford authentic figures. It is so much better to own one authentic scale or a small shelf of prize figures, than it is to own a collection of bootlegs. I won't shame anyone for not having expendable income but I see so many videos of people showing off fakes and I just think they definitely wasted money when they could have saved up for something nice.
I hate ebay, not because I ever got scammed but because I think they're screwing private sellers over. Their service is abysmal and I've seen some of the cheapest authentic anime figures getting sold there as an auction since figure collectors rarely look up ebay auctions (99% are bootlegs for like $20). I just feel kinda bad for the people that sold their real figures there and lost so much money (to ebay as well). Honestly, I hope that people stop selling their genuine figures on that trash site. They're disgusting for allowing so many deceitful sales to go through. Ebay is filled with scammers (especially in the electronics department - GPUs for instance) and they don't care at all. One time I literally just asked one guy for more details on their PC on auction and the dude replied to me that it was a fake auction and he had been hacked. He also thanked me because he never would have noticed otherwise (he received an E-Mail and was inactive on ebay)! Protect your eBay accounts guys, especially if you're inactive and have good reviews. Hackers love to use those accounts to sell things that don't exist and screw people over. It's happening all the time. On another note, I actually think there are some decent bootlegs out there. You just have to look really closely. Once I ordered a "Dai Kasshoku Jidai Philena Waal" bootleg and it comes relatively close to the Amakuni original. Another one I ordered, Zero Two's B-Style bootleg looked really good for a Freeing counterfeit. Both purchases were made for around $30 at aliexpress, so I knew what I was getting myself into. That being said, there is obviously an ethical conflict regarding whether you want to support these fakers, but just saying, it's possible to get a decent-looking bootleg. I personally think if it's not too often and you're not trying to scam people by claiming it's the real deal, it's alright...
@Virtuosyc To each their own when it comes to bootlegs/ counterfeits. 😁 Personally, I've never sold on eBay but I've been burned by sellers making fake posts so ya gotta be attentive when buying off there! 😅
I hate keeping the boxes. I planned on space for the figures themselves but the boxes take up so much space. I often fantasize about throwing them all away.
I think my tip would be to start with well-known reputable shops first. A lot of new collectors seem to get hyper focused on finding the cheapest figure price but forget the classic lesson, "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is" lol. Proxies often have hidden costs and fees, some shops may charge shipping up front and then ask for more later when the figure release because the box is bigger than estimated, and smaller shops that haven't been around for a long time may go out of business before a figure releases. Figure collecting is not a cheap hobby, and cutting corners can bite you in the butt later. Start with less expensive and smaller figures first too and see what shipping charges are like before jumping into 1/4 scales, and see how other collectors go about buying them.
Very solid advice! Do your research, save for the one you really want, and buy from a trusted shop! 😆 Maybe I'll do a follow up video that includes more? 🤔
@@DTTCReviews Exactly! Maybe you could do a '7 Things I've Learned' or '7 Mistakes I've Made So You Dont Have To' type of video next? Just another spin on the part 2 idea. 😊
Welcome back! All those tips are quite useful and helpful! Reddit and UA-cam are the platforms that I used to guide me through my figure collecting journey. I highly recommend them for those who are starting out with this hobby
Great tips! The box storage issue is so true! My closet is just about full, so is under the bed, and this is just Figma and Nendoroids. If I send help, could you send me some in return? LOL
Deffffff for me was the last one. The space needed for (mainly resin statues) but also the boxes. I am fortunate enough atm to have 600+ square feet all for the manga and figs. BUT I keep buying the biggies and they need so much room. A lot more if you give them room to really display them nicely. I wish I could send this vid back to me years ago lol great vid man
@@DTTCReviews Oh I hear ya lol We need a giant manga/fig library when we move again in a few years. Never knew needing a giant library room in my future homes was gona be a thing lolol.
The box space is the big one for me lol. Too many boxes dang it! Thanks for the video man, this is a good one for a lot of beginner collectors out there xD.
Ngl, I'm more recent to figure collecting, about 25 figures, 3 on order/pre-order, and I don't keep my boxes. I just don't have the space to keep boxes and I'd find myself more willing to get bubble wrap and stuff to keep my figures safe. I also don't own super fragile figures though, most of mine don't have a ton of super easy to break parts or anything so for me it's not a huge issue.
I just finished moving into a new house, so before the move, I was just grabbing figures of characters I liked, since I didn't know how much space I would have at the time. So unfortunately, I had to purge quite a few figures because of it. Plus, whenever I see a figure I like, I have this voice telling me: "If you see something you like, grab it before the price increases." So naturally, I went a little overboard without realizing it.
