Orlando, FL Collecting Contingent

There's not been an overwhelming interest from the Orlando System regarding collecting, but it's my primary form of expression for my love of Star Wars. This thread is a place where we can post new finds, good deals, etc. Per TheForce.net rules, this isn't a place where we can barter, but it can be a place that gets fellow collectors together.

If you collect, you probably regularly read Rebelscum.com and/or Galactichunter.com. If you've not visited, check them out.

Anyone have any particular resources for toys you'd recommend? This has been an exceedingly dry year for distribution so it can only help us to pool our efforts.

-Campbell

 

Hmm, there was a good Sci-fi collectors store by Universal, but you told me that they closed it. Ebay is allways nice, but everyone knows that. Toys-"R"-Us has all the newer figures, but stupid Wal-Mart stopped selling ALL Star Wars Toys (atleast the one near me), so that kinda pissed me off. If there is any good stores for collecting stuff in the Orlando area, please let me know, I know i'm not the only one interested in that. we're all Star Wars!

-Anthony

 

The retailers have made a critical error and the time for our concern has come.

The sad truth is that Toys R Us is a wasteland. This year, the only new items they've regularly stocked are the 12" Luke on Tauntaun, the rather cruddy Leia/Boushh with Carbonite Han exclusive, and the Imperial Forces 4-pack. New figures are not out there.

If you want last year's toys, KB is a good stop. Plus they've got their semi-exclusive 12" Gamorrean Guard. They sell their stock of 3¾ inch figures at $2.99 ($1.99 on sale about one week a month) and a nice partly-random 4-pack repack of older figures for $9.99 (7.99 on sale).

Wal-mart and Target have virtually no turnover it seems, and until they bite the bullet and blow out 2002's stock, they're never going to bring new Star Wars toys. And therein lies the point, Star Wars spooks retailers. Non-movie years are notorious for not having a flood of toys, but given the lack of interest out there, I'm fearing the future of new toys after 2005.

At least we have the Clone Wars to look forward to. I hope it's as well received, or in the case of figures (no pun) better received, than Shadows of the Empire.

Ironically, high-end products such as Master Replicas and Gentle Giant are selling like hotcakes. Two problems with that: most of us can't afford them, and almost all avenues to get them are on the internet. This year, the bricks and mortar retailers just can't compare to online availability.

 

I am a rather large collector when it comes to the Hasbro figures. I have, well, too many to list here, and that is what I primarily go after. From time to time, I get other "cool" stuff, like the nifty Zam Wesell bust (she was the coolest new character in Clones and the coolest bounty hunter ever (not a push over like Boba)).

I think the other fact to bring up is, sadly, and I hate to say this, Star Wars toys are simply not selling as well as they had assumed they would after Menace. I know they sold like crazy when they first were released again (side story: two friends and I went to the Altamonte Springs Toys "R" Us for the midnight opening, and I spent over $500 in on swoop), anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, I simply think the market got oversaturated and the appeal of Star Wars is not what it once was, at least in terms of toys and all that.

Anyway, I do collect, but I am not out there constantly searching and digging through things like I once did. If I see one I do not have, I pick it up, but I am no longer on any "quests," per se. =)

Oh, and I am one of those that does, indeed, open everything he gets. I have absolutely zero intention of ever selling them, so boxes and such are tossed. =)


Brandon
bwolgast@cfl.rr.com

 

why must you open them, i like looking through the box!!!!!!!!!!

 

An excellent topic. To each their own on the opening front.

I view my figures as works of art and the packages are time capsules that are valuable as well. I have no intention of ever selling my collection either (good thing since almost all the figures since 95 are almost worthless, and few are truly rare), but if I can see most of the product through the bubble or the window of a box I'm going to keep it in it's own "display."

Gotta admit jealousy, though, that openers can get deals on damaged packs and will buy a wanted figure regardless of package condition. There's a lot of logic there.

 

Comic-Con is this weekend and the major collecting websites (eg-Rebelscum and GalacticHunter) have put up lots of updates that reveal plans and pictures for many of the new Hasbro figures that will be released in the next few quarters.

 

Sorry to hog this thread.

It's been a good week for SW toy collecting. FAO had a huge shipment of new figures last week and I was able to catch up on most all of this year's selection. Toys R Us has had a good supply of the Unleashed figures, as has Once Upon a Toy, and Kay-bee has the updated TIE Fighter (and they're still blowing out last year's figures at $1.99). So while my pocketbook's a little winded, my collection has gotten a shot in the arm.

 

Two bits:
The Fossil Men's Star Wars 25th Ann Ltd Edition Watch which usually costs $125 is on sale right now for $30 at foorlocker.com. I picked it up at twice this price and am still very happy with my purchase.

Paizo.com is scheduled to announce tomorrow, 13 August, their plans of how the Silver Convention Boba Fett will be distributed once the convention season winds down. This is a must-have for me to put next to my silver Toy Fair Vader and my silver TRU R2.

