What rules do other people use when they catalouge their collections?

[BigTransformerTrev]

As I home in on the 1100 mark with my TF figure collection, I’m interested to find out how other TF collectors classify what makes up a ‘figure’. I’ve got a rough guide I use that I have made up over the years:

If it’s sentient then I count the figure as existing in its own right. This includes Headmasters, Powermasters, Targetmasters and human companions.
If it’s a drone or a non-sentient vehicle, then I count is as an accessory and not an independent figure.


DRONE EXAMPLES
*Example: Metroplex
- I count Metroplex as 1 figure
- I count Six-Gun as 1 figure
- I count Scamper as 1 figure
- I DON’T count Slammer as he is a drone so I list it as Metroplex (+ Slammer drone)

So the total count for Metroplex is 3. The likes of Trypticon would only be 1.

*For someone like Crankcase from the Power Core Combiners, even though he comes with 4 other vehicles, I only count it as one toy as the others are drones under his control.


VEHICLE EXAMPLE
*My Action Master vehicles I don’t count, just the bots that drive them.

*The only vehicles I have broken this rule for are my Titanium & DOTM versions of ‘The Ark’, because, well… it’s the Ark! If they make a Nemesis toy would probably make an exception there too.


OTHER STUFF
-I DO count busts and statuette’s as figures.
-I DO count figures like human companions from DOTM, Prime, KRE-O etc
-I have decided as of tonight to count Kremzeek from my MP Starscream as his own figure.
-I DON'T count it if I have a second of the same figure (I have 2 G1 Pipes, 2 G1 Soundwaves but only count 1 of each).
-I DO count it if it is the same figure but with different colouring (most recent example would be 2 slightly different coloured Bot Shots Bumblebee's) or with slight modifications (1984 G1 Prime and 25th Anniversary G1 Prime)


So how do other people go categorizing their collections? Am I a complete oddball who is doing it wrong? Should I be counting every drone and AM Vehicle? Or should I be going the other way and only counting the likes of Spinister with his two Targetmaster companions as 1 toy instead of 3? Or do folk basically do what feels right?

Interested to hear your answers and how you do it :)


(P.S: Sorry if this thread has been done before, but could not see it anywhere)

[KalEl]

As I home in on the 1100 mark with my TF figure collection, I’m interested to find out how other TF collectors classify what makes up a ‘figure’. I’ve got a rough guide I use that I have made up over the years:

If it’s sentient then I count the figure as existing in its own right. This includes Headmasters, Powermasters, Targetmasters and human companions.
If it’s a drone or a non-sentient vehicle, then I count is as an accessory and not an independent figure.


DRONE EXAMPLES
*Example: Metroplex
- I count Metroplex as 1 figure
- I count Six-Gun as 1 figure
- I count Scamper as 1 figure
- I DON’T count Slammer as he is a drone so I list it as Metroplex (+ Slammer drone)

So the total count for Metroplex is 3. The likes of Trypticon would only be 1.

*For someone like Crankcase from the Power Core Combiners, even though he comes with 4 other vehicles, I only count it as one toy as the others are drones under his control.


VEHICLE EXAMPLE
*My Action Master vehicles I don’t count, just the bots that drive them.

*The only vehicles I have broken this rule for are my Titanium & DOTM versions of ‘The Ark’, because, well… it’s the Ark! If they make a Nemesis toy would probably make an exception there too.


OTHER STUFF
-I DO count busts and statuette’s as figures.
-I DO count figures like human companions from DOTM, Prime, KRE-O etc
-I have decided as of tonight to count Kremzeek from my MP Starscream as his own figure.
-I DON'T count it if I have a second of the same figure (I have 2 G1 Pipes, 2 G1 Soundwaves but only count 1 of each).
-I DO count it if it is the same figure but with different colouring (most recent example would be 2 slightly different coloured Bot Shots Bumblebee's) or with slight modifications (1984 G1 Prime and 25th Anniversary G1 Prime)


So how do other people go categorizing their collections? Am I a complete oddball who is doing it wrong? Should I be counting every drone and AM Vehicle? Or should I be going the other way and only counting the likes of Spinister with his two Targetmaster companions as 1 toy instead of 3? Or do folk basically do what feels right?

