Or just my rules of Collecting, WWE edition.
“A step-by-step booklet for you to get
Your game on track”
- Everyone collects differently, and that is their right. Some only want carded figures, some open everything, some only like certain people, and so on. Let them live.
- Do not preorder from Target. 99% of the time, the figures arrive in stores before the preorders ship out. An exception to this is if you do not have a Target in your area and are relying on the item being shipped to you. But if you’re hunting figures, they will show up.
- BE PATIENT. Don’t expect to be the first to any figure. With enough effort, you’ll find the figures you are looking for.
- Don’t be the guy who buys out the store, just to sell online at cost, to “help out other collectors”. You would be helping out the collectors by leaving some stock in the store. What is the point of spending the time, and money on figures, just to sell them at cost+shipping, so no profit?
“This rule is so underrated”
- Do not be a scalper. Clearing the pegs thinking you’re about to cash in rarely works and is more trouble than it is worth.
- Buy the figures that you like. Don’t fall for Social Media telling you what’s “hot”. You’ll save money if you only buy figures of what you actually like, not just because you think you’ll miss out by not buying that new John Cena figure.
- Have a collecting buddy. It saves so much time and driving if you have friends who check stores while they are out looking for their own stuff. I have acquired several of the Target Legends Chases this way, by having extra eyes out in the stores.
- Collecting should not be stressful. Take your time, do your research, and be persistent and the figures will come to you. If not, pay the upcharge and order them on Ringside Collectibles.
- Toys are not an investment. Go buy shares of stock, or invest in a retirement account. There are some figures that are currently commanding good money, but it is a tiny percentage compared to what’s out there. Collect because you love it, not because you’re going to retire from it.
- Find a niche. There are too many figures of too many lines from too many brands to try to have everything. Narrow it down and it’s fun to complete certain sets.
“Follow these rules you’ll have mad bread to break up”
How I apply these rules:
Typically, I don’t think too much about what the next collector is doing with their money or collection. I’ve been collecting Wrestling Figures since 1992, and the rule has always been to buy what I like and leave what I don’t.
I’ve found that preordering from Target is a waste of time, as I’ve been able to find any of their releases within a short time and often before the “street date.”
I look for stuff that I want to add to my collection, not buying up pieces just due to perceived “Value” or even trade bait. I leave them on the pegs and move on. This covers the scalper and not clearing out the pegs rules.
Patience is everything when it comes to collecting. Too many people feel like they have to have something right now, and will over pay to do it. It doesn’t hurt to use a little patience and persistence. The worst thing to do is run to eBay and overpay for a common elite that will hit the pegs, just to “have it now”
Honorable mention Rules of Collecting:
- Don’t leave a mess. Leave the pegs better than you found them.
- Never swap out a figure and return it. People who do that are trash.
- Be courteous to store staff. They’re not going to help you if you’re being a jerk.
- Never reference brickseek or popfindr, or the like to store staff. Use them as intended as a basic reference.
- Display your collection: people love seeing a nice setup.
- Enjoy the Hobby!
