I personally just like to see vintage toys being appreciated...don't care or even ever think about how much they are potentially worth...I gather vintage toys because I like them.
I got a similar view with vinyl records. Not an investment for me, more an interesting way to own music and sometimes one of the only ways to get certain pieces of music, which adds a fun level of discovery
@@LordStarscream- Yeah, but vinyl often have their own unique quirk and exclusives mixes that can't be heard anywhere else. So popular and limited albums will hold value.
1. A toy is only worth what you will pay for it. 2. Toys are not an "investment" 3. The experience and emotional connection is where I find the value. Some of those cost more than others and I get it when I can afford it. 4. Something that costs $200 when you can afford it is better than $50 when you can't.
Way back when I used to work at a comic shop, I would have people ask me what to buy. I would always tell them to buy what they like. That way, they get the enjoyment of the comic, and if it happens to go up in value, then that's a plus. Toys should be treated the same way. Toys should be bought because you think they look cool, or you really like the other media properties they are connected to, or you are being nostalgic for the time when you had them as a child (or wanted them and could not get them). Toys should never be purchased with the sole intent on trying to turn a profit.
@@Justdave1472 most people think I have gold mine when I say I have Star Wars figures. I collect 12" figures and micro machines. The value means nothing to me, if I like it, I buy it. I have been known to customize some figures. Bought a Barbie just to put her in an imperial uniform. Half the fun with 12" figures is you can change them up and make them different. You can always find broken dolls with partial accessories around. Most people will just give you the broken figures to get rid of the junk.
I have a massive modern Star Wars collection, I open everything, I don’t even think of resale! I will die with not a single figure being sold! They are not an investment(your 100% right on that) and price your 100% right again. Love your post! So true
@Sigurd I mean sure yeah but in 6 months the economy could tank and those toys would be worthless and you would be wishing you invested in Precious Metals and Storable Food. I get what you mean but still if looking for someplace to Invest, maybe think long term. I'm not so sure I could feed my family on my old Toy's and Video games if it hit's the fan. This is why I collect for enjoyment only. I wouldn't invest in Toy's unless I was gearing up for a quick flip. Just my 2 Cents
@@captain3186 Think of it this way... The reason why so many of the comics from the golden age are worth so much isn't that they are any better or worse than modern comics, it's that there are so few of them left. Comics back then were read, traded for other books, rolled up in back pockets, torn up for the pictures and otherwise worn out. With collectors preserving so many more modern books, they do not grow in value as much as the older titles. The same thing happens with toys. The more toys out there that are mint on card, the less valuable they will be.
I have appreciated the viewpoint on price, value, and why it isn’t included a lot. It makes sense and makes your reviews a way to examine items that feel untethered to a certain moment in time.
Valid reasons. I think anybody who is focused on collecting toys because of potential future resell value are the same people who help drive up prices in the first place and are a bane to collectors. We want the toys because of what they are, what they offer within our collections or any sentiment or nostalgia. The prices are not the reasons we want it although will be relevant when we wish to hunt it down, and will influence whether we think it is worth it, if it is expensive or overpriced. I collect many things but the reasons are never for investment as truth be told most of it has not been profitable as I’m hoarding tat I love to own not resell.
Weather you like it or not , toy collecting go hand and hand with money . How many times haven't you seen collectors go crazy because supposedly their super rare or wow at how expensive a certain toy is ? That's part of the appeal . I personally like the designs of the ljn tigersharks and would like to own them but , the prices are through the roof on those figures. It's funny how the toy community has a monkey see monkey do mentality . I remember when tmnt moc figures were cheap and nobody waned them . Look how expensive they are now because their on demand .
My parents paid $45 for my Hasbro millenium falcon for over 5 years I had any number of Star Wars, GI Joe, He-Man, Transformers, or my Cat swooshing around in my living room, hallways, and bedroom.... The value of the thousands of hours that I played with this $50 toy is Priceless and so are the memories that come with it.
Gone are the days of going to the store with mom and picking out a toy (for me a Star Wars figure) because they were at an affordable price. I recently found a vintage collection Luke at Walmart for about 11 dollars... on clearance. I do not wish to know how much it actually cost, knowing Hasbro, I would say maybe 1,000.
I completely agree with your choice. IMO most of the people harping on pricing are people who have collections of whatever you are discussing and want the value of their collection validated. I used to collect retro video games and it was the same thing back then. Nothing takes you out of a hobby like other people engaging in it.
@@robertchambers6344 I recently got into collecting those because they make a lot of accessories sets, that are great for re-equipping old GI joes. Not to mention it gives you a bevy of parts to play with for custom jobs. They're at a price point so low, that a single working mother can provide her child with almost the entire line for under $25. They even have a second wave out now that has included a vehicle for each side, both good guys and bad guys. Hopefully something like this will bring the fun of playing with toys back to children.
I paid $350 for a Gundam kit. It was $250 in Japan. Ive seen kits go up $30 in six months due to limited quantites. There are a lot of factors that can affect the price of a product and if you're a collector, price and value can be quite subjective. If you like it, you want it, and can afford it, you'll buy it.
I recently started getting into Gundam and was surprised at how expensive some of them are. I just started with the entry grade RX-78 that came with all of the weapons and I had lots of fun putting it together and posing it. I looked on Amazon and eBay and the prices weren’t too bad but is there anywhere that I can find the kits cheaper? Or am I just doomed?
@@idkwhattohaveasausername5828 Also P Bandai is limited to Japan ( And maybe China). If you're in America, expect an aquisition charge of 30+ and shipping. So a $60 P Bandai kit in Japan averages $120 in America. It sucks but that's how it is.
