Star Wars collectors aren't a very discriminating lot... are they?

[JEDIpartner]

Okay... so I see that there are all of these "new" and "exciting" (not really) lines of toys with the big old "Star Wars" stamp on them. Things that aren't really amazing or quality or necessarily needed (other than by Hasbro and Lucasfilm to make more money). Rather than just saying "no" to the excessive amount of licensed product, people are just lining up all glassy-eyed, mouth agape (and likely drooling) and saying "wow..." No, this position doesn't make a popular person on the boards but it does make me wonder what drives people to feel they need to have every last piece of product that is trotted out in front of them.

Personal economy aside, I find it quite easy to stay away from the Titanium figures. We already have things in that scale and at a much lower cost. Are they made out of metal? No. But then again, why is it that people think they are so special because they are made out of metal? The Transformers... this should have been done years ago anyhow but it wasn't. The fact that these don't really have a place in the "Star Wars" universe is notwithstanding, they're just kinda crap, really. How about those "Choppers"???!!! WOOOOOOOO!!! Now there's a really inspired line! :thumbsup:

:upset:

I guess the thing that prompted this thread was a conversation I had with Jedi Drew this afternoon. The conversation stemmed from collectors posting how they haven't found any figures so they "just decided to buy whatever was there...", which, in most cases were Titanium vehicles. It's puzzling... just 'cos there's nothing that you really want to buy, you will still spend your money on something just because it's got "Star Wars" on it? How about... "don't buy anything at all and just wait for the next wave of figures to show up?"

Weird.

[Shadow Knight]

I agree with the Choppers and Transformers line being crap, but maybe the kiddos are enjoying these, and not really meant for the more serious collectors?

[Blue2th]

I don't think the Choppers and Transformers are as popular with the kids either. Else why would they be clogging the shelves and pegs, along with the Unleashed line. The 3.75 figures are always sold out. Even the peg warmers don't last. Most of the kids I know want the figures and cannot find them because there is not enough to go around for kids and collectors. I think somebody ordering toys for retail or Hasbro screwed up! They should know there is a HIGH demand that is not being met and a missed opportunity to make money. Meanwhile, us collectors are getting sick of coming up dry every time we hunt for figures. Myself, I have all but given up hunting and ordered them by the case.:mad:

[Jargo]

I was gonna write a piece here but I just deleted it. No point anymore.

[Turbowars]

When there's a slump in collecting I just save up a bit for the new stuff. I stick with Basic 3.75", GG and SSC. I'm not going to buy something just because it has SW on it. My name isn't Sansweet.:yes:

[JEDIpartner]

I was gonna write a piece here but I just deleted it. No point anymore.

You really should.

[LusiferSam]

I think we have two thing going on here. First and most important is that fact that we have too many speculative collectors out there. These are folks who like scalper buy gobs of the stuff but hang on to it thinking it will be worth something in the future. These are people who will kill this hobby.

Second there are people out who seem to think that if something says Star Wars it must be great. These folks don't put thought into their collects. If George is selling it their buying it, no matter how bad it might.

[Blue2th]

Hasbro will find out what a big mistake they made with some of these idiotic lines they came out with (not Titanium) Sad thing is maybe the retailers aren't ordering much Star Wars stuff because it's not selling very well. Duh. They should come out with these things when people are actually looking for toddler's toys in the quantity we are seeing now (Christmas) Whereas the 3.75 line sells good most any time.

[InsaneJediGirl]

I've always bought what I liked,and lately thats less and less. From what I've seen,a lot of people just buy it because it says "Star Wars". Thus,Hasbro sees things are being bought so continue to put out less quality figures/toys/etc. Makes it hard for those who like only certain things,but thats the way it goes sadly.

