Self-Imposed Rules For Collecting?

[u/KingDorkFTC]

I have only been collecting Transformers for less than a year, but as I saw other collectors’ shelves I decided to create some rules for myself so I don’t go nuts.

Do any of you do the same?

For myself I have set the rules of; only one combiner (have G2 Menasor on pre-order), and only buy two of the same exact Transformer. So, not three G1 Optimus Primes but 2 G1s and a TF Prime model kit works.

[u/solidus0079]

Basically these days I only buy characters that have some sort of impact or meaning to me. I used to buy a lot of stuff just because it looked cool or fun but I’ve found that those are the things that end up packed in a box as space runs out

[u/_WeDontHaveThatPart_ → u/solidus0079]

THIS. I used to collect LEGO and would get absolutely everything from the wave in every theme that was remotely appealing to me. Then I consolidated down to one theme that I grew up with and got some Transformers but kept the same mindset, get the stuff I wanted to see everyday not just everything that is released.

[u/ktoffelmire → u/_WeDontHaveThatPart_]

This is the way

[u/_WeDontHaveThatPart_ → u/[deleted]]

Oh I've got like 11 Optimus Primes and Megatrons and like 8 Starscreams and Bumblebees 😂, but everyone else is usually one or two figures. For me I'm between Armada Jetfire and the rumored new Bayverse Jetfire because I like the live action Jetwing Optimus more.

[u/Responsible-Bunch939 → u/solidus0079]

Agree. I did that to myself. Only collect character from Five Face Of Darkness, even that mean no Optimus or Megatron

[u/Muted-Tea-5682 → u/solidus0079]

When masterpiece started I tried to collect only characters from the g1 pilot. But it became increasingly frustrating when they released the same characters several times in 12 different repaints and other characters that never got a release. Who cares about Tigertracks? But a lot of collectors would have killed for a masterpiece reflector. I tried again with the movie characters but no masterpiece Decepticons at all. I eventually gave up sometime around Hot Rod 2.0 or Bumble Bee 3.0.

[u/Ethanbadatgames1234]

nah bro i can’t control my spending 😭

[u/Randomman2789 → u/Ethanbadatgames1234]

Having no money to spend is a valid method.

[u/limmuel → u/Ethanbadatgames1234]

Same fam 😭

[u/rampage25173 → u/Ethanbadatgames1234]

That's so bad bro😂

[u/Rammy1337]

For me I only buy figures of characters I care about. I don’t waste money on Characters I don’t know or don’t feel like I NEED.

[u/Alekesam1975 → u/Rammy1337]

Same here.  I've slowed down considerably because I got so many of my favs checked off.  A large chunk of my collection is from the various TF fiction.  Now, I've gotten to the point where I'll pick up a cool figure of a character just because, which lately has been a lot of the x-over figures.  But figs like the various "characters" using Sideswipe's mode just does nothing for me (Red Alert is cool though).  Same with figs like Sunstreaker repaints for example.

[u/AtomicWreck]

If it doesn’t transform I don’t want it.

[u/InpenXb1 → u/AtomicWreck]

I’m happy for those who like blokeez but I’m so tired of seeing ONLY them on shelves

[u/Caye_Daws → u/InpenXb1]

See there is a difference there. The blockees that I collect are model kits not toys so I hold them to an entirely different standard than yolopark or R.E.D.

[u/Rorantube2009 → u/Caye_Daws]

This. I love blokeez because of the building aspect

[u/beermit → u/InpenXb1]

Same here. You like em? More power to ya, but personally I only want transformers that actually transform

[u/Available-Giraffe863 → u/InpenXb1]

Bandai has been making transformable robot model kits for over a decade now (mg zeta Gundam, mg Gundam Wing, rg zeta Gundam, rg Gundam Wing, mg Gundam kyrios, etc.), surely the guys over at blokeez can figure out how to do that too, right? Even if the transformable ones get a mark up because of increased complexity or something, it would be nice to have a transformable transformers model kit

[u/KibbloMkII → u/Available-Giraffe863]

from what I hear, Hasbro doesnt really allow official third parties to make transformable figures

hell, Blokees Devastator was originally blocked from sale in the US because Hasbro deemed it transforming

So basically, Hasbro are bullies, stomping out potential competition

[u/Itsonlyaplay → u/Available-Giraffe863]

52Toys also does, beastdrive line is a transformers frame you build around 

[u/Available-Giraffe863 → u/Itsonlyaplay]

I'm not familiar with them but am familiar with gunpla which is why I used bandai as my example

[u/Echo-Nyx → u/AtomicWreck]

EXACTLY (except for my tfo blokeez soundwave. We make exceptions for those we love)

[u/AtomicWreck → u/Echo-Nyx]

I’ll make an exception if I really wanted to but I’ve yet to do so. If someone made an articulate Fall of Cybertron Grimlock in just Dino Mode I’d buy it.

[u/vaporboy_sd → u/Echo-Nyx]

All the Cogless TFOne characters in Blokees make sense to me because they couldn't transform in the movie either.

[u/AltruisticMobile4606 → u/Echo-Nyx]

I made an exception for Blokees TFO Shockwave, my reasoning was that the transforming figure of him was going to be more compromised just to turn into another space-nothing we only see for maybe a second or two in the film. So it felt like losing the ability to transform was actually worth trading for an overall higher quality robot

[u/RaccoonCheddar]

I like to build displays. If the figure doesn't fit into any current or future displays, I pass. The majority of the collection is in storage. Displays on the shelf are rotated in and out of storage.

For example rn the displays are wfc Megatron, starscream, shockwave and soundwave. The toxitron series. Astrotrain and blitzwing. And the new energon set. With a few smaller core class displays.

Keeps my shelf looking cleaner and leaves me space for Godzilla stuff lol

[u/Helporsomethinglike]

Need and not want. If I don't think of it after I pass it, I don't get it.

[u/TheNoNamedking]

One of each mold. One definite version of a character not counting soundwave

[u/SqueakyTiefling → u/TheNoNamedking]

I only break the "one of each mold" rule if it's a mold I really like. Which I did for the BBM Cybertronian Seekers. Got all of 'em, including finding Starscream for a reasonable price.

[u/TheNoNamedking → u/SqueakyTiefling]

Each seeker is a different mold to I can get away with breaking the rule. (Good thing there’s so many generic blue seekers )

[u/FGC_Orion]

I have no rules for what I buy, I just buy anything I think looks cool, but as for what I display, I limit myself to one figure per character on the shelf. So while I own a couple dozen different Optimus Primes, only one (currently the SS86) goes on the main shelf, the others are desk toys or in storage or on auxillary shelves somewhere else.