@@idkwhattohaveasausername5828 One more, a lot of HG kits have been re-released an are on preorder so a lot of kits are available without crazy markups. 🤘
Generally items only available in an over seas market like Japan tend to have some added mark up in price. I like Macross mecha, and having something retail around 220 in Japan often equals more than 280 - 300 when I can find it here in the U S ( thankfully the new license for Robotech should change some of that, somewhat ).
I don’t really collect toys. But I like remembering what my childhood was like through this channel. You frequently play with toys and talk about them through the lens of how a child would see them. Kids don’t really think about price, and when I’m remembering what a new cool toy under the tree was like, I don’t want to think about price either. I was a Lego kid, and I knew that the big castles were cool. I thought about them all the time. I never had one, and in a retrospective I don’t really want the bitter reality of budgeting to be a topic. I just want to see one the way I might have at 7.
I think a lot of these 70's/80's/90's toy lines have price spikes because as time goes on we move in and out of the peak nostalgia window for people who grew up with them.
Toys aren't an investment. I collect all sorts of toylines that are both vintage and modern and the value of my collection doesn't matter to me,all that matters is that I enjoy those lines.
Michael, I've said this before, but no explanation is necessary. But as usual, your ability to articulate a well thought response and illustrates how much consideration goes into your content creation. A+
Michael, I like your style of NOT mentioning price on mostly older items. It puts the emphasis on the value of the nostalgia of the item and not just cash! Don’t ever change that!🙏😁👍
As a long time vintage collector, it still amazes me how certain toy lines will just sky rocket out of the blue. Over the last 5 years or so toylines like madballs and dino riders have gone insane. I'm so glad the majority of my collecting was done years ago and that I still have the patience to trawl the flea markets on almost a weekly basis.
I like to focus on the price and resale value when it comes time to explain to my wife why I bought a figure or playset. To this day I haven’t resold any of it and still have all of my beloved purchases.
Pricing is tremendously subjective, when people focus on how much a collectable costs they're only considering its relative value rather than its true or intrinsic value. To me this is its connection to the past, feelings of nostalgia it might give or the satisfaction of completing a collection. None of which you can really place monetary value on. Excellent presentation Michael.
It's like collecting anything. Paintings, comics, musical instruments, automobiles, books. Unless it's something you're interested in most people will think the price paid is ridiculously high. Even people in our own hobby might think a person paid too much for something if it's not a line they collect, deep down inside, if they're being honest with themselves. It's completely subjective and that's why cost is irrelevant. Totally agree with you.
I'm mostly a fashion doll collector, but I do "dabble" in action figures, especially the one's I grew up with or any current action figure line that catches my eye. Your logical, rational, factual analysis of the toy and figure collecting community is a breath of fresh air. Your articulation of the real side of the corporations and how they operate and treat the collector's is so spot on! You say what I've what to say for year's. Thanks for your contribution and I'm a new subscriber and a dedicated fan of the work you do. Please, please PLEASE keep up the INCREDIBLE work your doing.
Great perspective and summation as to why you don’t mention prices - it is super relevant to where the collectors market is now, we can thank the pandemic for that double edged sword (more toy collectors = higher prices for limited inventory). You nailed it with your video and I hope that there is some calmness to the market (from the current retail toys and the vintage items). This is supposed to be 1) fun and 2) affordable - you take one of the two out and it is no longer sustainable - keep doing what you are doing love your work!
I like that you stick to the review of the product at hand, and understand why it only comes up if context demands it, if its a vintage item I want I can always go and look it up on several sites. and I am so happy to here you say Follies, love those , its how I discovered your channel and have been hooked since 2015. Totally awesome stuff!
Love this video!! Nailed it I am into TOYS. Period. Once I buy a toy I the cost/value to anyone else is irrelevant to me Thanks so much Ans I think you do hit on the right perspective of when to mention price and why you don’t the rest of the time Keep making videos about cool toys
@retroblasting Michael your channel is so amazing! I love watching your intuitive videos on all toy subjects! You're always on point with what is going on currently and in the past with vintage toys! I'm such a fan! Thank you for what you're doing! Sincerely, Stephen Penor
It is good to know the price paid to acquire some of these rare items. You have shown ebay listings for items like the Blackstar Ice Castle and that is such valuable information since you can see what they sold for back in 2016. It is an interesting aspect to collecting to see what prices were and are now. You have made videos of items that do not exist on Ebay currently so having some idea of what they once sold for when they were available can be fun also.
I completely appreciate that prices aren't a part of your videos. I can't stand when pricepoint comes into play in conversation because of the way things are in collector/resale circuits at shows, in a lot of other online videos,... it just drives me nuts. Not 20 years ago, so many of the 1980s era toys were not worth much of anything. But with nostalgia comes a rise in interest and desire. Two lines I loved as a kid and had a lot of toys from were Starriors and Rock Lords. l've seen Starriors climb up more and more over the last few years, and Rock Lords have started going up as well. But to many collectors, those two lines are fairly odd and still obscure enough that I was able to recently get the RockPot Rock Lords vehicle for just around $80 in box. I remember seeing that at a show mint in box about 8 years ago for $25. There's no real good reason for it to be this price except more time adds to rarity, more collectors wanting it of course raises the price, but in this instance, I am one of those collectors that I don't care what the price is, it's one I'd wanted since I was a child, and now I can afford to get it. Granted, if like Starriors, the prices go much higher, then no, I hold off. All things will eventually depreciate, or collections become available when others sell them.
I feel for the most part they are not so interested in the price of the toy but the price that you paid for it. Mainly so they can either call you a sucker for paying too much or if it is too low then a shill because obviously you are getting a deal they cant. The price question is a trap. Everyone knows what new stuff costs and vintage value is always subjective. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Hey Michael, great video. I see these things for the reality of it. Anything from vintage toys to a brand new car...is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I agree that the Super7 5 poa lines are ridiculously over priced. But I pay the price for the ultimates series of the toys that I want. To me...those are worth what they ask for it. It's a very personal thing...this hobby we engage in. Love the topic and the intelligence you presented it. Kudos sir, well done.
