:thumb rock on!

So, I present The Poor Man's Guide To Collecting Transformers:

 

Basic Rules of Thumb

 

-Set a budget for yourself: this is probably the most important rule when doing anything regarding money (duh). However, this varies depending on who you are and what you do for a living. We'll use my budget for an example. I try to take about $10-$20 a week and set that aside for TFs, depending on what I have to pay off that week/month. I usually spend that money on one TF over the weekend, or a handful of smaller ones like the Scout class, or save it for a few weeks to get something bigger. Now, if you absolutely have to buy that King Starscream or Megatron right now, but it's out of your budget range, you'd better be prepared to sacrifice your budget for the next week or so. If you buy that Megatron at $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy any TFs for the next 3-4 weeks. It's all about willpower, first and foremost.

 

-Don't spend money you don't have yet: seriously, don't try to overextend yourself just to collect everything all at once. This falls under the budget rule, but it also applies in cases where you know you'll be coming into some extra money. If you know that next week you'll be getting holiday pay or you're expecting a birthday check or two, don't rationalize running down to Toys R Us to pick up Jetfire because you know you'll be getting that money. Something bad could happen between you and that payoff--you could get sick and have to miss your holiday pay, the check(s) could be delayed or even stolen, your car could break down, etc. It's better to actually have the anticipated money in your hand/account rather than projecting your spending based on what you're going to get.

 

 

Thansk for your time and happy collecting!  :thumb

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I am going to rebut the first point - Set A Budget For Yourself.  It's the second to last sentence you said - "If you buy that Megatron at $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy any TFs for the next 3-4 weeks." This contradicts the second point - Don't Spend Money You Don't Have Yet.  Something more sensible would be like "If you see that Megatron for $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy that TF until you have saved enough money from other weeks from your previous budget."

 

Otherwise, it's a good plan to follow.  Great thread.

Great Start!!

 

I think i would add (expand on really-cause you do mention it)

WHAT KIND OF COLLECTOR ARE YOU?!?!

 

Completist?

Imports?

Mainline?

Primes?

 

What i find truley odd on this board is how many people express frustration at feeling "sucked-into" buying a character or figure they dont like.  We all express our excitement or annoyance when a new figure fallsshort/meets/surpasses our expectations - but create a self-image for yourself as a collector.  This board with all the pre-release buzz it generates is a great tool.  I know that i have at least 3/4 months to decide whether the Scion is right for me...

Whether or not Prowl is in Riot Gear or Porko-mode

 

I often get the urge to "catch-em-all" but i find myself less content with my hobby and less satisfyed with my purchases when i succumb to these feelings.

 

I dont know if that helps at all.....

 

Hunter

Wow, thanks for all the positive feedback! I'm glad I could help out in some small way. I had planned this topic a while back, but it wasn't until now that I got everything comprehensively assembled to post. Now, to touch up on some points:

 

TRU gives discounts to repeat buisness?  I had no idea!

 

How much do you have to go there to get that?  and why don't they advertise it?

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TRU gives discounts to repeat buisness?  I had no idea!

 

How much do you have to go there to get that?  and why don't they advertise it?

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*Also did not know that

 

Tell us please!  :clap  Need the info!  :thumb

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Well, basically what they do is take your phone number--if they remember to ask--and enter it into their system. What that does is put you on a mailing list for their newsletter, but it also gives you access to extra savings, especially around the holidays and sales. Last Christmas, I got a 25% off gift card in the mail, and that applied even to sale prices. So, I picked up the Optimus Prime/Megatron 2-pack when it was on sale, used the card, and made off with two Energon leaders for about $35. You get coupons and stuff for giving them your phone number, so if they don't remember to put it in remind them.

 

I was planning on this topic, but never got around to it. But I'm glad you did this, lol, way better than I cou have dreamed of doing it. Here are some easy to get G1 toys for those on a budget, all MiB:

 

Countdown he can run from 60-100 dollars, but look around a bit and you'llk find this Micromaster comand base for 40-50 in most parts.

 

Top Spin/Twin Twist, possibly the easiest to get MiB g1 toys ever! these guys are everywhere and the demand for them is low. I've seen people give these away just to get rid of them.

 

the later run Targetmasters can be found at times for the 30-50 dollar range.

 

these are just a few ideas. If you are not picky about complete loose toys here are a few ideas:

 

Grimlock, that's right...you heard me...he was the most bought out of all the Dinobots, and can be found in loose condition all over the place, i see about 3-4 four a year with 1-2 of them is displayable condition. these are usualy at garage sales and antique stores for the 5-15 dollar range.

 

the easiest to get team is the constructicons though finding them with the combiner parts is a bit tougher. Individual bots can be found as low as 3-5 bucks if you look hard enough.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

You want real deals? real finds? GARAGE SALES! yes, your chances at finding mint perfect TF's is next to 0, but you will find more than you ever dreamed. I average 1 tf per day from garage sales alone, 350 TF's a year right there. now figure in antique dealers and auctions that number goes up to 10 TF's a week, not a bad haul for around $30 a week. However, remeber to haggle and haggle a lot. If a person is unwilling to haggle they are not worth your time. Most dealers mark up thier goods and should be willing to lower them. and as always, make sure to have fun and never forget to budget!!!!!!!

