Boxes - An important part of collecting?

[Burn]

So i've just begun to unpack my collection and put it on display. For many years as I was building the collection I was getting a lot of boxed figures. The boxes also made things much easier to store and there was the whole resale aspect ... something which was probably moot as I don't have any intentions (at this stage) of selling.

But anyway ... unpacking ... i've been doing it, and now I seem to have a few empty boxes. I've seen some of you guys offer boxes up for others before and i'll probably end up doing that, but is having the box an important part of collecting?

I know the whole free range -vs- MIB/MISB debate, and that's really what this is, but realistically, i'm putting my collection on display, if I need to pack it up (let's say in the event of ... oh I dunno, another bloody cyclone) the boxes will be time consuming, so there's no real point in me keeping the boxes.

But how many are out there are actually interested in boxes, either for figures you need boxes for, or because you just like empty boxes?

And will there be enough interest on here for me to offload them or should I just simply toss 'em in the bin?

[valkyrie_76]

All my Takara G1 stuff is boxed and they will remain that way due to the fantastic boxes and the foam compared to the bubbles in the Hasbro versions but with the other stuff such as the Classics/Generations lines, I open them and throw away the plastic bits and keep the instructions and backing card in case I want to sell them.

[Vector Prime]

My collection is part-MISB, part loose figures - roughly split 60/40 that way.

If it's been opened, I'll throw the packaging out as I don't see a point in having un-necessary clutter laying around - I may however cut the back of the box out or keep the cardback if it's a carded figure.

I don't collect G1, but if I did, they would be the exception to the rule since they're somewhat 'vintage' and I think it would be worthwhile hanging onto the packaging as they're getting increasingly harder to track down in mint condition.

G1 aside, I doubt anyone would pay a slight premium for a re-boxed used toy over a loose one (if or when you decide to sell it) anyway.

[Sleeve]

As you may have seen in the thread where I'm giving away boxes, I just don't care for them anymore. The only boxes I'd keep were for the more expensive, harder-to-find figures as opposed to the figures that could easily be bought again at the local Target, but now they're just taking up much needed space. I store all my figures in zip-lock bags and then large plastic tubs, so when it comes time to move them (like recently moving to Brissie) it's less of a hassle and they take up less space.

[Zippo]

I only keep Japanese or special boxes - most American get flatted and stored away.

[kup]

I think they are a nuisance of collecting. They are nice enough to feel bad about throwing them out but they are bulky enough to eat up space quickly leaving you with a conundrum and hard choices.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Being a G1 collector, I just love boxes purely for the "vintage" feel that they emanate. I found that after having spent the last three years churning out a near complete loose collection of G1's - it really just aint the same without the boxes.

They represent a different aspect of displaying ones collection; but at the end of the day, it comes down to the person who is collecting. Some couldn't give a rats ass about the outer packaging - only what's on the inside and others are quite the opposite. So I guess it is up to you...

...but if you ever feel the need to clear our those raggedy old 80's boxes...I'd snap them up in a heartbeat :D

[Mr Ed]

I open all the boxes and cut them up and keep them in a box.

Obviously for the Deluxe packaging, I throw the plastic away.

Only boxes I have kept have been the Alternity Optimus Prime, Megatron and Ultra Magnus.

[Sleeve]

I think they are a nuisance of collecting. They are nice enough to feel bad about throwing them out but they are bulky enough to eat up space quickly leaving you with a conundrum and hard choices.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I use to keep all the boxes but they ended up taking up too much space. So I cut out any pictures I like and throw the rest away. I do however keep some such as G1 or Masterpiece only because I like the look of them.

[Stompy]

Like many above I too used to keep all boxes including the plastic on cards, but eventually became useless as I'm not really gonna sell any of it. Even if I did there's tonnes out there (modern figures that is) that are MISB anyway.

I've pretty much just kept the cardbacks and card plastic inserts. For boxes I throw away the interior cardboard and just keep the actual box folded flat.

I do keep a select few packaging. Special Editions, great looking and hard to come-by packaging. All my TFA packaging will stay though.