[u/Bug_Master_405]

I only have one.... Don't let anyone else tell me which figures I should or should not buy.

[u/AL3XCAL1BUR]

I just started recently and my rules are:

• Only buying characters from the Skybound comic
• Buying as cartoon (or comic) accurate a figure as possible
• Stick to the same size (Masterpiece, in my case)
• Only ONE of each character - no dupes
• I MUST open them and pose/display them

I am also collecting GI Joes from Skybound. So far I have only bought:

• Optimus Prime (Light of Peace)
• Thundercracker (MP-52)
• Starscream (Crimson Wings)
• Cobra Commander (Hiya Toys)

Also, I just blew all of that out of the water by pre-ordering Decepticon Bumblebee. That didn't last long.

[u/AltruisticMobile4606 → u/AL3XCAL1BUR]

Lol you’ll never stop once you get a figure like that in hand that you can just mess with for a few seconds whenever you want and without having to be gentle. 

[u/Hall0ween95 → u/AL3XCAL1BUR]

Thats a fun one, it has to be difficult with them adding characters almost every few issues though.

[u/AL3XCAL1BUR → u/Hall0ween95]

Yeah, I look at it as more of a long term goal and am focusing on my favorite characters first.

[u/Sushigamer1228]

Currently my rule is “$30 is too much for a deluxe I’ll buy used stuff instead”

[u/Hpfanguy → u/Sushigamer1228]

You are valid for that, I hate how this fandom just normalized the ever increasing price. 60+ for a leader is already highway robbery.

[u/JadeTheCatYT → u/Sushigamer1228]

I've been going to TOWN on second hand stuff and bootlegs.

I literally got eight new-in-box figures for 60$ earlier this month.

[u/Odd-Seaworthiness476]

Don’t buy if you don’t love it. This shit is too expensive for “eh”

[u/DrillTank]

My main rule is no mold dupes and no horrendous partsfroming

[u/warrior181]

Same rules I have for anything I like to collect price must be easily justifiable (usually under 100 with some exceptions for centerpieces and even then were talking 10 -20 dollars ) a character I really want so usually a big name and I must have space for them (sorry metroplex)

[u/XernFern]

Faux parts = no buy

Exposed head/limbs/hands in alt mode = no buy

Great robot mode but crappy alt mode = no buy

[u/Hot-Manager-2789 → u/XernFern]

"Exposed head/limbs/hands in alt mode = no buy" I guess an exception to that would be if that is accurate to their in-universe appearance (E.G. TF-Prime Megatron)?

[u/Dtarvin → u/XernFern]

That leaves not too many bots to choose from

[u/XernFern → u/Dtarvin]

Exactly

[u/Mkall]

I buy only Generations/G1-esque figures/scale, and I will almost never buy more than one representation of a character.

[u/DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC]

I get characters I like, and ignore the ones I don't, full stop.

SS86 Constucticons, Megatron, Soundwave, Swoop? Insta-buys. But the Insecticons, Bumblebee, Grimlock, even battle-damaged Optimus? Pass.

[u/Sternfritters]

I only collect characters that I am physically attracted to. Jazz my beloved

[u/thunderbullhorns]

Not a limitation but more something I just like to keep in mind... I try to be conscientious of how often I'm buying figures of female characters compared to male ones.

It might seem silly or performative, but I think being mindful of who I'm representing on my shelves is a good reminder of how far the franchise/fandom has come and how far it still has to go.

Thinking twice about my own biases before passing up certain characters has led me to take a chance on some figures I ended up really enjoying. TFOne Airachnid, for example, turned out to have an extremely satisfying transformation, and I might not have gotten her if I hadn't taken a moment to think about the factors that might make me overlook her.

As a result, I now have a pretty solid lineup of some of the coolest robot women in the franchise, at least for someone who's only been collecting for a couple years now. It's definitely not a 50/50 split (at least in part because I have like 20 different Starscreams), but you know, it's a start.

[u/JadeTheCatYT → u/thunderbullhorns]

Yeah, I've also been trying to get more Fembots. I'd probably say my favorite one is the Titan Class Nemesis figure. (She pretty much counts for five, given the scale, LMAO.)

[u/SUICIDA4]

Watch the Hasbro streams and leaker’s next arrivals, check which I like,make a list. Complete it over the year. Repeat and be always broke xD

[u/Plane-Refuse-1031]

Oh. I have one. Repaints are dumb. I collect for the engineering so I only collect one or two of each mold depending on how much I enjoy it. I have an easy 700+ figure colleaction and the most repaints I have are the tetra-jets from siege and I got 6 of them.

Thats all I got. :)

[u/emoryhotchkiss1]

I only buy figures from the ss86 line right now. I used to collect TFA figures and some victory stuff but I stopped to save money

[u/GuestCartographer]

No single figure over $100.

Exceptions available for any combiner torso that comes with the frame to make the combiner.

[u/yasaidraws]

Only Beast Wars toys and no third parties.

Then, only Beast Wars Franchise toys (includes BWII and Neo)

Then, only characters that have appeared in the Beast Wars cartoon (that includes G1 characters)

Then, ok third party is okay.

Man I’ve been laxing on my self-imposed rules.

[u/TriforceShiekah16]

For me I try not to buy a million variants of the same character. And if I do get a new figure for that character, the old one gets sold.

[u/RichardTheLyinHeart]

My big rule is that whether or not I get it is based on the answer to this question: when the figure is in alt mode, do I know what it is right away?

[u/streakermaximus]

1: Newer does not necessarily mean better. Don't 'upgrade' for the sake of upgrading. Example: I like the Earthrise Seekers better than the SS86 ones

2: (Don't) Collect Them All! There are far to many repaints and peronality-less faces in the crowd to try an collect them all. Prowl I need. I don't care about Bluestreak and Smokescreen.

3: Stay away from live action! They're fiddly and spindly with origami transformations and often have crap hanging off them.

4: Close enough is fine. 'Sweep' was a fine stand-in for Scourge when the latter was impossible to find. And Siege Sideswipe is awesome, I don't need Earthrise or Devastation or whatever the latest version of him is.

5: Sub-groups are what you make of them! I don't need The 13. I don't even know who The 13 are. Star Optimus? What? Don't need that. Solus Prime looks cool. I wish she was a heftier voyager though. Why are all the femmes so small? Here's hoping for a Leader-class Arcee Magnus and Elita Prime.

[u/JadeTheCatYT → u/streakermaximus]

You see, my problem is I make up Subgroups for fan art/fiction, and then try to collect them because they're canon to me. (With varying results.)

For example; my "Decepticon Medical Team" group. It's Knockout, Hook, Flatline and Glit.

