How much is your collection worth?

[kurdt_the_goat]

I haven't calculated mine accurately, frankly even at around 150 toys it's too much effort, so i feel sorry for the 1000+ collectors on here!

But, i was looking just across my top shelf of Masterpiece, Binaltech etc and that alone clears about 2k. I'd estimate the lot cracks 10k?

When someone asks, i just say it seems like a lot since they're not disposable things (like going out to fancy food places/alcohol/smokes etc), so i can't say it really bothers me (how much i've spent).

So how much do you think your collection is worth, even if it's only a guess?
And how do you feel about it!

[1orion2many]

Next question If I think about how much money I've spent I may cry

[UltraMarginal]

retail price at purchaes, sale value or second hand market value?
I've spent a hell of a lot, could have spent more if it wasn't on special, and some of it's worth a lot more now than when it was purchased, some is also worth a lot less.

[GoktimusPrime]

... I don't know. I buy most of my TFs from retail stores while they're current, and I'm absolutely craphouse at estimating aftermarket value so... <shrug>

I'll just go by the wording of Sharky's counting method and say "lots and lots."

[kurdt_the_goat]

I was thinking mostly just how much you spent initially.
A basic scary calculation might be number of toys X an average cost? Maybe $40
Using that, my collection is worth less than i said in first post so maybe i was well off!

[UltraMarginal]

I like how much spent initially, hard to average legions against leaders... perhaps average on size class or something.

I am in the middle of packing to move at the moment, I intend on doing an official count when I unpack so I'll do a valuation at the same time and get back to you .. I would guess though, between MP's, Alternators/Binaltech, G1, classics and Botcon, at least 5K, probably close to 10K

[Paulbot]

Once you open something the value goes down instantly, so unless you're a dedicated MISB collector, your collection is probably worth less than you spent on it.

I know I have spent a lot over the years, and at times I have questioned "is it worth it" and then I try not to think about it.

[griffin]

If you've bought enough exclusives when they first came out (before they go right up), especially BotCon ones that cant be sealed, I think it would offset anything you lose in the items you've opened up. And those out-of-packet general release items that are more than 15 years old would on average be equal or more than their retail prices at that time.
But yeah, a sealed collector of general release items has 2-3 times the value in their items bought in the last 10-15 years.

I've probably spent more than 100k over my 25 years of collecting... more if I count the cost of 12 BotCons as an expense to add several hundred toys to my collection.
The estimated (sellable) value of the collection is probably 150k though, while the replacement value would be at least 300k (most would need to be sourced in packaging to be complete and in good condition).
So I'd probably make a profit if I sold my collection right now, but since I have most out of packaging, if it was all suddenly lost, it would cost 2-3 times what it is worth (and what it cost me) to replace.

[Reflector]

i would have spent $20k+ easily. I spent $1200 alone on my Soundwave standee, and some other things i paid rediculous amounts for. But i dont care, i open those doors and see them sitting there and i have a massive sense of satisfaction. I can sit in there and play for hours...

Give me 12 months and that figure will probably double.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I've probably spent more than 100k over my 25 years of collecting... more if I count the cost of 12 BotCons as an expense to add several hundred toys to my collection.

To this i would just break it down, i mean you're averaging 4k a year which isn't really breaking the bank for a decent earner/saver!

Another thing i've been thinking recently: if i've amassed 150 toys in 4 years, and i keep this going... my house will be seriously overrun with toys.
I know you've got the big collection room, but have you given any thought to what happens in 25 years from now when your collection has doubled?
Shame you can't charge the toys rent! At some point (when it's more like a theme park), you could charge admission i guess!