Interested to hear your answers and how you do it :)


(P.S: Sorry if this thread has been done before, but could not see it anywhere)

Very interesting approach dude

[Paulbot]

You might be interested in having a look at this Universal Counting Method (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=217) but feel no pressure to follow it.

[Decepticon]

Goodness! It all sounds too difficult for me. I just buy what I like and throw it in the cabinet.:D

[BigTransformerTrev]

You might be interested in having a look at this Universal Counting Method (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=217) but feel no pressure to follow it.

Hah! Should have known Gok would have done a thread on this before lol

Some interesting ideas there - but think I might just stick with my personal way, especially since it's how I'm doing it for the eventual insurance valuation.

Still interested in how others do it in case I see a better way :)

[Sharky]

There is always different way people count stuff for the most part i subscribe to the Sharky International Method of Counting.... i have lots and lots... other people may have just Lots or Lots more..(at the end of the day i don’t particularly care who has the bigger stick...i just enjoy looking at other collectors purdy collections) I don’t know an exact number count of my collection.

but in saying that I have always seen Headmasters powermaster, targetmasters, pretenders etc as one, as Nebulons shells etc in my eyes are an accessory needed to complete the figure.

metroplex scorponok and other bases i count as 1 just like the "masters" the included figures are accessories.

i count multiple figures as individuals as i am not counting characters. i own 6 G1 Optimus Primes therefore i have 6 figures.

I don’t count statues or merch like robot heroes/PVC, bottle caps or anything like that to me that is just merch and may have its own tally e.g 42 PVC figures......or 56 statues.....

i really think it doesnt matter how you count your collection as long as your happy with it people will always admire it.

[Trent]

Meh. Will never have enough to have these worries.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I don’t count statues or merch like robot heroes/PVC, bottle caps or anything like that to me that is just merch and may have its own tally e.g 42 PVC figures......or 56 statues.....



I count my Robot Heroes and my PVC but any other merch such as shirts, bedspreads, video games, glasses, posters (the list goes on and on lol) I don't count. If I did I think my collection would be nearly twice as big, especially if I counted my comics as well :)

[liegeprime]

Interesting approach, I used to apply most of the rules in the UCM when I read it , but after I hit past the 1500+ figures which is largely due to minicons, Legends and multiples (army build ftw!!) I didnt bother anymore, Ive lost count already and space as well :D:D

[Slag]

You might be interested in having a look at this Universal Counting Method (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=217) but feel no pressure to follow it.

Hmmm. I agree with most of it. Bit upset about pre-tf's not counting:(:p


I count my Robot Heroes and my PVC but any other merch such as shirts, bedspreads, video games, glasses, posters (the list goes on and on lol) I don't count. If I did I think my collection would be nearly twice as big, especially if I counted my comics as well :)

I always considered Metroplex and all his off-siders as one, In saying that, i do have a spare 6-gun and Fastrack displayed separately ATM.. I could consider Fastrack a fig by himself, but not 6-gun (he doesn't transform into anything, just parts for a city).. That would be my yard-stick. If they can transform from robot into a vehicle or anything in it's entirety then it counts. if it can only transform from robot into part of something else, it doesn't (and vice versa . a pair of duocons i count as 1)
Yep, i'll go with that for now:)
and if it can't transform i don't count it
aaand. Just to throw a spanner in the works. If had something mib , I would just count it as one.... Which could get confusing where combiners, tape pairs and micromaster patrols are concerned...:o

[GoktimusPrime]

Unless you're planning on comparing your count with someone else's, it really doesn't matter how you count. :) I personally just use the UCM to count my toys. Before 2007 I used the SRM (Substitution Rationale Method), which for the most part was coincidentally similar to the UCM, but with the following key differences:
+ Multiples didn't count separately.
+ Any near variant that can be used as a "substitute" also didn't count separately. e.g. my original G1 Optimus Prime, 2000 reissue & New Year Special reissue all count as one toy, but my black JafCon 9 Convoy and Pepsi Convoy count separately as an additional 2 because nobody would get either of those Convoys as a 'substitute' for G1 Optimus Prime. A person who owns an original G1 Prime might think, "I don't need a reissue," or a person with a reissue may think, "Now I don't need the original," hence they are "substitutable" toys. So under the SRM my 5 different versions of the original G1 Prime count as 3 toys, whereas under the UCM they count as 5. I have two sets of CD ROM Convobat vs Megalligator, one loose one sealed -- under SRM they count as 2, under UCM they count as 4.