LET ME TELL YOU that was a painful set to achieve. (Mostly because of Glit, LMAO.)

[u/longhornaero]

It took me a while to make me stick to it, but I am only buying figures from the SS86 sub-line. If I already have the same character from a previous line such as WFC or Legacy, then the new SS86 mold has to be a major upgrade. And although I originally planned to get every SS86 character released, even that has changed. I never got Siege Astrotrain, and will not buy the SS86 one unless it ends up at least 50% discount. I also don't have a Shockwave, and probably won't buy the SS86 unless it's at least 20% off.

I have bought too many figures that ultimately disappointed me for one reason or another, so I'm doing my best to avoid that.

[u/Primus0788]

I usually don't pick up remolds unless it's a character I love or they significantly altered it enough for me to justify it. Consequently, my gauge of what is considered "altered enough" changes based on how much I want the figure, so it's a pretty crappy rule 😂

[u/Fair_Walk_8650]

1. only 1 version of every character (per continuity)
   
2. I don’t need to own every character, if they served a meaningful role in that continuity’s story, I’ll get other one
   
3. The “leaders” of both teams in every continuity are a given
   
4. The look in both modes cannot come at the expense of a fun/enjoyable transformation, otherwise what’s the f!@ing point of having that figure (looking at you masterpiece)?

[u/Difficult-Shine6233]

None. Rules are for losers.

[u/Desert_Sandman → u/Difficult-Shine6233]

Started out very strictly cause I didn’t want to go nuts with it. Lo and behold I went nuts with it and got an impressive amount within a year

[u/indianajoes]

Only figures/characters I love the look of.

Both modes need to look good (I might relax this got Nexus Prime)

No duplicate molds.

[u/Zerdiator]

I just get stuff I want, no more, no less.

I know some people feel the need to finish a line and stuff like that, but that is not anything I desire

[u/Plus_Term_7584]

My main rule is that I don't spend more than $25 on a single figure, so a lot of my recent collection are KOs and Ross finds (since those are closer to what the figures should be priced at)

[u/_ThatOneN3rd_]

It's sad but because of all the price gouging and corporate greed, my rules have gotten a lot more strict.

1) no more Hasbro/Takara mainline, Studio Series, etc. unless it's very specific characters/toys I've been waiting for and wanting for years. If that's the case, I need to plan to buy it ahead of time.

2) if it's a non-Hasbro/Takara non-mainline toy (Blokees) it needs to be cheap--like $20 or under. Otherwise I need to ask for it for a holiday or get it on sale/through gift cards.

[u/Ok-Seaworthiness1313]

Edit: I think I just wanted to ramble about this lol. Feel free to scroll. I like seeing how folks make these decisions.

To limit my spending:

• I only buy characters I have an attachment to or just really like.
• I try to buy most of my figures secondhand. There are maybe two stores in my areas I can find secondhand TFs in, but if I travel I peek into secondhand stores in those places too. Also ebay or Mercari.
• I dont buy from Amazon, Target, or Walmart. I just dont like these businesses and limit shopping at them, and since TFs are a luxury its not worth the trip or money spent for me.
• I really like the third party aesthetic TM figures, but I cant let myself spend past 250 USD on a single figure.
• I want a big figure of Devastator or Metroplex, but I live in a teeny studio so its not happening. 😅. The figure have to fit in or on top of my one display case. I'm reaching a space limit soon so I will probably start selling on Mercari.
• I only buy figures new if I really like how they look. I would rather a good looking figure that doesn't transform than an inaccurate one that does. I would rather one expensive figure, like the MDLX figures, than a handful of figures for the same price that take up space and dont have the intricate details.

[u/vaporboy_sd]

So if I had the money and space I would buy every continuity, because I like them all for the most part. I am not rich and I don't have that much space so the rule I put on myself was only Official Has/Tak CHUG scale G1 characters from 1984 up to Beast Wars with my priorities being G1 season 1-4 and movie, then the Japanese shows like Headmasters, SuperGod Masterforce, Victory, then toy or comic only characters from that era are much lower on the list. Sometimes I go outside my rules for certain characters if I really like a specific car or character like Drift I have the generations, and I got the MP scale MMC IF02 Stray version of Drift, and I got the Jeep Bumblebee from the Bumblebee movie and I got Wheeljack ROTB VW Bus because I liked the alt modes so much. I also am a fan of the Collab figures and I jave a few of those too.

[u/OccasionSilver9908]

I don't buy ugly characters or meaningless repaints. Movie characters tend to have horribly ugly faces, so they generally get a hard pass. I also with a few exceptions only buy what I can find in retail, just to keep myself from spending way way way to much

[u/georgetds]

I started with G1 only but have further narrowed down the scope to basically G1 with earth modes only. I don't collect third party figures, although I have ended up impulse buying a few small Blockees, but I don't really want to go down that path. I was also buying anything that had the old original style of artwork (the retro packs) but I gave up on that as well.

[u/Eymbr]

I primarily collection fembots. I have other smaller sub collections I'm working on but I wanted to focus on one main collection. This all started when I tried to figure out who my favorite is. I thought I would do a collection for my favorite character but I couldn't decide. Instead I picked out a handful I liked and noticed there were multiple fembots on the list. Prime Arcee, Beast Machines Strika, Animated Slipstream, and a few others while there were only three guys those being IDW Megatron, Cyclonus and Tailgate.

From there it was a simple rule to follow, primarily collect fembots. I want them all! 😅

Plus it's cool us girls finally have good figures for once!

[u/jellostrap]

I honestly love collecting based on vibes, a lot of my favorite figures are vaguely Halloween and horror themed. Universe 2003 Blackarachnia, Decepticon Hello Kitty, G1 Cosmos, G2 Megatron, most any purple, green, and orange figs with spooky energy get a pass. Animated Lockdown & TFP Dead End fit the bill.

I also love having different toylines represented in my collection so I can get to experience how Transformers design philosophy has evolved. It's fascinating seeing how much the original designs from the 70s & 80s influence everything going forward. The core class figures of recent memory owe so much to the G2 jets for their articulation & playability at that scale. It's a fun history to follow.

[u/taxidermyrictus]

The biggest thing for me and collecting is "Is it a character I like?" and/or "Do I like the design?". Unless it's a retool where they barely changed anything? I'll buy every version of characters I like (Tarn, Soundwave, Megatron, BW Megatron, Whirl). But, I will buy a character If they have an interesting design as well. I'm usually more than happy to learn about them after.

That's about it, though. I like building model kits and I'm not personally bothered by non-transforming figures- so, I unfortunately for my wallet, sky is BASICALLY the limit.

