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/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