I collect many different things and value is a secondary aspect of collecting for me. Prices will always vary - and I've learned over the years collecting for personal enrichment makes the hobby the most fun for me.
I was bothered a bit when one of the other toy-focused channels I watch did indeed put out a video recently about what vintage toylines people own they should sell right now. My first reaction was "Why is this a topic even worth talking about?" To put it simply, I thought the idea is bullshit. Agreed with the points you've made.
Not talking about price is something I appreciate given it does make the videos timeless. I don't like speculation at all since that type of collecting for just value resulting in a bubble market unless someone is willing to do it for an extreme long haul and realize the value might still go down. For instance, I am still loaded with NASCAR diecasts I bought in the 90s. I bought specific cars because I liked them, which is important because if I were to sell, I might be lucky to get 50% of what I paid for them originally. But that isn't why I bought them. When people ask me the monetary value of something I say "It is whatever you paid for it." If you sell an item, yes perhaps you can get more for it, but then you no longer have it in your collection.
This is my story. I stumbled across a box of Mega Blocks in a charity shop. It was Call of Duty (video game) sets. Humvee and Panzer tank with figures. I downloaded the pdfs from their website and rebuilt the kits. Everything was intact. But when I searched for value I was shocked. The kits are apparently worth over £500. I’m going to give them to my nephew. There is more value in playing than price.
I recently quit collecting the new stuff they are putting out now because of their prices.I discovered it is more satisfying to look around at flea markets and eBay and actually get vintage figures for the same price as what is out now.Doesn't make more sense to pay $12-$20 for kenner Star wars in good good condition than pay the same thing for modern stuff.
I appreciate the fact you do not make it about value or price unless, to your point, its a valid discussion in that moment. I've seen and hear from enough scalpers masquerading as "collectors", when in fact they're just sucking the fun out of the hobby for personal gain. Lets enjoy these toys for what they are and not enable the frauds.
Agreed... For me I collect for me not values. If I think its worth the money I want to spend. I buy it. Whether its new or vintage. I pay 99% of the time what I want to spend or I don't buy it. But mostly for newer stuff I'll pay peg price or wait for it to go on clearance. For vintage I'm more flexible especially if it's something from my childhood. Love your channel n style
There's an even worse thing to Haslab than the prices. It's not even really crowdfunding. It's a made-to-order service akin to Mattycollector, but disguised as crowdfunding to increase FOMO. If it were real crowdfunding, then the products would be available at regular retail later. However, the only stores that actually stock Haslab items are online geek stores that back the projects.
Always logical, always clear and always informative... I don't even collect toys anymore, but your channel keeps me in-the-loop and your content is spot on to my own ideas about toy collecting and toys in general. Love your videos.
Great video. You really nailed it. What it comes down to is (for most of us) collecting is a hobby. What one personal is willing or able to spend on their hobby is completely different than another. Keep up the great work.
I respect @RetroBlasting not including the price folks! Why include it when 3 years from now the price will be different? It would be actually frustrating to hear a item you want is 50% or more in “value” then when the video was made. RetroBlasting are thinking ahead and that’s honourable. 🙌🏻🥰
My God I’ve said this before and I want the humanoids out there to listen up….. Not only are you intelligent but you have common sense, good old fashioned horse sense and that’s something these ham and eggers will never have! I just turned 50 and let me tell you, people have one or the other Not Both! You are also Good People in my book! Thank you.
I agree with you wholeheartedly..you talk about the joy and excitement of the toylines without mentioning prices as they can be absurd and ridiculous and bring down the moods. And yes those 5 poa Reaction figures are ridiculous..they cost minimum 30 bucks here or more. Cheers.🤗
I don't care what something cost's if I want it bad enough and can afford it I'm buying it. I jumped in on the Playmobil Enterprise at full MSRP when it launched. I always dreamed of owning a Star Trek Toy like that as a kid and the excitement it filled with with and all the Joy Ive had building and displaying it is priceless. I know the price sucks when you can't afford it. But we can't have everything in life we want can we? If it's not meant to be for me... it's not meant to be for me.
Totally agree. Whenever someone comes at me with questions or comments about "price" and "value" and "what's it worth", I send them to eBay. I collect to collect, and have no financial investment plans for the toys that I enjoy.
They're so good at it. I have even disagreed with Michael's opinion once or twice. You know what? I still enjoyed whatever video it was and absolutely understood his reasons.
Another great vid! Another angle I'd like to add is that price varies from country to country. Im sure retroblasting has fans from all over the world. In my country the Philippines prices are usually a bit higher give or take and entire modern toy waves sometimes dont make it to my own local stores. And lego is yikes. 88% markup roughly. Due to different factors. Like the distributors taxes etc
Ya do you the people that complain well don't watch ..... this day in age everyone feels they can rage for stupid reasons .... the joy of collecting not prices the smile on faces and what makes you happy... love this channel and i for one hate the rage it gets/ you get ,, don't watch if ya goin be rude and complain
I just had this discussion about used guitars: pawn shop prices vs flea market prices. I don't think a vid about something so subjective would be interesting.
I hear what you're saying. Still think 🤔 it's good to get a price in a video. It's a Lil frame for what was happening at the time. But psshhhh we are just the the viewer it doesn't matter what we like lol. Then you through how easy it is to look up the price. This is the second video I watched of this channel. The first was the Indiana Jones one and wondered what the current price of the figures. That way someone can make a judgment on the rise or fall of the price compared to the time they are watching it in the future.
@@timothyward8695 yes it doesn't show me past prices lol yours does? Your must have faster the light speed. And it helps if you read all of the comment.