[DarthBrandon]

I only collect the 3 3/4 inch line & I have passed on many items from said line so far this past year. (April 2005 to Present) Transformers not my cup of tea, titaniums (vehicles) maybe if I like em enough, choppers again not my cup of tea, so that leaves the 3 3/4 inch line & if there's nothing around I buy other toy lines. (Marvel Legends / McFarlane NHL)

[Kidhuman]

I collect only 4 lines of stuff. 3.75, GH, Lego, and Titaniums. I like the way they all look. I tend to buy more of the other stuff either when:

I dont need anymore basic figs.
I cant find basic figs
There is soemthing that catches the eye.

Lego's are a different game altogether. Alot of them are high priced and I tend ot get those on clearances.

[Anakin Palpatine]

OK, Everyone has a right to be excited about anything that comes out. I for one have always been a fan of the 3.75 line because that is what I grew up with. The Titanium series doesn't bother me because we had metal die cast ships that were made when I was a kid like the destroyer that we would otherwise never see complete at least in the 3.75 line. So as a kid you could use your imagination, hence why these are originally made. With any toyline you will have your hits and misses. The Titanium line has been pretty much out since 96 only it was under the micro machines line and not metal, so to me not much of a differance. The Transformers line has been talked about for years for both Star Wars and G.I. Joe since both kids and collectors alike seem to have an interest in the multiple toy lines. As for the choppers, I really think it goes more with the big kid like rescue heroe size higures and the little guy two packs. I don't know the toy line name because I don't buy them but I'm sure the majority of you all do. You have your 12 inch and your M&M figures and with all that you all have good points. Bottom line, be happy you're seeing all this other crap, because it means the line is selling and that many more toys will be made. Just because they have the license till God knows when does not mean if the line isn't moving that they will still make it. They stopped in '84 and waited 11 years to get back into it, and I don't want to have to remind anyone how bad that drought was!

My point is really, who cares are the people buying crap for no good reason...some yes, but they make it let them spend it. The quality has most definatly gone up on many of the figures, although I would love to see the spring loaded stuff to go away! Doesn't anyone remember when we would get two lines a year? I do, that's why I got sucked in to the 12 inch line and I know Hasbro is glad I did, well and so am I, but at least you only have to wait a month or two to get new product on the shelf. It all really comes down to differant strokes for differant folks. Great forum topic bu the way, it made me get into a rant!

[Captain Spoon]

I have had times where If I go Target and Wal*Mart and there are no basic figures to buy I get the feeling that I have to buy something Star Wars. I used to fill this sad void in my life with Galactic Heroes 2 packs, thankfully after seeing the crap assortment from Hasbro this year, along with Junk like Transformers, titaniums, and choppers, I no longer have this problem. If there is a day where I am really hanker'n for a new Star Wars Item I go to a large Comic/Specialty store here in Mass and buy a new graphic novel or some bust- ups

[2-1B]

The only problem I have with the "discriminating" tastes of the collectors revolves around a Jedi Luke. "We" have been wanting a super articulated one for how long now, Hasbro keeps churning out junk, but there it is on that Toyfare poll. What the hell? :confused:

As if they would bother to make a GOOD one if it won a poll like that...they would just knock out another cheap one and call it Fan's Choice. :crazed:

Also, not sure if I mentioned this before, but those poll EU choices are terrible and don't speak well to the discriminatong tastes of collectors. lol lol lol

Choppers and Transformers are goofy, too. :)

[JEDIpartner]

My point is really, who cares are the people buying crap for no good reason...some yes, but they make it let them spend it.

Well... I certainly do. Hasbro stated that they commit "X" amount of their budget to a particular toy line. If a shoddy or barely related line does well, they will continue committing funds to that line and not to, say the 3 3/4" line. That's a problem. By buying "any old thing" that Hasbro puts out, we are encouraging them to develop lines that have less and less to do with the actual "Star Wars" universe or less accuracy. That's not good at all. Also, that could cause a glut of merchandise, which could cause them to recoil and cancel the line.

Aside from that, it just seems foolish to just spend money on something because something you really want isn't in stock or hasn't made it to the pegs yet.

