Stop collecting/watching/reading Transformers?

[GoktimusPrime]

I must confess that the idea of stopping collecting Transformers is an altogether alien concept to me.

When I hear/read about people saying that they've stopped collecting or being into Transformers before and have gotten back into it afterwards - while I'm really happy that they're back into TFs, I am just baffled by how they could've left the fandom in the first place.

*shrugs* Each to their own. :)

[Geminii]

I've stopped collecting before (lack of interest) and am not collecting en masse at the moment (finances). I'll probably go back and pick up missed stuff later on, which I'm fine with. Consider it, ah, delayed collecting. :)

[Pulse]

It's easy to stop collecting something - You just lose interest in it. It's ex-collectors like those who present opportunities for the rest of us to finally get our hands on the rare stuff they were holding onto.

I was a SW Lego person for 5 odd years & then one day - I thought to myself "Why do I own all these gigantic dust-collectors?" (they were massive) so I sold 'em off through a garage sale (& got $520 for them :)).

But I honestly can't see myself ever getting rid of my TFs - ever :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Transformers has always been far too cool for me to ever lose interest in it.

[Paulbot]

Moved this to it's own thread so as not to start debate in the "Why do you collect?" thread.

And I agree, the idea of stopping collecting Transformers is an alien concept to me too.

[kurdt_the_goat]

For me, i think it's just an age thing. When i was a kid just playing with Transformers, i dont think i looked at it as collecting - it was more just having some toys i thought were cool to play with, with my mates. I do clearly remember not being fond of action masters and losing interest, so unless u were in a collecting mindset back then, i think as a kid it's easy to stray into some other hobby (for me it was Nintendo). Nowadays i'm definitely in a collecting mindset and can't imagine not collecting (especially with all the good stuff coming out!) Perhaps it's the fact that Nintendo doesn't interest me as much, that i'm drawn to Transformers again. Whilst i can appreciate what Nintendo is doing with Wii and casual gaming.. it's great, but it's not for me anymore!

*goes in a corner to sulk about no worthwhile upgrade to WaveRace 64*

[GoktimusPrime]

I was a kid in 1984 when I started collecting Transformers. I guess it's because straight away I knew that I wanted to collect these toys - unlike my other toys I didn't see them as just "another cool plaything." I made my first TF toy database on a Commodore 64 back then, hehehehe. It was pretty puny... but ya know... any excuse to use a computer and the ol' dot-matrix printer. ;)

[Tommy K]

stop.... collecting.....TRANSFORMERS!?!?!?!?!?!!?!? THE APOCOLYPSE IS HERE, RUN FOR COVER, WHEELIE IS COMING!!! lol only joking, ive been down that road, people have question my collecting and ive tried to shrug it off time and time again

[Soundwarp]

I had stopped from G1 until early 2000's because i was away from it. The love passion and desire was still there i was just in another area at the time. Transformers will NEVER EVER die for me but i will go through patches i know it.

[Robzy]

Transformers?.... *Rick Astley voice*: "Never gonna give you up"

[Tober]

... I am just baffled by how they could've left the fandom in the first place.

G1 Season 3.



The '86 Movie was the hilight really. Megs finally got to be the bad-ass we wanted him to be. :D

After that it was downhill, I couldn't really maintain interest in the cartoon the toys no longer interested me either. I saw bits of Beast Wars and lamented what they had dome to poor Optimus and didn't bother watching it for about another 10 years.. the animation and rendering were awful to me even back then. Beast Machines went under the radar. Later I saw bits of RID and didn't care for it either.

The advent of the BINALTECH and Masterpiece lines called me back to what I liked about Transformers in the first place - interesting toys with interesting characters in a decent storyline. The DW/IDW storys are mostly good too.

[jaydisc]

I started collecting TF's when they were first introduced in the USA. I started drifting away around the Target/Headmasters era, only getting a few Headmasters/Monsterbots. I was just into other, non-toy things (MTV and girls) and Pretenders were the final straw. They just defied everything a Transformer was to me. I returned after the movie, and backtracked to Classics and other select figures. As I look back between 1987 and now to what I missed, I'm not sorry about it at all. There were many dark (and some light) times in there.

