Buying older figures is getting expensive

[Deleted]

I must have started collecting at the right time because I can't believe some of the prices on the older Elites anymore. Figures that are only like a year or two old are going for higher prices than I can ever remember. Sellers asking $300 for a Batista is wild. I only collect Legends, though, btw.

I remember the first figures I bought off Ebay, about 4 years ago ... got DM Hogan in package for like $25, even Legends series Dusty, Snuka, Rock, Sting, Taker, Austin, etc. and I don't think I ever spent more than around $30 for a lot of them. A lot were also in package.

Anyone else notice how expensive the aftermarket figures are getting? I'm just wondering if due to the pandemic if collectors and sellers are just buying EVERYthing, driving up the cost v demand?

[LA Times]

It's been that way for like 2 years now. For some reason, there is a boom for older figures and recent store exclusives and sellers are making off like bandits.

[stc13]

It's crazy how much prices have risen, even before COVID sent collectibles through the roof. I started collecting 4-5 years ago, and was able to pick up most of what I wanted for under $10-15 loose in terms of legends.

Even in the last year or two I was able to buy the Bushwackers, LOD, Rockers, Demolition, Legends Piillman, and some others at a fraction of what they're selling for right now. I really feel bad for anyone who is trying to start a collection right now.

[Artie Kendall]

I sold a couple of extra Legends last year and was able to get the Fellini box set and a few more Criterion titles during the 50% off sale.

[Deleted]

It sucks that they cost so much but I understand. Play the long game.

[CM Tusk]

There’s a handful I want, but really have to question if I want to spend $300+ on them. Market is really booming though. I’ve spent a few grand in the last year just building my collection since I started so late.

[walkingturtles]

My dream setup is all the Hart Foundation from 1997 with their jackets. To get that Bulldog, Hitman and Pillman plus a nice Owen custom, you are talking well over a $1000. Not worth it. Especially since Mattel still can make Bret and Bulldog at least and give us those looks.

[Mongo Bears]

My babies is going to college

[JokerFC]

In my experience? The after market on Mattel stuff has been insanity since about 2015... particularly for Flashbacks.

If I think I even remotely want a figure now I get it straight away.

[rkmo: Autonomous Meat Shield]

The lizard people making off like gangbusters. Gonna get gold rims on their drill tanks at this rate.

[crush]

It's also become a self-fulfilling prophecy at this point. Sellers know that Mattel WWE figures are going up in value, so any figure that's older is priced as a hard to find piece, which in-turn makes them a hard to find piece.

[kennyw86v2]

Are we really doing this again? We do this every other week.

[Deleted]

The market will crash. It's inevitable. Once people start going back outside and interacting with the world this bubble will burst then people will be on here crying about how much money they lost on their collections.

[WCWThunderRosa]

Jan 26, 2021 20:29:11 GMT -5 @iamcline said:

The market will crash. It's inevitable. Once people start going back outside and interacting with the world this bubble will burst then people will be on here crying about how much money they lost on their collections.

And I’ll be there to scoop up all the figures

[stc13]

Jan 26, 2021 20:40:06 GMT -5 WCWThunderRosa said:

Jan 26, 2021 20:29:11 GMT -5 @iamcline said:

The market will crash. It's inevitable. Once people start going back outside and interacting with the world this bubble will burst then people will be on here crying about how much money they lost on their collections.

And I’ll be there to scoop up all the figures

Not figures, since I'm pretty well caught up.  But I'm definitely looking forward to a buyer's market for a lot of collectibles.  I've seen a lot of people new to collecting come into different hobbies since the pandemic thinking everything they buy will turn to gold.  There will be tears.

[WCWThunderRosa]

Jan 26, 2021 20:47:18 GMT -5 stc13 said:

Jan 26, 2021 20:40:06 GMT -5 WCWThunderRosa said:

And I’ll be there to scoop up all the figures

Not figures, since I'm pretty well caught up.  But I'm definitely looking forward to a buyer's market for a lot of collectibles.  I've seen a lot of people new to collecting come into different hobbies since the pandemic thinking everything they buy will turn to gold.  There will be tears.

You think this will finally pop the funko pop bubble?

[warlord]

Jan 26, 2021 20:40:06 GMT -5 WCWThunderRosa said:

Jan 26, 2021 20:29:11 GMT -5 @iamcline said:

The market will crash. It's inevitable. Once people start going back outside and interacting with the world this bubble will burst then people will be on here crying about how much money they lost on their collections.

And I’ll be there to scoop up all the figures

Not if I scoop em up first.

[~*Young $ Money*~]

It isn’t just older figures. Buying new stuff adds up quick as hell also and empties the pockets. I wish so much didn’t come out so fast. Whatever I skip starts to jump in price but whatever I buy seems to not go that high.

[NoseBleedcollectibles]

I started in 2014 at 17 yrs old I wish I bought duplicates of a lot of figures especially the defining moments. I remember seeing toys r us and Walmart loaded with Austin and hogan DM

[firebrand32]

I’m going to wait and comment on next week’s new thread about this “trend”.