Hi Michael, I know you have spoken about repro weapons/accessories, is there a point you will speak about repro packaging? (Star Wars, GI Joe?). Be curious to hear your thoughts on that and the pros/cons - thanks much!
Is this supposed to be a "gotcha"? First, try watching the first minute of this video again. Second, how would you like Michael to talk about a toy line exclusive to a store called the Dollar Tree without mentioning the dollar price?
@@chrisw6164 it was also a point to say that they are a cheap new line in the perspective of how expensive both vintage and modern have become. He's saying in general he doesn't add price to his reviews, as they are dynamic, and the toys are something that are to be looked at from a fixed standpoint. You make a statement to prove Michael wrong? Or why are you bringing that up? And like Gojitron said, it's "Dollar Tree", so it's kind of a giveaway
@@timothyward8695 He made at least one entire video about Final Faction. Why am I getting into arguments about this? Three weirdos attacking me out of ignorance just for stating a fact. Never change, Internet.
Yeah, one of my favorite toy channels did a video speculating on prices and it seemed odd to me. I don't think anyone should be buying toys as an investment.... better to just collect what you like and decide for yourself if the cost of something is "worth it" to you.
I can see mentioning if the price of a line goes up significantly between one wave and the next. Particularly if there is an obvious pairing between figures in each wave. Something like, if a Transformers combiner team comes out spread across multiple waves and an arm-bot in wave 5 cost $5 or $10 more than the leg bot in wave 4. Or if a Batman line went up in price between the release of Batman in wave 1 and that of Robin in wave 2. But I generally agree with you, we just need to know about the figure itself so that we can evaluate it and have the information to decide in the store or on the website if the price we see is something we can justify for that item.
The man doesn't have to tell you about prices! If you came this far to click on this video to watch what he has to say about it then you can also click on one of the myriad of other internet websites that have prices provided for you! That is all. . . 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Great video as always Yea on the price fluctuations on modern toys A personal for instance on those Neca Universal Monsters to prove your point.... The Mummy ,Wolfman and Frankenstein were at my local Walmart upon introduction We got 6 on each 37.00 was the original price Immediately ebay sellers were asking between 55-70.00 for a 37.00 item They peaked about 75-80 dollars last fall Surprise surprise surprise Most listing's are back down to 40-45dollars in less than a year You can be guaranteed most of the available in store stock of those were bought in twos and threes..... Thankfully on Neca I usually wait for a few months for prices to come down before I buy them on the secondary market I don't collect as an investment (90 percent of the time) It's like the 90s craze on animation art...most of that stuff now is pretty much of little value lol
I haven't had any trouble finding toys at the local Wal*Marts since February, they've been pretty well stocked. Prices suck big time though, luckily a lot of ML and TMNT end up at Goodwill or Ollie's around here.
I think not talking about prices is a good idea because prices and values change and a video may become outdated. I can watch your videos from 8 years ago and they are still very relevant because they stick to the facts of the toy and not to the market trends of the time.
Toys are expensive now no lie, but I agree that if you want it, it's something you can justify the value to wanting it, it's cool. I picked up two figures just yesterday because their original retail was too much for what I was going to get. They were on clearance, I pretty much bought two for the price of one. I like the figures but the price pushed me over the line of "I'd be stupid to not get them now".
Good points raised. To me this isn't Antique Roadshow. I watch to see your views on the product noy how much it cost or how you see it as an investment. Prices will vary from place to place and with shipping so if you state a price you will likely get questions on where you got it or criticisms.
I agree that prices and value fluctuate and a lot of what we consider value is highly personal. Not talking about price in these videos is fine. As for discussing prices without dating a video you can kind of get away with it by actually dating the video. Just say what the prices, value, or trend is at that moment, and that way it won't be misleading for anyone because they will know that the further from that date they are the more likely that things would have changed.
I personally just like to see vintage toys being appreciated...don't care or even ever think about how much they are potentially worth...I gather vintage toys because I like them.
Same here
Exactly.
I got a similar view with vinyl records. Not an investment for me, more an interesting way to own music and sometimes one of the only ways to get certain pieces of music, which adds a fun level of discovery
@@LordStarscream- Yeah, but vinyl often have their own unique quirk and exclusives mixes that can't be heard anywhere else. So popular and limited albums will hold value.
Same here. I don't have room to store so many boxes. The box doesn't allow me to enjoy the toy as well. To each their own.
1. A toy is only worth what you will pay for it.
2. Toys are not an "investment"
3. The experience and emotional connection is where I find the value. Some of those cost more than others and I get it when I can afford it.
4. Something that costs $200 when you can afford it is better than $50 when you can't.
Way back when I used to work at a comic shop, I would have people ask me what to buy. I would always tell them to buy what they like. That way, they get the enjoyment of the comic, and if it happens to go up in value, then that's a plus.
Toys should be treated the same way. Toys should be bought because you think they look cool, or you really like the other media properties they are connected to, or you are being nostalgic for the time when you had them as a child (or wanted them and could not get them). Toys should never be purchased with the sole intent on trying to turn a profit.
@@Justdave1472 most people think I have gold mine when I say I have Star Wars figures. I collect 12" figures and micro machines. The value means nothing to me, if I like it, I buy it. I have been known to customize some figures. Bought a Barbie just to put her in an imperial uniform. Half the fun with 12" figures is you can change them up and make them different. You can always find broken dolls with partial accessories around. Most people will just give you the broken figures to get rid of the junk.
