Hi guys,
I’m quite new around here and searched for this topic to see if it’s been discussed already so apologies if this is a redundant point/query but I was curious to know how other MOC collectors felt about the packaging of their figures?
In my experience, they often arrive from Matty in less than perfect condition. (My subscription Slush Head wasn’t in the best of shape).
I’m not referring to the actual toys themselves as I rarely open mine (although I am conscious of the below standard paintjobs and loose joints from reading many of your posts) but rather the condition of the bubble and cardboard itself. I’m specifically making reference to creases, tears and misshapen plastic.
The reason I bring this up is because I’m an anal perfectionist to the point that I’m often buying duplicates, if only because I’m striving to build a collection of perfectly packaged figures. I even have three or four of some characters (I’m embarrassed to say) especially when I’ve desperately sought after that absolutely perfect bubble and card.
It’s bad enough when I get them off eBay, in less than desirable condition. Of course I never complain and always give positive feedback, as I just see it as par for the course at this stage. However I do issue an exasperated sigh once in a while, when a seller describes a ‘perfectly conditioned’ item and I’m sitting there looking at a bent and creased card.
But when Mattel are guilty of the same thing (especially with reissues - I guess cos they've been knocked around in the warehouses for so long) I find myself wondering if I should really care anymore?
Is there any point in worrying so much and agonizing over this stuff when the toy manufacturer clearly can’t meet the (supposedly) lofty expectations of an adult collector? At least one who places such an emphasis on packaging. I have a few cases from Zoloworld but what’s the point in preserving items I already view as less than immaculate?
I can’t tell if I’m expecting too much from this line and if I should stop buying doubles, triples and quadruples of the same character. Storage is becoming a serious issue and if I hadn’t of cared so much about the quality of the cards, I would already own all of the figures. I need about three or four more to be up to date and have been aggressively purchasing them every month, since I started collecting a year ago.
I take no real satisfaction out of ripping these toys out and playing with them, so I don’t feel I’m missing out, but if I did open them all, at least I wouldn’t have to care so much about the bubbles etc.
On the rare occasion where I do open some, it’s because the packaging is so bad, that I’m just cutting my losses at that stage. Don’t get me wrong, it’s kinda cool posing a figure loosely on my shelf, but these are exceptions to the rule.
It’s not my agenda to bash Toyguru, because I take no satisfaction in that. I love Masters of the Universe, and I’ll collect this line to the bitter end, either way.
I guess I’m just curious about how the rest of you feel as the opinions of my fellow org. members (especially Mint on Card collectors) can help to influence my outlook and give me better perspective.
I didn’t care so much initially, but it feels a bit irrational to just continue this way, especially as the size of the line continues to grow. I’m starting to feel that it’s wiser in the long run just to tolerate the imperfections and not care so much. But I guess there is no right or wrong answer.
Thanks for reading and apologies again if this has been discussed elsewhere.
Regards,
Jamie