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D'oh...forgot garage sales. Thanks for the info, I'll make sure to put it in the first part and credit you.

 

So, I present The Poor Man's Guide To Collecting Transformers:

 

Basic Rules of Thumb

 

-Set a budget for yourself: this is probably the most important rule when doing anything regarding money (duh). However, this varies depending on who you are and what you do for a living. We'll use my budget for an example. I try to take about $10-$20 a week and set that aside for TFs, depending on what I have to pay off that week/month. I usually spend that money on one TF over the weekend, or a handful of smaller ones like the Scout class, or save it for a few weeks to get something bigger. Now, if you absolutely have to buy that King Starscream or Megatron right now, but it's out of your budget range, you'd better be prepared to sacrifice your budget for the next week or so. If you buy that Megatron at $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy any TFs for the next 3-4 weeks. It's all about willpower, first and foremost.

 

-Don't spend money you don't have yet: seriously, don't try to overextend yourself just to collect everything all at once. This falls under the budget rule, but it also applies in cases where you know you'll be coming into some extra money. If you know that next week you'll be getting holiday pay or you're expecting a birthday check or two, don't rationalize running down to Toys R Us to pick up Jetfire because you know you'll be getting that money. Something bad could happen between you and that payoff--you could get sick and have to miss your holiday pay, the check(s) could be delayed or even stolen, your car could break down, etc. It's better to actually have the anticipated money in your hand/account rather than projecting your spending based on what you're going to get.

 

 

Thansk for your time and happy collecting!  :thumb

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I am going to rebut the first point - Set A Budget For Yourself.  It's the second to last sentence you said - "If you buy that Megatron at $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy any TFs for the next 3-4 weeks." This contradicts the second point - Don't Spend Money You Don't Have Yet.  Something more sensible would be like "If you see that Megatron for $40 but you only save $10 a week, then you'd better not buy that TF until you have saved enough money from other weeks from your previous budget."

 

Otherwise, it's a good plan to follow.  Great thread.

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*amended* :thumb

I used to use a percentage system to figure things out. I think I want to start doing that again. The only difference is friggin ebay...

I always forget to layaway at Walmart and Kmart.  I wish Target and TRU had layaway.

hey hey! I got quoted, awsome!!! Yeah layaway is my godsend when I'm on a budget, $100 buys becomes much more managable over a few months.

-Know your limits: like I said, it's a hobby and shouldn't be a way of life. If your world revolves around TFs, it might be time to reconsider your priorities--unless you're only 15. Even then, though, understand that there's a fine line between collecting and obsessing. Just because you have Energon Kicker and aren't happy with the missing paint applications doesn't mean you have to run out and import Superlink Kicker from Japan so that it's accurate. This isn't a dig at anyone in particular, but if you're that hung up on a toy that's missing a bit of paint on it's head, calm down. Unless you have the budget for importing--or you're not the one paying for it--really, it's just paint. On a toy. And even if someone else volunteers to buy it for you, don't take advantage of them. They probably have financial concerns of their own. Also in this vein, buying one TF doesn't mean that you instantly oblidged to buy the entire line. If you think it sucks, leave it on the shelf. Seriously (cough*Swerve*cough).

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:inhrf

At first, my collecting was going in all directions and I ended spending more money than I should. Now, I'm trying to follow these guidelines :

 

-only one Alternator per mold

-only collect 1 Prime/Meg/Primal/Galvatron per mold

-only collect toys that combine with others

-only collect toys with electronics

-only collect significant characters from G1 OR the coolest for a given sub-group (best Powermaster, best Headmaster, etc.)

 

So, my collection is only made of Alternators, Primes, Megs, Galvys, Primals, combiners, toys with electronics and a few G1s (Kup, Blitzwing, Doubledealer, Blurr...).

I have not seen this covered [but sort of in pieces] yet but to me I think it is the biggest money save that really helps.

 

DON'T BUY IMPORTS!

 

The price you paid for that galaxy force figure could have gotten you a couple really cool Cybertron figures.

 

Don't buy BT's get Alts....same issue as above.

 

Also not only set a limit on how much you spend but also on what you really want in a transformer, then read the reviews and look through all the pictures to make sure that the toy in question matches your exact expectations.

 

For my list two major things are on the top of it...articulation and how well it transformes [is really a robot in disguise]. Another limitation I have is how extensive are the first 2 demands in relationship to the size of the toy.

To me a deluxe with a lot of transformation and 17 points of articulation out beats a toy that is ultra sized with 17 points of articualation. Bigger toy needs more articulation and more transformation.

 

This probibly why I've stuck to deluxes so much because anything bigger has never really impressed me.