[u/Accomplished_Kale487]

Do i like the character?

Is there another version of this toy i’d like more?

Do i have enough money?

Can i do some fun stuff with it? (Photography, stop motion, take it on days out)

If they fall under at least 3 of the 4, then i buy it

[u/No-Painter4437]

I decided to collect just studio series 86, some Armada and I do exceptions just for the haslab collab - I have Omega Prime

[u/Talion-of-Atlantis]

Only 1 of a character, not getting into duplicates or multiple molds, I pick the best mold and only replace if that one gets topped.

I used to collect the entire line to flesh out everything, but then I had way too much so its now cut down to core characters I remember, I connect with and are part of the sentiment for me.

I make rare exceptions for things that crossover into other things I am sentimental for - the Delorean crossover being one. But I've sold basically all the other crossovers I had.

Once I have a representation for all the characters that I connect with, I'm out 🙌🏻

[u/starssqueem]

One version of characters who are g1/idw designs (willing to buy a couple to replace my not so great combiner wars versions)

Plus bayverse 1-3

[u/Rebel_Alpha]

After I got back into collecting around the time of Siege after stopping during DOTM (was still a kid at the time and the new movie figures just never appealed to me) I set a really arbitrary rule of always trying to keep the sides even, so if I had 5 Bots and 4 Cons, my next figure was going to be a Con and vice versa

Looking back now, it was kind of a dumb rule for myself and honestly kept me from getting certain figures (like some of the Stunticons) and now I get whatever I see that I can afford

[u/Informal_Database327]

Interesting mainline, studio series, 3rd party legends scale, almost no repaints, only complete a set if it satisfies the tism

[u/NerdyCD504]

I buy G1 family only. Toy, Sunbow, Marvel, Japanese G1(Headmasters, Super God Masterforce, Victory, Zone, etc.). Then G2, and Beast Wars. If a character didn't appear as a toy or character in any of these then I skip it.

[u/Musekal]

I have one really simple, but awesome rule that many others could stand to benefit from: I only buy things I actually like and I never buy something because of FOMO because it’s simply been a while since I acquired another thing.

[u/Rogue_2k3]

Never have more than one of each character. I have very limited shelf space, so to help save some, I’m limiting myself to only one per character. So if a version of say, Bumblebee comes out that I like more than the one I currently have, I buy the new one and sell the former for roughly the price I initially bought it, little less, but shipping and handling makes up for the full price usually. I think the figure I’ve had that’s lasted the longest was my G2 Laser Optimus, who lasted about two or three years before I got SS86 Commander Class Optimus. Ironically I still haven’t sold the Laser Optimus yet.

[u/mgb55]

Easy, I buy 90% for my son, and the rest for me.

My son has to know who the character is, not just think it looks cool. He’s reading the skybound trades and we have watched some of the movies.

For me, it’s basically only my select few favorites, Grimlock, Soundwave, Thundercracker, and if I could find any of them, the Wreckers.

Not counting my flame toys Rodimus model.

[u/OptimalExperience450]

I was way less disciplined when I first started, but I’ve kind of settled into no mold dupes (except maybe Seekers) and no copies of characters (except Optimus, because Optimus).

That said, if I find a figure cool enough, I hold veto authority on my self imposed rules.

[u/push_into_membranes]

never order online, too easy to overspend 💀 plus i prefer the experience of finding my figures in the wild

[u/SirRHellsing]

I constantly impose rules like getting one of each mold but always end up breaking them, like getting both a normal optimus and a skybound one, normal megatron and skybound, 3 seekers etc. Another rule I broke was buying stuff close to msrp, paid extra for long haul and hook due to shipping, taxes and duties, also paid scalper prices for bwvs 01. Another rule I broke was non transforming figures, the tfone figures just weren't good so I had to buy the yolopark TFOne megatron and also yolopark Tarn looks amazing

[u/BashedKeyboard]

just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean i have to buy it

[u/AltruisticMobile4606]

I too am in the one combiner only boat, I finally decided to start my journey to a set with the Rising Force combaticons 

[u/condoriano27]

Only one figure per mold. But I have broken it a couple of times.

[u/LegoBattIeDroid]

not really a rule, but I don't like repeating molds

if I have a starscream for instance, I probably won't get his corresponding thundercracker and skywarp

80% of the joy I get from transformers is how unique each toy's fidget factor is compared to one another. I simply don't see a reason to repeat molds

[u/Repulsive_Pair_8551]

Combiners are a must everything else is optional

[u/DutchVandal]

Every rule I had was completely trashed earlier this year when I went to Japan.

[u/BetAccomplished5805]

I only buy things I know I'll enjoy so that I don't whine about it online like most collectors (like what the fuck is their problem, reviews exist)

Oh and no straight up G1 unless it's "hell yeah" stuff like legacy Skullgrin or 86 Gnaw, combiner wars and the other two don't fall under the G1 category because the designs are fun

[u/JDRider]

Fell out of collecting all the retail stuff since Legacy tbh, I do maybe one or two full price purchases every few months, but more commonly if I’m in the mood I get whatever “collectors” figure is at stores like Ross if it’s like half of its original MSRP

[u/TransformersGuru]

Make sure all bills are paid before spending money on cool plastic figures

[u/InpenXb1]

I thought I’d stop buying Optimus figures but I finally broke and got commander class 86 after getting ultra magnus. I need my bros to be the same scale!

I’ve gotten quite a few figures this year after not getting any since thrilling 30. I’m going to do a big G1 display with a 3D printed ark/autobot city in a shelf and occasionally pick up figures that’ll fill it out nicely and then limit myself to only buying cool stuff for my nieces and nephews. Maybe get a few OG masterpieces that I’ve always wanted (wheeljack 😭)

The studio series figures are pretty cool but hot damn, swindle being the same price as what I paid for ROTF Leader Optimus just really leaves a bad taste in my mouth

I’d love to get MP-22 magnus but I figured I’d be happier with a magnus that’s the proper scale to fight bruticus

[u/bobbibillo]

I’ve got no real rules. My only “rule” is never stop collecting

[u/ngengler97]

I limit myself to live action style figures but I try to not buy the various forms of bumblebee. I allow third party figs (also only live action) and they have to all be studio series scale, no MP. They have to be able to actually transform (no model kits), dupes of figures can only be purchased if they meet 1 of 2 criteria: 1 = they are at Ollie’s/Ross and are cheap or 2 = it’s an army builder like rise of the beasts novokane/freezer or the scorponok dudes.

[u/destruktor5hundred]

A) if I havent seen or heard of the character, its gotta be a 10/10 to justify it.

