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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Jan 8, 2003 11:04:27 GMT -5
...so.... Here's a loaded question-- Where do you see the most robot sales growth-- tin toys, plastic models, plastic toys, PVC toys, diecast toys, or another material? .....then..... Do you see this as being driven by profits or by what the "fans/kids" want?
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Post by shaxper on Jan 8, 2003 12:21:20 GMT -5
I have a little mental calculation for this. Take a toyline that's extremely popular with adolescents (13-15 years old). These are the kids that haven't been affected by the "I'm too old to play with toys" syndrome, buying their own toys with their allowance, and wishing badly that they could buy more.
Now, wait 7 years, or look back at a toyline like this from 7 years ago. That will be the hot item for the year. Those 14-15 year olds now have real jobs and real money coming in for the first time, and they're bound to find ebay. It worked for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Generally, when these toys are six years old, they'll still be considered too recent to be collector's items, so you can usually buy them up cheap right before they're worth big bucks.
Another one that works are toy lines that are 14-15 years old. These are the toylines that the new workforce grew up with at a tender age, and chances are even the kids who did stop playing with toys will want these. However, because of their age, many of these are identified as collector's items earlier on and cannot be found as cheap.
So, as a partial answer to your question, I think golden oldies can only depreciate with value. As the adults who grew up with these toylines get older, they have other things to do with their money (houses, weddings, kids, etc), or simply end up getting all the toys they want. The next generation of kids isn't anywhere near as likely to take an interest in these older toys. Some of us are exceptions, but most aren't. If I say "Transformers" to any of my friends, they get excited immediately and talk about the ones they wish they had (and some don't even collect toys). Mention Mego toys and they say "oh, that's nice". Same, I'm sure, is true for Chogokin, Jumbo Machinder, Diaclone, Microman, and such.
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Post by GettaRoboG on Jan 8, 2003 14:23:23 GMT -5
I guess I can throw my $.02 in....but I really don't see much growth in the Robot collecting hobby. About 2-4 years ago, it was HUGE....internet sales were up...and the computer industry was still a boomin'. Banpresto was producing all kinds of really cool renditions of "old school" robots, Bandai released some of the greatest new toys (SOCs), and robo anime was back (Shin Getter, Escafklowne, GaoGaiGar, Nadesico, Vandread, Gasaraki, etc...). BUT....Huge layoffs and the downfall of the dotcoms send a shock wave through and really slowed progress of collecting...lets face it...2002 was dismal for new toys. A few goodies made it out....like the Unifive diecast Astroboy, the diecast Mazinkaiser, and some cool new sentai robos. What actually seems "hot" are the gaming stuff....cards (even Gundam), video games, and Clix MechaWarrior went through their phases. My kids still pick up and collect the Gundam gaming cards....and trade and play with other kids at school. My kids love the Gundam action figures....nothing to assemble....just pull and play. Lets face it...they're cheap (in the US stores) and kids can have a toy that resembles what they watch on TV...THATS HUGE these days. As for value increases and collecting for profit (geesh I hate that)....it depends on who and how many collectors you know....and how many people expected the particular toy (whatever it is) to be a "cash cow". But my feeling is....toys are not gold....they are toys to be enjoyed...held, and displayed (if you want gold....then invest in gold). I cannot keep a toy in the box....if I spend my "hard earned money" on something...by golly...I am gonna get my moneys worth in play and display time. The big issue for MIB collectors today...is that there are tools like ebay....so thousands of collectors now keep sets of MIB toys....when you think about it.....if thousands of people keep their toys MIB....do you really think there will be any "big money" for them later...probably not, unless it was a limited production run or something. (i.e. look at Star Wars or later Transformers line...the only valuable pieces really are later toys in limited release....or simply vintage stuff (back in the day when Toys were purchased for kids and kids eagerly ripped them babies out and played). But as far as the hobby, I really have to say...buy, collect, and sell what you like.....if you like it...and are enthusiastic about it....others with the same interest will be drawn and can share, trade, sell, and buy from you (if this is a business thing)
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Jan 8, 2003 14:46:14 GMT -5
I agree GRG My intent has always been to satisfy my interests and have fun. Pictures are my way of playing with the toys and enjoying them while I travel for work. In this posting I was wondering what trends in robots do you see. For instance if you sat in the late 70's with a crystal ball you would predict that Gundam would be the future craze in Japan. Then in the 80's you would predict that Senti Series would be hot. So I am trying to predict the next big robot toy of the 2000's . It could be a nostalgic toy line, current toy, or an upcoming line that sets the decade's trends.
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Post by shaxper on Jan 8, 2003 16:18:36 GMT -5
I think, with the American toy market being dominated by Hasbro (which sells cheap, cost-effective items at a high markup), a truly quality line would shine brilliantly in contrast, and probably have the same shelf tag price. For those that believe traditional toys are dead, that's mostly because nothing good is being offered, and the bad stuff is expensive. This is probably why Power Rangers remains one of the most popular toy lines out there. Bandai maintains the quality. If Hasbro had control of these things, they'd all be light plastic with horrible paint jobs and still sell for the same price.