[gdmetro]

I am assuming keeping G1 boxes are a given. As for non-g1/reissue toys:

This is why I try to buy the Takara version, since there is usually no debate there for me, I will keep the box. Their boxes are designed to re-house the toy, highly displayable and have a more collector appeal over the Hasbro toys and usually take less space. (United deluxes have kind of dropped the ball here). Personally, the box is just as important for my collection and having the figure loose is not enough.

As for the carded Hasbro stuff, I have carefully sliced opened the bottom of the blister and removed the toy, then slid back the bubble inside- they can be re-displayed MIB. But I will probably throw them out eventually.

Usually, MIB commands more than a loose toy- this is a moot point if one does not intend to sell- I do not intend to sell most of my collection... but I still love the MIB aspect. (This is for Takara stuff)

Ultimately, space is more valuable than keeping the box- space is money, so it follows if you have limited space, it is better to throw them out/give them away.

[SkyWarp91]

So i've just begun to unpack my collection and put it on display. For many years as I was building the collection I was getting a lot of boxed figures. The boxes also made things much easier to store and there was the whole resale aspect ... something which was probably moot as I don't have any intentions (at this stage) of selling.

But anyway ... unpacking ... i've been doing it, and now I seem to have a few empty boxes. I've seen some of you guys offer boxes up for others before and i'll probably end up doing that, but is having the box an important part of collecting?

I know the whole free range -vs- MIB/MISB debate, and that's really what this is, but realistically, i'm putting my collection on display, if I need to pack it up (let's say in the event of ... oh I dunno, another bloody cyclone) the boxes will be time consuming, so there's no real point in me keeping the boxes.

But how many are out there are actually interested in boxes, either for figures you need boxes for, or because you just like empty boxes?

And will there be enough interest on here for me to offload them or should I just simply toss 'em in the bin?

I've got a few loose figures that need some boxes, list what you got - and if you can take a photo cos I'm interested in buying!

[GoktimusPrime]

United cards are still smaller than RtS/Generations cards. Though overall cards aren't much of an issue. I used to collect boxes between 1996-2005 then it just took up too much space and I went on a huge purge chucking most of it out. But it took me months to dispose of all my TF boxes, even flattened and stuffed in the recycling bin!! :eek:

All of my G1 boxes were cut up and most of them eventually lost. I still have the package art of some of my old G1 boxes... and I do have a handful of G1 boxes, but none of them are from my childhood.

[Hursticon]

For me, as I really only focus on collecting 3 main lines with a couple of notable exceptions:

G1 - I'll keep them if I get them but I'm not exactly seeking them - Unless of course we're talking about Scorponok or a MIB/MISB Soundwave. ;):D
Beast Wars - I want the Box/Backing-card, the Techspecs and the Instructions so if anyone wants to offload any of these, please let me know. :D:cool:
Classicsverse - Backing Cards and/or boxes and instructions. ;):)
Masterpiece - Everything. :cool:
Soundwave - Everything. :cool:

Packaging does take up a considerable amount of space, especially boxes, so unless they're really special to you or you've got the space to store them - I don't think they're totally necessary.

[5FDP]

And here comes the expected response from me - I love 'em :cool: Just to clarify, I'm talking about G1 boxes.

To me, they're just as important as the toy it had inside it because it tells completes a story. From the artwork, to the foam trays, to the robot points and tech specs, this is how Transformers used to be and IMHO, it was a golden era.

One of my fav boxes (courtesy of one awesome board member) is my G1 Megatron box. If the house burnt down *touch wood*, I would save this before saving my Megatron toy. Yeah, I'm sick :o

[Vector Prime]

And here comes the expected response from me - I love 'em :cool: Just to clarify, I'm talking about G1 boxes.

To me, they're just as important as the toy it had inside it because it tells completes a story. From the artwork, to the foam trays, to the robot points and tech specs, this is how Transformers used to be and IMHO, it was a golden era.

One of my fav boxes (courtesy of one awesome board member) is my G1 Megatron box. If the house burnt down *touch wood*, I would save this before saving my Megatron toy. Yeah, I'm sick :o

I think this thread's referring to everything else except G1 boxes... and yes, we know you love your Megatron box - who else would put an empty one inside an AFA case? :p

[Paulbot]

I was cleaning up my spare room / junk room / collection room over the long weekend, and I realised I have at least four tubs worth of Transformers packaging taking up space.