When I first started using the UCM I still also kept track of my toys under SRM... but it all just became too much of a hassle for lazy ol' me to count my toys under two different methods, so even though I personally preferred the SRM, I gave it the flick and I now exclusively use the UCM for counting.

[griffin]

I count anything that is a playable toy, and with whatever it needs for it to be classed as "complete" when out of packaging, for things like selling or reviewing.

For example,
- Metroplex needs Scamper, Slammer & Sixgun to be classed as "complete", so I can't count them as separate in my count. Same with Headmasters & Powermasters, or Microns paired to a particular large robot.... if you found the larger robot on ebay, what does it need for you to consider it "complete" (which prevents those partnered items from being counted).

- However, some multipacks can be counted as separate figures, like Soundwave and Buzzsaw, or combiner boxsets... as neither one needs the other to be classed as "complete" when out of packaging (for buying or selling), so each one counts for me.

- Figures that are incomplete but still playable (or aren't broken beyond playability/convertibility) can count.

- And anything like PVC figurines or statues or merchandise that isn't playable (as in, it isn't intended to be a toy), doesn't count in my count.

(duplicates would count if you don't specify having "X number of DIFFERENT figures", as a TOTAL collection is as big as the amount of physical items you have in it)


I've had 3 different counting methods in the past, but this is now my current one that seems to cover just about every combination Hasbro has thrown at us over the last 28 years. :p

But as you've noticed already, there are many different ways to count a collection... so which ever method is easiest for you to keep track of, is the one that is best for you.

[liegeprime]

Just go with whatever feels natural and easiest/comfortable for yah. Too much specifics and thinking about which way will do your head in :p Just have your basics and then AMEND it from time to time if a certain figure or item would not fit any of the category in counting. That way you have a more flexible but still consistently ONE method that works for you. But yeah, adaptability of your chosen method is all up to you really :D

[BigTransformerTrev]

Just to throw a spanner in the works. If had something mib , I would just count it as one.... Which could get confusing where combiners, tape pairs and micromaster patrols are concerned...:o

With the combiners, I have always counted them individually. But I have a Piranahcon gift set MISB so by that logic I should count him as 1 instead of 6..... however before I bought the gift set I had Snap Trap and Nautillator individually who I don't count as doubles so that means I could count them. But then maybe I should count them anyway as they are from 1988 whereas the gift set is only from a few years ago. Then again....

Ahhhh! Brain Hurts! So many logistics!

Never counted the combined form as another bot (e.g: The constructions = 6, Stunticons = 5 etc) but have counted things like my giant Hardhead Bust of Devastator I got in Edinburgh as 1 because he does not dissasemble.

Again, for me half the reason I catagorize the way I do if so I can eventally get them insured (which is damn hard to find someone in the bush willing to do a collection like this). And it seemed weird to count a $5 Micromaster Fixit but not a $200 bust of Devastator.

[5FDP]

I have a friend who even counted t-shirts and DVD's :D While that doesn't seem right to me, who am I to tell him that he can't. Bottom line - it's your collection so use whatever method suits you best.

[liegeprime]

If it's for insurance , best to LIST EVERYTHING... while some may be counted as accessoies for a figure - I always counted Sixgun as an accessory figure for Metroplex, if you have him ... in yourlist have it as spreadsheet (excel is good and simple) format so that you can amend and add or delete a column as the need arises. That way come insurance time it will be easier as it is clear cut what you have and what you don't have. Whether you counted it as a figure or accessory doesn't matter much, what matters is ITS IN THE LIST whether it's a figure or a priced important accessory of a figure, so it has to count and be considered in the Insurance price quote.