I'd really like to see a toyline that strives for something larger. My mind goes back to Star Wars, which was so big because the toys were a universe in and of themselves. The figures remained uniform in size throughout the life of the original series and had countless playsets and vehicles. I don't see any series (including Star Wars) offering that now. Part of me wonders if the new Machine Robo series (with each robot being about 6 inches tall) could ultimately strive for that (plus, hopefully, use better quality on playsets and vehicles than Star Wars had). Machine Robo/Go Bots made a few lame attempts at playsets back in the 80s. Maybe it's time to try again. I'd love to see that!
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Post by jwm on Feb 13, 2003 20:28:11 GMT -5
I have the advantage of having a good anime store not too far away from where I live. I've seen a lot of decent character toys, but the really impressive displays are the model kits. A well detailed Master grade , or especially Perfect grade Gundam is a more impressive shelf piece than most of the older toys. The effort spent building is worth it, too, even though I have heard of people paying to have their kits built for them. I think that modeling is the direction of the future. JWM
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Feb 15, 2003 9:28:49 GMT -5
jwm,
True. I would agree that model kits do have a bright future in the US. Gundam models/ Bandai have raised the bar very high with their percision and fit.
Then there is something to the idea that a toy can be broken apart and then put back together again. The press fits of the Gundam lend themselves to battle damage and then repair. As a kid I always found that fun. GI Joe, some transformers, and Legos could be damaged and then re-built.
-E
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Post by jwm on Mar 10, 2003 20:12:09 GMT -5
I jusy had an idea for the ultimate collectible robot. As I wrote last, I predict modeling as the best trend in very cool shelf toys. If you have done a Perfect Grade Gundam kit, imagine this: Heirloom Grade-- 1/25th scale, all parts die cast metal with anodized finish, assembly by machine screw & allen wrench, kit complete with base and display box... Cost? Who cares, you'd pay it off eventually. Anyone at Bandai listening? JWM
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Mar 10, 2003 23:02:15 GMT -5
That kind of reminds me of their metal grade kit. -The new gundam kit in an alumimum suitcase is "kind of like" that. I like your idea better There are some Italian Ferrari kits like that.
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Post by Otaru Ikari on Mar 11, 2003 12:55:35 GMT -5
I'll go with shaxper.
Think like a kid look for a popular toy now that kids love but hardly able to purchase without saving their allowance. Something that by the time they have their own job, they will definitley purchase, since they missed the chance of getting the toy when they were young. Those toys will have the Nostalgia factor running on them too.
Though I don't like the Armada toys I think since this is currently what kids like, then get the ones from the armada line that are popular, rare , big and expensive for a kid.
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Post by jwm on Mar 14, 2003 17:02:08 GMT -5
Wow! Be careful what you wish for. I was thinking of the 1/25th scale Gundam super model. Well what do you know, It already exists. Check out Big Bad Toystore. It was easy to be flip about spending a fortune on a toy- actually looking at a seven hundred seventy plus price tag ... I gotta' admit I'm as intimidated. (How can I get it past my wife?) as I am tempted (time heals all wounds?) IwantitIwantitIwantit... JWM
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Post by Otaru Ikari on Mar 15, 2003 11:47:34 GMT -5
Wow! Be careful what you wish for. I was thinking of the 1/25th scale Gundam super model. Well what do you know, It already exists. Check out Big Bad Toystore. It was easy to be flip about spending a fortune on a toy- actually looking at a seven hundred seventy plus price tag ... I gotta' admit I'm as intimidated. (How can I get it past my wife?) as I am tempted (time heals all wounds?) IwantitIwantitIwantit... JWM Where....where...where oh oh oh where ?...I think I missed it, any links please .
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Post by jwm on Mar 15, 2003 12:14:25 GMT -5
click on the link to big bad toystore. find Gundam models. Look for the 1/24 scale RX78-2
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Post by Omni Existence on Mar 15, 2003 12:27:33 GMT -5
The hobby is a real pain, that's what it is! ;D
Seriously though, I think manufacturers are catering to both kids and adult collectors.
A good example would be the TF toys. Most old school collectors can't stomach the new toysf for the TF line. The Armada line getting the most flak. The designs are so cheap on the Armada (sorry about that) that it generates PUKES from most adult collectors, but kids love the hell out of them. So out comes the G1 re-issues for the old schoolers, and everyone is happy.
As for the 1/24 scale RX. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it's sure to be something awesome, and this is only the second time I said that about a kit. The first time was for the HGUC 1/144 Dendrobium kit. On the other hand, it's too pricey it aint even funny.
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Post by Otaru Ikari on Mar 15, 2003 13:07:56 GMT -5
click on the link to big bad toystore. find Gundam models. Look for the 1/24 scale RX78-2 Thanks ......... but darn that is gonna kill my wallet, my piggy bank oh yeah and my bank account
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Post by jwm on Mar 18, 2003 14:37:59 GMT -5
RE: Kamikazi pilots: It was a rule.
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