Like others in this thread, I have a certain soft spot for my G1 packaging that I would struggle to part with, the same as my G1 toys, but everything since? I'm getting to the point where I think I could throw it out and move on. Particularly when I find boxes for TFs I have sold on.

Box art and tech specs are found aplenty on website archives. Barely any of the boxes are "complete", no bubbles, trays etc, so they aren't boxes I can use to repackage TFs and probably aren't of much interest to others.

It took me a while to get started on a cull of toys and now I'm pretty good at getting rid of toys from the collection. The next step is get to the point where I don't mind throwing away the packaging once I open the toy.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, I've stopped keeping most boxes -- not even flattening as I'm just running out of space. I just chuck it all in the recycling bin. I still do keep TakaraTOMY boxes though; and my MP boxes are all unflattened, and now I'm running out of space to keep those... so I may start flattening future MP boxen too. :o

[prjkt]

I rarely keep packaging, only so far the United Seeker trios and the Generations Asia 3 packs

[UltimateGalvatron]

I don't have many TFs at the moment so I mostly keep the packaging

[Trent]

I've long gotten rid of everything except MP boxes. But they'll probably be moving on soon too.

So Gok, if you flatten the box, does that mean you throw the tray/foam insert?

[GoktimusPrime]

So Gok, if you flatten the box, does that mean you throw the tray/foam insert?
Yes. And even then I'm running out of space! :eek:

[5FDP]

So Gok, if you flatten the box, does that mean you throw the tray/foam insert?

There's a whole secondary market out there for inserts, so much so that you can actually buy repros. Everything's worth something to somebody. Why throw stuff out when you can make money off it and use that money to fund more Transformers. It's the circle of life :p

[GoktimusPrime]

But are those for really old vintage figures? Because last year I tried to give away a whole stack of boxes; some dating back to 10 years ago, and I had zero bites. So I literally couldn't even give those things away. If you're talking about G1 stuff then you're talking about someone hanging onto boxes and inserts for 20-30 plus years. That's 2-3 decades of storing boxes... I don't think it's worth it. I'd much rather use that space for more toys. :D

But this demand for boxes and insert seems recent. Because in the 00s I still knew people who were giving away G1 boxes and inserts for free (I personally got boxes and/or inserts for 1984 Soundwave, 1986 Cyclonus and 1987 Sixshot all for free). And only about 5 years ago I bought an original 1984 Brawn card for just $5. :o And I only bought it because Brawn was my very first Transformer; but otherwise I'm personally not willing to pay for packaging. :p

[Bidoofdude]

I've still got all my packaging from everything I've bought in the past 3 and a bit years. A bit of a hassle but nothing too bad yet. They're all stored neatly away.

[BigTransformerTrev]

but is having the box an important part of collecting?

I know the whole free range -vs- MIB/MISB debate, and that's really what this is, but realistically, i'm putting my collection on display, if I need to pack it up (let's say in the event of ... oh I dunno, another bloody cyclone) the boxes will be time consuming, so there's no real point in me keeping the boxes.

But how many are out there are actually interested in boxes, either for figures you need boxes for, or because you just like empty boxes?

And will there be enough interest on here for me to offload them or should I just simply toss 'em in the bin?


Excluding figures I've kept MISB/MOSC of course, when it comes to boxes the rarer boxes or fancy ones like the MP boxes I keep. All the others I just generally cut the back off that has their bios and tech specs and keep that. Like you I now have several boxes of boxes :rolleyes:

I reckon depending on the boxes you could find a few people that might be interested.

[Jenko21]

I used to chuck all my boxes but once I started collecting MPs that all changed (hasbro prowl was the only box I chucked and now im regretting that as we are moving very soon)I even kept my legends arcee and windblade boxes, not for resale or anything like that I just think they will come in handy one day (like moving house). The space thing will become an issue eventually but for now I like my little pile.

