When I was about 12, I’d buy toys that I thought were “rare” or “collector’s item”.  Sometimes, I’d spend my hard earned allowance on crappy figures that toy magazines were hyping as hard to find.  Most of the figures were terrible but I still bought them.  Maybe that’s why they were rare to begin with: no one wanted them in the first place.  Whatever the reason, I followed the magazines blindly.  Instead of buying toys because I liked the character or because I thought it looked cool, I was buying it for its “value”.   I was becoming a sheep.

One of the crappy toys I bought

After a while, I realized that I was getting stressed out instead of enjoying my hobby.  I thought about it and decided that I should buy whatever I wanted.  I wasn’t going to let the magazines influence me.  This was also the time where everything had to be mint on card, but I did the opposite.  I opened up my toys up and displayed them.  I hate keeping unopened toys (Although I still have some today but that’s because I don’t have room to display all of it).  It defeats the purpose of buying of a toy when you can’t play with it.  I think my old mentality can also relate to other hobbies, especially comics and basketball cards.  When you aren’t having fun anymore, just stop what you’re doing and ask yourself:

Why did I get into this hobby in the first place?

And I’m sure the answer will be something positive: fun, exciting, interesting, enjoyment.  It won’t be: investment, completist, mint condition.  Enjoy your hobby but don’t let it own you(Fight Club message of the week!).

Today, most of the toys I bought for its value are below its retail price.  Not only did I lose money my great investment, I also missed out on some cool toys back in the day.  Although, those cool toys can also be had for a really affordable price on eBay.  Now excuse me while I search eBay for Batman: Animated Series figures.

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