As I look to the future, I can't blanketly say I'll never stop collecting again. If Hasbro enters another [what I see as a] dark age, I won't just accept it. I've got plenty of other things to spend money on.

So, as long as they keep making what I like, and I have money, I won't stop. But should either change, I will.

[Robzy]

If Hasbro enters another [what I see as a] dark age, I won't just accept it. So, was Beast Wars a "dark age" in the Transformers history? :D Uh-oh... "DUCK!!"

[Lint]

I can easily stop collecting anything. Though some would say i'm not really a collector at all.

[Gutsman Heavy]

I stopped getting TFs when I wanted to start having sex, ironically I didn't start getting any until I got back into TFs :D

[heroic_decepticon]

G1 Season 3.

The '86 Movie was the hilight really. Megs finally got to be the bad-ass we wanted him to be. :D

After that it was downhill, I couldn't really maintain interest in the cartoon the toys no longer interested me either. I saw bits of Beast Wars and lamented what they had dome to poor Optimus and didn't bother watching it for about another 10 years.. the animation and rendering were awful to me even back then. Beast Machines went under the radar. Later I saw bits of RID and didn't care for it either.

The advent of the BINALTECH and Masterpiece lines called me back to what I liked about Transformers in the first place - interesting toys with interesting characters in a decent storyline. The DW/IDW storys are mostly good too.

Ditto ditto ditto and ditto.

[Pulse]

I was just into other, non-toy things (MTV and girls) and Pretenders were the final straw. They just defied everything a Transformer was to me.

I remember that pretender-period too. Back in '88, To me Pretenders looked nothing like what a TF was supposed to (as though they belonged in MOTU). These days, I know that sounds silly :o but that's how I saw them as an 8-9 year old.

[genechan]

I remember watching it as a kid and getting one of the Hamburger Transformer from Hungry Jacks...but I didn't get really interested into the series until Armada, and when that series sorta died on Cartoon Network, so did my interest. That was until last year when I heard about the movie :D That sparked my interest all over again, then I began watching G1, learning all the names and toy etc etc :cool: and so I started buying the toys - even though I must admit, I brought my Classics Starscream sometime between last year and Armada :D So yeah my interest never died ^^

And I'll shut now...I am just rambling xD

BTW: Beast Wars and Beast Machines didn't do anything for me...I remember watching that...I hate it now.

[griffin]

Okay, the interesting question is, do you see yourself still collecting Transformers when you're retired in your 80s as a wrinkled old prune? If an octogenerian collecting kids toys sounds absurd, and you can't see yourself being one, at what age would you call it quits because of your age?

[valkyrie_76]

At least collecting Transformers is alot better than some of those 'males' on Japanorama who were collecting the different types of dolls from sex ones to dress-ups.

[loophole]

Okay, the interesting question is, do you see yourself still collecting Transformers when you're retired in your 80s as a wrinkled old prune? If an octogenerian collecting kids toys sounds absurd, and you can't see yourself being one, at what age would you call it quits because of your age?

As long as im still a kid at heart at that age i dont think i will stop, and if i am still collecting at that age i get to be the crazy old grandad that doesnt let his grandkids touch any of his toys :D

[Verno]

I stopped when I had all the BW figures from the show. But I was buying and selling all the others and had 80% of the others in stock so one day I just added them and thus started collecting again.

[GoktimusPrime]

When the cartoon started sucking I just became a bigger fan of the comics.
The "Dark Ages" for me was Generation 2. My toy-collecting was at it's lowest point then... but I never stopped being a fan of Transformers. I still actively read my old G1 comics, collected some of the G2 comics and toys and forced myself to watch the awful cartoon (only to laugh about it at school :p). And most importantly, I continued playing with my toys!

Btw, could we change the thread topic to "Stop being a fan of Transformers"? Because that was my initial intent.