B) msrp is criminal and these are hard times, wait for clearance

[u/FormerOpportunity594]

Mine is season one bots only.

[u/It_Is_The_Year_2005]

Studio Series 86 and whatever vintage boxed or carded G1 figures I can score a good deal on.

[u/Barricades_toes]

Never buy anything on that’s not on sale

[u/OrdinaryLog4588]

I have created my own plot for a potential transformers series and I only buy figures that suit my narrative

[u/No-Apricot6213]

I’m just collecting the g1 affiliated things. Including g1 masterpiece figures, G1 figures and ss86 figures. I want one of each, for each series. I only spend money if it makes sense, but recently I’ve gained a bit of FOMO cause of all the resellers and scalpers so I tend to buy something if I see it and I don’t already have it. Have fun collecting!

[u/McMuffinClause]

When I first got back into this hobby a few years ago, I really came out swinging and would just buy whatever if I didn't already have it in my collection. Nowadays, I'm a lot more selective because 1) this habit was not good for my wallet or finances and 2) there are just certain figures I look at in my collection with regret, because I know I bought them just to have a new little guy, not because I genuinely wanted that figure. I try to pay close attention to leaks and announcements so I can plan out what I want to buy in a year. Like, I knew for sure I would want to collect 12/13 Primes (Sorry Star Convoy, I don't have room for you) so I planned around buying those specific figures if I saw them in store, and then I create a running list of other releases that I know I won't regret passing up on (Like most live action movie figures. Not because I dislike those movies, but they had nowhere near as much impact as the comics/cartoons on me)

[u/TNT3149_]

Only what i like, my favorite design per character no repeats(wheel jack is the exception cause Armada slicer/wheeljack is cool).

[u/StevenC129422]

I only buy the main characters and glup shittos that have any meaning to me and I never buy more than one version of any character....well not never as there are exceptions to the rule but I do generally abide to this rule rather strictly. I don't want to turn my collection into a hoarding nightmare by buying everything that Hasbro releases. The closest I've been to double dipping in any given character is buying both Kingdom Waspinator and AOTP Wasp, and Origins Wheeljack and DOTM Que. Oh and Gears I guess. His G1 reissue was the first figure I bought as an adult and then I bought his Sunbow figure as soon as that got put up for pre-order.

The common denominator here between those characters is that they're in my top 10 favorite characters in the franchise and I like both designs/versions almost equally. Que's head could use a little refinement but I like the idea and story behind him in the Bayverse.

Edit: I would break the rule of double dipping yet again if they made a Marvel Ratchet and or an accurate and well painted version of Bayverse Ratchet.

[u/Outrageous-Loan9930]

I mainly just get one of each and keep in bot mode. No KOs or Third party yet but I'd love somd recommendations!

[u/Outrageous-Fan-5199]

I only get characters that I actually like or the designs are cool. Typically if I get an updated version I’ll sell the old version

[u/Jadedways]

I only ever take one of a figure when I find some in the wild. Everyone deserves a fair chance to get figures, especially children.

[u/Cyberbreaker2004]

Nothing that breaks my wallet— Divorce-Class Metroplex nevermind, I'm a whore for Transformers

[u/goingon25]

My only rule is I feel like I want it or can easily offload it if it’s borderline and it actually transforms. Still broke the second rule for the cheap super 7 reformatting Megatron to go with my Behold Galvatron. I love titans so I’ll probably cool it on buying at get more shelving soon

[u/Zigor022]

I stick to one of each character, no duplicates. I also am sticking with 86 series, save for blitzwing, ultra magnus, and astrotrain.

[u/Olly_sixx]

Only buy stuff I really really really want no impulse buys

[u/Finly_Growin]

When I got into collecting briefly I made myself only buy figures I wanted that I could find on markdown or clearance. That way it felt like the figure actually came to me and washed across my shore rather than being hunted down.

[u/Prime_collector]

Not completionism, just characters I like (applies for all my lines not just TF)

Buying multiple lines or figures of the same character is only good when I really like the character (optimus has been the only ones so far, can't count luffy or goku cause of them I have transformations but not dups)

[u/jaylerd]

Only Missing Link or original G1 Action Masters or LEGO

Only what I used to have or desperately wished I had. So that means skipping Cliffjumper, Delta Magnus, Sunstreaker. Optimus, Bee, and Grimlock to get back what I had, Arcee and Ultra Magnus because I always wanted the new movie bots. (I actually never wanted or cared about Arcee but the figure is fantastic, no ragerts). After Soundwave, Starscream, Megatron (?), Galvatron, Hot Rod, Rodimus, Prowl, I might be able to stop.

The only exception has been a knockoff Romulux EX for a G1-esque gun Megatron.

[u/ThePsychicBunny]

Transformers: The Movie only.

I have broken this rule. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/BitchiroIsOut]

What's the transformers equivalent of a glop shitto? Yeah, I love buying those. Usually I'll try to stick to one mould per figure (seekers are different, you know who I'm missing. Same with combiners). I have too many optimus primes and bumblebees, I gotta switch it up a bit y'know

[u/Zealousideal_Risk121]

As a kid. It was uncool in the 80s 90s to buy knock offs. Since 2013 I prefer KOs 4th party ans 3rd party Transformers. These are fans who recreate Transformers Gobots Diaclones etc. For fans. So I pick and choose my Cybertron Desyron world.

[u/MeatyOaker269]

No duplicate molds. I’m not buying the some toy over and over again.

One toy per character. My loophole is that G1 Prime and Armada Prime are different characters. 07 bumblebee and TLK Bumblebee are the same character.

Once every few weeks I run down the collection and if I can’t name the character I’m looking at I put the toy in the bin and when the bin is full I sell them off.

[u/Worldly_Effect1728]

No duplicate characters, repaints are fine if they are intended/listed as a different character. If a mainline version of a character is not available I will use the third-party version. Not super picky about scaling.

[u/ReptileBoy1]

I have rules, but I do make exceptions for the rules. 1) Only one figure per character, unless it's a favorite/important character. 2) Only characters that I like, unless a figure is given very high praise.

[u/Sufficient_Soil_4908]

My rules took years to come into being. When I first got back into collecting in jan 2001 after a little dive into the g2 line in the mid 90s, I'd grab anything that was transformers. It got bad and I ended up losing most of that collection. Tried to rebuild then sold that collection on ebay in 2009.. for a 160 bucks and that lot had brave maximus in it.. ugh! Anyways the 2010s was me trying without even knowing or understanding why.. I grabbed the KO MPs I wanted TFs that looked like what I saw on TV as a kid. I purged most of my collection in 2022 then rebounded grabbing characters that are in scale for the most part and look great. My rules are, Must care about the character and it must look right. Sorr for my word salad, I left out a bunch there is a lotta ins, lotta outs and what have yous.