Ive ever counted the Gestalt form as 1 more figure since its a coincidental existence of a figure( UCM doesn't count it too) which I think is only logical. Dont overthink it, Piranahcon counts as 6 figures (count the individuals dont bother with the gestalt form - your life would be easier hehehe) so is for Devastator giftset - 6 figures not 7. It follows the same logic I apply with combined modes - coz they fall in a way in the category of "gestalt", e.g. Energon powerlink figures, Victory Saber, Omega Prime - it's counted as 2 figures not 3.

ALthough, I do deviate from UCM to form my own personal counting especially with minicons - most count them as "accessories" but I personally count them as a separate entity altogether cos they dont often need the larger figure anyways - as with the new sets of scout PCCs the basic scout is 1 figure coz even if they dont have the minicon - they're still a basic figure in both modes - mebbe gunless of whatever but still by itself a complete toy you can play with - a plane or a snow plow or a truck.... gunles robot mode but still a full robot. Same with the minicon - it may be a gun, or a drill but then Megatron is a gun and he's counted a s1 figure too. So I count the minicon as a separate entity. BUt this same logic I don't apply to Actionmaster partners.

So this is why I say, have a flexible method so it can adapt rather than a hard "law" in your counting. As Hasbro has a way of throwing spanners in our collecting counting so too your methods have to "evolve" to accomodate for variations of upcoming line BUT it has to be balanced so as not to be overly rigid specifics as it will do your head in. :D Whatever comes natural and comfy , go for it.

[BigTransformerTrev]

If it's for insurance , best to LIST EVERYTHING...

I have tried to start to catalouge my 'Transformers Products' stuff for insurance but it seems such a monumental task and not sure I have the energy for it - especially when you have everything from G1 boardgames to TF: Energon bubblegum to TF: Movie bubblebath. Think I got half way through my Dreamwave comics when I threw up my hands in despair lol

But yeah, for insurance I should be doing everything, espeically things like Box Sets of TF DVD's and so on. But I have as yet to find anyone in the area that is able to assess my collection for insurance. Anyone have any ideas in that regard? Think my collection is prob at about the $50/60 grand mark which besides my house (which I am a LONG way from paying off) makes my collection my most valuable asset.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I used the UCM to count my toys while at the same time using my own method. I no longer use the UCM though.
If a Toy has sentience it's counted as 1 as in headmasters (Hasbro - not that I own any) or targetmasters. Drones don't count as 1, only their control bot as in PCC.
ROTF Devestator (supreme not legends) count as 1 even though each vehicle has it's own name. They don't have their own robot mode.
For me Headmasters and Targetmasters (and any other of that evolution) always counted as 2 as their partners had their own personality while Targetmasters had their own alt mode that didn't need the main bot like the Power/Headmasters did. Yes they are just a gun but so was Megatron.
Pretenders count as 1 but Actionmasters count as 2.

[liegeprime]

We have a thread somewhere regarding insuring our collections here.... not very adept at finding it in search but Im sure somebody here could post a link eventually :D

I know what you mean,
I kept my Spreadsheet list up to date when I was starting coz of excitement - G1 and all that alone is a bit too much, then I have separate sheets for every other line, but after the 1000s mark, nay the 800s I just couldnt be bothered anymore. Ive included it in the insurance for my contents with NRMA but admittedly it underinsured as I dint get it properly assessed at the time I applied, it has grown exponentially since. We really should try and get a good valuer and prolly some insurer specializing in things like these - or antique insurers - I wonder at times when I watch Bargain hunt or Antiques roadshow - they often recommend an insurance price for an item and makes me think - who are these insurers and where can I get in contact with them - Australian equivalent. Coz yeah G1 alone is gonna be pricey....

[GoktimusPrime]

Whichever method people wanna go with, try to be consistent within their own method. e.g. Devastator (G1): does he count as 1, 6 or 7? Up to you, but I reckon whichever rule you choose should be applied across the board for all your gestalts, regardless of whether you purchased them individually or in a single box set. Maybe if you keep the box sets sealed... but otherwise if they're opened, I say count 'em all the same way. :)


If it's for insurance , best to LIST EVERYTHING... while some may be counted as accessoies for a figure - I always counted Sixgun as an accessory figure for Metroplex, if you have him
Yeah, I suppose for insurance purposes you might want to catalogue them like TFU.info does... Sixgun, Scamper & Slammer aren't counted separately from Metroplex, but the page on Metroplex clearly lists/documents every accessory that he comes with - those robots, the building bit, the missiles etc.


