Do you ever feel overwhelmed by figure collecting ?

To an extent, yes.

So I've sold off a huge chunk of my collection, and now I'm just buying stuff I really want.

I’m at the point where I sort of don’t find a point in collecting. I’ve collected figures that I’ve never needed and now need to sell them off considering that I’m getting myself together. I love collecting, because it helps get your mind off of things. However, it can become addicting and sometimes you don’t find the same joy you once did when they’re not releasing characters you want. The worst part is trying to get rid of stuff all at once to free up space, but then also losing a huge chunk of your money too.

I try to collect one figure of everyone from all companies (6-7" scale). It is very difficult to find them in the stores, even with Brickseek & Popfindr. It is very costly. I try to buy them at Walmart or online (at retail price). I also take advantage of sales at Ringside, especially during the holidays. I am also behind, but trying to hang in there, but it's very costly and sometimes frustrating. I love that we are getting so many figures from different companies, but it makes it much harder on the bank account and storage space.

It can be. I hate having to track down exclusives that I want. I came to the decision way before collecting that I will only collect the elite line, so that helps. And I stopped collecting NECA figures mainly Arnold Schwarzenegger character figures years ago so it really helps.

Ok, to answer the last question first.

Figures are in demand overall right now and it helps to keep stores stocked with new figs. So from the market standpoint, as long as they don't make too many Weasel Heenans and Wrestlemania Chynas, they're golden. That said, it hurts my dang wallet with how quickly these lines are coming out, especially AEW. AEW is swamping me right now and I personally wish they'd chill out a bit.

Going to the rest of your question, I'll start with my obligatory remark of "I am too poor for this hobby" and explain that the only way that I've managed the finances of it is to use things such as Pay-in-4 and buying loose. There's a guy on the 'bay that I'm constantly buying loose figures from because it's the only way I can afford them.

On top of that, with the WWE figures I will deliberately sit on a release from RSC until it goes down in price before ordering, unless it's one that I 100% must have and don't want to risk it selling out.

Finally, I like to customize figures and I've used those skills in the past to supplement my collection and lower costs by buying "fixer-upper" figures that come at a much reduced cost but that I can throw on some paint or do touch-ups to make them display worthy.

Regarding rules for buying. If there's a figure I really want, I try to get it. That's my biggest rule of all. Buy what I like.

But there are some other guidelines and things I follow as well...

As a woman myself, I'm huge into womens' wrestling. As such, I'm trying to acquire a collection of one of every woman they make across all companies. This is exceedingly difficult as I only got back into collecting in 2016 and have missed out on a ton. The TNA line is a huge sore spot for me because the only one I could afford was Daffney. I do update looks from time to time, and if a Basic can be replaced with an Elite, I'll usually do that too.

Also, if you can guess from my name and icon, I'm a Shane McMahon fan. Every figure of his that comes out, I buy, no questions asked. After missing out on the HIAC Elite and still never being able to get a good copy of it, I'm done messing around there. Plus, I like to customize McMahon figures so any custom fodder I can get on the cheap, I jump on.

Finally, I've recently started the task of acquiring the entire back-catalogue of figures for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. They've become my two favorite superstars as of late (I've been digging through their history and ooooh boy...) and I want to have a complete set for them. Again, this is being achieved mainly through loose purchases and fixer uppers on secondary to reduce costs. If all goes well, I will be buying multiple copies of their rumored E91 figures for customs, depending on the attires chosen. (Hello Christmas Club)


Does all this add up? Yes. Right now, I have a bit of extra money but that is going to be drying up in October. Then I'll be back to only having 25 bucks a week in spending money. With almost no opportunity to buy things at retail and the price of shipping being what it is, I'll probably only be able to buy one or two loose figures a week then. RSC orders will be right out. I'm trying not to think about it and I'm trying to get all my big stuff in before the deadline, but yes. To answer the entire thing, it is very overwhelming and I am dreading October when I will no longer have a hope of getting the figures I want.