As others have said "just collect what you love" is fantastic advice. Too many people see action figures as investments and they miss the entire point of owning them in the first place.
I just keep remembering my mom taking the Yoda figure off the rack full of Yoda figures to get it for me and saying, "I should buy a dozen of these and then just put them in my closet...", but then just shrugging and heading to the register. I agree with your sentiment, but I still wish my mom had gone with that impulse.
"just collect what you love". Wise words Tony. That is a hell of a list with some pretty prestigious products on it. Thankfully, I am old enough to remember these action figures. Living in Canada during the late 60's early 70's saw an influx of BOTH American and U.K. toys. The Lone Ranger set was much sought after at that time. And Oscar Goldman required a 2 hour drive to NY state, and you could imagine my excitement to see the store carry a full set of Six Million Dollar Man products. Thanks for the trip down memory alley.
There was a sweet spot in the earliest days of eBay, when some of the rare toys could be bought for reasonable prices. The last few years have seen jump after jump. Now almost nothing that was affordable in 2005-10 is within most people's buying range. I got some of my childhood dream toys from there, but skipped on others thinking 'Too pricey - next time maybe' - if only I knew then what I know now... but then, I think most collectors have said that mantra!
When I started collecting action force again about 10 years ago I was lucky picked up jammer and gaucho with the boxed command centre in a job lot with red laser exterminator and a atc for about 400 pounds thought it was a bit much now I know I got a bargain
Excellent video as always! Even though I consider Transformers action figures myself, I understand your logic for not including them, especially original G1 figures. Those are some truly impressive pieces.
This was a great video Tony! I didn’t know that the Yoda figure fetched that high of a price! Also that Lone Ranger US cavalry figure is really nice! I might have to pick one of this up for myself some day!
Best advice! I completely agree - collect because you enjoy it - I’m sure I have action figures worth less than what I bought them at, but some just happen to be my favorite.
Excellent video Tony! Such a shame these toys cost so much now! I think back in the mid-1990s, I could buy a Raiders Of The Lost Ark Marion action figure mint on card from a mail order catalog for $75 U.S. dollars plus tax and shipping and handling. Such a shame so many of any toys will price out collectors who never owned them as children!
If I would have known it when the final 17 Star Wars figures were released by Kenner, I would have grabbed up the multiples on the rack. I was living in Italy at the time and the Navy base in Naples got nothing but the final 17 from Kenner for their Christmas toy shop that year. There were hundreds of them that never sold. We got a lot of Action Force in addition to GIJoe there too.
I had a Heavy Metal with the microphone, it was a gift from a friend when I was a kid, but I didn't have the Mauler, sadly almost all of my original GI Joe figures were stolen from me a few years back by a family member with a ln addiction problem so he could sell them. The only ones that survived because they were at my grandparents in a box with my Transformers Generation 1 figures, were Doc, Scarlett, Airtight, Cutter, Blowtorch and the Crimson Guard Twins, also my Firebat, Recon Sled and Nightraven. But all my other vehicles and figures are gone.
I have the Marion figure still in her packaging. I know I also have several different Yoda's (all still on their cards) from the ESB & ROTJ card time periods, though can't remember if I have the Brown Snake Version. I'd have to go through the multitude of rubbermaid boxes to see. I worked part-time for both Montgomery Ward & Kay-Bee Toys for many years back in the day and had great access to the Star Wars Action Figure toy line. (among others)
Tony I am from Mexico and here it is very difficult to get the valaverse figures, however after 1 year I was finally able to get my desert rat, I admire you as an army person and as a collector.
Well, with the advancement of the 3D printers and even fabric costumes customs and handmades, things are getting pretty interesting and LESS EXPENSIVE for the collectors who are willing to get their hands on these and other rarities...
Seeing this list of epic pieces and the current price tags makes me wish I started collecting about a decade earlier! Very cool Tony, thanks for sharing mate.
Awesome video! Hasbro knocked it out of the park with the GI JOE figures and those accessories and attention to detail. That Marine SSG is all ready for deployment to SE Asia! My hobby of toy collecting ramped up after my last deployment to the Middle East. Hats off to you Tony, keep the greatness coming!
Wise words. Some of those figures I've never even seen before.....I personally will pass on all my collectables to my nephew......the last action man figure looks fantastic
Any little microphone or hose on my joes gave me so much anxiety but I never lost anything. Well, besides my entire collection later on thru the years 😂
When you spoke about the Lone Ranger Lost Calvary Patrol, you should two different figures with same clothes on. Is there more than one figure in this patrol? one looked like the Lone Ranger himself. Great video though:)
I had most of the Mego figures in the WGSH line, but never had Conan, and completely overlooked it, because every time I saw it in adverts and whatnot, I thought it was a Thor variant (which it kind of was).