ALthough, I do deviate from UCM to form my own personal counting especially with minicons - most count them as "accessories" but I personally count them as a separate entity altogether cos they dont often need the larger figure anyways - as with the new sets of scout PCCs the basic scout is 1 figure coz even if they dont have the minicon - they're still a basic figure in both modes - mebbe gunless of whatever but still by itself a complete toy you can play with - a plane or a snow plow or a truck.... gunles robot mode but still a full robot. Same with the minicon - it may be a gun, or a drill but then Megatron is a gun and he's counted a s1 figure too. So I count the minicon as a separate entity. BUt this same logic I don't apply to Actionmaster partners.
UCM counts Mini-Cons separately dude (Article03). As you said, Mini-Cons have independent play value... you take Jetter - on his own he transforms from a robot into a supersonic jet. He doesn't need any other Transformer to be enjoyed with as a Transformer toy. The fact that he can merge with the rest of his team to form the Star Sabre and Powerlink with Autobots/Decepticons is a bonus feature.


I used the UCM to count my toys while at the same time using my own method. I no longer use the UCM though.
If a Toy has sentience it's counted as 1 as in headmasters (Hasbro - not that I own any) or targetmasters. Drones don't count as 1, only their control bot as in PCC.
Heh, I used to use the Sentience method too when I was a kid. :D (back when I maintained a checklist on a Commodore 64, then later a 286 PC (with a VGA monitor! Made me the envy of my friends who were still using CGA and EGA monitors... then my godbrother got a Super VGA monitor and blew my mind away :p) *rewinds.tape*


ROTF Devestator (supreme not legends) count as 1 even though each vehicle has it's own name. They don't have their own robot mode.
Agreed. You'd have to be pret-ty desperate to jack your collection count up to count those separately IMO. :p I couldn't be bothered making a poll about that set because there's only 6 of them - and considering that results are rounded to the nearest hundred in the primary poll, it's not really going to affect the results. There are gaps in the UCM like this where stuff slips through - but the numbers are so small that they wouldn't affect poll results anyway.


For me Headmasters and Targetmasters (and any other of that evolution) always counted as 2 as their partners had their own personality while Targetmasters had their own alt mode that didn't need the main bot like the Power/Headmasters did. Yes they are just a gun but so was Megatron.
Pretenders count as 1 but Actionmasters count as 2.
Hmmm... but are Action Master weapons/vehicles sentient though? My understanding has always been that they're not... at best they may have advanced A.I. but aren't actually sentient/self aware (at best they might be like say Jarvis in the Iron Man/Avengers film franchise -- artificially intelligent but not sentient).

[SuspectimusPrime]

I agree with most of Goki's UCM as well, however if I ever get around to the mind numbing task of counting, I'd amend Article 1 :p, as I have a few unique CHMS KO's (Sunstorm and Decepticon Seeker Clones) and quite a few third party robots. These figures are all dear to me, and if it deserves a place on the Classics shelf, then it deserves a place in the count. ;)


Meh. Will never have enough to have these worries.

That's what I thought too! But whenever non-TF friends ask, I do wish I had a straight off the top of my head number.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I agree with most of Goki's UCM as well, however if I ever get around to the mind numbing task of counting, I'd amend Article 1 :p, as I have a few unique CHMS KO's (Sunstorm and Decepticon Seeker Clones) and quite a few third party robots. These figures are all dear to me, and if it deserves a place on the Classics shelf, then it deserves a place in the count. ;)

Yeah, I love my Quintesson Judge and Procecutor, if Hasbro wont make the figures we yearn for and someone else does we should be able to buy them and pop them in the count.

