Where do you draw the line with collecting?

[Ultra Mackness]

When I started collecting a few years back (about 2007) I was simply looking to replace the few figures that I had as a kid that got given away, as well as pick up a few extras that I had wanted as a kid but had never been successful in convincing my parents to buy.

But of course with the magic marketplace of ebay, there was so much extra, so along with replacing/acquiring g1 figures, I started slowly picking up peripheral merchandise, from basic items that had been stamped with a logo (sunglasses, wallet etc.) to devices such as walkie talkies and radios.

But the other day I caught myself looking At and considering the merits of picking up a set of party invitations from the 80's and that's when I thought, "that really doesn't have a place in my collection".

So it got me wondering, where do other people draw the line. Is it figures only, or is your holy grail 2 metres of vintage transformers print fabric? And if you do collect peripheral merchandise, what would be your favorite piece?

[Skullcruncher]

If its G1 US or Japanese then its good for me. Be it MIB, MISB a decoy or a red decoder or even some odd piece of merchandise. This includes WST's and various G1 PVC's. heh :D

I'm always tempted by the masterpieces but so far have resisted every single one...... I have 1 movie toy and even though it one of my faviourite characters I'm just not diggin it.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I'll buy any toy, comic, and dvd. I also buy clothes.
With toys I will buy from and line out but I won't buy repaints that I don't think are necessary or are done to create a new character. I also don't get non transforming toys such as RPM's and I'll get the toy in the biggest mould possible.

[Verno]

Easy for me. BW has a pretty clearly defined start and finish, toy-wise anyway.

I don't get into the repaints though. Fox Kids junk etc. I will have to track down a TM2 Tripredacus Agent however, because he is a different character.

As for peripherals, the comics and dvd's of course, maybe a poster or two. I've considered the BW colour-changing glass from time to time, but never gone through with it :p

[Bartrim]

I basically collect my own version of the G1 classicverse. I have my own exceptions eg: I use animated Blurr instead of Generations Blurr as I think animated Blurr is a better representation. Adding to this I have a shelf with the bases/city robots transformed in their city/base modes with legends and robot heroes running around everywhere. Then there is a shelf for extras that I buy that don't fit into either of the 2 previous catergories but I like them anyway. I also collect the comics in TPB format.

Thankfully my collection is pretty much complete in my eyes at the moment until some new figures are released anyway. So atleast I'm saving money.

[Aqua Prime]

I pretty much draw the line at items that don't transform (starting to collect Actionmasters though) but kiddy stuff like RPM's those hotwheels type car things, Cyberslammers. I'm fussy with what I buy and will generally consider purchasing repaints of items if the character they repaint them as looks decent. I like G1 homage's but regardless the alt and robot modes have to look decent to me or I just leave them on the shelf. They also need to have decent posebility and as I found with some of the ROTF line, the ability to stand is a necessity, since I display 98% of my TF's in robot mode. That goes across all molds, robots and toylines. I look at way too many current transformers and just allround dislike the robot modes. If I'm not sold on them I pass. It sounds odd but I think the current line is why I've gone back to collecting G1's after 5 or 6 years.
With that said I love "Classics/Generationsverse" and will buy any figure I like that I think fits into that universe. It also helps if I'm familiar with the character. Shoot me but I had no idea who Generations Thunderwing was and kept passing him in the shops. Then later found he was a Japanese character and I NEEDED to have him for my collection. To date I've still passed on RTS Strafe and Generations Skullgrin. Which were stupid uses for those molds.

[liegeprime]

For me it's was at the beginning getting what figures I wanted, or looks good to me (with my measly student allowance at the time). Then now that Im working, I set out completing my G1 - almost done still have Overlord to get. The rest of the different series I will "complete" to a certain degree only, of being complete for me. Such as:

G1 - encore, doubles (G1 insections), E-hobby stuff, old botcon, Euros - if affordable for me, yes. Otherwise just Overlord left to get.
BW - transmetal versions (whenever possible) of series cast only
TFAnimated - all released figures sans botcon stuff and recolours
Classicverse - ongoing but if not G1 based prolly not getting the fig...
G2 whatever I can get but not actively seeking - same with MPs
Unicron trilogy, TFU vr 1 - stopped and put in storage
same with bayverse and other series it's mostly stopped - getting a few figures (2-4) that I might like from the series.

NO too kiddy stuff - rpms, those pull and go stuff, none of em.

Other Liegeverse faction

Unicronians - ongoing - any figure that might be related to the dark god of TFs I will add to the collection as either an agent, a puppet, a general, etc
Army building - ongoing (Energon terrorcons, Scrapmetals, Unicron tanks)- these serve as the foot soldiers of unicronian army
Minicons - ongoing - gotta catch em all :D:D:D
non official stuff - Energon cubes, 3rd party figures and accessories - if they look good for me and can fit in my liegeverse - yes(depends on price also)

Peripherals wise -
Clothing, DVDs, Comic books, books, G1 centered posters - yes
Mugs and other useful stuff (e.g. belt) - depends if I can use it, otherwise no

Lately though with only the ugly DOTM bots out there, Ive moved on to my DCU collection, so the variation and break is refreshing :):)

[SkyWarp91]

Good question. I primarily collect the movie toys but also do have some Classics, Animated, G1 and even Cybertron toys. All toys are transformable though. I think I'll draw the line once I run out of room lol

[Gutsman Heavy]

Shoot me but I had no idea who Generations Thunderwing was and kept passing him in the shops. Then later found he was a Japanese character and I NEEDED to have him for my collection.

