 Clones Zam Wesall 12” high action figure with a reveal face feature, blaster, and rifle was a bargain at $9.99 (discounted from $21.99).
I love games. I bought Milton Bradley’s Star Wars Jedi Unleashed Game—The Battle on Genosis for $2.99 (discounted from $9.99). The game consists of a game board, 18 Jedi cards, 3 dice and labels, 74 pawns and stands, and instructions. My theory is simple—the more pieces to a game, the more likely one or more will be lost when the game is opened and played. Since I do not play with my games, my games are complete. Even today, a toy or game has to be complete to sell at maximum value on the secondary market. Milton Bradley’s Star Wars Epic Duels Game, $9.99 (discounted from $19.99), features even more pieces—31 painted figures, four battle scenes (2 double-sided gameboards), 12 character cards, 28 wound markers, 378 cards, 1 die, label sheet, and instructions.
When George Lucas re-released the first three Star Wars movies, I became a Star Wars convert. Previously, I believed it was far wiser to invest in Star Trek memorabilia than Star Wars collectibles. I stopped buying Star Trek items for my closet. Influencing my decision was that I simply could not identify with Star Trek Enterprises, the new television series. I remain convinced Star Wars collectibles have far more long-term collectibility than Star Trek memorabilia.
However, standing in front of the action figure section at K*B Toys, I noticed that Star Trek Enterprises action figures were discounted from $7.99 to $4.99. Always one to hedge my bets, I decided to buy four of the figures for a total of $19.96. There were figures from two sets, Away Team and Broken Bow. I selected a Captain Jonathan Archer and Sub-Commander T-Pol from each series. Although I had the opportunity to buy Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, Ensign Travis Mayweather, Hlaang the Klingon, and Silik the Sublian figures, I decided to stick to the two principal characters. I fully realize that this may be a mistake since the Hlaang and Silik figures probably will be harder to find in the future because they were made in smaller numbers. The old adage “you pay your money and you take your chances” applies.
I was attracted to the Star Trek Enterprises action figures for two reasons. First, I found the packaging appealing. The space door motif has great displayability. Most blister packaging is very basic. Second, the figures came with four or more accessories, again, something likely to be lost in play.
I have read all the Harry Potter books and seen both Harry Potter movies. As each appears, I become a bigger and bigger Harry Potter fan. I expect the Harry Potter phenomenon to last more than a decade, more than ample time to hook a generation of youngsters. Lego entered the licensing game several years ago. Its decision was a wise one. Lego’s #4701, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Sorting Hat at $3.98 (discounted from $8.99) and #4705, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Snape’s Class at $9.98 (discounted from $19.99) joined the closet. Yes, Jane, I know the Sorting Hat has only one figure and Snape’s Class two, but the price was too good to pass up. However, I did follow your playability advice when I bought Mattel’s #43368 Harry Pottery Whomping Willow Game for $9.98 (discounted from $30.99). The game features nine sounds and motorized tree-twisting action, one willow housing, 18 filler branches, 12 luggage pieces, 4 flying cars, and 4 rescue rods. Few of these games are going to survive intact.
Jane encouraged me to consider adding several Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension items to my closet, especially because of the heavy discounts. The television show premiered in the United States in February 2002. The show received a lukewarm reception. I am betting it will be a cult favorite in 2032. Lego received the toy licensing rights.
Into my closet went Lego #8315 TDN Module for $6.98 (discounted from $34.90). The module is large, which means it will display well, and the box has super graphics.
In the past, I did not buy action figures unless I could find the full set. Today, I am much more open-minded. Buy a representative group. If I feel compelled to complete it, I can do so on eBay.
While a little hesitant at first to jump on line to acquire relatively “new” toys, I started buying action figures on eBay a few years ago to complete some of the partial sets in my closet. I was pleased to learn that I could acquire many of the figures below initial retail cost. With over 760,000 toys on eBay daily, I was able to acquire most of the toys I sought at a price I was willing to pay within a week to a month of my initial search.
Five Galidor action figures are in my closet--#8313 Deluxe Nick (Nicholas Bluetooth) and #8314 Deluxe Gorm, priced at $2.98 each (discounted from $15.99 each) and #8310 Nick, #8311 Gorm, and #8317 Allegra, priced at $1.98 each (discounted from $11.99 each).
When I find toys at deep discounts, I often will take a risk. I like Japanese science fiction. I am not alone. Japanese science fiction characters are unique. To my delight, I found a large selection of 1/72 scale Zoids heavily discounted at K*B Toys. Hasbro’s Pteramander Action Figure Model Kit featured a figure with motorized flapping wings, walking action, moving battle tail, and jaw-chomping action, a steal at $9.99 (discounted from $29.99). Hasbro’s #003 Barigator, #018 Sicurtis, and #061 Killerdome were easy buys at $1.99 each (discounted from $9.99 each). Further, if you bought four toys, you received a fifth one free. I selected Mosasledge from the Z-Builders set. There are four toys in this series which become the Matrix dragon. I did not buy the other three. On second thought, perhaps I should have.
I like to add several comic, movie, or television toys to the closet each year. This year there are three new additions: (1) Hasbro’s Disney, Lilo & Stitch Experiment 626 at $7.99 (reduced from $24.99); (2) Pressman’s Cartoon Network Scooby-Doo! Where Are You!? Electronic Game at $4.99 (reduced from $14.99); and, (3) Wildstrom action figure, Series 1, Gen13, Fairchild with a limited edition chromium comic book inside at $9.99 (reduced from $29.99). I debated about the Stitch figure, but bought it when I read that it “says alien phrases and gross out sounds, oozes Stitch’s alien slop.” Who could resist? Fairchild joins my closet collection of overly-endowed female action figures. Little wonder that little boys like playing with them.
This was a good year for bargain toys. I bought Milton Bradley’s GI Joe Commando Attack 3-D Gameboard for $9.99 (reduced from $19.99) largely because of the three-dimensional playing field. However, my best bargains occurred in the traditional toy sector. Jane came running over to me with a Barbie, a toy that takes up a large portion of my closet and one to which I added reluctantly. “Here’s Mattel’s Coca-Cola Barbie reduced from $59.99 to $19.97,” Jane exclaimed. Given the crossover market for Coca-Cola collections, I was not going to argue. Several years ago, I touted the Barbie digital camera as a great way to buy a digital camera cheaply. I found a better way. For $9.90 (reduced from $69.99), I bought Everyone’s World Wrestling Federation Slam Cam Digital Camera and CD-Rom Software. Do not ever tell me that going digital is expensive.
Technically, my bargain shopping ends here. However, I am going to credit my closet account with $9.89 and not the $19.98 I spent on Starpoint’s Hulk Ultimate Mega Set with a theme book, sharpener, ruler box, pencil pouch, two molded stampers, eight glow-in-the-dark erasers, tape dispenser, three sticker sheets, memo pad, three #2 pencils, and dangle chain. I took it off a sale shelf that said $9.89. However, when I returned home from Toys R Us, I noticed on the slip that I was charged $19.98. I was so excited with my purchases, I did not pay attention at the checkout counter. I know that I could have taken it back and received credit, but I decided I had better things to do with my time. Live and learn!
Now to the toys I bought at full price, or I thought were full priced. The ability to comparison shop is one of the