PS if anyone has a hasbro prowl box they no longer need I'll be more the happy to take it off your hands.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't blame you for chucking Hasbro MP Prowl's box considering that it's triple the volume of a TakaraTOMY MP Car's box! :eek:

[Magnus]

I've still got a fair few of my boxes. Off the top of my head, I have boxes for MPs, Takara TFs, HAs, 2006 Classics Jetfire, and all my AoE purchases. Some boxes I haven't kept because they're too big/not practical (Jetwing Optimus, Generations Metroplex).

Part of the problem for me is trying to figure out which boxes are 'worth' keeping, since they do seem to make purchases more desirable if you do have to sell figures on, but I don't buy TFs with the express purpose of selling them on later. Takara boxes in general and MP boxes in particular are really nice, and it almost seems like a waste to throw them.

I've done box 'purges' before - I've thrown out a lot of movieverse leader boxes, since they took a lot of space (I don't collapse boxes), and I'm thinking of throwing out the packaging for my AoE Hound, Drift and Lockdown, which I've kept until now for some odd reason.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I keep the boxes etc. for MP and larger Encore stuff, mostly because they make good, safe storage, and flatten and keep the rest. Plastic bubbles etc. get put into recycling.
That said, I mostly buy loose anyway, and so far I haven't bought anything 'vintage'.

I'm not planning on selling off my own collection if I can avoid it, and for me it's very much about the toys rather than the packaging.

@Burn - I'd try and offload them, either for payment or even for free with the cost of postage and mail packaging covered. If someone else wants them and you don't then it seems better to me to not put them to waste.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've decided to chuck out my TF Prime and RiD2015 cards for Legion Class, Commander Class and One-Step Changers where I have a larger version of that character. e.g. I've thrown out all my RiD2015 Legion and One Step Changer Autobot cards, because I have the Warrior Class versions of those characters; I've kept One Step Changer Sideswipe's and Underbite's cards because I don't have Warriors of them (yet? ever?).

[kup]

Boxes are a huge problem. I tend to keep them intact but now they seem to be taking more space than the toys themselves. Very difficult as it would be good to preserve the boxes to show people in the future how the toys were once - That's my rationale as I don't think I would ever sell.

[GoktimusPrime]

I think you only really need to keep one packaging from each line as a "sample" of the packaging style. e.g. I have my MOSC Optimus Primal vs Megatron BW vs set on display, which shows you what the early BW packaging style was like. I've never felt the urge to go and dig up say Powerpinch or Snarl's cards to compare. :p I still do have those cards, but yeah... can't say it makes much difference. And recently the packaging style has just become so generic and plain looking, that I feel even less compelled to keep it. Eh. :o

[Zommael]

I only keep the boxes for "special" releases, e.g. store exclusives, Masterpiece, Platinum Edition, or if the box is particularly pretty. For some reason I am a bit more prejudiced against windowed boxes without a flap and tend to get rid of them more quickly. I never keep blister cards.

I also keep packaging for any Play Arts Kai figures I pick up, and for DC boxed sets.

[UltraMarginal]

Realistically, the only purposes of a box is to protect the toy from factory to home and to make the item more appealing on the shelf at the store more appealing than the competing item sitting right next to it.

For me there is an unfortunate side effect that there is nice artwork on the box, maybe a bit of a bio or tech specs. these latter two elements aren't half as well done these days as they used to be and the globalisation of box art sometimes makes it a lot less nice than it used to be. but some modern boxes are stunning, well built, and border on being their own form of art.

I tend to keep the card from retail transformers removing all the internal packing and flattening them. if packaging in a line is identical, some legends lines for example, then I'll only keep one. I don't display them though, they are packed away in boxes and stored. Last year though, my hoarding of boxes meant I was able to do some high density scans of some box art for submission to the guys making the Legacy art book, I don't think any of it was used but it was cool to be involved at the time.

I keep all MP boxes and a lot of Special edition or more rare boxes in their 'as is' form and it takes up a lot of space. I do keep not on display MP's in their boxes, and some other figures as well. I need to go through the few 3rd party boxes I have and get rid of their boxes because they aren't often actually that nice and they are massive for the size of toy they contain in a lot of cases.

