[jgawne]

I cannot give you any advice on POPs as I avoid them as they are evil. (evil I tells ya).

But I can say the best thing you can do is spend time searching the web (and facebook!) for groups. Then get known in hem. DO favors for people like pick up something in your area for someone else and sell it to another member for basically cost plus postage. Collect what you like, but if given a chance to get a tough fig do so, as when you know lots of people you can start trading, and probably someone out there will eventually have what you want for something you have. Also put a search on ebay for your dream fig, so you can watch every time one is posted and see what the price is. See what they actually go for, as sometimes you'll see the same one posted week after week, and can make the guy an offer. Or (and this has happened to me) someone will post a buy it now for a reasonable price. Make sure you get to know what other figs sell for.