Thunderwing is a US Character, yet to appear at all in jap fiction I believe.

[Sky Shadow]

Thunderwing is a US Character, yet to appear at all in jap fiction I believe.

He's in the new issue of Generations (http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/336/gen81311870806.jpg), but yes, Thunderwing is the antithesis of a Japanese character since he wasn't released in Japan (Black Shadow was instead) and was a hugely important character in the US and UK comics.

My collection process is quite simple - I only buy what I like, and if I get sick of something I sell it.

[Zippo]

I try to stay away from the non converting toys though have in moments of weakness picked up the odd rpm. Assorted merchandise also doesn't come home with me but there have been some exceptions and since it is my collection I can break the 'rules' when I like.

[Lordy]

I'm pretty picky about which TFs I buy. I am not looking to have a complete G1 collection, just particular ones I wanted as a kid but didn't have the pocket money to cover the cost.

[Alpha Supreme]

I stick to the transforming stuff mostly. Exceptions are t- shirts. I buy what I like the look of mostly. Will always buy the remakes of G1.

[mentok27]

im a classics guy... generally i only want one of a character so for instance henkei voyager prime will be the only prime I'll get.... just need to get around to him... i have no problems with KO's or 3rd party if i think theyre better than what has/tak will do if they ever did em at all...

[1orion2many]

If it doesn't transform then how could it be called a transformer:confused::D

[SkyWarp91]

If it doesn't transform then how could it be called a transformer:confused::D

If Hasbro/TakTom slap on the brand name and claim copyright then it is a Transformer! trolol

[Pipesqueak]

Above and beyond picking what appeals from each toy line (sometimes heaps, sometimes nothing, depending on the line, and Cyberton and Classicsverse are my favourites) I'm a real sucker for TF books - guide books, art books, toy inventory books, even ones in Japanese where I can't understand a word).

I draw the line at non-transforming toys and other merchandise, some of which is cool but I don't think I'd want to display it.

[bruticus]

i use to have a line (several lines in fact)
no headmasters. then i bought headmasters.
no pretenders. then i bought pretenders.
no beast wars. then i bought beast wars.
no non transforming stuff. then i bought non transforming stuff.

now i just dont even bother drawing any lines at all as i know i'll eventually break them.
what can i say, the body is strong, but the will is weak and the choices are vast. :p

[Seraphim Prime]

I stick with Toys, Comics, and DVDs, and have been starting on the collection books, though only pick those up on an individual basis.

Figures - I will get repaints if they're a new character or are in an interesting colour scheme. Mainly recent lines as, being a student, I don't have the spare cash to buy many older figures.

Comics and DVDs - if I have an older version of the same thing, I won't buy the new version. (EG: Have all three BW seasons as seperate releases so don't want the box set. I already have the 4 TPB of AHM, so won't get the Hardcover.)

[janda the red]

my wife draws the line... :o lol

not on what i can buy... but how much i can spend!

erin jokes to her family that " at this rate, we're gonna be building our house outta tf's! " :p

janda :)

[Decepticon]

I won't touch the G1 toys as I honestly don't care much about the toys these days. I do have a G1 Soundwave and MP SW and SS though. Just into Universe, Generations, and movie stuff.

[kristofferrer]

I've stuck to the lines which have kept me in awe (thank goodness i dont like all of the series). My constraints are:

1) Classics - just because they pay homage to the G1 combined with modern engineering (i cant buy G1 because they're too expensive to complete).

2) Masterpiece

3) animated (i didnt really like the look of the toys, but i liked the story and the fact that the toys look exactly as they're portrayed in the cartoons).

4) selected customs and other lines where the toys have resemblance to the above lines.

5) budget (and my partner).

[sideswipes brother]

I only buy what i like. Usually G1 but some figures i must have. Eg Galaxy Force Vector Prime, Metals Rampage etc.

[jena]

I buy what I like, it's as simple as that. I only really buy the characters I like, and I will happily have multiples. I draw that line when it comes to toys that are practically the same - for example with the movie line, I have Jetwing Optimus Prime on layby at Target, so I don't see the point in owning any other movie leader variation of OP. Luckily I didn't previously own one because I wanted Jetwing anyway! I'd love to own some G1 toys but budget sets me back, I only have a tiny G1 Ratchet that survived from my childhood but it's Legend size so it's not exactly a stand out in my collection.

[mentok27]

Classics only.

[Jay-Tron]

For me I started out getting the G1 DVDs and getting just some of my favourite G1 reissues and that was going to be it. Then Classics and Generations came out, plus the Encore reissue line... I try to be as fussy as possible so I don't spend too much money.

So, for me I only get the reissues of the G1's that I always wanted as a kid, and as for the other toy lines it'll be based on if I think the toy looks like a great updated remake of the G1 character it's based on and if it's a G1 toy/character that I like. So, that helps to keep my collection down to a manageable size. I'll sometimes buy other bits and pieces but that is quite rare.