A Shift in Priorities

[Archon_Turtle]

As a collector, I think we all have times when we look at our collections and think, "man... do I really need any of this crap?"

usually, that feeling is fleeting. Lasting only a few moments before we snap out of it. These feelings are natural, and usually don't mean much if anything.

It is when that feeling begins to nag you on a regular basis that you may stop and take notice. This is where I'm at now.

Now before you have a coronary and run around screaming "OMG ARCHON IS SELLING HIS COLLECTION!!!" Let me say that that is not the case. Far from it.

My passion for collecting or the Turtles has not faltered. Nor do I think it ever will. But I think as i have gotten older, my tastes have changed. And I think the burning desire to "HAVE EVERYTHING' is no longer there. I believe I am approaching a state where I only want what I actually want...instead of the impossible "everything". Let me show you something....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/IMAG1122.jpg

Despite not really being able to really see how many crates are in this picture (due to not being able to fit everything in frame, and there being several rows of stacked crates) I'm sure that you can appreciate how much stuff this photo represents. All of these crates are full to the brim of TMNT toys and merch. Toys and merch that I haven't had on display in over 5 years. Most of these crates constitute toys and merch made after 1998. Just about everything in there falls outside my "passion areas". Heck, I'm not even really sure what is in a lot of these.

Long story short, over the next few weeks/months the plan is going to be to sell virtually everything in these crates. And going forward, the collection mantra is going to be "collect it because I want it, not because I need it".

To give you an idea of what is stay and going, here you go:

Staying:

The 88-98 Vintage Toy Collection
The comic collection
Original Art
Most movie props
General rarities
Gifted Items


Going:

A percentage of my bootleg collection
Duplicate comics
Just about every toy after 1998 aside from a handful I really like
Most Miscellaneous TMNT items
Select pieces from the art collection


After this I don't intend on being a completionist collector in any area outside the comics...because that seems to be where my adult passion really lies. The vintage turtle collection is staying because it's 100% complete, and means a great deal to me nostalgically.

Please don't confuse this for a move of desperation. Nor is this forced. There was no pressure from my wife to do this, and I don't "need the money". In fact, the great majority of the money generated from this will most likely get funneled back into the collection in some form.

I'm blessed to say that I am working a LOT right now, so I'm not 100% sure WHEN this is going to start going down (70+ hour weeks are FUN!), but I felt like I needed to say something to make this idea of mine seem more real.

Thanks for listening!

Steph

[CyberCubed]

I did this myself with my old toy collection too. I basically sold all the Turtle varients except for the really good ones.

The 4kids line especially was crap looking back at it now, I can't believe I spent so much money on all the varients then.

[Powder]

I know the feeling, I've considered a bit of downsizing myself. Plus I've realized that I really can't continue to have that "I must buy everything I find with a turtle on it" mentality anymore. Gotta eat. I'm sure it'll be for the best, mang.

[Raph]

Dude, I so know what you mean. I'm 33 now, and still as big a fan as ever, but I've also gotten very selective. I buy the new figures and comics and occasionally some new merch that really stands out. No way am I buying everything I can get :)

[Jester]

I know my 4kids collection needs thinning...I just have to finally sit down and wade through it.

I am however accepting donations of any cool stuff you wanna get rid of, Boss. :P

[Archon_Turtle]

I think I've finally realized that having one of the best collections out there doesnt mean it has to be one of the biggest out there too.

[CyberCubed]

So I guess this means no Lego TMNT for you?

[Jester]

Truer words have never been spoken. Quality over quantity. Sadly I have neither. :D I do have much love for the franchise and quite a bit of nostalgia built around the few things I have and that counts.

[Archon_Turtle]

So I guess this means no Lego TMNT for you?
I'll probably get the base set, or whatever I have to get for those adorable mini-figs...but I doubt you'll see me shelling out 300+ for the exclusives anytime soon.

[CyberCubed]

Sadly I've been thinking of downsizing my comic collection too. I realize I own like 15 different versions of issue #1, especially with all the reprints in the collections.

One day there might come to a point where if everything is collected in trades (hopefully if IDW continually puts them out), I'm considering selling all the individual issues. I want every TMNT story, but I don't need every story multiple times in different trades and formats.

We're still early on in the IDW trades, but if say...5 years from now and we have almost everything collected...it might come to a point where even the comic collection needs to be trimmed.

[Luzmagica]

Im agree about getting what you want and not everything per se....I think at the begining a fan Want everything...and later when we develop the taste we choose more selective stuff....

...Just asking....Will you list in ebay? Will you accept worlwide shipping?....
:tgrin:

[Archon_Turtle]

Im agree about getting what you want and not everything per se....I think at the begining a fan Want everything...and later when we develop the taste we choose more selective stuff....

