Explain how plastic figures cost an arm - Forum

Meister
International Star

Meister wrote:
Plastic is cheap right?
Collecting anime/ manga / video games figures 50 dollar and up when its new.
Collecting anime/ manga / video games figure when its second hand 200 dollar and up!
Oh you found a figure you are looking for at the low cost of 35 dollars! Here the is the shipping price 40 dollars!

One i want only cost 1400 DOLLARS!!!!

Cries in frustration.
Let me collect the whole set!

Anime/ manga/ video game figures: https://animota.net/en-eu?srsltid=AYCX9vIJArUue7cB5xO7yqR2aC_Sx-aH2IzLhQks02LmluwmED2l5rct

Dolls like Baribe, Monster High, Ever after high and so on: https://shop.mattel.com/

Jointed dolls: https://dolkbjd.com/?srsltid=AYCX9vI5Gryk14r907UTVSepPPjKu9z_WS8DjQPMNdBB5Z0cxMMKyDZf

Solar
International Star

Solar wrote:
i think because the work to make them is pretty time consuming? but don't quote me on that, i have not a lot of knowledge abt dollmaking

Meister
International Star

Meister wrote:

Solar wrote:
i think because the work to make them is pretty time consuming? but don't quote me on that, i have not a lot of knowledge abt dollmaking

Dolls as Barbie, Monster High, Bratz and so on are in a different cateogory.
They are dolls, the ones im talking about plastic figurines.
www.shirotoys.com/?srsltid=AYCX9vJHXFpr3dvoZUcsmCUVPZV87WxW3vIBuoRPHYY9KvLqo-dirafk#

A doll i can understand, and they are suffer from the same fate.
Some Monster High dolls are expensive!
Gen 1 Clawdeen 140 dolars!
www.ebay.com/itm/820352918328?_skw=first+generation+monster+high+dolls&itmmeta=01M7FBKX9BP7SZ...

Solar
International Star

Solar wrote:
hmmm wouldn't it be kind of the same though with like handpainting plastic dolls? or are they mass produced?

Meister
International Star

Meister wrote:

Solar wrote:
hmmm wouldn't it be kind of the same though with like handpainting plastic dolls? or are they mass produced?

I dont know much about the handpainted ones, but i know that people are taking orders and makes the dolls bodies and hair and so on.
The plastic ones cal sell out fast depending on the fandom and if you dont pre order they can be really expensive in a few years. It also depends on the theme and if its a collaboration. It can take years to build up an collection with the dolls/ figurines you want. Its easier now when you can buy them on the web.

Melody
Popstar

Melody wrote:
if produced by big companies in factories? resale value determined by collectors + scalpers. just overall human greed. if they were expensive in the first place there's likely a hidden collector tax lmao, some ppl are willing to spend which is the sad part and what enables bs like limited editions

small businesses / custom / handmade? art world rules; artists define their own worth which you don't have to agree with but must respect if you really want their products

technically all collectables are considered luxury items bc you don't need them and you're likely just gonna place them on a shelf... i used to collect and now i look at my figures and wonder why i wasted money on them. but that's my own perspective, i don't diss ppl who do enjoy collecting material. hoarders worry me though

Meister
International Star

Meister wrote:

Melody wrote:
if produced by big companies in factories? resale value determined by collectors + scalpers. just overall human greed. if they were expensive in the first place there's likely a hidden collector tax lmao, some ppl are willing to spend which is the sad part and what enables bs like limited editions

small businesses / custom / handmade? art world rules; artists define their own worth which you don't have to agree with but must respect if you really want their products

technically all collectables are considered luxury items bc you don't need them and you're likely just gonna place them on a shelf... i used to collect and now i look at my figures and wonder why i wasted money on them. but that's my own perspective, i don't diss ppl who do enjoy collecting material. hoarders worry me though

I need to buy the figurines on resale e shops or order them from another country. Its easier to get them today tah 10 years ago. I missed a lot of merch because of that and you need to look everyday to see if someone sells the things you are after. Now i dont want to because i dont know what i will get.
I understand that if someone makes custom made items it will be more price. Its the same with fanart.
I ask the artist what a picture would cost to make and if i cant afford it i ask it there is a wait list and if they say no i tell them i will be back in the future.

And depending on the fandom some merch will cost a lot more and there are so many collab with other brands that its a jungle. And the resell prices are insane on some items.
I collect character of figurines that i like, if there are 8 characters i might only buy 3. of them
And the bootlegs are sometimes better with the clothing and poses.
Yeah they worry me to, do you collect because you like the franchise/ character or do you collect because of the hype and do you need 20 different poses of the same character?