Fig hunting: wheres line between fun hobby and over the top

[Jackass Pacific]

i hit the line quite a while ago. its just not worth it for me. i only check the aisles when i'm already at walmart or target for something else. if i stumble across something i like, cool. but i don't go out searching for anything anymore

[jt]

I personally only go looking when it's around the street date for something I want or I'm already shopping at a Walmart or Target. Im a bit picky though so I only actively go hunting quarterly, I'll hit like up to 4 or 5 stores but I usually get what im after on the second one.

I think as long as it isn't hurting you financially or putting off more important stuff to go hunting you're good.

[champofakind]

Jul 10, 2024 21:57:18 GMT -5 Jackass Pacific said:

i hit the line quite a while ago. its just not worth it for me. i only check the aisles when i'm already at walmart or target for something else. if i stumble across something i like, cool. but i don't go out searching for anything anymore

This is where I've hit. If it's a figure I really want I end up using the bay.

[theberb217]

This is the situation I was in tonight. Wanted to stop at walmart before they closed at 11. The entire night at work I was trying to hurry and get all my tasks done so that I could leave early. Thankfully, was able to find the shipper, but it kind of hits you later that it shouldn't be that much of a priority as a grown man, lol.

[mrh]

Jul 10, 2024 18:08:04 GMT -5 Flair Forever said:

Jul 10, 2024 17:45:16 GMT -5 mrh said:

Legit question -- with the amount of driving you're doing looking for these, it would probably be the same amount of money to buy decently priced ones on eBay.

I know it's not as exciting as the thrill of the chase (and I wouldn't order figures like that unless I really wanted them) -- is that the reason you don't do that? Or more a principle thing?

It's a huge principal thing. I think scalping is highly immoral and not an honest way of making money. And that goes for everything, from concert tickets, to Hot Wheels, to collectibles, etc.

I've proudly always had a full-time job for the last 30 years, I've never sold a figure for profit, and I've never bought anything with the intent to sell it. I buy the figures because I love the hobby and I think those guys are ruining it. I only buy two of something when I either think I might want to get it signed - - - or if it has unique, cool packaging that I might want to display.

And honestly? I don't think these things are going to be worth much in the long run. I cringe when people on here crow about "holding value" and such. If you really want to make money, get into investing, stock market, etc. These are mass-produced plastic action figures. I truly have no interest in paying anything more than retail price for them. And I am willing to drive to the store to get them. But it's becoming so.... damn.... hard.

I was divorced three years ago and money is tight. I stopped collecting for almost two years because of that. Money is still tight for me and I probably buy more figures than I should - but I can't justify spending $50 for figures that should cost $20 at retail. I buy them because they bring me joy, and this is a time in my life when I need that joy.

But these empty pegs, and the corresponding social-media photos of people with two of each MNW figure putting them up for sale from the parking lot is sucking the joy out of this for me. And like the Original Poster here - - - I'm really questioning whether all this time I'm spending driving around to Walmart(s) is worth it. Maybe these little figures - - - aren't so important?

I wish they just did it like Target and we could guarantee a way to just get our hands on these at retail price. Is that too much to ask?

Beautifully said and written.

It's truly sad to see all these people so disappointed by how hard it is to find figures.

How Do Ya Figure? just did a great post in the SoCal forum about how much effort he put in to try and find any MNW.

I wish people like Action Figure Attack and the rest of the team at Mattel would see what this is personally doing to collectors' passion and feelings.

[FBtagteamsrule]

I hit local walmart when they open on my way home from work 4 days a week. No sign of MNW wave 3 yet but wouldn't be surprised if I don't find it. Surprised I got wave 1 & 2 honestly.

[DOD_Figures]

Jul 10, 2024 17:45:16 GMT -5 mrh said:

Jul 10, 2024 16:40:53 GMT -5 Flair Forever said:

I'm questioning this in my own life surrounding this Monday Night Wars debacle;

It's rewarding when you do find that unicorn figure that you've been looking for.... kind of makes "the hunt" worthwhile.... but this MNW Series has resulted in 50+ Walmart trips with zero Unicorns to show for it..... so I decided enough was enough and it's time to stop. No use searching for something that isn't there.

I work 8-10 hours per day, so to go figure-hunting for another 3-4 hours after work (or even on my day off) might feel worth it if I was actually FINDING anything, but I'm not - and it's starting to feel like a tremendous pain in the rear & a huge waste of time, that I could (SHOULD) be spending doing other things.

Unfortunately, Walmart holds all the cards here - and they have made it very clear that they do not care and nothing will ever change. For whatever reason, they are perfectly fine leaving money on the table and leaving customers very, very frustrated. It's a shame that two big companies like Walmart and Mattel - can't do better than this for their biggest supporters.