Great video Tony. Got a question though, I always thought the brown snake Yoda was the more common version certainly here in the uk. I have both versions and certainly paid more for the orange snake version
@@AnalogToys that’s interesting to hear, unfortunately in today’s market I had to stop collecting due to crazy price rises in even basic figures. Hopefully the market will crash at some point and I can fill those gaps in my collection
I'm a fan of both vintage and modern action figures I have a bit of both as well its a really fun hobby and I'm not into the resell part I'm in it for the FUN its really exciting when people send you a discount on ebay for a vintage figure, you just cant sleep on that awesome deal, great video my friend love these "top" videos
For me, the most expensive action figure would be my Moto Crash and Coco Bandicoot figures, on card. They go for £1300-2000+. I also have the keychain Crash Bandicoot figure, which is worth £2000-3000, as well as a prototype articulated Cortex doll, which is estimated around £5000.
Wish I still had my Conan figure. I destroyed that thing. I still remember cutting his and Thor’s hair off. I do still have his Ax and possibly that yellow belt.
Great list Tony! Agreeable choice of variables as well. Transformers are definitely a gray area. I don't consider them true action figures either, but great toys regardless. Cheers!
I think the most valuable figure I have is either my GI Joe Hardtop or Payload,but as you've said before,I to sometimes wish they were all worth far less so I could collect more.Great video sir.
I bought Ninjor in 2002 on eBay Germany for 26 Euros, unused, complete and with backing card. The same year I got a complete Scareglow for 23 Euros and an unused Fright Fighter with box für 40 Euros. In 2009 I got a MISB Mantisaur and a MISB Road Ripper for 37 Euros each. I`m really glad I could pick up such bargains at a time when interest in Vintage MOTU was rather low.
Awesome Tony , thanks yeah just collect for fun , but it's crazy the prices are now especially as I'm in New Zealand and our dollars is less than the American and the posting is to high sometimes on EBay so I may not get some, but I will get a nockoff as it's cheaper and it's just for my stuff that I used to have as a kid . But also am with facebook page on action man so could get stuff threw them when I can, but I did make up figures threw parts from EBay that where cheaper than buying the original, I started my colection when I was in Australia 6 year's ago and it was cheaper then , but since then it's gone way up 😕 , but it's my colection so I will do it when I can afford to, awesome Tony 👍🏽
I wonder how much more in production costs would have been if Kenner made Bigfoot with bendable arns and knees. Definitely would have made it more enjoyable to battle with Steve Austin like on TV. Still a cool action figure that adds to a collection.
One of my most valuable (I think) is the original 12” Indiana Jones from 1981. I have all of the accessories and he was barely played with because I didn’t have any other figures that size as a kid. He was basically a Han Solo (I wonder why) but put in different clothing and sold.
I know right? Kenner got cheap. All they did was re use Han's mold. Even as a little girl I figured it out. My dad had Han Solo and I had Indiana. I remember holding both dolls side by side and was like WTH?🤔
I wish i had the accessories for my Yoda. What a great looking figure. It's so funny that they used the Big Foot for Chewbacca later LOL. I'm sure you have more expensive figures than many of these 🤪
How about the Action man missile assault? I can’t even find a loose one nowadays. I had a boxed mint one which I regrettably sold a few years ago for £1300!!
What would a A Team Van in box, never opened??? I have one and might be interested in selling it if it’s worthwhile. The vane is the one that this guy has out of box in this video
Great collection, tho I rarely think about the value of any item in my collection. To me it's about the joy of having it versus how much it is worth. I'm blessed with bounty, and I can't really complain.
My most expensive action figure is my boxed Stretch monster , I’ve been offered £600 pounds for it but I know it’s worth more but i had it since childhood so I never bought it for investment
Do you have any if the Clash Of The Titans toy line? I got all the figures except for The Kraken cause it's rare and expensive. Someday perhaps. Thank you!
I feel transformers are absolutely action figures and not vehicles. And some of the prices on the rarer ones can be quite insane - a KO of Black shadow can go for over 500, but the real one can be in the 1000s, same with Blue Baccus. Overlord can also get exceedingly pricey as can others.
I have an interesting (to my) question. If it's still too new to consider value, I get it, but is there a Valaverse Action Force figure (not prototypes for obvious reasons) that is head and shoulders more rare than others? It's more a point of curiosity than a "oh need to get that " point , and if Action Force, this early in its existence, has accrued those credentials. I mean in your collection. Great vid as always! Cheers!
I never look up for the prices of My stuff. I could Only tell You the sentimental value because i wouldnt pay 400 dollars for an old toy which could even break as i handle it. In fact that has happened me quite frequently