Anyhow, as for your "rant"-- it's warranted. It was encouraged. I purposely posted this thread to illicit passionate replies from people. I want to see what people have to bring to the table and where people stand on this issue.

[LusiferSam]

They stopped in '84 and waited 11 years to get back into it, and I don't want to have to remind anyone how bad that drought was!
1985. Kenner ended their run in 1985. There were plans for '86 and beyond but those were canceled and probably for the best.

[Anakin Palpatine]

Thanks for the correction!:razz: It was 1985 I am a bad bad Star Wars collector in the middle of a rant how dare I be so arrogant and say 1984. No seriously thanks I forgot while writing it.

[Luuuuuuke]

yeah, i would agree that many if not most star wars collectors aren't very discriminating. most of the stuff that's produced doesn't seem like it should be appealing to anyone but really little kids. Part of the reason is that the Star Wars name has a built in cache that other toy lines don't have. I mean, people buy Star Wars themed cereal boxes and Pop Tarts and they don't open them.
On the other hand, Star Wars collectors are among the prickliest when it comes to stuff like authenticity or ball-joined hips and stuff like that. You would think their momma got run over the way many react when the AT-TE gunner's mold is used on a clone:D So it's kind of a weird mix of not very discriminating, and too discriminating. But that's not everyone of course, just a lot of people.

[Darth Cruel]

I only collect the 3 3/4" line and the 12" line. But I won't fault fellow collectors for choosing to try out another line. We all have idiosyncrasies about our collecting. I like super articulation and am willing to sacrifice some sculpt for it where most don't care that much about it. I also don't care if a head sculpt looks like some actor pretending to be the character the figure is made to represent where most collectors HAVE to have the figures head look just like the actor. If I were a kid, I would have LOVED the transformers! And I still think they are cool. And if I had the room, I would collect them as well. Same goes for the little metal ships. What a great way to display the pieces and save room as well. I don't have the opinion that a toy just absolutely has to have been in the movie to be a good collectible piece or just be fun to play with.

[JEDIpartner]

For me... my basic collection is 3 3/4" figures, playsets and the ships. Not EVERY figure, playset or EVERY ship... That's just obnoxious. I have a few select Unleashed and a few 12" figures. I read the books but I can't say that I "collect" them.

[2-1B]

I don't collect the cards but...

[Mad Slanted Powers]

I mainly stick with the basic figure line. During a bit of figure drought during the POTJ line, I started buying some 12 inch figures when I couldn't find anything. I never became a completist on that line though. Last year I started on the small Titanium vehicles when I happened to notice them at Wal-Mart on a day I saw no basic figures. All of these other lines don't interest me at all - Galactic Heroes, Force Battlers, Transformers, Attacktix, Miniatures, and Choppers. If I can't find basic figures, I'm more likely to spend money on CDs or something.

I don't collect the cards but...
Speaking of cards Caesar, I think it was 2002 when I started collecting the CCG cards. It started with one of those sampler packs. Target and TRU were selling them. I bought a bunch of those, then found a shop in the mall that was selling packs and boxes. I collected mostly the Decipher cards. Unfortunately, I started collecting after they stopped making them. I spent way too much on those and still wasn't able to get them all. Someday maybe I'll look into getting the missing ones and getting rid of my duplicates. I never played the game, but the cards were a good source of info on all the background characters. Sort of like a stand in for all of those figures yet to be made, and those that will probably never get made.

[2-1B]

I'm not a fan of the Decipher cards or WOTC cards, I find them cheap and shoddy. I do collect the trading cards, however. :)

[El Chuxter]

I'm glad SW fans aren't very discriminating. If they were, then when Lando stepped onscreen in ESB, there'd be shouts of "Get that damn ****** off the ****ing screen!" That would be both embarassing and disgraceful.