So I'm consciously scaling back the hunt. Can't keep doing this for several hours every day. If I need some other supplies, or I'm driving by and have some time, I'll check.... otherwise I'm going to sit and HOPE.... that my Series 3 pre-orders actually come in the mail like they're supposed to.

FOMO is a serious problem for me - - - but I'm afraid I'm going to have to miss out on some of these Monday Night Wars (and whatever Walmart's next series is) because it's no longer worth it to me to keep doing this.

Legit question -- with the amount of driving you're doing looking for these, it would probably be the same amount of money to buy decently priced ones on eBay.

I know it's not as exciting as the thrill of the chase (and I wouldn't order figures like that unless I really wanted them) -- is that the reason you don't do that? Or more a principle thing?

This is, unfortunately, my way of perceiving the situation. The walmart exclusives, for the most part, are some of the most desirable to me. So, even if I have to pay double, It's worth it to me just to buy them on the secondary market.

With the cost of gas, putting milage on your vehicle, and most importantly the time wasted, that I do not have, it is just so much easier and I believe less costly just to order them at a mark up. Especially considering the high probability of not even finding them at all and having to pay the mark up down the road anyway. At my age, the "thrill of the hunt" and finding in stores has long passed, as I'd just rather obtain the figure in the easiest manner possible.

Not to mention the awkward look from the staff of walking in and walking right out like I stole something ha.

[Deep Figure Value]

I just go when I can sneak a trip or a couple hours in. It's just figures. Some of y'all really play up the hardships of adulting in life like it's some undue burden cast upon you and you alone. If something isn't bringing you joy and isn't a necessity in life, stop doing it.

When the WrestleMania shipper was hitting I took my kid out on a few hunts because one of the things we can share together is our love of toys. We drove all over creation and definitely came up empty handed but man we had fun. I don't think I've even opened the three figures I was chasing on that hunt yet, but he still asks me if we're gonna do that again sometime because it was fun. We literally just drove around to stores looking at toys and getting snacks/lunch along the way. Even just typing this I had to stop and think about what figures I was after.

I used to be into comic books and I quit pretty cold turkey cause it no longer brought me happiness. When figs hit that point, I'll quit those too. Life is too short to be angy over little plastic men.

[ztj_wwf]

To me, over the top is when you feel like you are buying things you don't even need just to be a completist or whatever. Sometimes I feel that way buying newer guys, as I don't watch the product anymore, but feel the need to keep getting top (or near the top) guys.

[captncharisma19]

Jul 11, 2024 7:15:56 GMT -5 ztj_wwf said:

To me, over the top is when you feel like you are buying things you don't even need just to be a completist or whatever. Sometimes I feel that way buying newer guys, as I don't watch the product anymore, but feel the need to keep getting top (or near the top) guys.

Every fig is a "legend" fig when it eventually releases 😂🙃

[mrh]

Jul 11, 2024 7:20:45 GMT -5 thep1 said:

Jul 11, 2024 1:43:51 GMT -5 mrh said:

Beautifully said and written.

It's truly sad to see all these people so disappointed by how hard it is to find figures.

How Do Ya Figure? just did a great post in the SoCal forum about how much effort he put in to try and find any MNW.

I wish people like Action Figure Attack and the rest of the team at Mattel would see what this is personally doing to collectors' passion and feelings.

That's not either Mattel's or Steve's problem if toys, or lack thereof, are affecting someone that badly.

They make a figure almost no one can find, and people spend hours driving to find.  *Anyone* would be angry and frustrated in that situation -- and not want to collect.  I'd love to see you go to 10 Walmarts looking for something, never find it, and tell me you're not pissed off.

Mattel and Walmart made it that way with these.

[thep1]

Jul 11, 2024 7:24:22 GMT -5 mrh said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:20:45 GMT -5 thep1 said:

That's not either Mattel's or Steve's problem if toys, or lack thereof, are affecting someone that badly.

They make a figure almost no one can find, and people spend hours driving to find.  *Anyone* would be angry and frustrated in that situation -- and not want to collect.  I'd love to see you go to 10 Walmarts looking for something, never find it, and tell me you're not pissed off.

Mattel and Walmart made it that way with these.

Read my post on page 1 or throughout the TX thread. I have been going everyday since 6/30, mult times a day. I am not the least bit upset about striking out. I am not "blaming Steve, Mattel, or WM." I have a level-head and realize that it's not that serious at all. Not finding an action figure does not constitute a first world problem.
On the other hand, at the end of the day, my life is quite okay after I strike out at all 5 of my daily WM stops/day, if that's the worst that has happened to me.

[Flair Forever]

Jul 11, 2024 7:29:41 GMT -5 thep1 said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:24:22 GMT -5 mrh said:

They make a figure almost no one can find, and people spend hours driving to find.  *Anyone* would be angry and frustrated in that situation -- and not want to collect.  I'd love to see you go to 10 Walmarts looking for something, never find it, and tell me you're not pissed off.