Ayooo! Congrats on the move and the new house! 🥳 I feel like whenever I move I'll have to let a few figures go as well... 😅 The inner figure collecting voice is very persuasive indeed! 🤣🤣🤣
@@DTTCReviews Thanks, I'm currently unpacking, organizing, and displaying my figures(as of this reply), but sometimes it hard to choose where to put them, while using my shelf space efficiently. Especially since I collect not just anime figures, but Power Rangers, Transformers, Ninja Turtles, and Kaiju. So nowadays, whenever a new figure comes out, I have to check the height and size of the base. Since if it's too big, I won't be able to buy it. Plus, I also need to look at figure stands, and acrylic risers, since some of my figures fall over without stands, and the rest are hidden without risers. The problem is finding the correct height and size risers for mt figures.
@Nine_Tails137 haha I understand the struggle! 🤣 I'm starting to branch out a bit more with what I collect and it's making think real hard on display options! 😵💫
@@DTTCReviews IKR! I even asked my dad for advice, and his response was: "you have too much stuff." Meaning I have to figure everything out on my own. Which can be very stressful at times. I really wish I had a professional figure collector on hand to give me advice rather than blowing me off. 😫
Shop around!! I cannot tell you how many times I have seen box lunch or hot topic selling prize figures for way more than they are worth. I definitely overpaid by going with retail prices instead of shopping online.
Sometimes figures can be disappointing. You should always weigh up pre-order price versus will this figure actually turn out as good as the displayed paint job.
Welcome back man! I`m thinking to preorder Albedo Freeing B Style as one of my life achievements. It will become my first 1/4 Bunny figure and the most expensive figure in my collection. What are your thoughts on the Albedo B Style as a bunny collector? I never see 1/4 b style on the outside and completely new to me. I like white bunny suits and white tights. I think white tights are rare. right?
I stop when the pandemic hits. That's the time when scale figures prices doubles. Before the pandemic bnew scale are around 10K-13K Yen Now it's 20K Yen.
10 years of wisdom and knowledge condensed into a 5 minute vid! Your ability to manipulate time and space and your man cave are supremely impressive Derek! 😜
I would suggest display in a case or outside of the box if you have room because some of the older figures (2012 and older) can become sticky as the plasticizer starts to leak... 😅
@@DTTCReviews the figures I have are Nier automata A2 mini one, Bunny Miku made by Furyu and Qpocket power. The case I use is the Ikea Baggebo cabinet.
Haha no worries, you can try out Amiami, Nin Nin Game, Hobbylink Japan, Tokyo Otaku Mode, Rightstuf, Sideshow Collectibles, Bigbadtoystore just to name a few... 😅
A couple of lesson I learned after my first year of collecting. Don't rush filling up your collection and don't buy figure because they are in a good deal, buy it because you like it.
This is a must! I've seen other collectors buy figures even without knowing who the character is... 🥴
@@DTTCReviews yeah, saw some hauls where they didn’t know the character… like what? how do you even convince yourself to like it?
@@severonnorth internet clout is a scary thing... 😅
As a beginning collector, I am taking every precaution possible about the character I buy. Such as “Are there better versions/ brands of them?” “Am I getting it as cheap and quality value as possible?” “Is it actually worth it?”
For me, I’ve recently gone on a Bandai Figuarts zero Demon Slayer shopping spree. It cost a fair bit altogether, but i’ve got them less for normal retail value, from reputable sellers and characters I obviously know. But never would I buy a character that looks beautiful, and I don’t even know who the hell they are
@@DTTCReviews I only buy figures that I've seen the Anime series, I guess there are people out there that buy without knowing the characters? I wouldn't know. I only buy mostly scale figures, because the resin takes too much space that i don't have and my wife would kill me. Lol!! 😅
One thing I would say is don't impulse buy. I personally wait a while on figures I'm considering and have not regretted most of my decisions. But don't wait too long because some of the pre-orders have a timer.
Haha solid piece of advise! It's definitely a fine line... 🤣🤣🤣
I agree I’d also say that don’t treat the hobby like an investment opportunity. Chances are you are going to lose money so only buy things you actually love. Also don’t watch a show and immediately buy all the figures lol give yourself a cool down to make sure it’s not just hype leading you!
