Boxes and packaging. Do you keep it? Or get rid?

[TCRI]

I started collecting NECA live action turtles. I've got 12 boxes at various sizes. And not sure what to do with them. I don't display boxes, only holding on to them for value sake really.

They just take up so much room. And it's only getting worse. Help me decide ????

[mikey0]

You could save one GameStop package, one Walmart 2 pack package, and one 1/4 scale 1990 live action package for display. The F.H.E. four pack box, Super Shredder package, and Tokka and Rahzar package are all keepers as well. I would throw out the rest or give them away.

[OA]

If you plan on selling at some point, keep them. If just for your use and don't display, no point in keeping. Takes up room that could potentially be used for display other items you really do care about

[vicsavage]

I flatten them. That way I keep the packaging while reducing the amount of space they take up. The exception is the window box figures (Metalhead, Super Shredder, etc.) because there's no good way to flatten them.

[IMJ]

Buy a large tote or two from Lowes and throw them in there for storage. Then throw the tote in your attic or basement.

If you open a carded toy instead of a boxed toy, recycle the cardboard and the plastic.

[coreyrc87]

All the Neca figures I’ve managed to get, the packages have been too banged up to bother keeping. Not sure I’d keep them either way, though... the only ones so far I don’t recycle / throw away are Super 7 - they’re just too nice and well made; and any Hot Toys I have, but I keep them more for storage when I rotate out displays.

[King Kahn]

Toss nearly everything. I have too much stuff I collect to save room to store packaging.

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

I'm an MIB collector so I keep everything. Although with consoles and things of that nature I actually always DO keep the boxes. Some people think that's weird but I've always done that. There is just "something" about a box to me. I have a lot of loose figures as well but the vast majority of my collection is on card and the NECA stuff stays on card as well. I actually love how NECA packages their stuff so that it makes for cool displays if you like to collect on card stuff.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by vicsavage

I flatten them. That way I keep the packaging while reducing the amount of space they take up. The exception is the window box figures (Metalhead, Super Shredder, etc.) because there's no good way to flatten them.

What do you do with the plastic insert trays, though?

[RaphaelinSTL]

Not sure why, but I have all the boxes downstairs from my NECA 1/4th movie line. I guess I liked the packaging a lot and it's nice to have in case I move?

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Powder

What do you do with the plastic insert trays, though?

I thought the same thing - some of the replies here don't make any sense.
Either way with a line like this two very large totes go a long way. Throw some silica packets in them along with your NECA FW and Movie Turtle boxes and the tote goes in your basement or attic.

Boom. Problem solved. But like someone else said about collection size here - I'm definitely over simplifying only to TMNT. It's harder with other stuff - I've got a friggin storage unit essentially full of MOC and MIB figures as well as opened boxes just like I'm describing.

That's why nowadays I'm pretty happy with myself whenever I recycle packaging and just live with the loose figure forever.

[Redrumh2o]

I recently threw out a ton of boxes for NECA, POPs and Bobbleheads..... just took up way way too much space. If I ever sell anything it'll be easier and lighter to ship things.

[vicsavage]

Originally Posted by Powder

What do you do with the plastic insert trays, though?

Throw 'em out. They're just plastic. There's no aesthetic value to them.

[Spidergreg]

I hide them behind my MISB's display.
Running out of space though.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by vicsavage

Throw 'em out. They're just plastic. There's no aesthetic value to them.

At that point, why keep any of it? You can't put it back in the box without that...

[Walkabout]

Nothing worse than half a room (or more) full of boxes of empty boxes.
I might keep card backs or cut up boxes if they are reasonable but I got back sick of keeping boxes years ago.

[inaheap]

Just a thought but most NECA loose are worth around their original retail cost or more anyway. My general rules are out of production figures stay in box/card unless the box/card is really in bad shape. If I want one loose I prefer to wait until I can find one already freed from its plastic house. Currently in production figures are fair game and usually get opened.

[TCRI]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Think I'll do it like this.

Boxes from...

• toys I'm 100% keeping forever = throw away
  
• a series that seems to keep growing, like NECA's live action line = throw away
  
• KOs = throw away
  
• rare or one-off toys, like NECA's 2008 Mirage line or MONDO's 1st turtle = keep
  
• fragile toys, like SH Figuarts = keep
  
• toys I can't find a home for right now ( ) = keep
  

[TCRI]

Originally Posted by T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!

Although with consoles and things of that nature I actually always DO keep the boxes.

I'm the same.

With electronics it's worth it. Especially with midrange consumer electronics items like cameras, consoles and video cameras. I sold a PS3 boxed with games for £150. If it was unboxed it would have been £75 at best.

Cheap and high-end audio equipment I don't bother. Boxes add no value to them.

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by TCRI

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Think I'll do it like this.

Boxes from...

• toys I'm 100% keeping forever = throw away
  
• a series that seems to keep growing, like NECA's live action line = throw away
  
• KOs = throw away
  
• rare or one-off toys, like NECA's 2008 Mirage line or MONDO's 1st turtle = keep
  
• fragile toys, like SH Figuarts = keep
  
• toys I can't find a home for right now ( ) = keep
  

This is... pretty much exactly what I do as well. Although I don't know that I would've outlined it like this until I read it and realized that this is basically what I do. LOL!