[trebleshot]

I think Shin covered it best, regarding the general appeal of the 1/6" collectibles (especially Hot Toys and Sideshow products).

Personally, I don't collect them as they are just too pricey for my budget. But I am usually one of the first to praise the latest offering (or in rare moments, decry the latest defect/issue).

My collecting habits tend to stay somewhere between $6 - $50 and I currently collect Transformers, G.I.Joe, Marvel Universe, Iron Man 2 and Star Wars.

Transformers are my primary focus, and I have been collecting them since they debuted in 1984 when I was a kid. So I guess you could say it's partly nostalgia, but since I never stopped I'm not really buying back my childhood when it comes to TFs.

As for the others, I'm much more of a casual collector and only tend to buy things that appeal to me or have some nostalgic link. But there's nothing in me that drives me to buy all of them (or at least make an attempt). Also, that list is subject to change as some lines die off and others rise up to take their place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabretoothe

there is two types of collector: the fan who wants the best representation of the character/vehicle/item and then the investor who sees the longterm value of an item and uses it for financial purposes. the popularity of the character aids greatly to the appeal.

While that may cover the majority of 1/6" collectors, there are other types of toy collectors - even at that scale.

One other type, which is much more rare in the case of Hot Toys/Sideshow merchandise, is the completist (or completionist). These collectors seek to complete a specific set of some kind, and the definition of that set can be highly subjective.

For example, there are a few things that I collect where I would consider myself to be a completist. First and foremost is anything regarding the Transformers character Soundwave (and his minions). He was the first TF I ever owned and my favorite character on the 80's TV show.

Another example is what started off as the Revenge of the Fallen scout-class series. So far, I own every one that has been released to retail, including redecos and figures released under the Hunt For The Decepticons subline.

I also tend to apply this subjective reasoning to other aspects of my toy collecting, but that's what makes it fun for me.