Mattel and Walmart made it that way with these.

Read my post on page 1 or in the TX thread. I have been going everyday since 6/30, mult times a day. I am not the least bit upset about striking out. I am not "blaming Steve, Mattel, or WM." I have a level-head and realize that it's not that serious at all. Not finding an action figure does not constitute a first world problem.
On the other hand, at the end of the day, my life is quite okay after I strike out at all 5 of my daily WM stops/day, if that's the worst that has happened to me.

Dude this is a message board dedicated to discussing the Mattel wrestling figures. We all have full lives outside of here and believe me, these figures aren't my #1 life priority (although it might seem that way on here because this is what we focus on)... it's a hobby that I usually enjoy. Sometimes I love it. Right now, I'm frustrated with it. When my Ultimate Hall & Nash, & Ultimate Steiners come in the mail from Ringside, I'll be a very happy collector!

LOL believe me, I don't walk into the office at work and go "Dammit, Walmart didn't have that MNW Kevin Nash again!" as nobody there would understand or care LOL. But I feel like I should be able to say that here?

Wrestlingfigs is supposed to be a "safe place" for us to celebrate, enjoy, share, laugh, complain, vent, compare notes, and help each other find these figures.

Honestly I find it a little re-assuring to see that other people are frustrated with this Monday Night Wars distribution just like I am. No need to minimize that. It's a legit concern among collectors and we have every right to talk about it here.

I wonder what people are thinking who DON'T read these posts on Wrestlingfigs and just wonder why these Walmarts are empty all the time.

[thep1]

Jul 11, 2024 7:50:19 GMT -5 Flair Forever said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:29:41 GMT -5 thep1 said:

Read my post on page 1 or in the TX thread. I have been going everyday since 6/30, mult times a day. I am not the least bit upset about striking out. I am not "blaming Steve, Mattel, or WM." I have a level-head and realize that it's not that serious at all. Not finding an action figure does not constitute a first world problem.
On the other hand, at the end of the day, my life is quite okay after I strike out at all 5 of my daily WM stops/day, if that's the worst that has happened to me.

Dude this is a message board dedicated to discussing the Mattel wrestling figures. We all have full lives outside of here and believe me, these figures aren't my #1 life priority (although it might seem that way on here because this is what we focus on)... it's a hobby that I usually enjoy. Sometimes I love it. Right now, I'm frustrated with it. When my Ultimate Hall & Nash, & Ultimate Steiners come in the mail from Ringside, I'll be a very happy collector!

LOL believe me, I don't walk into the office at work and go "Dammit, Walmart didn't have that MNW Kevin Nash again!" as nobody there would understand or care LOL. But I feel like I should be able to say that here?

Wrestlingfigs is supposed to be a "safe place" for use to celebrate, enjoy, share, laugh, complain, vent, compare notes, and help each other find these figures.

Honestly I find it a little re-assuring to see that other people are frustrated with this Monday Night Wars distribution just like I am. No need to minimize that. It's a legit concern among collectors and we have every right to talk about it here.

I wonder what people are thinking who DON'T read these posts on Wrestlingfigs and just wonder why these Walmarts are empty all the time.

I attacked nobody. But to blame others because you allow yourself to get that upset over not finding a figure is a little overboard. You're right, nothing wrong with venting or being bummed out, but there is a stark difference between venting/being bummed and, again, getting that worked up that it is impacting your life that badly. At that point, it's called self-reflection.

[Flair Forever]

Jul 11, 2024 8:01:23 GMT -5 thep1 said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:50:19 GMT -5 Flair Forever said:

Dude this is a message board dedicated to discussing the Mattel wrestling figures. We all have full lives outside of here and believe me, these figures aren't my #1 life priority (although it might seem that way on here because this is what we focus on)... it's a hobby that I usually enjoy. Sometimes I love it. Right now, I'm frustrated with it. When my Ultimate Hall & Nash, & Ultimate Steiners come in the mail from Ringside, I'll be a very happy collector!

LOL believe me, I don't walk into the office at work and go "Dammit, Walmart didn't have that MNW Kevin Nash again!" as nobody there would understand or care LOL. But I feel like I should be able to say that here?

Wrestlingfigs is supposed to be a "safe place" for use to celebrate, enjoy, share, laugh, complain, vent, compare notes, and help each other find these figures.

Honestly I find it a little re-assuring to see that other people are frustrated with this Monday Night Wars distribution just like I am. No need to minimize that. It's a legit concern among collectors and we have every right to talk about it here.

I wonder what people are thinking who DON'T read these posts on Wrestlingfigs and just wonder why these Walmarts are empty all the time.