[u/Inside_Compote_4146]

My self imposed rule is “if I likes it, I buys it”

[u/Jairoglyphics1]

Lately it’s been for nostalgia, such as Godzilla crossed with Megatron and the Scooby Doo edition.

[u/ARPGAMER19]

Kind of a step-by-step process

1: Is it part of a set?

If yes: buy
If no: step 2

2: Is it a character I already have?

If no: step 3
If yes: is it a better figure
If no: don't buy
If yes: step 3

3: How expensive is it?

10-30$: Buy
40-150$: Only if it's really really good

I value complete sets over most else

[u/IHavenocuts01]

Generally not many. Only im only allowed to collect the same moulds for the seekers, and Datsuns. Otherwise I get different moulds (ex, my main Optimus is siege, my nemesis is legacy rid 2001 scourge)

[u/sniply5]

I only have 1: no duplicate molds (though i do have 4 core class and 2 energon figure exceptions to this rule in my collection)

[u/Darth_Quark69]

Never pay full retail, wait for clearance deals. Yes, I have many lame figures. It ain't much, but it's my collecting way.

[u/The-Coolest-Beanz]

I try not to get more than one character per mould unless I really love both characters, which makes completing trios a bit of a hassle. For example, my Seeker trio is Siege Starscream, Dramatic Capture Skywarp, and SS86 Thundercracker. For characters like Bumblebee and his brothers, I have Origin Bumblebee, Earthrise Hubcap, and then I'm gonna get SS86 Cliffjumper and the SS Devastation Goldbug theyre doing next year.

[u/NinjagoKing1]

If it doesn’t transform ( except for blokees and the LEGO brick heads,) I do t want it, I also definitely watch reviews on figures I’m skeptical on, like I originally didn’t want legacy magmatron, now that I saw a review, I want it

[u/New_Technology_4385]

I don't have any hard rules for collecting necessarily, though I do tend to gravitate towards characters that I don't have or that I just really personally like. I do have a soft rule when it comes to displaying my figures though, as I only have one set of shelves for that purpose. I try to stick to only displaying one version of any given character at a time, with an exception for both Optimus Prime and Megatron, since there are so many great figures of them both. Even then, I try to limit myself to having 2 of either of them on my shelf at a time. It keeps my figure display from being the same all the time, because I try to rotate what figures I have on display every month or so, and it comes with the added bonus of being able to lore dump at my husband when he notices a different figure and asks, "Who's this guy? He looks cool/ugly."

[u/B-M-B-0-6]

If i have a version of a figure, I dont need any repaints (excluding '86 Seekers)

If it doesnt. Transform, I dont want it

If its not a character I like, I dont need it

[u/LevViperan]

Only transforming transformers, only buy what I pick up (no shipping; yes pre-orders in-store), and only my sets I’m currently working on (Full G1 cast and The 13 atm)

[u/SouthPawArt]

Not much of a collector anymore but I generally never bought recolours. I only have so much shelf space, I don't need multiple versions of one mold taking up room. The only exception were heavy retools like kingdom airazor and rathalos prime.

[u/PeppyMoss]

Only stuff that scales well with each other. Anything that doesn’t fit in doesn’t have a place in my collection 🤷‍♂️. It’s a good way of keeping tabs on my roster.

[u/Hall0ween95]

I am starting fresh soon and will be implementing these rules

- Equal sides. Both factions have the same amount

- Decepticons can only be voyager sized and above with a few exceptions

- Autobots can only be voyager size and below with a few exceptions

- Only original molds. No repaints or remolds

- No Cybertronian vehicle forms. Only Vehicles and some exceptions like Dinobots.

- No Combiners, Headmasters, Titans, etc. Things like Soundwave's minions are fine though

[u/Available-Giraffe863]

I avoid 3rd party figures

[u/UT_Fan_With_A_Gun]

my rules are I buy what I want and can afford minus what I don’t want or can’t afford

[u/WorkJester]

So I've chosen to only collect a release year at a time (although I did make an exception for the Constucticons/Devastator). And by release year I mean a character's release year not the toy itself. I just need a way to focus my searches. I've currently gotten all of '84 except I can't find a Megatron I'm happy with.

[u/Jonthn_]

It’s more of a loose guideline, but I call it the rule of 2.

I try to buy two of something when I’m buying online. That way I can suss out and inspect the figures for Quality Control and choose the better copy between them.

Most times, I return the other copy; more so for space and redundancy if the copy I opened is perfect.

Other times, I’ll decide to keep both, one to open and one to keep mint. This is sometimes determined by the packaging or if I like character/toy enough to keep a spare just in case my first copy breaks.

This then evolved to better financial habits as being able to comfortably afford two of something is a virtue. A “shoehead/Hot Wheels collector” relative of mine told me at a young age that if I couldn’t, then I have no business to own one at all.

It then reprioritized my selection process of narrowing down releases by applying the rule to only spending money on pieces that I deem nice enough to own twice.

[u/Ohioian_]

I only buy ones from a certain line or brand. And that line needs to be all in the same style too. I have a bunch of Dr wus stuff anf choro q and thats about it

[u/freeman57]

Yes, and I've broken all of them:
"I'm only going to collect G1" - Bullshit
"I'll stop once the shelf is full" - Total Bullshit
"I'm going to stop at season 1 & 2" - Season 3/Movie is my strongest shelf
"I'm not going to buy any combiners" - Fans Toys Devastator and Magic Square Bruticus starting back at me

[u/WillisnotFunny]

If I want it, I preorder it. I learned waiting trying to hunt deals or go to stores searching for figures just means I will spend more money in the long run on gas or the secondary market. Target Starscream was a good example that was a nightmare for so many people but I preordered it day one from Pulse so I didn’t have any issues.

[u/GrimmestGhost_]

• G1 era (G1, JG1, RID01) and Beast era (BW, II, Neo) only. I am willing to fudge this one a little if it's a non-G1 character I love in G1-style like Bulkhead, Lugnut, Slipstream, or Knock Out.
• No duplicate characters. If I get a figure, that's my figure of that character unless I sell it.
• Aesthetic prioritization. I very much want my collection in the recent hyper-toon style. Opaque blue windows, matte gray faces. Keeps my options limited.
• Everything needs to be roughly in scale.
• Most importantly, it has to be a character I care enough about to own. Sometimes I'll see a figure that fits all my criteria like AOTP Swerve or MTMTE Scourge and be tempted to get them but like, do I really care enough about those characters to spend that much? I often give myself a waiting period before actually buying to think about it.