I live in fear of a fire, considering the hassle to get them cataloged, let alone replaced, a blaze would wipe out 28 years of love, sweat and bots The most RACV have said they would insure the collection for was for $10,000 which may replace a fraction of what I have, but so much is simply irriplaceable! Plus so, so much is no longer produced. Am having a kid and wanted to buy him his own Slumblebee and Softimus Prime and it was $90 the pair on ebay!!?!? Think I paid about $12 each in the shops 6 years ago

[LordCyrusOmega]

If the Actionmaster partners are just AI and don't count then it stands to reason that the Vehicons from Prime and the drones from Beast Machines who are also described as AI don't count.
I always read the Actionmaster partners bio as having personality so I think they count. Combiners with individual robot modes count individually but not their combined mode.
King posiedon (spelt right? probably not) from Masterforce was 4 drones and Turtler who combined so what does he count as?

[GoktimusPrime]

Article01 is based on the 'legal' or 'technical' definition of a Transformer product would be any product manufactured and marketed by Hasbro or Takara(TOMY), or manufactured by another party but under licence from Hasbro or Takara(TOMY) and explicitly sold as part of Hasbro's/Takara(TOMY)'s Transformers franchise/brand.

That's not to say that third party or pre-Transformers etc. stuff isn't cool, but simply that these toys just aren't part of the official Transformers brand. I used to have a Macross Valkyrie VF-1S from the 1980s (preTF Jetfire). It was a cool toy - every bit as cool as Jetfire - but it's just not a Transformer. The UCM was devised for counting toys of the Transformers brand, not simply transforming robot toys. If we were to allow that, then people could start counting all their Macross Valkyries, Go-Bots etc. as part of their "Transformers" collection, which would skew the results when comparing them with other people who only collect Transformers.

Remember that the core purpose of the UCM was to allow for comparative results, especially for the purposes of the annual survey project. Outside of this context, you can amend the UCM or use an entirely different counting method to your heart's content. If you want to have a "Transforming Robot toy collection count" instead of just a "Transformers(TM)" collection count, then go for it. :) Unless you intend to compare your count with someone else's, it really doesn't matter how you count your toys. I personally like to make my collection count number comparable, so I use UCM. Unless someone is using the same counting method as you, no two collectors can really accurately compare their collection counts. Some collectors don't care (like Sharky ;)), and that's fine. I like to have a comparable collection count, so I use the UCM -- but that's me. :)

[BigTransformerTrev]

I always read the Actionmaster partners bio as having personality so I think they count.

Yeah, thats pretty much the kind of thinking I've been using to catagorize my bots. Suppose it depends on the Action Master though.

*Push-Button (Mainframe's partner) definetly has a personality so I count him seperate.

*Jazz's turbo-board or Bumblebee's helicopter pack don't have personalities so I don't count them (actually come to think of it - I dont even have them lol)


I can understand Gok's point about the rules for collection comparison and discounting 3rd party products - especially if Hasbro has been involved in the discussion. Apparently Hasbro is giving strong consideration to banning all 3rd party products at Botcon next year! But as he and many of you have said, for our own personal collections, it's up to us :)

[theheretic]

It all seems really technical :-S Plushies count but mighty muggs don't? Only licensed items count too? Oh well. No pre transformers or go bots, even though the go bots where officially taken into the TF world as an alternate universe. Personally I feel as long as it transformers (and isnt a drone), licensed or not it counts, with the exception of cheap KO's.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Apparently Hasbro is giving strong consideration to banning all 3rd party products at Botcon next year! But as he and many of you have said, for our own personal collections, it's up to us :)IIRC they banned them this year already (http://www.shortpacked.com/2012/comic/book-14/01-deady-dearest/lefty/).
I so want those Cassette-bot/con pillow cases.

[griffin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega http://www.otca.com.au/boards/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=315944#post315944)
I always read the Actionmaster partners bio as having personality so I think they count.



Yeah, thats pretty much the kind of thinking I've been using to catagorize my bots. Suppose it depends on the Action Master though.

*Push-Button (Mainframe's partner) definetly has a personality so I count him seperate.

*Jazz's turbo-board or Bumblebee's helicopter pack don't have personalities so I don't count them (actually come to think of it - I dont even have them lol)

That was my first counting method, but as the collection grew, there were too many contradictions... so eventually went with a method that went closer to how they were sold, or more accurately, how I'd buy them (or sell them).
Take the Actionmasters. At first I was counting their partners too (if they were sentient), but then I realised, if I had Treadshot & Catgut, would I sell them separately... or more importantly, would I buy Treadshot without Catgut. If I couldn't answer yes to those questions on anything in my collection, it couldn't count as a separate figure.
It did mean "losing" a couple hundred in my count, but since then, it has been easy to keep count.... to keep track of how many I get each year (to compare years or break records).