I have a massive modern Star Wars collection, I open everything, I don’t even think of resale! I will die with not a single figure being sold! They are not an investment(your 100% right on that) and price your 100% right again. Love your post! So true
@Sigurd I mean sure yeah but in 6 months the economy could tank and those toys would be worthless and you would be wishing you invested in Precious Metals and Storable Food. I get what you mean but still if looking for someplace to Invest, maybe think long term. I'm not so sure I could feed my family on my old Toy's and Video games if it hit's the fan. This is why I collect for enjoyment only. I wouldn't invest in Toy's unless I was gearing up for a quick flip. Just my 2 Cents
@@captain3186 Think of it this way...
The reason why so many of the comics from the golden age are worth so much isn't that they are any better or worse than modern comics, it's that there are so few of them left. Comics back then were read, traded for other books, rolled up in back pockets, torn up for the pictures and otherwise worn out. With collectors preserving so many more modern books, they do not grow in value as much as the older titles.
The same thing happens with toys. The more toys out there that are mint on card, the less valuable they will be.
I have appreciated the viewpoint on price, value, and why it isn’t included a lot. It makes sense and makes your reviews a way to examine items that feel untethered to a certain moment in time.
Valid reasons. I think anybody who is focused on collecting toys because of potential future resell value are the same people who help drive up prices in the first place and are a bane to collectors. We want the toys because of what they are, what they offer within our collections or any sentiment or nostalgia. The prices are not the reasons we want it although will be relevant when we wish to hunt it down, and will influence whether we think it is worth it, if it is expensive or overpriced. I collect many things but the reasons are never for investment as truth be told most of it has not been profitable as I’m hoarding tat I love to own not resell.
Weather you like it or not , toy collecting go hand and hand with money . How many times haven't you seen collectors go crazy because supposedly their super rare or wow at how expensive a certain toy is ? That's part of the appeal . I personally like the designs of the ljn tigersharks and would like to own them but , the prices are through the roof on those figures. It's funny how the toy community has a monkey see monkey do mentality . I remember when tmnt moc figures were cheap and nobody waned them . Look how expensive they are now because their on demand .
My parents paid $45 for my Hasbro millenium falcon for over 5 years I had any number of Star Wars, GI Joe, He-Man, Transformers, or my Cat swooshing around in my living room, hallways, and bedroom.... The value of the thousands of hours that I played with this $50 toy is Priceless and so are the memories that come with it.
Gone are the days of going to the store with mom and picking out a toy (for me a Star Wars figure) because they were at an affordable price. I recently found a vintage collection Luke at Walmart for about 11 dollars... on clearance. I do not wish to know how much it actually cost, knowing Hasbro, I would say maybe 1,000.
I completely agree with your choice. IMO most of the people harping on pricing are people who have collections of whatever you are discussing and want the value of their collection validated. I used to collect retro video games and it was the same thing back then. Nothing takes you out of a hobby like other people engaging in it.
Check out the final faction line from Dollar tree
You will be shocked I think
@@robertchambers6344 I recently got into collecting those because they make a lot of accessories sets, that are great for re-equipping old GI joes. Not to mention it gives you a bevy of parts to play with for custom jobs.
They're at a price point so low, that a single working mother can provide her child with almost the entire line for under $25. They even have a second wave out now that has included a vehicle for each side, both good guys and bad guys.
Hopefully something like this will bring the fun of playing with toys back to children.
I paid $350 for a Gundam kit. It was $250 in Japan. Ive seen kits go up $30 in six months due to limited quantites. There are a lot of factors that can affect the price of a product and if you're a collector, price and value can be quite subjective. If you like it, you want it, and can afford it, you'll buy it.
I recently started getting into Gundam and was surprised at how expensive some of them are. I just started with the entry grade RX-78 that came with all of the weapons and I had lots of fun putting it together and posing it. I looked on Amazon and eBay and the prices weren’t too bad but is there anywhere that I can find the kits cheaper? Or am I just doomed?
@@idkwhattohaveasausername5828 Also P Bandai is limited to Japan ( And maybe China). If you're in America, expect an aquisition charge of 30+ and shipping. So a $60 P Bandai kit in Japan averages $120 in America. It sucks but that's how it is.
@@ascensionindustries9631 dang. I’ll just stick to the budget kits on Amazon, thank you though
@@idkwhattohaveasausername5828 One more, a lot of HG kits have been re-released an are on preorder so a lot of kits are available without crazy markups. 🤘
Generally items only available in an over seas market like Japan tend to have some added mark up in price. I like Macross mecha, and having something retail around 220 in Japan often equals more than 280 - 300 when I can find it here in the U S ( thankfully the new license for Robotech should change some of that, somewhat ).
I don’t really collect toys. But I like remembering what my childhood was like through this channel. You frequently play with toys and talk about them through the lens of how a child would see them. Kids don’t really think about price, and when I’m remembering what a new cool toy under the tree was like, I don’t want to think about price either. I was a Lego kid, and I knew that the big castles were cool. I thought about them all the time. I never had one, and in a retrospective I don’t really want the bitter reality of budgeting to be a topic. I just want to see one the way I might have at 7.
I just want to see vintage toys appreciated. That's why I watch your channel.
I think a lot of these 70's/80's/90's toy lines have price spikes because as time goes on we move in and out of the peak nostalgia window for people who grew up with them.
Toys aren't an investment. I collect all sorts of toylines that are both vintage and modern and the value of my collection doesn't matter to me,all that matters is that I enjoy those lines.
Michael, I've said this before, but no explanation is necessary. But as usual, your ability to articulate a well thought response and illustrates how much consideration goes into your content creation.
A+
Michael,
I like your style of NOT mentioning price on mostly older items. It puts the emphasis on the value of the nostalgia of the item and not just cash! Don’t ever change that!🙏😁👍
As a long time vintage collector, it still amazes me how certain toy lines will just sky rocket out of the blue. Over the last 5 years or so toylines like madballs and dino riders have gone insane. I'm so glad the majority of my collecting was done years ago and that I still have the patience to trawl the flea markets on almost a weekly basis.