I don't have to cull yet but I can see myself getting to that point in the future. I'm currently re-jigging my instruction storage solution as it's becoming unwieldy, especially with all the differing sizes of instruction sheets.

I tend to keep not on display main line toys in plastic zip locks in plastic bins.

<edit> And then there is the 'box' from the 2014 SDCC dinobots set.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm just clipping any packaging art that interests me. Profile bios these days aren't very well written, so they're easily disposable.

[UltimateGalvatron]

I just went through my boxes and cut out the bios and tech specs of all my boxes, except for my Voyager Silverbolts (I don't know why, but I couldn't bring my blade to that box! :P)

[ampoldj]

Unless the necessity of moving arises I will keep my collection MIB or LIB...It is sometimes difficult to explain at a toy store why I need a perfect box as much as possible :confused:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

it would be good to preserve the boxes to show people in the future how the toys were once - That's my rationale as I don't think I would ever sell.
I was thinking that as well. Some of the boxes looks super nice

I think you only really need to keep one packaging from each line as a "sample" of the packaging style.
This as well. I actually ended up getting my hands on Armada Sideswipe boxed, just to have a sample of Armada packaging. The toy just looks so awful, I don't think I would ever want to play with it (or do I, to find out HOW bad it is for myself....)

My general rule for keeping boxes, is Can it be put back in the box like it was in the shop? If yes, then I'll keep the box, if no, stats/art is cut and in the bin it goes.
Then stage two, does the box look nice/how big is it? I am thinking of ditching MP Soundwaves box as it's so frikking huge and I have other sample of MP boxes.

I will take a few photos of it before I chuck it though.

[kup]

The bubble inserts is what kills storage space. Without it, things flatten up pretty well.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've been chucking out most bubble inserts & trays and just flattening the boxes for the past 10 years now... and I'm running out of space to keep flattened boxes! So I usually just chuck all of it out. I haven't flattened any of my Japanese MP boxen... yet.

[Paulbot]

Next big catch up in Melbourne (well one that's not at Melb Central) I'm going to bring along the boxes of my post 2000 TF packaging for anyone in Melbourne that wants it. It's taking up too much space and I need to get rid of it.

[Megatran]

Next big catch up in Melbourne (well one that's not at Melb Central) I'm going to bring along the boxes of my post 2000 TF packaging for anyone in Melbourne that wants it. It's taking up too much space and I need to get rid of it.
Hmmmmm, what can we expect?

Agreed. Melbourne Central is good for a group meet, but a real beach if you need to haul your wares around. Perhaps we do what those mob up north did recently or a local park with a bbq & have a car boot sale.

[Paulbot]

Hmmmmm, what can we expect?

Agreed. Melbourne Central is good for a group meet, but a real beach if you need to haul your wares around. Perhaps we do what those mob up north did recently or a local park with a bbq & have a car boot sale.

Yep I saw that. We've done it before and should do it again. Most of my boxes aren't complete though, so don't get any hopes up - but I do have the RID Prime box for you.

[unicronsblood]

I just cant bring myself to throw away packaging...if fact a lot of mine haven't been opened. The one's i do open i always buy a second one, its been that way since '85. I may be a little ocd...hahaha

[Paulbot]

I put it off for far too long -- but after much stalling and finding excuses to keep it, approx 20 years of accumulated Transformers boxes and cards were thrown away this morning.

My spare room feels lighter already. And that's just the start. The MIB stuff on the top shelf of the wardrobe should be nervous!

(Would be nice to see them do a second and third volume of the Legacy books of box art though)

[jazzcomp]

No..... :D Any good condition G1 boxes thrown away?

[UltraMarginal]

You should have kept them for the next Legacy book and you might have been able to get your name in the back like I did.;)

[Paulbot]

No..... :D Any good condition G1 boxes thrown away?

Still haven't been able to part with G1 boxes yet!


You should have kept them for the next Legacy book and you might have been able to get your name in the back like I did.;)

That's a good example of the kind of rationalisation that kept me from getting rid of old packaging. ;)