 

oops. that's FootLocker.com, like the shoe store- online it's part of Amazon.com.

 

Once Upon a Toy has a nice selection of harder to find toys on the shelves right now. Not only do they have all 5 of the new Indiana Jones figures, they also have at least 3 Shuttle Tydiriums, a few new Lukes 12", plenty of the 4 Screen Scenes, and couple dozen of last year's Holiday Droid 2-pack, and several 12" Leia Speederbikes. -Campbell

 

Once upon A Toy? Is that a store here in Orlando?

 

Yes, it's a Hasbro-centric store on the east side of Downtown Disney (as far from Cirque du Soleil as you can get). It's usually got a fair selection of SW and Indy toys and right now is filled with good things. If you make a trip, it might be worth your while to take a walk over to the LEGO store or the large pin trading pavillion for more galactic merchandise.

 

for all the collectors out there....

Check out the Collect-o-con for the first weekend in Nov in Orlando.

They have a website which I believe is just collect-o-con.com.

 

If anyone's interested, there's a contest running at Hasbro.com where up to 5 people daily can win $100 worth of Star Wars toys. Check it out: http://hasbro.ed4.net/starwars/iw/signup.cfm

Also, would anyone be interested in going in on an autograph order from TheForce.net (our host)? They've got an impressive selection and postage is the same no matter how many you order ($8.25, I believe). That shipping price is what's holding me back from ordering, but I figured if anyone wanted to join me...
http://estore.theforce.net/

-Campbell

 

Sabacc,
good to hear of some collectors here. I have a huge collection, not to brag though. lately around here has been pretty dry on figures. but this is a good thread, thanks.

 

I moved here from Iowa and that is the true wasteland! It was hard to find anything, but since I have been here I have found Baris Offee, Aalya Secura, Hailfire Droid, Genosian Starfighter, and the Target A-wing and I haven't been in Orlando that long. I don't go looking as much as I usually do here either because I have less money to spend.

 

I usually keep an eye out at most of the stores (Target, K-mart, WalMart). They dont always have the latest things sometimes, but you can always find a good deal here and there. I joined Kebcos Toys one of every figure club. When the new figures are released they bill my credit card and ship them out to me,no need to place an order or call its all done automatically. Conventions are also a good place to find some deals, but I recommend that if you really dont need that certain piece then wait until the last day, thats when people start dropping a little on their prices. Not everyone, but a lot do. I try to go to conventions around the South East as long as it isnt more then an 8-9 hour drive. Just my two cents.

Dale

 

First of all, welcome and thank you for doubling the number of people talking about collecting here. Hopefully we can hook up in the future and compare notes. Maybe even make a trade here and there.

I usually hit Target and KB the most, mainly because they're the closest to my house. TRU and Wal-mart have been a let down for me this year so I've made fewer stops. Two gems most people overlook but occasionally have good stuff are FAO and Once Upon a Toy. I'm glad to hear that people are using that Kebco deal. I've considered it, but like being able to pass on the ¼ of the figures that I don't like enough to buy.

Lastly, I volunteer at MegaCon (Orlando con around March) so hopefully next year's will be a good one. Maybe even a good site for a short meeting/lunch.

ps- Ehmon, my best friend's from Ames, and while not much of a collector, is a huge Star Wars and genre fan.

 

What's the kebco thing?

 

You go to Kebcotoys.com and sign up. They keep your credit card on hand and everytime new fiogures come they charge you and send them out to you. Prices are good. I have mine sent out in Star Cases and they charge me and extra 1.25 for each figure, but its worth it. I had a shipment damaged before, they replaced it and even let me keep the ones that were damaged. You can get the 12 inch figures (not sure), the deluxe, unleashed and the 3 3/4 inch figures. I just got the 3 3/4 inch. I think it a great way to collect them all, instead of running around all day trying to fond some.

Dale

 

Well, I was at wal-mart and picked up almost the only 2 figures they had. These times are depressing to me... dark times...

 

At the December meeting, Brandon and Dale were talking about the German Kinder Eggs with Star Wars hippos in them. You read that right. While not my cup of cocoa, if anybody wants to see them or read a rather definitive rundown on them, take a look: http://www.rebelscum.com/kinder.asp

-Campbell

 

Well, the collecting contingent got a shot in the arm with FX. Dale took the cake for most bags reeled in with Brandon and I keeping the competition alive. Melanie, while not a contender, was expected to be a just a witness but joined the fray with a few select bargains.

Word on the street has it that Anthony might hit the con Sunday, more power to you- hope you get some finds. Imagine, the fanfilm AND the collecting circle are thriving these days... Madness.

-Campbell

 

Fascinating thread, Campbell. Glad to hear FX was good. On another board I saw the $amount tallies that people had spent at the show. With the new year just rung in, I've decided to keep a tab of all my Star Wars purchase$ for 2004. I imagine the results will be enlightening... I mention it so anyone interested might begin a similar quest to find what may amount to dangerous self-awareness come year's end.

-Campbell (amid the cricket sounds on this topic)