Being a Transformers fan doesn't mean that you have to be actively collecting the toys and merchandise. What I mean is, I cannot imagine myself ever not being seriously fanatical (remember that the word "fan" is an abbreviation of fanatic) about Transformers.

So to me... to experience a period where I just stop passionately loving Transformers and actively being a fan (e.g.: read comics, watch cartoons, play with toys - and now, interact with fandom etc.) - I can not ever even fathom (1.8m :p) such a thing... not being an active passionate fan of Transformers is an entirely alien concept to me.

[dirge]

Btw, could we change the thread topic to "Stop being a fan of Transformers"? Because that was my initial intent.


Happy?

[loophole]

Being a Transformers fan doesn't mean that you have to be actively collecting the toys and merchandise. What I mean is, I cannot imagine myself ever not being seriously fanatical (remember that the word "fan" is an abbreviation of fanatic) about Transformers.

Good Point. My brother is a fan of transformers but doesnt actually collect any of the toys or comics he has a couple of toys and thats about it, but regurarly watches G1, BW and BM more than what i do! although he uses my DVD's to do this :D

[Stompy]

I love the toys too much and I can't see myself stopping altogether anytime soon. The only thing that would stop me is when it becomes a problem (money issues, personal issues). Otherwise I'd be collecting for a while yet, even if it's just select figures. The itch for them never stops. Always checking stores even if I already have all local figures available.

[Lint]

Okay, the interesting question is, do you see yourself still collecting Transformers when you're retired in your 80s as a wrinkled old prune? If an octogenerian collecting kids toys sounds absurd, and you can't see yourself being one, at what age would you call it quits because of your age?

Octogenarian collecting kids toys is not absurd. Though I have no idea what the cruel world would have done to me by the time i'm an old coot. I may have developed surpassing interests like lawn bowls or being a medication connoisseur.

[GoktimusPrime]

Good Point. My brother is a fan of transformers but doesnt actually collect any of the toys or comics he has a couple of toys and thats about it, but regurarly watches G1, BW and BM more than what i do! although he uses my DVD's to do this
There are a lot of very active Transfans who aren't really active collectors of the toys. I'll take two examples from our own local fandom in Australia...

First is Charlotte - she's the administrator of the Transformers Lexicon (http://www.transformersfanfic.com/) and arguably the foremost expert on Transformers fan fics, fan essays, author interviews etc (it's even got podcasts now!). A few years ago she decided to stop collecting the toys and sold off nearly her entire collection (I think she's kept like one toy (http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Vice_Grip)). But she's still clearly still actively participating in the Transfandom in terms of fan fictions and being Lexicon admin.

Second is Jhiaxus, the co-admin of the Obscure Transformers Web Site (http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/) (the other admin being Monzo, whose name appears in Universe Onslaught - hence the 2nd degree "Australian Fandom reference" :D). Jhiaxus is not an actively passionate collector of the toys. His toy collection is relatively modest compared to most of us other long-time obsessive collecting fans - but his knowledge of TF lore (G1, G2, BW) is a LOT more encyclopedic than mine could ever be. He was also the editor for the OzFormers 2003 convention comic and writer for the Sabretron 2004 comic. So he's definitely an active and passionate Transfan even though he may not be an active toy collector.
http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/images/banners/banner_005.jpg

[kup]

I can see why someone would stop collecting on their own accord even if they are still a fan.

For example, I had/have ZARO interest in collecting TFs from Beast Machines up to the end of the Unicron Trilogy because the shows and the toys themselves during that time didn't appeal to me at all.

I am sure that an old TF collector who keeps encountering stuff he/she doesn't like on the shelf would simply stop buying and by default, stop collecting. That does not mean he/she has stopped liking TFs, it just means that s/he is not willing to put forth money for things that hold no appeal.

Just say I suddenly find myself with the only avaliable option is to collect Animated toys (which I don't like) then you would see my collecting coming to a screeching halt. I presume that is what happened with lines since BM for some.