I will say with the box thing, I keep all my boxes but not all my blisters (granted I have a small collection and In 2 years I’ve sold 1 figure) I personally just keep the box for when moving I’ll pack the box with bubble wrap and/or packing paper (only exception is really delicate figures)
Hype is a scary thing, I've seen so many people jump head first into this hobby! I'm surprised you keep the box but not the blister... First I've heard someone do that ngl... 😅
Another thing I would mention is the constant upkeep to keep your collection free of dust if not housed in an enclosed display. When dusting your figures I highly suggest using a soft make-up brush of varying sizes to get into all the nooks and crannies without causing any resistance or damage to the more intricate figures.
Dusting is a major one for sure! 😱
Welcome back man! My personal tip would be to dustproof the display cabinets early. Dusting takes up a lot of time and increases the risk of accidental damage. It's a must for pet owners xD
Omg the dreaded dusting! 😱 Lol starting to think I missed a few major ones... 😅
My 7 would be... 1. The space required to display figure collection properly. 2. Space to store the boxes... 3. Missing out on preorders to avoid scalping. 4. The price of shipping from Japan. 5. Staying away from resin figures if you move frequently. 6. . Prize figures can look good too don't just buy expensive scale figures. 7. Frustration of saving the money for preorder and it gets delayed few months and constantly worried will it come out before I get paid due not having the money anymore..
Solid tips! If only I knew what I knew today... 🤣
Best place to find cheap figures is AmiAmi. Second would be Solaris Japan. I like having different shipping options and being able to combine orders to save money. Also buying figures used can help. Some collectors take great care of the figure and box that it’s like new. I’ve bought figures rated B but looked A.
Those used B figures are real gems! 😉
Knowing about bootlegs is a big one. Before i started my collection 4 years ago, i had no idea about authentic merch. I bought figures from ebay and by the 3rd one i realized "why do these look like shit"?? Once i learned about Amiami there was no going back.. Idk who else started out like me but i think its crucial for a newbie collector to learn the difference early on.
I've luckily dodged the counterfeits in my collecting journey, but I feel like sometimes gift givers might not catch onto that... 😅
I would like to add to this because I see people who buy bootlegs intentionally because they can't afford authentic figures. It is so much better to own one authentic scale or a small shelf of prize figures, than it is to own a collection of bootlegs. I won't shame anyone for not having expendable income but I see so many videos of people showing off fakes and I just think they definitely wasted money when they could have saved up for something nice.
@@meimeihughes 1000% agree! I thinks it's more of a generational mindset shift because I see this in other hobbies too... 😮💨😮💨😮💨
I hate ebay, not because I ever got scammed but because I think they're screwing private sellers over. Their service is abysmal and I've seen some of the cheapest authentic anime figures getting sold there as an auction since figure collectors rarely look up ebay auctions (99% are bootlegs for like $20). I just feel kinda bad for the people that sold their real figures there and lost so much money (to ebay as well). Honestly, I hope that people stop selling their genuine figures on that trash site. They're disgusting for allowing so many deceitful sales to go through. Ebay is filled with scammers (especially in the electronics department - GPUs for instance) and they don't care at all. One time I literally just asked one guy for more details on their PC on auction and the dude replied to me that it was a fake auction and he had been hacked. He also thanked me because he never would have noticed otherwise (he received an E-Mail and was inactive on ebay)! Protect your eBay accounts guys, especially if you're inactive and have good reviews. Hackers love to use those accounts to sell things that don't exist and screw people over. It's happening all the time.
On another note, I actually think there are some decent bootlegs out there. You just have to look really closely. Once I ordered a "Dai Kasshoku Jidai Philena Waal" bootleg and it comes relatively close to the Amakuni original. Another one I ordered, Zero Two's B-Style bootleg looked really good for a Freeing counterfeit. Both purchases were made for around $30 at aliexpress, so I knew what I was getting myself into. That being said, there is obviously an ethical conflict regarding whether you want to support these fakers, but just saying, it's possible to get a decent-looking bootleg. I personally think if it's not too often and you're not trying to scam people by claiming it's the real deal, it's alright...
@Virtuosyc To each their own when it comes to bootlegs/ counterfeits. 😁 Personally, I've never sold on eBay but I've been burned by sellers making fake posts so ya gotta be attentive when buying off there! 😅
I hate keeping the boxes. I planned on space for the figures themselves but the boxes take up so much space. I often fantasize about throwing them all away.
