I'm just going to ask this... and I know I will catch hell or it... but why can't a person ask a simple question on here without a bunch of people jumping down his throat for it?
I don't see why people get mad just because a dude asks what his collection might be worth now, or in the future, in the current state it's in? It's a legitimate question.
What if it's someone who is new to collecting and doesn't know that his Elite 12 Kane might be more valuable with the box, even though it is loose, than just the figure itself. Hell, I've seen the box for that Kane sell for $30 on eBay in the past. Now this guy has a Kane that sells for $80 plus that would sell for even more with the box. What if the dude threw that box away, not knowing how valuable it could be? That could change the nature of his selling, trading, etc. value completely. I have been ripped off by being a novice in the past and letting a rare figure go for chump change when, if I had asked more seasoned collectors beforehand, I could have gotten a fair amount for.
It irritates me when someone who doesn't know as much as some others comes on here and asks a simple question, and is then bombarded by negativity.
I guarantee EVERYONE on here has asked a similar question at some point during their time collecting. NOONE knows everything from the get-go, so asking a question shouldn't be looked down upon.
I just think that old school collectors should be more than willing to share their expertise and not ridicule someone to death over a genuine curiosity about what someone's action figures might be worth.
I belong to numerous forums dedicated to other toy lines... Star Wars, GI Joe, etc., and I think this might be the only one where people get so bent out of shape over questions about toy values. I am asked the value of Star Wars figures all the time, and because I have been collecting them for so long, I have a little more knowledge than others, so I pass that along. Maybe then that person will pay it forward one day and collecting will be as enjoyable as it has been for me for generations to come.
Should people collect because they like the things they DO collect? Yes, most definitely. But how many among us hasn't had to sell a figure, comic, statue, something (!) to cover a power bill or car payment when cash has been short? Knowing the value of collectibles could help immensely! How will people know unless they ask?
Hell, people act mad because values are questioned... There used to be 3 or 4 magazines a month printed with price guides in them so people would know. Most of those, if not all, are no longer available, so new collectors should not fear asking simple, general questions about what he or she has if the need arise for them to sell it.
That's all I have to say I guess. Let's all share our knowledge and welcome newer members instead of running them off with ridicule and negativity. I think everyone on here wants these forums, as well as the number of people collecting in general, to grow, so why do a lot of you guys try running people away? Share knowledge if you have it. Like I have always heard, "There are no stupid questions".