When it comes to being a fan. That has never stopped. I have been following all TF cartoons and lines since forever.

[SilverDragon]

There would only be two things which would stop me collecting Transformers (and related stuff)-a lack of interest or a tight financial situation.

Oh, and death.

Which is why I'm collecting like mad now, since I don't have to pay bills or anything like that yet, so I have more financial freedom than I will in a few years time.

[GoktimusPrime]

See that's the thing... I cannot imagine ever having a lack of interest in Transformers... ever.

Even if the current line didn't interest me I would still cling onto previous lines that fascinated me. For example, by 1994-5 my interest in the current line of Transformers had dropped to its lowest point ever. The G2 cartoon was an epic fail, the comics had been cancelled and the toyline didn't interest me that much (to this day my G2 collection is still miniscule). But although I'd become more of a passive toy-collector I was still very much actively playing with my TF toys, reading my TF comics and watching TF cartoons on VHS. In 1995 Dr. Craig Norris and I ended up establishing Sydney's first university animé club (and the second university animé club in Australia), JAUWS (http://www.jauws.org/) - that year and the following year we screened Transformers The Movie. I also informally screened (i.e.: chucked it on during a screening of another animé) an episode of Masterforce (horrific Engrish dub).

So yeah... even during my "TF Dark Ages" I was still an active and passive fan of Transformers even if the current TF line of the time wasn't all that appealing to me.

[kup]

See that's the thing... I cannot imagine ever having a lack of interest in Transformers... ever.

Even if the current line didn't interest me I would still cling onto previous lines that fascinated me. For example, by 1994-5 my interest in the current line of Transformers had dropped to its lowest point ever. The G2 cartoon was an epic fail, the comics had been cancelled and the toyline didn't interest me that much (to this day my G2 collection is still miniscule). But although I'd become more of a passive toy-collector I was still very much actively playing with my TF toys, reading my TF comics and watching TF cartoons on VHS. In 1995 Dr. Craig Norris and I ended up establishing Sydney's first university animé club (and the second university animé club in Australia), JAUWS (http://www.jauws.org/) - that year and the following year we screened Transformers The Movie. I also informally screened (i.e.: chucked it on during a screening of another animé) an episode of Masterforce (horrific Engrish dub).

So yeah... even during my "TF Dark Ages" I was still an active and passive fan of Transformers even if the current TF line of the time wasn't all that appealing to me.

You screened Star Dub Masterforce at the Cinema!! :eek::eek:

You must have turned that whole Cinema audience into raving TF haters :p

[Firecracker]

Okay, the interesting question is, do you see yourself still collecting Transformers when you're retired in your 80s... at what age would you call it quits because of your age?

Casually collecting, yes. Obsessive collecting, no. I think I would have different priorities by then. Great thing about the Internet though... your age is mostly unkonwn, anonymity. Not so much when your scouring the top shelves at Toys R Us, or trying tp price match at K-mart.:p

[Pulse]

Okay, the interesting question is, do you see yourself still collecting Transformers when you're retired in your 80s as a wrinkled old prune? If an octogenerian collecting kids toys sounds absurd, and you can't see yourself being one, at what age would you call it quits because of your age?

If I actually get to that age :D, I'd hate to be one of those bitter old b#stards who despises life. People like that hate everything (My 96 year old Grandfather is one of those people) & essentially "crawl back into their shell". People like that give up on everything - which includes anything to do with their childhood/adulthood (ie. collecting TFs or anything else).

Yes, I might slow down my acquisitions down the track but I'll never stop completely. TFs have got me hooked well & good :o.

[GoktimusPrime]

You screened Star Dub Masterforce at the Cinema!!

You must have turned that whole Cinema audience into raving TF haters
Cinema?

Okay, first of all, it was just a classroom. This was before the day when uni animé clubs were big enough that we started using lecture theatres (that started becoming common in 1996). Secondly, it was not an actual screening. It was just before the screening of another animé (possibly Ah! My Goddess OVA or Silent Mobius... I can't recall exactly) and only a few of the die-hard members had trickled in early, so I chucked it on. Everyone just laughed their butts off at the horrendous dubbing... these are animé fans - they know better than to judge a show based on its dub (remembering that real animé fans don't watch dubs anyway).