I like to focus on the price and resale value when it comes time to explain to my wife why I bought a figure or playset. To this day I haven’t resold any of it and still have all of my beloved purchases.
Pricing is tremendously subjective, when people focus on how much a collectable costs they're only considering its relative value rather than its true or intrinsic value. To me this is its connection to the past, feelings of nostalgia it might give or the satisfaction of completing a collection. None of which you can really place monetary value on. Excellent presentation Michael.
It's like collecting anything. Paintings, comics, musical instruments, automobiles, books. Unless it's something you're interested in most people will think the price paid is ridiculously high. Even people in our own hobby might think a person paid too much for something if it's not a line they collect, deep down inside, if they're being honest with themselves. It's completely subjective and that's why cost is irrelevant. Totally agree with you.
I'm mostly a fashion doll collector, but I do "dabble" in action figures, especially the one's I grew up with or any current action figure line that catches my eye.
Your logical, rational, factual analysis of the toy and figure collecting community is a breath of fresh air. Your articulation of the real side of the corporations and how they operate and treat the collector's is so spot on! You say what I've what to say for year's.
Thanks for your contribution and I'm a new subscriber and a dedicated fan of the work you do. Please, please PLEASE keep up the INCREDIBLE work your doing.
Great perspective and summation as to why you don’t mention prices - it is super relevant to where the collectors market is now, we can thank the pandemic for that double edged sword (more toy collectors = higher prices for limited inventory). You nailed it with your video and I hope that there is some calmness to the market (from the current retail toys and the vintage items). This is supposed to be 1) fun and 2) affordable - you take one of the two out and it is no longer sustainable - keep doing what you are doing love your work!
I like that you stick to the review of the product at hand, and understand why it only comes up if context demands it, if its a vintage item I want I can always go and look it up on several sites. and I am so happy to here you say Follies, love those , its how I discovered your channel and have been hooked since 2015. Totally awesome stuff!
Love this video!!
Nailed it
I am into TOYS. Period.
Once I buy a toy I the cost/value to anyone else is irrelevant to me
Thanks so much
Ans I think you do hit on the right perspective of when to mention price and why you don’t the rest of the time
Keep making videos about cool toys
I do like retrospectively checking videos to see how much the market has changed, but I fully back your approach. Keep up the great work!
@retroblasting Michael your channel is so amazing! I love watching your intuitive videos on all toy subjects! You're always on point with what is going on currently and in the past with vintage toys! I'm such a fan! Thank you for what you're doing!
Sincerely,
Stephen Penor
It is good to know the price paid to acquire some of these rare items. You have shown ebay listings for items like the Blackstar Ice Castle and that is such valuable information since you can see what they sold for back in 2016. It is an interesting aspect to collecting to see what prices were and are now. You have made videos of items that do not exist on Ebay currently so having some idea of what they once sold for when they were available can be fun also.
Agree. Prices change a lot.
Well said Thanks
I always think about price, condition,distribution and rarity when it comes to my toy collecting hobby both vintage and modern toy collecting.
Great perspective on the price thing. 100% agree
I dont usually think about the pricing. For me its the love of a particular subject that makes the purchasing decision for me.
I completely appreciate that prices aren't a part of your videos. I can't stand when pricepoint comes into play in conversation because of the way things are in collector/resale circuits at shows, in a lot of other online videos,... it just drives me nuts. Not 20 years ago, so many of the 1980s era toys were not worth much of anything. But with nostalgia comes a rise in interest and desire. Two lines I loved as a kid and had a lot of toys from were Starriors and Rock Lords. l've seen Starriors climb up more and more over the last few years, and Rock Lords have started going up as well. But to many collectors, those two lines are fairly odd and still obscure enough that I was able to recently get the RockPot Rock Lords vehicle for just around $80 in box. I remember seeing that at a show mint in box about 8 years ago for $25. There's no real good reason for it to be this price except more time adds to rarity, more collectors wanting it of course raises the price, but in this instance, I am one of those collectors that I don't care what the price is, it's one I'd wanted since I was a child, and now I can afford to get it. Granted, if like Starriors, the prices go much higher, then no, I hold off. All things will eventually depreciate, or collections become available when others sell them.
I would love to hear more about Matt from reklaimers_vintage_toys about which lines spiked and went back down.
I feel for the most part they are not so interested in the price of the toy but the price that you paid for it. Mainly so they can either call you a sucker for paying too much or if it is too low then a shill because obviously you are getting a deal they cant. The price question is a trap. Everyone knows what new stuff costs and vintage value is always subjective. Keep on doing what you're doing.
This was a calm, rational discussion with good points made. Thanks Michael!
Perceived value matters in this discussion!
Hey Michael, great video. I see these things for the reality of it. Anything from vintage toys to a brand new car...is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I agree that the Super7 5 poa lines are ridiculously over priced. But I pay the price for the ultimates series of the toys that I want. To me...those are worth what they ask for it. It's a very personal thing...this hobby we engage in. Love the topic and the intelligence you presented it. Kudos sir, well done.
I collect many different things and value is a secondary aspect of collecting for me. Prices will always vary - and I've learned over the years collecting for personal enrichment makes the hobby the most fun for me.
I was bothered a bit when one of the other toy-focused channels I watch did indeed put out a video recently about what vintage toylines people own they should sell right now. My first reaction was "Why is this a topic even worth talking about?" To put it simply, I thought the idea is bullshit. Agreed with the points you've made.
Now that im older I realise how sexy April O'Neil figures were! 😀
Very well articulated.👍
Not talking about price is something I appreciate given it does make the videos timeless. I don't like speculation at all since that type of collecting for just value resulting in a bubble market unless someone is willing to do it for an extreme long haul and realize the value might still go down.