Say it ain't so! 😱 Definitely the thing that we all overlook... 🤣🤣🤣
I think my tip would be to start with well-known reputable shops first. A lot of new collectors seem to get hyper focused on finding the cheapest figure price but forget the classic lesson, "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is" lol. Proxies often have hidden costs and fees, some shops may charge shipping up front and then ask for more later when the figure release because the box is bigger than estimated, and smaller shops that haven't been around for a long time may go out of business before a figure releases. Figure collecting is not a cheap hobby, and cutting corners can bite you in the butt later. Start with less expensive and smaller figures first too and see what shipping charges are like before jumping into 1/4 scales, and see how other collectors go about buying them.
Very solid advice! Do your research, save for the one you really want, and buy from a trusted shop! 😆 Maybe I'll do a follow up video that includes more? 🤔
@@DTTCReviews Exactly! Maybe you could do a '7 Things I've Learned' or '7 Mistakes I've Made So You Dont Have To' type of video next? Just another spin on the part 2 idea. 😊
@@ivy5554 haha imma write this down... 😏
Welcome back!
All those tips are quite useful and helpful!
Reddit and UA-cam are the platforms that I used to guide me through my figure collecting journey. I highly recommend them for those who are starting out with this hobby
Tadaima! I love how many resources there are now for new collectors... Wish they were more prominent when I start started... 😭😭😭
Great tips! The box storage issue is so true! My closet is just about full, so is under the bed, and this is just Figma and Nendoroids. If I send help, could you send me some in return? LOL
Help is on the way! We in this together! 😆
Deffffff for me was the last one. The space needed for (mainly resin statues) but also the boxes. I am fortunate enough atm to have 600+ square feet all for the manga and figs. BUT I keep buying the biggies and they need so much room. A lot more if you give them room to really display them nicely. I wish I could send this vid back to me years ago lol great vid man
I need to work towards a bigger place to house all these goodies! I'll love to send this back to past me as well... 🤣🤣🤣
@@DTTCReviews Oh I hear ya lol We need a giant manga/fig library when we move again in a few years. Never knew needing a giant library room in my future homes was gona be a thing lolol.
@@TheMangaSloth need more moneys! 💰 🤑
I feel like with amiami you can cancel as much as you like before they send you the payment request. I’ve called 20+ but I always pay when requested!
Oooooooh... Their warning messages are scary ngl... 😅😅😅
Yay! New video! Welcome back! These are great tips 👍
Hehe going to try and finish the year strong! 😁
The box space is the big one for me lol. Too many boxes dang it! Thanks for the video man, this is a good one for a lot of beginner collectors out there xD.
Haha the common struggle all us collectors have! Glad to be back and I hope this might help someone out there! 😆
Ngl, I'm more recent to figure collecting, about 25 figures, 3 on order/pre-order, and I don't keep my boxes. I just don't have the space to keep boxes and I'd find myself more willing to get bubble wrap and stuff to keep my figures safe. I also don't own super fragile figures though, most of mine don't have a ton of super easy to break parts or anything so for me it's not a huge issue.
Haha I change my mind on figures too often to not keep the boxes! 🤣 Glad you found a system that works for you! 😉
Welcome back!
Damn that grocery trip took longer than I expected... 😅
Great tips 👍 space is a big issue for sure lol.
When the biggest motivating factor to buy a house is to properly display your collection... 🤣🤣🤣
Ordered my second figure today, its my first scale, and I'm so excited
Congrats! You never forget your first... 😆
thanks a lot!!! so nice reverb
Echo echo echo... 🤣
I just finished moving into a new house, so before the move, I was just grabbing figures of characters I liked,
since I didn't know how much space I would have at the time. So unfortunately, I had to purge quite a few figures because of it.
Plus, whenever I see a figure I like, I have this voice telling me: "If you see something you like, grab it before the price increases."
So naturally, I went a little overboard without realizing it.
Ayooo! Congrats on the move and the new house! 🥳 I feel like whenever I move I'll have to let a few figures go as well... 😅 The inner figure collecting voice is very persuasive indeed! 🤣🤣🤣
@@DTTCReviews Thanks, I'm currently unpacking, organizing, and displaying my figures(as of this reply), but sometimes it hard to choose where to put them, while using my shelf space efficiently. Especially since I collect not just anime figures, but Power Rangers, Transformers, Ninja Turtles, and Kaiju. So nowadays, whenever a new figure comes out, I have to check the height and size of the base. Since if it's too big, I won't be able to buy it. Plus, I also need to look at figure stands, and acrylic risers, since some of my figures fall over without stands, and the rest are hidden without risers. The problem is finding the correct height and size risers for mt figures.
