Budgeting is getting harder for me now that I've shifted my focus to higher-end TF products and imports. I'm not spending any more than I was before (probably a lot less), but it can be tricky, trying to fit certain large purchases into my budget. I'm currently limiting myself to one ~$50 per quarter and any Alts that come my way. So far this year I've picked up THS-02 and RM Skywarp and Thundercracker as my big buys. I plan to get MP-03 and THS-01 at some point, and possibly Star Convoy, but it depends on my financial situation.

I had to use this guide today. I found Unicron Head'D Primus in Walmart and I didn't want that to slip my grasp. Layaway helps the poor guy every time :thumb

I was just gunna sell the head on ebay to make back the cash from purchase... >_>

Excuse my ignorance but how does "layaway" work and do Canadian Walmarts have this?

Ive been told they do not, this is why we have the walmart credit card. If you can tell me where I can obtain the missing bots I need for victory masterforce zone and other japanese series please lemme know! This budget wouldnt work with me, although I have stepped back now that I pay $1300 a month for rent instead of 225. I used to spend close to $1000 every 2 weeks or so on tfs alone.

There's a few things I like to add/amend:

 

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.

 

This is not true. The most bought out of all Dinobots is Swoop - a non-damaged one, that is. With Transrepro out of commission for now, my old recommendation no longer holds (buy a damaged Swoop and get the repro part.) But it used to worked great.

 

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.

 

The easiest team is actually the Aerialbots. With only 5 figures to get, plus the KO parts readily available (and the quality to those parts being quite alright, although the KO Aerialbots are another story), Superion is the most assessible, albeit the least sought after, gestalt to get.

 

Also, I can't stress enough that collecting multiple copies or version of one character, i.e. Optimus Prime, has got to be the worst way to spend your money. Most of the time you can find Optimus Prime figures in most garage sales or thrift stores (ANOTHER GREAT PLACE TO GET TFs) because when the kids want nothing but Optimus Prime, they'll grow up and get rid of them - that's when the second hand market gets clogged with them.

There's another bit of advice that can help with collecting TF's is set yourself a TF target, be it one or two and stick to it. If you find other TF's, then don't get them just yet, not till you find your target TF's. If you don't find them, then go for what you found previously and then hold back for a while. Eventually you'll get your target TF as long as you do so carefully.

That's how I managed to get hold of MP Prime, I held back for ages and I finally managed to get one earlier this year thanks to another member. At current my TF target is a G1 Smokescreen, has been for over 20 years, and Cyb Excellion, deluxe Red alert and Crosswise. That way I don't go spending heavy amounts of money so quickly. I'm still working on getting them. I still go for other TF's, but that's mostly due to the shops in my area never restocking if they do get any new TF's, very rare. But my target TF's are my main focus for the collection.

So set a target, try to get them for good prices and take the time needed to get good quality.

 

-Finding TF's is a little like art, there are many mistakes along the way, but eventually you get perfection.