I attacked nobody. But to blame others because you allow yourself to get that upset over not finding a figure is a little overboard. You're right, nothing wrong with venting or being bummed out, but there is a stark difference between venting/being bummed and, again, getting that worked up that it is impacting your life that badly. At that point, it's called self-reflection.

Right and I think that's the whole point of this thread, "self-reflection". Some of us are wondering if we've gone overboard searching for these figures and if it's even worth it. Some of us are pumping the brakes on this "hunting" thing because it isn't panning out well and we're realizing we could be spending our efforts on better things. I thought it was an interesting discussion.

I think we can all agree that if these were available in better quantities we likely wouldn't even be having this discussion. I see zero complaints on here about Target Legends distribution. We would all be very happy if Walmart just addressed the numerous issues, but that doesn't seem to be happening. If you wanna call that "blame" then okay, I guess.... believe me, I really, really wish that we didn't need to discuss "Walmart's Poor Distribution" ALL THE TIME.... but it's just that bad.

but I do wish people would stop blaming Steve for it as I'm pretty sure he has nothing to do with distribution, other than to be able to offer direct feedback to Mattel.

Again, I thought these kinds of discussions are what Wrestlingfigs was here for.

[captncharisma19]

Jul 11, 2024 7:24:22 GMT -5 mrh said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:20:45 GMT -5 thep1 said:

That's not either Mattel's or Steve's problem if toys, or lack thereof, are affecting someone that badly.

They make a figure almost no one can find, and people spend hours driving to find.  *Anyone* would be angry and frustrated in that situation -- and not want to collect.  I'd love to see you go to 10 Walmarts looking for something, never find it, and tell me you're not pissed off.

Mattel and Walmart made it that way with these.

we are "friends" on the Texas board and I can confirm that they don't get pissed after striking out 10 times. That said, I do somewhat "blame Mattel/Walmart" because Target doesn't have the issues 🤷

[Sting]

it gets worse where i am (the UK) as we dont have walmart 🤣

i've no choice but to pay way over the rrp for eddie now.
im ok doing that for a handful of figures.
if it starts going into 5+ per year like that its time to stop collecting.

Flair Forever i'm in the same boat, these discussions are what Wrestlingfigs is here for

[darkprophet]

I’m at a point in my collecting where I am focusing only on my favorite era, the WWF/LJN era, and generally just want one of each talent. Luckily, I can typically get what I’m looking for direct from Mattel Creations (Coliseum Collection) or Target as a preorder or drive up pickup (Legends). There’s been the occasional figure where I “bit the bullet” and paid secondary market prices, such as 80’s Davey Boy Smith Elite, Powers of Pain Warlord, and SDCC Sgt Slaughter. But since these are few and far between, combining this with my being physically handicapped and valuing my time with family (the old “time is money” cliche), for me it’s worth it. Now, if I was trying to get the full MNW line, or let’s say the CC and/or Legends line were Walmart exclusive, I’d likely have more complaints. It really is head scratching when a collector base is wanting to give companies money (Mattel and Walmart) and their behavior suggests, “Nah, we’re good.” This thread conveys the legitimate risk of losing loyal costumers this is creating.

[AxelSmackdown]

I mean I’m basically addicted to/insane for going to a Walmart, sometimes 2, almost if not every day just trying to find something new. Most times it seems like I don’t even get anything and just leave shortly if not directly after.

[Rock-Is-King]

Jul 11, 2024 8:01:23 GMT -5 thep1 said:

Jul 11, 2024 7:50:19 GMT -5 Flair Forever said:

Dude this is a message board dedicated to discussing the Mattel wrestling figures. We all have full lives outside of here and believe me, these figures aren't my #1 life priority (although it might seem that way on here because this is what we focus on)... it's a hobby that I usually enjoy. Sometimes I love it. Right now, I'm frustrated with it. When my Ultimate Hall & Nash, & Ultimate Steiners come in the mail from Ringside, I'll be a very happy collector!

LOL believe me, I don't walk into the office at work and go "Dammit, Walmart didn't have that MNW Kevin Nash again!" as nobody there would understand or care LOL. But I feel like I should be able to say that here?

Wrestlingfigs is supposed to be a "safe place" for use to celebrate, enjoy, share, laugh, complain, vent, compare notes, and help each other find these figures.

Honestly I find it a little re-assuring to see that other people are frustrated with this Monday Night Wars distribution just like I am. No need to minimize that. It's a legit concern among collectors and we have every right to talk about it here.

I wonder what people are thinking who DON'T read these posts on Wrestlingfigs and just wonder why these Walmarts are empty all the time.

I attacked nobody. But to blame others because you allow yourself to get that upset over not finding a figure is a little overboard. You're right, nothing wrong with venting or being bummed out, but there is a stark difference between venting/being bummed and, again, getting that worked up that it is impacting your life that badly. At that point, it's called self-reflection.

Or self - destruction depending on the extremity of it