@Nine_Tails137 haha I understand the struggle! 🤣
I'm starting to branch out a bit more with what I collect and it's making think real hard on display options! 😵💫
@@DTTCReviews IKR! I even asked my dad for advice, and his response was: "you have too much stuff." Meaning I have to figure everything out on my own. Which can be very stressful at times. I really wish I had a professional figure collector on hand to give me advice rather than blowing me off. 😫
the space issue is the biggest issue
🙌 The truth!
Shop around!! I cannot tell you how many times I have seen box lunch or hot topic selling prize figures for way more than they are worth. I definitely overpaid by going with retail prices instead of shopping online.
With the brick and mortar overhead I understand the reasoning behind it, but damn do they gouge... 🤣🤣🤣
Space and cleaning definitely.
Cleaning a large collection is not fun at all... 😫
Sometimes figures can be disappointing. You should always weigh up pre-order price versus will this figure actually turn out as good as the displayed paint job.
100% agree! 😆
My personal tips
1. Price tags are just numbers
2. Buy it if u like it
Hahaha 100% agree... If I love something enough the price is almost an after thought! 🤣🤣🤣
Welcome back man! I`m thinking to preorder Albedo Freeing B Style as one of my life achievements. It will become my first 1/4 Bunny figure and the most expensive figure in my collection. What are your thoughts on the Albedo B Style as a bunny collector? I never see 1/4 b style on the outside and completely new to me. I like white bunny suits and white tights. I think white tights are rare. right?
Haha thanks! Honestly, if you can get her for a reasonable price I would do it! The white bunny suit/ tights are beautiful and not too common... 😆
Listening to you naturally talk gave me ASMR tingles, super relaxing it almost put me to sleep 😴 💤 😪
Haha I'm honoured... ASMR second channel? 🤔🤔🤔
I stop when the pandemic hits. That's the time when scale figures prices doubles. Before the pandemic bnew scale are around 10K-13K Yen
Now it's 20K Yen.
Prices are definitely pushing some people out of the hobby... Hopefully, they return to a pre-demic state at some point! 😅
I'm a crazy resin collector lol I have box's for days 😂😂😂
Hahaha I can only imagine 😲
10 years of wisdom and knowledge condensed into a 5 minute vid! Your ability to manipulate time and space and your man cave are supremely impressive Derek! 😜
Haha thanks you for always showing the videos love! 🥰 I still got tons of room to grow! 😅
Bro I bought a whole storage for just my resin statue boxes 😂😂😂
Ayo! That's some big brain strat right there! 😏😏😏
When will you start your museum?
Hmmmm, hopefully soon for everything... 🤣 Need to save a bit for a place with a big basement! 😉
May I ask is it better to keep a figure in a box or a case can air damage a figure overtime.
I would suggest display in a case or outside of the box if you have room because some of the older figures (2012 and older) can become sticky as the plasticizer starts to leak... 😅
@@DTTCReviews the figures I have are Nier automata A2 mini one, Bunny Miku made by Furyu and Qpocket power. The case I use is the Ikea Baggebo cabinet.
@King Elden lord dragon Oooh, in that case you'll be fine as long as you don't have direct sunlight hitting the figures! 😁
If anyone has tips for the box thing I´m listening
There's no real solution... 😅 Grabbing a storage unit or throwing them out are probably the best options 🙃
miss the content
Haha we back baby! 😤
Right it do cost money and addictive
Once you start you can't stop! 😵💫
@@DTTCReviews yep exactly
Daric could you please give me some trusted website with online payment of anime figures for a reasonable price? $1-40 minimum
Haha no worries, you can try out Amiami, Nin Nin Game, Hobbylink Japan, Tokyo Otaku Mode, Rightstuf, Sideshow Collectibles, Bigbadtoystore just to name a few... 😅
W vid
🙌
Do you have any figure yellowing issue?
Luckily for me I haven't run into that issue yet! 😅
stop before you get addicted
Yes. The things I could do with the money saved... 🤣🤣🤣
lol once you're hooked, you're hooked for life
Before watching I'm guessing one is about cost and one is about space lol
Bingo on both lol. One thing about the defects is I've noticed Good Smile company is very responsive compared to other brands.
@@BoobaMilkTea haha 😄 Good Smile has been a lifesaver! 🙏
SPACE! Yup... That's a big one for me as well 🙄
The silent killer... 🤣
My favorite tip personally, "if it's from China on Ebay, don't buy it"!
Haha that's a solid tip! MFC has an indicator if that figure has counterfeit too! 😁