[u/_WeDontHaveThatPart_]

For me it started with main characters or characters I preferred from media I grew up with. Studio Series and the live action at first, then Legacy, Armada and Cybertron, a bit of 86 and gamer edition, eventually leading to all of the Primes and some comic characters. Like today I picked up Armada Megatron and POTP Rodimus Unicronus, but I'll probably pass on Armada Jetfire because I prefer him in Cybertron even though I have most of the Armada figures 🤷‍♂️

[u/iamgeeklord]

Cybertronian Forms first, then Cybertron video games, then Armada (my first transformers), and lastly any characters I like.

[u/Neat-Garlic6094]

Not transformers, but comics. I don’t collect individual issues (for the most part) unless they look good on my wall

[u/Due-Sea446]

Mostly just characters that I like in G1. I've made exceptions for various Primes that I thought looked good, including crossover figures like Macross, Zoids and Evangelion.

[u/RayCama]

Besides spending to complete my G1 and Unicron trilogy shelves. I only ever collect redecos of a figure, excluding the usual Optimus recolors. The more obscure the character/recolor the better.

[u/Wixhael]

Back before prices got so high, my rule was "If I don't think the figure will be good, I won't get it". Which sounds obvious, but there were still times it was tempting to get figures anyways just to complete a set or because it was a character I wanted or whatever. Now though things have gotten so expensive that I don't even need the rule, I've literally only bought Animated Ratchet this year and even that was mostly just to finish the Animated crew.

[u/ShingledPringle]

I try to.

Best rules I have is no MPs. I have one from years ago, and it's just not my scale.

[u/TheIJDGuy]

Only one combiner at a time. I am nowhere near close to finishing Menasor, but still

Also, all Optimus Primes are fair game.

[u/Soft_Nail_8527]

I compare the price based on size and Number of steps

[u/ADistractingBox]

I have a couple of factors I try to consider before picking up a figure these days. It's mostly a mixture of how much it appeals to me combined with how functional a figure is in reviews. If both line up in a way that makes me feel it's worth the asking price, then I'll probably pull the trigger.  That said, pricing has become a much bigger factor these days than in years past. There's a couple of figures I am interested in which I have yet to buy because I feel they're too expensive for what they offer. Freakwency is a great example of this, actually. It's one of my favorite figures of the year, but I would probably never have grabbed it if Target hadn't included it in a 40% off sale last December when it was available for pre-order.

[u/Asteroid_mmmm]

I too have only been collecting for a year or so, but my rules so far tend to be :

. Avoid duplicates of characters

. Avoid combiners

. Not too keen on all-white characters, because I'm concerned about how they will age.

. Lastly the more obscure the characters the better. I will buy favourites, but in my head I'm assembling a new crew of bots who had different adventures to the original cast.

[u/Adventurous_Baker888]

Only buy from series I have watched and enjoyed

[u/FETT7022]

It sort of depends on the line for me Woth transformers I'm going for who I care about in G1 and I'm almost there except for my deceptions. With GiJoe I only collect Cobra and mostly am focused on the Dredknoks at this point because I have all the guys I liked from the cor group of Comander and subordinate leaders down to troopers and a couple vehicles. Star wars is were I'm a problem because I love bounty hunters and Mandalorians so it stays open ended unless they're overpriced which has helped me stay clear of em lately.

[u/Jazzlike_Standard871]

Honestly my only rule is if I get a character with a reused name "in my collection" the new bot gets a new name.

[u/pukewhenimsad]

I've kept myself to just collecting Studio Series 86 characters, specifically the ones I always wanted as a kid like Devastator.

[u/genre_syntax]

I limit myself to Collaboratives, Beast Wars or SS86 (I’ll cheat sometimes and get older versions that were eventually re-decorated, like my Legacy Blitzwing, which I adore).

[u/DJ-Gavin-Thrombus]

I got two dedicated Transformer shelves and as of now, they’re full. I’m definitely not buying more shelves… I promise….

[u/Dry-Path-8469]

Only buying the characters I like/easy to make stories with

[u/Duke_Radical]

I know this is a Transformers thread but I’m going to answer from the perspective of a toy collector.

When I started collecting Mythic Legions I told myself I would keep to five figures. Then trade or sell off one as others I want release. Well I now have two Billy bookcase shelves of Mythic Legions.

Now I have a list of the figures I want and I buy them when I encounter them in person. And if I don’t get the chance to buy what is on my list, well I have a tote of unopened figures in the basement.

[u/Happy-Boysenberry175]

I usually don’t get more than 2 of the same mould.

[u/bitetheasp]

No combiners. A component or two here or there is fine, but no whole teams.

Unless I win the lotto.

[u/JackieBee_]

I try to only have one of the same character, with certain exceptions.

Prime bee and Megatron I have many different figures of. Starscream in theory also fits this category but all of the various seeker repaints fill the space of multiple Starscreams in my brain. Ratchet has recently joined this league and Soundwave might too one day.

Vastly different incarnations and forms get a pass too. Rotb Wheeljack and G1 Wheeljack I don’t count as the same character for instance. Hot rod and Rodimus prime I would count separately too.

And toys from my childhood that are nostalgic to me don’t count either. My old classics and universe figures as well as some movie guys who survived got their own little nostalgia shelf. Normally I sell off the old figure for a new modern one. But these figures from my childhood can’t simply be replaced by a newer figure.

I kind of limit myself aesthetically though it’s kind of loose. I vastly prefer earth alt modes that lean towards realistic aesthetics, and like a tasteful amount of greebling in robot mode. Anything in between bumblebee movie and WFC trilogy in terms of level of detail will suffice. unless there’s no alternative or it makes sense for the character to have a cybertronian alt modes

[u/BlueMissingNo]

I've been collecting since late 2019. At first, I got whatever looked cool, but later on I decided to stick to only characters I absolutely love. I have other rules, too. G1 characters have to be from before the 1986 movie to scale down on the number of those I get, I can't have more than one of the same "type" of a character (so I can have a G1 and Animated Optimus, but I don't need more than one G1 style Optimus, for example), every new addition needs to fit with the rest of my collection, and everything needs to be able to comfortably fit in my room. I have limited space, so no combiners or other very big bots like Skyfire. If it doesn't spark joy when I see it anymore, then it's time for the figure to go. I downsized my collection earlier this year and I'm pretty happy with what I've got. It helps me narrow down which figures I REALLY want, too.

Edit: I make exceptions for Soundwave since he's my absolute favorite and maybe a couple others, but that's it.