For instance, I am still loaded with NASCAR diecasts I bought in the 90s. I bought specific cars because I liked them, which is important because if I were to sell, I might be lucky to get 50% of what I paid for them originally. But that isn't why I bought them.
When people ask me the monetary value of something I say "It is whatever you paid for it." If you sell an item, yes perhaps you can get more for it, but then you no longer have it in your collection.
This is my story. I stumbled across a box of Mega Blocks in a charity shop. It was Call of Duty (video game) sets. Humvee and Panzer tank with figures. I downloaded the pdfs from their website and rebuilt the kits. Everything was intact. But when I searched for value I was shocked. The kits are apparently worth over £500. I’m going to give them to my nephew. There is more value in playing than price.
It's because you focus on the real price and cost, the affect these companies and franchise have had on the toy community.
I recently quit collecting the new stuff they are putting out now because of their prices.I discovered it is more satisfying to look around at flea markets and eBay and actually get vintage figures for the same price as what is out now.Doesn't make more sense to pay $12-$20 for kenner Star wars in good good condition than pay the same thing for modern stuff.
Being doing that too since 2 years since there was many scalpers in my area.
Its fun to find things in flea markets or garage sales
I appreciate the fact you do not make it about value or price unless, to your point, its a valid discussion in that moment. I've seen and hear from enough scalpers masquerading as "collectors", when in fact they're just sucking the fun out of the hobby for personal gain. Lets enjoy these toys for what they are and not enable the frauds.
The Fans are making the best Videos, thank you RetroBlasting.
Agreed... For me I collect for me not values. If I think its worth the money I want to spend. I buy it. Whether its new or vintage. I pay 99% of the time what I want to spend or I don't buy it. But mostly for newer stuff I'll pay peg price or wait for it to go on clearance. For vintage I'm more flexible especially if it's something from my childhood.
Love your channel n style
There's an even worse thing to Haslab than the prices. It's not even really crowdfunding. It's a made-to-order service akin to Mattycollector, but disguised as crowdfunding to increase FOMO. If it were real crowdfunding, then the products would be available at regular retail later. However, the only stores that actually stock Haslab items are online geek stores that back the projects.
Good video...thank you for bringing this up because my freinds and I discuss this pretty regularly
Always logical, always clear and always informative... I don't even collect toys anymore, but your channel keeps me in-the-loop and your content is spot on to my own ideas about toy collecting and toys in general. Love your videos.
Great topic Mike. Pro video as always.
Great video. You really nailed it. What it comes down to is (for most of us) collecting is a hobby. What one personal is willing or able to spend on their hobby is completely different than another. Keep up the great work.
A very decent and logical analysis
A toy's value is in the memories it contains, not the dollars it commands.
Just found your channel recently and so far I’m loving your content
Vintage Terminator 2 Kenner figures are now on my radar.
Great video, making some very valid points. Wanted to leave a positive (if unspecific) comment. Looking forward to the next SW Follies video!
I respect @RetroBlasting not including the price folks! Why include it when 3 years from now the price will be different? It would be actually frustrating to hear a item you want is 50% or more in “value” then when the video was made. RetroBlasting are thinking ahead and that’s honourable. 🙌🏻🥰
My God I’ve said this before and I want the humanoids out there to listen up….. Not only are you intelligent but you have common sense, good old fashioned horse sense and that’s something these ham and eggers will never have! I just turned 50 and let me tell you, people have one or the other Not Both! You are also Good People in my book! Thank you.
I'm glad you don't mention price except under certain circumstances, just like you mentioned collector values rise and fall all the time.
I agree with you wholeheartedly..you talk about the joy and excitement of the toylines without mentioning prices as they can be absurd and ridiculous and bring down the moods. And yes those 5 poa Reaction figures are ridiculous..they cost minimum 30 bucks here or more. Cheers.🤗
Well said Michael agreed.
Enjoyed the video Michael!
I don't care what something cost's if I want it bad enough and can afford it I'm buying it. I jumped in on the Playmobil Enterprise at full MSRP when it launched. I always dreamed of owning a Star Trek Toy like that as a kid and the excitement it filled with with and all the Joy Ive had building and displaying it is priceless. I know the price sucks when you can't afford it. But we can't have everything in life we want can we? If it's not meant to be for me... it's not meant to be for me.
Totally agree. Whenever someone comes at me with questions or comments about "price" and "value" and "what's it worth", I send them to eBay. I collect to collect, and have no financial investment plans for the toys that I enjoy.
There isn't a single video from RetroBlasting that's filler. All their content is relevant and interesting. Michael & Melinda rule! 🙌🏻
Totally agree. I love their content. Intelligent, unbiased and comes from a place of love not money
@@obirobkenobi3599 Exactly
They're so good at it. I have even disagreed with Michael's opinion once or twice. You know what? I still enjoyed whatever video it was and absolutely understood his reasons.
@@ryanbwags Yep, they are clever and engaging people not brainless fanboys.
Another great vid! Another angle I'd like to add is that price varies from country to country. Im sure retroblasting has fans from all over the world. In my country the Philippines prices are usually a bit higher give or take and entire modern toy waves sometimes dont make it to my own local stores. And lego is yikes. 88% markup roughly. Due to different factors. Like the distributors taxes etc
Very well put!!!
Very valid reasoning
Ya do you the people that complain well don't watch ..... this day in age everyone feels they can rage for stupid reasons .... the joy of collecting not prices the smile on faces and what makes you happy... love this channel and i for one hate the rage it gets/ you get ,, don't watch if ya goin be rude and complain
Is that an original Raphael? The sai holsters look different.
What doll line is that in that red box?? Is it Marilyn????
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cool video and good point on this video the answer was right on point looking forward to seeing stars wars follies 19
I just had this discussion about used guitars: pawn shop prices vs flea market prices. I don't think a vid about something so subjective would be interesting.