[Jargo]

I think with the over saturation of the market with all this star wars junk it's become a joke. it's actually really embarrasing to be lumped in with star wars collectors for me now even though i've ditched my collection. simply collecting toys is by association going to make you a laughable star wars geek. a pathetic pasty faced geek who goes to any length to get a chunk of cheap crappy plastic just because it has the star wars brand.

star wars has ruined the toys marketplace. it's a dirty word. and places like rebelscum have just made it all worse. screw star wars. there's more to life. better in life. star wars blows chunks.

[Turbowars]

So why are you still here? The SW geeks really don't need you and your BS. I would think most of us would be insulted by what you just said. But there's still people around here that kiss your @ss that will probably agree with you. With that said I'm only half serious here.:cross-eye

[BlueSnags]

I think with the over saturation of the market with all this star wars junk it's become a joke. it's actually really embarrasing to be lumped in with star wars collectors for me now even though i've ditched my collection. simply collecting toys is by association going to make you a laughable star wars geek. a pathetic pasty faced geek who goes to any length to get a chunk of cheap crappy plastic just because it has the star wars brand.

star wars has ruined the toys marketplace. it's a dirty word. and places like rebelscum have just made it all worse. screw star wars. there's more to life. better in life. star wars blows chunks.

Are you serious? I'm guessing you're joking since you're still posting on this forum with the rest of us "geeks"...

[2-1B]

So why are you still here? The SW geeks really don't need you and your BS. I would think most of us would be insulted by what you just said. But there's still people around here that kiss your @ss that will probably agree with you. With that said I'm only half serious here.:cross-eye

I ask the same about the prequel haters. lol lol lol
And I'm only a quarter serious. :p

[Tycho]

OK, I buy the Potato Heads. I'll admit that.

Now which ones amongst you are buying that custom chopper crap?

[mabudonicus]

I was gonna wait for the mega clearance on the CC's and then maybe buy a huge lot of them and build a structure based loosely on the designs of Andrew Lloyd Wright.. maybe..... but I ain't buying then til they are being sold for 10 cents a pound, bulk-style

And I am fully serious when I say that Jargo has every right to do whatever the hell he wants, doesn't have to make sense to anyone (and I am not a "fan", I'm a friend of his and if you read his posts like they are emotionally charged Faux news reports, you are making a huge mistake)

[2-1B]

I wasn't offended by Jargo's post, in fact I'll rip on him right now and say I feel the same way he does about Star Wars collectors but also toy collectors in general. Therefore, I feel the same way about Jargo. lol

Now I will return to kissing his arse. I mean :Pirate:rse

:kiss:

[Turbowars]

And I am fully serious when I say that Jargo has every right to do whatever the hell he wants, doesn't have to make sense to anyone (and I am not a "fan", I'm a friend of his and if you read his posts like they are emotionally charged Faux news reports, you are making a huge mistake)Things just got a bit more strange around here with that comment.:cross-eye

[mabudonicus]

*cue twilight zone theme*

I was just beating the "kissing butt" comment made previously to the punch, so to speak, I think if you understood the actual guy behind the screenname it would come off in a totally different way, I don't really collect SW stuff too much anymore either, and I do think that 90% of the stuff out there is useless crap, but I don't have to waste too much time saying so since enough other people are grousing about it and just quoting posts all the time would get boring...

I am personally of the opinion that SW collecting can (and often DOES) get REALLY out of hand- but it is not my place to judge others so I keep that as my own view...

And as for not actively collecting yet remaining on here as an active member- I like it here (soon to be "liked it there" :beard: ) and I can still look at stuff and kinda judge it, look at films and kinda discuss them, report toys I see available in my area...

So there's nothing wrong with thinking that the toys by-and-large SUCK nowadays (got grievous transformer for my b-day nad it is a HORRIBLE POS, so bad no-one seems to have even reviewed it) and still being a member here...

Hopefully that makes things less weird again, man, sorry to make NO sense as I most often do :beard:

[2-1B]

Just don't quit collecting the future members of Stanse and things will be fine as far as your collector's rep goes.