[liegeprime]

Interesting topic. Hmmm I did stop collecting TFs during the Beast wars era. Didnt really liked the toys coming out that time, But I was still trying to get my hands on older stuff like G2 when i do spot one or two somewhere. Financial constraints at that time forced me to not actively collect but remain a fan. I just bought the Marvel comics and all back issues I could find and an occasional minibot. I was really happy when I found the G2 comics in my local comic shop and it reignited my passion to make G2 Papercraft TFs adding them to my G1 papercraft Tfs. I believe Ive shown the ONLY pic I have taken of what these papercraft TFs that I do before. I was more into the comics back then and quite content with having my papercraft TF figures.

I enjoyed beast wars for its story and fiction as they completed the series up to beast machines back in Phils and repeated it twice ( although there's a lot of filler episodes edited out. I didnt collect any BWTF then but rather TF comics of G1/G2 theme. I was just happy that there still is Transformers, even though their beasts now. But I didnt buy any figure.

The only time I collected really actively is when I came here. Finances isnt so much an issue as before and the discovery of ebay led to a big increase in my collection along with the discovery of TF collecting forums - OTCA and TFPH of which Im both a member now :D

[kup]

Cinema?

Okay, first of all, it was just a classroom. This was before the day when uni animé clubs were big enough that we started using lecture theatres (that started becoming common in 1996). Secondly, it was not an actual screening. It was just before the screening of another animé (possibly Ah! My Goddess OVA or Silent Mobius... I can't recall exactly) and only a few of the die-hard members had trickled in early, so I chucked it on. Everyone just laughed their butts off at the horrendous dubbing... these are animé fans - they know better than to judge a show based on its dub (remembering that real animé fans don't watch dubs anyway).

I was just joking dude.

[optimus1]

Interesting topic so I thought I would also make my own story known:

I always had a spot for Tfs since very young but around the age of 12/13 I sort of thought is getting a bit old so gave away a chunk of my collection and kept only my fav characters. My interests were diminished due to my growing attention to sport and our Sega Mega Drive. This was also during the beast wars era, I was impressed with the computer animation at the time but overall disappointed that there were no more vehicle based tfs and no familiar characters (except namesakes).

From then on my attention to tfs was pretty much low and stayed low as was continually disappointed by each new series that came out (I thought RID/armada-minicon era was too kiddie Pokemon-like for me).:(

I only got random TFs in the shops that looked good but was like something like 1 or 2 per yr. In between i did get big chunks of my g1 collection from flea markets so was not fully out of it! :D I sort of managed to get back into TF collecting when Alternators came out and reconfirmed this when the 07 Movie
came out. Now I don't think I will stop anytime soon!

[Bartrim]

I was never NOT a fan of transformers. When I hit high school I handed down my toys to my cousin and I was never interested in Beast Wars when it first came out. Living in a small town where everyone tried to grow up fast I would of been severly isolated by my peers. In my dysfunctional family that additional mental and psychological trauma could of been very bad for me (I already had "anger management" issues as a teenager) But I always had a copy of atleast the animated movie in my video collection.

[heroic_decepticon]

Stop collecting? Quite possible.

Stop being a TF fan? Quite impossible.

I enjoy the entire mythology behind Transformers, but stop collecting I did. All transformers lines from G2 to Animated holds very very little interest for me unless they are somehow G1 related (say Galaxy Force Starscream who looks like G1 Cybertronian mode SS).

It's entirely possible for me to stop collecting once I obtain those last few outstanding G1 USA boxes and cardbacks, but I would continue to be a TF fan nonetheless.

[Bartrim]

Stop collecting? Quite possible.

Stop being a TF fan? Quite impossible.

Exactly.

[Saintly]

Stop collecting? Quite possible.

Stop being a TF fan? Quite impossible.


+1 on those