It's recently dawned on me... am I the only Transformers collector in the world (of legal voting age) who DOESN'T have an eBay account?

 

It doesn't bother me that I don't. At 1346 Transformers I think I'm doing pretty well for a guy who doesn't have eBay. But I'm wondering how dependent the fandom is on purchasing Transformers from online auctions rather than just brick-and-mortar stores. I can see pros and cons in both methods of collecting, but I personally prefer just walking into a shop and buying my toys off shelves.

 

For the purposes of this poll I'm talking about _active_ accounts. If you used to have an account but you no longer actively use it, then it counts as "no." Does eBay delete inactive accounts after a certain period?

 

Thank you for indulging my curiosity. :D

Most collectors don't buy new, retail Tranformers made by Hasbro unless things are really bad. I use ebay for vintage and foreign Transformers.

I have an account, but I'm using it less and less for TFs.

I've actualy been doing fairly well lately trading with forum members. It's more direct, and the fees are waved. It's fun too.

 

Thanks Guys

This is possible Goki :P

 

Oh and long time no see old friend :thumb

Ebay is awesome but I do hate bidding wars.

 

I am very shocked you never saw anything on ebay you didnt want.

TO be honest 99% of my collection came from privite sales but ebay has been a help to me.

I have eBay I use it to find older formers

I use retail brick/morter for US released items, generally when they are on sale. The Movie TFers are about the only ones i've bought there, and I generally find them 25-30% off retail.

 

Bulk of my collection comes from TFSource/BTTS/RobotKingdom/HobbyLink.

 

I have done 1 or 2 private transactions - but I tend to stay away from these. You can get a great deal, but you can also get majorly taken advantage of. Not worth the risk, to me.

 

Ebay - i've definately gotten a few pieces there, but usually just the hard to find items that I can't find elsewhere. I know I could save money as a displayer - buying more 'used' but good condition tFers off ebay, since they are going for display and will be opened anyways. But I just prefer/enjoy buying them 'new' and being the one to open them - knowing I don't have to worry about their history. I have also picked up a few missing pieces of G1 this way also.

 

 

If I had to break it down....

 

75% - online stores

15% - ebay

9% - brick/mortar - on sale

1% - private transaction

eBay has its uses, like when your trying to track down a golden Soundwave. Cant exactly find that in stores.

Yeah but I personally don't care about getting a golden Soundwave, so the inability to find that in stores doesn't effect me. I do have a silver chrome Bluestreak though, but I didn't buy it online. It was a draw-prize that I won from Takara, so I paid $0.00 for it. :D

I have an account, but I'm using it less and less for TFs.

I've actualy been doing fairly well lately trading with forum members. It's more direct, and the fees are waved. It's fun too.

 

Thanks Guys

 

QFT, I hardly ever use ebay now that i have found the forums. I have found great deals here. It is fun, plus its exciting to nab that rare or hard to find item that would cost ten times as much on the bay.

 

Its good to know that we TF enthusiasts can help each other out once in a while.

 

Side note: It took me Way too long to type this...that cognac hit me just now. :beer