...Just asking....Will you list in ebay? Will you accept worlwide shipping?....
:tgrin:

It will depend on what the item is Luz. Any high profile stuff will probably go to ebay. But if, for instance, someone on here was to offer me a price I was happy with for all of my 2k3 toys as a single lot, I'd probably take it. A good home is going to be more important to me than a high price.

[Venom]

Power to ya, brotha!

I've had those thoughts, too, on occasion because my collection is not on display and stacked up in my closet and around my room. As you said though, the thought is fleeting because at some point I will be able to.

This is a pivotal moment in your life, man, so I want to congratulate you on the blessings life has bestowed upon you!

A few years ago when I got back into collecting, it was mainly the comics I wanted most, which I still love and will always cherish those moments when I'd get a box from Katie full of books with a little note stuck on top. :tgrin:

There was a few 4Kids! figures I got (the Shredders), and a few I wanted but was in that "I'm 20-something and embarrassed to be buying toys" phase" (Raph (yes, I never got 'im!), the Turtle toddlers, Turtlebot, Usagi, Yoshi), and there's also a couple old school figures I've always liked but never got (Black Lagoon Leo), but while I may get those at some point, it's not a high priority.

I think, personally, the "Pokemon mentality" for me struck at a couple points: when I realized that my collection was big, yes, there is always someone out there with bigger collections (you, Danny, Michelle), and while I occasionally find myself popping on ebay and sporadically bidding on something (the NASA patches), for me, personally, I've decided if it's something I like, I'll get it; if not, I won't. I've liked a lot of the new stuff, so I've gotten it, but things like the IDW Limited label sets or the talking Turtles I'm passing on.

Again, though, I'm truly proud of ya and for you, Steph, and hope one day we'll get to meet (or at least accept my call! :sniff: :twink: )

[mysterycolor]

definitely understandable- i get asked all of the time why i dont have a bigger personal collection- but it is the quality, not quantity- you are, after-all, the one who has to live with all the merch! your collection will always be the best on the drome ♥ glad to know i helped a little with the building of it ;)

[Yep It's A Trap]

I've been saying and thinking this for a while now. I really want my collection to be of quality rather than quantity. I only collect the old figures that have been graded no less than AFA 90 as I want what I collect to be the best condition of what it can be and the most rare too.

What artwork are you on the fence about selling? Maybe some of us can make some offers to help persuade you. Any Mirage art by chance? I'm not interested in the new stuff at all.

[Marksenad]

TMNT hoarders :P I understand bro, I recently got engaged so at the moment money is going other places. I know that you have no reason, but for me it made me step back and look at what i have, what i want and what i should get rid of. It's a tough call for me, and judging by the size of your collection its going to be hard even to sort through those boxes and pick and choose. All the best with it!

[tipet]

It's a very good decision.

Since I've started collecting back in 2008 I have followed some ethic rules that I never break, like buy only what you really want. So I have never asked myself about ... I really need all of this?? Because the answer is: NO! But I want it.

Collecting is only a hobby that makes your live more rich and happier. Nothing else. So all this items that you own, but you don't know, are dispensable because they are not improving your happiness.

[pannoni1]

While I'm not quite there, I tend to collect items that I have a real interest in. For example, my top priorities are the vintage toy line along with pre-Image comics since that was the golden age of the franchise and will always carry meaning to me. I feel that IDW is overdoing it with the reprints, and while some of the newer toys are cool, such as the Secret Sewer Lair and some of the characters unique to 4kids, you don't want to become a hoarder and there is stuff from other fields, whether from other toy/comic franchises or something else such as coins and sports cards so you can have room. For example, when I collected vinyl 45s I started by collecting every record, but soon saw that certain types didn't have appeal such as country and easy listening due to their low value. This is a good indication about what to collect, as in the long run the original vintage toyline will always be more valuable than 4kids and Nick.

Then you have statues and limited edition stuff that only appeals for "trophy items" that are all about consumerism and not love of the product such as the history and usage. As they say, wealth does not necessarily bring joy; it's love that does.

[Shogun26]

You are def not alone in this Archon!
I came to the same thought about a year ago after selling some of my pieces. Why am I selling all this good stuff when I have boxes of random items like magazines and duplicates I could be selling?

Now that school is almost over I have decided to just focus on figures and vehicles and watches and sell the rest. 1988-1998 is def also my range because those are the figures I grew up with.
I do have some volume 1 comics that are first prints and I've been going back and forth on whether I want to sell or keep them. Esp since I've sold my entire Archie series already.

But I def think this is something every collector goes through at one point or another.

[plastroncafe]

As the kids now say, I know those feels, bro.

[Master Splinter]

As the kids now say, I know those feels, bro.

I thought it was more like this...

"Keep your dome upvoted A-T, YOLO, SWAGG SWAGG, AMIRITE?"