I hear what you're saying. Still think 🤔 it's good to get a price in a video. It's a Lil frame for what was happening at the time. But psshhhh we are just the the viewer it doesn't matter what we like lol. Then you through how easy it is to look up the price.
This is the second video I watched of this channel. The first was the Indiana Jones one and wondered what the current price of the figures.
That way someone can make a judgment on the rise or fall of the price compared to the time they are watching it in the future.
@@timothyward8695 yes it doesn't show me past prices lol yours does? Your must have faster the light speed.
And it helps if you read all of the comment.
UA-cam channel is great keep doing the great work on it
Hi Michael, I know you have spoken about repro weapons/accessories, is there a point you will speak about repro packaging? (Star Wars, GI Joe?). Be curious to hear your thoughts on that and the pros/cons - thanks much!
He does. I remember a video not long ago about the Dollar Tree line of action figures.
Is this supposed to be a "gotcha"? First, try watching the first minute of this video again. Second, how would you like Michael to talk about a toy line exclusive to a store called the Dollar Tree without mentioning the dollar price?
@@Gojitron1 What’s your problem?
@@chrisw6164 it was also a point to say that they are a cheap new line in the perspective of how expensive both vintage and modern have become. He's saying in general he doesn't add price to his reviews, as they are dynamic, and the toys are something that are to be looked at from a fixed standpoint. You make a statement to prove Michael wrong? Or why are you bringing that up? And like Gojitron said, it's "Dollar Tree", so it's kind of a giveaway
@@k-dawgbroadcasting5444 My comment was what it was. Retroblasting does talk about price sometimes. I don’t understand your confusion.
@@timothyward8695 He made at least one entire video about Final Faction.
Why am I getting into arguments about this? Three weirdos attacking me out of ignorance just for stating a fact. Never change, Internet.
Yeah, one of my favorite toy channels did a video speculating on prices and it seemed odd to me. I don't think anyone should be buying toys as an investment.... better to just collect what you like and decide for yourself if the cost of something is "worth it" to you.
I am from 78 years in the future, watching youtube classic... why don't you talk about the price?
I can see mentioning if the price of a line goes up significantly between one wave and the next. Particularly if there is an obvious pairing between figures in each wave. Something like, if a Transformers combiner team comes out spread across multiple waves and an arm-bot in wave 5 cost $5 or $10 more than the leg bot in wave 4. Or if a Batman line went up in price between the release of Batman in wave 1 and that of Robin in wave 2. But I generally agree with you, we just need to know about the figure itself so that we can evaluate it and have the information to decide in the store or on the website if the price we see is something we can justify for that item.
The man doesn't have to tell you about prices!
If you came this far to click on this video to watch what he has to say about it then you can also click on one of the myriad of other internet websites that have prices provided for you!
That is all. . .
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Great video as always
Yea on the price fluctuations on modern toys
A personal for instance on those Neca Universal Monsters to prove your point....
The Mummy ,Wolfman and Frankenstein were at my local Walmart upon introduction
We got 6 on each
37.00 was the original price
Immediately ebay sellers were asking between 55-70.00 for a 37.00 item
They peaked about 75-80 dollars last fall
Surprise surprise surprise
Most listing's are back down to 40-45dollars in less than a year
You can be guaranteed most of the available in store stock of those were bought in twos and threes.....
Thankfully on Neca I usually wait for a few months for prices to come down before I buy them on the secondary market
I don't collect as an investment (90 percent of the time)
It's like the 90s craze on animation art...most of that stuff now is pretty much of little value lol
i appreciate this answer
Prices and values are everywhere on the market..I would mention either unless I specifically purchase an item in the store with retail prices
I haven't had any trouble finding toys at the local Wal*Marts since February, they've been pretty well stocked. Prices suck big time though, luckily a lot of ML and TMNT end up at Goodwill or Ollie's around here.
I’m a cheap skate and love getting a deal even if it’s in terrible quality and all banged up. Sometimes the damaged is better for kitbashing.
Totally agree
Definitely a magic deal guy. But while waiting on the magic, enjoy watching your toy views. Keep up the good work.
will you guys do a review of blitzway Voltron or threezero Voltron?
A rather phenomenal video. With so many exclusives that sell out so quickly, mentioning MSRP is rather pointless.
I think not talking about prices is a good idea because prices and values change and a video may become outdated. I can watch your videos from 8 years ago and they are still very relevant because they stick to the facts of the toy and not to the market trends of the time.
I really like that shirt. Seriously
thanks
I could have sworn you do talk about the price of toys sometimes. I don’t collect toys so I don’t think about it usually. Thanks for clarifying.
Toys are expensive now no lie, but I agree that if you want it, it's something you can justify the value to wanting it, it's cool. I picked up two figures just yesterday because their original retail was too much for what I was going to get. They were on clearance, I pretty much bought two for the price of one. I like the figures but the price pushed me over the line of "I'd be stupid to not get them now".
Good points raised. To me this isn't Antique Roadshow. I watch to see your views on the product noy how much it cost or how you see it as an investment.
Prices will vary from place to place and with shipping so if you state a price you will likely get questions on where you got it or criticisms.
I’m willing to pay for quality!
I agree that prices and value fluctuate and a lot of what we consider value is highly personal. Not talking about price in these videos is fine. As for discussing prices without dating a video you can kind of get away with it by actually dating the video. Just say what the prices, value, or trend is at that moment, and that way it won't be misleading for anyone because they will know that the further from that date they are the more likely that things would have changed.
Michael got those fat stacks of cash. That’s why he’s not worried about price 😝
Yeah, you know me. My $60 a week is makin' it rain.
That Jurassic Park thing you have there. I really want to buy one.