[GoktimusPrime]

It all seems really technical :-S Plushies count but mighty muggs don't?
That's what the majority voted for.


Only licensed items count too?
Yep. Because otherwise the product simply isn't part of the Transformers brand.


No pre transformers or go bots, even though the go bots where officially taken into the TF world as an alternate universe.
Yes, and the Go-Bots who are produced and marketed by HasTak as part of the Transformers universe do count as Transformers (e.g. BotCon Bug Bite, eHobby Gobots, Fracture etc.) Even canonically the GoBots didn't become part of the Transformers universe until after Classics Megatron had inadvertantly caused the destruction of the Gobot universe and some of the Gobots had fled to the Transformers' universe as interdimensional refugees, integrating themselves into Cybertronian society.

Also, if you're going to let people count non-TF toys that have been integrated into Transformers like Gobots and let them count the Tonka Gobots, then a similar argument could be made for other such toys, like Star Wars, Marvel heroes, G.I. Joe, Garibo, Disney, iPod, Nike, USBs, Bathing Ape, Pepsi and other franchises that have crossed over with Transformers at one stage or another. So people could use the same rationale to include their Kenner Star Wars toys, Toy Biz Marvel toys, G.I. Joe toys et al. as part of their "Transformers" collection.


Personally I feel as long as it transformers (and isnt a drone), licensed or not it counts, with the exception of cheap KO's.
If that's how you want to personally count it then go for it. :) But for the purposes of the UCM anything not officially part of the Transformers Brand doesn't count. And remember that UCM rules cannot be changed otherwise the results from previous surveys becomes incomparable, which defeats the core purpose of the UCM in the first place. The UCM isn't saying "This is the best way to count," because there's no such thing as a "best" way to count toys. It's simply, "This is a way to count if you want to compare collection sizes and conduct comparative surveys." Outside of this context it doesn't matter how you want to count your toys; count however you want. :cool:

[theheretic]

I just held a survey and everyone voted on a new way to count transformers collections where everything I previously said is now used... It is called the ICM, Infinity Counting Method.

Please note that I only surveyed myself, but I was in total agreeance with myself :-)

[Slag]

I just held a survey and everyone voted on a new way to count transformers collections where everything I previously said is now used... It is called the ICM, Infinity Counting Method.

Please note that I only surveyed myself, but I was in total agreeance with myself :-)

At least everyone agrees on something:):rolleyes:.

[5FDP]

It all seems really technical :-S Plushies count but mighty muggs don't?

I keep it simple and don't count either ;) If I went by the UCM method, my collection count would be a great deal higher however it's not about how many I have that's important to me but do I enjoy what I own.

[Sharky]

it's not about how many I have that's important to me but do I enjoy what I own.

thats exactly right.. and in all instances i like not knowing how many i have!!
(man i still got to find my storage box from 1988/89)

[griffin]

I agree... it's the collection as a whole that has any significance or value. Keeping track of numbers is only for the benefit of non-collectors who ask, and for seeing how each year of purchases compares to previous years (for me).

[GoktimusPrime]

I just like knowing how many I have. I first started counting/cataloging my Transformers collection in 1985 (I made a spreadsheet on our Commodore 64!). :) Of course a common counting method isn't necessary for this.

Having a common counting method has helped me:
1/ Compare my collection count with others who have chosen to use the UCM
2/ Determine the average size of a Transformers collection - I've wanted to know this since 1996!

How people want to count their collections (if at all) is up to them. You only need to use an agreed upon method if you want to compare your counts or participated in the survey project... beyond that it doesn't matter.

[theheretic]

I keep it simple and don't count either ;) If I went by the UCM method, my collection count would be a great deal higher however it's not about how many I have that's important to me but do I enjoy what I own.

That's very true. It's all about enjoyment for me too. Especially considering my count would be pretty low :-)