-ms

[zkarlette]

I know what you mean, I've been in this mind set for a while now, I don't feel the need of getting everything per se anymore, I just wan't to get things that when I look at them they really make me happy. I wish you lots of luck with all this Archon.:)

[CyberCubed]

Since you're not selling anything of the vintage stuff up to 1998, just curious, how much of the toyline from 2003-2009 did you actually buy?

Did you actually purchase all the 4kids and 2007 movie related figures, or just a smaller amount? I seem to recall you saying that you lost interest in the 4kids line halfway through a few years ago.

[Coro]

I have a list of stuff I am looking for posted in the BST thread. If any of your comics are dupes of those I would love to take them off your hands.

[IamtheNorm]

And now for some slight overreaction

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g470/IamtheNorm/tmnt_Mikey.jpg

[Luzmagica]

^ :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: !!! LOL!!! :rolling:

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

I've been avoiding the TMNT Classic figures for this reason. I'm trying to reason with myself that I already own the vintage figures, which are the real "classics" as far as I'm concerned. I even have the original toon turtles from the early 90's.

I have a feeling the collector in me will win out over reason sooner or later though.

I don't think I'd ever downsize my Ninja Turtles collection, but there are other action figure collections where I've gotten rid of some things. I parted with several Power Rangers last year, keeping only the small figurines that stood on those bases. It's enough to give me a nostalgia kick when I pull them out, and it also means I'm that much less likely to drown in a sea of toys one day.

[Shogun26]

And now for some slight overreaction

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g470/IamtheNorm/tmnt_Mikey.jpg

Love this so much!

[I Crave Pizza No More]

I have almost no interest in collecting any new TMNT stuff. I take pride in my near complete vintage MOC collection, which I've been putting over the course of the past 15 years. I'm driven to acquire these items, the vast majority of which aren't on display, because I hope to one day display them and reconnect with my childhood as much as one can. I also am proud of my complete 2K3 MOC collection because it represent a TMNT renaissance that I never thought would happen, and I truly enjoyed making sometimes daily trips to stores to find the figures I needed. The 88 and 2K3 lines have, and will always have, special meaning to me. But the new stuff, while I can appreciate how well it's done, doesn't really do much for me. I have the four turtles, and along the way I'm sure I'll pick up a few others, but by and large I'm done. I don't have room for more stuff, especially not things that I'd only be buying because I have a vague notion that I should care.

[Scanderson]

I have done the same thing in every area of collecting, and I am much happier having a few high quality pieces. For instance, I have not purchased any of the mass market Nick figures, but I have two complete sets of the numbered Toy Fair turtles. I won't be buying the mass retail Lego figures, but I bought both of the exclusives. There is no pointing having crates of items stacked and stored for me. I want to display and enjoy. If I don't have room to display it, I don't need it. I love my collection. Keep having fun!

[MrPliggins]

I'm in the boat where my collection is largely not displayed, in boxes stacked in my closet, so I do sell things from time to time. Whenever I get the urge to sell my '87 MOC turtles series, I get them out, look at them and change my mind. :lol:

[OA]

Wow...so I just noticed this thread, and all I can say is - welcome to the club brother!

This is EXACTLY what happened to me a few years ago. A couple of things happened in my case. First, I had just pulled everything out of boxes after 20 yrs collecting. And I was ASTOUNDED by the sheer volume. Very cool, no doubt, but really simply too much. And very little of it meant much to me. Especially the carded stuff; when I got into turtles it was loose. Shortly after, I picked up a Gold Turtlemania and gobbledygooks and my comic collection was complete. My toy collection, on card/boxed, was complete as well. All around, I had just as complete a collection as could be had.

I had never sold a thing from my collection. But then, YOU Mr. Archon, came along and did two things: bought my My First Raph, the rare 2 Next Mutation vehicle sets boxed, and my Gold Turtlemania. Letting go of those items, arguably some of the rarest stuff out there, really put me in a place where I realized that I didn't NEED any of this stuff. I had accomplished some major collecting goals, had one of the largest collections around, and it was time to focus on those things that really make me smile when I look at.

So then I start selling. I still have that original thread going strong after 3 years. It was scary to let this stuff go at first. But now hundreds of items have sold and everyone that sells and leave the house, is a bit of relief. But the great thing is the money I make stays in the TMNT world since now all that I exclusively buy is original art.

When the dust settles in my collection, I expect to have my raw comic collection, which is still complete with at least one version of everything (i.e. standard Turtlemania, and no longer Sivler and Gold), my turtles art, and my loose turtle toys that I owed originally as a kid. And when that day comes, I think I'll be the happiest I've ever been as a collector. :)

[cartoonistaaron]

I think I'm in a similar place to TMNTerminator as far as having a bunch of "stuff" that is just "stuff." There's no emotional attachment. I'm letting it go, slowly but surely.

I'd love to get into original art - specifically, packaging art - but that stuff come up so rarely, I can never manage to find a piece of it to buy when I'm ready (i.e. when I can talk my wife into letting me spend the money)...