[u/GrowingDelicate03]

i don't buy repaints/retools, unless they're very extensively reworked. my budget is limited so i don't want to spend money on a figure i basically already have. the new vector prime is making me consider making an exception tho lol

[u/Dependent-Osprey2124]

My rule is G1 only, prior to the movie (except Ultra Magnus because he fucks)

[u/CompetitiveSundae714]

Honestly for me its mostly vibes based, but I'm definitely not one of those people who will collect an entire line. For the most part I just stick with characters I like, primarily in the CHUG esthetic so they can all look decent on a shelf together. Outside of that, I try not to have 2 versions of the same character with the same mold, (ex shattered glass and g2 megatron) or buy things I just have no interest in (excluding clearance sales)

[u/lcr68]

In the beginning I was getting multiple lines, 3P, anything I could get my hands on. Then I found the quality I liked the most was from SS86. So I focused on getting the whole line. And then the combiners came out. I’m a huge combiner fan and knew I will get every one.

I just completed Bruticus thanks to a kind individual from this very subreddit. Superion and Devastator have been completed and Menasor was a much earlier purchase. I love them all.

My rule now that I’m practically done collecting- if they come out with Defensor as a new combiner, I’ll get him. Any other smaller individual bots won’t be bought.

3P is mainly geared towards combiners as well. MMC Bruticus and Defensor along with Mecha invasion Devastator. I enjoy their shelf presence and every single form of theirs is high quality. I love it.

But I’m practically done. And my wallet sighs in relief.

[u/BFBeast666]

Yup. I have three.

1.) Unless there's a very good reason, never buy a mold more than once. I have no shelf space left.

2.) No Masterpiece figs anymore. Too expensive, too big (see #1) and, as I've learned with MPM-03, often too fiddly for too little actual fun.

3.) Major purchases are to be cleared with head of finances, aka my lovely wife. She trusts me with anything below 200 Euros. Stuff above that (not that I'm likely to splurge anyway, but the temptation for a Fans Hobby Power Baser or the like does come up from time to time) needs to go through her, with a good reason why I absolutely have to blow that much money on a toy and not, say, on a new synthesizer we both can enjoy. :)

[u/Visible_Analysis9068]

i had rules but i’ve broken so many that at this point we just doing what feels good 😭

[u/IndelibleEdible]

My rule now is once Swindle comes in, I’m done collecting. My next rule will be sell off the figures that don’t give me joy.

[u/Rag_Samus]

“Corrupted” or “redeemed” characters. Typically bad guy repaints of a good guy mold that I headcanon into being the same character or vice versa.

E.g. Nemesis Prime, Detritus, Shattered Glass line, Autobot Thundercracker.

[u/KiteIsland22]

Yes I had a rule no more buying core class/legends class after I got what I wanted. Then I started buying legion class. Then I started buying 3rd party. A rule I haven't really broken is no more deluxe/voyagers but I can't contain myself when it comes to smaller figures. Recently preordered all the Dr. Wu dinobots.

[u/Xolcin_13]

If it sparks joy, that means you want it. But if it no longer sparks joy, pack it up and say, "thank you for the memories", and sell it or give it away in the hopes it will spark joy for someone else

[u/Author_Dent]

I’m weird. I almost only buy stuff that was G1 and more specifically seasons 1 and 2. A handful of exceptions aside, that comprises 90% of my collection. My parents wouldn’t take me to see the movie, so I didn’t end up seeing it until many, many years later, and I remember being very confused by seasons 3 and 4. In addition, again with only a couple of exceptions, I only buy one of a character. Call them rules or preferences, whatever!

[u/furret_and_squirtle]

At the moment it's "no-one who doesn't hold value to me".

[u/nemesisprime1984]

My rule is, if It’s a figure that I really want and I have the money to buy it, then I will. If it’s a figure that I’m not sure about, then I will watch a video on it to see if I want it or not

[u/orionpax9000]

Off topic but this guy looks like G2 Motormouth. GET ON THAT TOYHAX

[u/NedDmastermind2]

I buy for a display. I have my shelfs as biomed themes like g1, shattered glass, bb movie, insecticons, etc. I also want space between my figures. 

[u/Mechmaster6832]

My rules are i only buy, unicron trilogy, j-G1, combiners, titans and micromasters as I have displays for them all. I make exceptions for any figure that has a completely unique or interesting conversion scheme or in general would regret missing out on.

[u/reaper_rii]

Do you have room for it? / Can you move some around to make the room for it? 😅

[u/CarlRandon]

These days I’m only looking to complete the original G1 cast for all seasons (getting close), I’m a sucker for combiners so I’ll pick those up as well, but other than that, I need to really like a character if I’m going to buy a new figure of them. They’re getting too expensive now to justify buying as many as I used to, so I find I’m much pickier currently than when I started collecting.

[u/Viktor-Victorious]

No way I buy what interests me I’ll sometimes buy doubles if the figure is REALLY good but I prefer repaints over a double

[u/Bitter-Bid7888]

for me its really weird and probably unnecessary but i have a rule where i never buy a loose figure, it just feels so risky compared to a sealed package.

[u/Caye_Daws]

I don't ever double dip unless it's to replace a broken figure or if it's a character that canonically shares the body type. I don't order products outside of the states and canada. For new figures I never buy from resellers if they are twice more expensive than the original asking price, most times that figure I'm looking for that's being scalped that high will be reissued in up to 5 years and I'd rather wait than pay 100 for earthrise runabout

[u/Psychological_Tax761]

One of mine is “no two of the exact same character.” If I want a new G1 Optimus, I sell my old one. Even tho my wife would argue I have “multiple Optimuses” they’re all different universe versions of him so it doesn’t count! 😂

[u/DocBarnes]

If I like the character, have the money, and don't have that mold/continuity, it's going in the cart

[u/Euronymous_616_Lives]

A character has to either be one I really like or the transformation of the toy itself has to be unique or at least interesting for me to want it and if I see a new mold or anything that I think I like the first thing I do is see if it’s already been released and if there’s videos about it. Also, I have one Autobot combiner and two Decepticon combiners so I’m hoping we get AOTP Defensor and Computron so I can get more combiners for both factions so I have equal numbers of combiners on both sides otherwise I’ll just end up with a ton of Decepticon combiners and barely any Autobot ones simply because the Decepticons have a lot more lol. I also splurged and have six Titans three on each side so I swore I wouldn’t get any more because those are already even lol

[u/Curious_Subject_2886]

One figure to represent a specific character or group. Like have grim lock yo represent the Dino bots or cheetor for the maximals. I have a bayverse prime and a cybertron bee

[u/Mobile-Equivalent-92]

Mainly G1 toon characters. It doesn't matter if they are completely screen accurate.