Why!

[Tildane]

I have collected figures my whole life. I started with the doctor who line from the beginning.

But in times like these when waiting seems forever I have come to reflect on my figure collecting.

I think I have lost my faith...I'm not sure why I collect them anymore. They are just well sculpted pieces of plastic, many from an age gone by and some so vague if you miss an episode you have no idea who you are collecting. They serve no purpose other than to look at and hold. Kids play with them, but I am no loger a kid.

So why do you collect them? What are they to you?

Why spend so much money on something that wont solve world hunger or any other problem the world throws up.

I'd really like to know what keeps you in such an expensive hobby.

WHY??

[DukeNukem 2417]

I collect figures (not just Doctor Who figures) because it's a much safer hobby than, say, hunting or jet-skis.

Also, it's fun. Both the "hunt" and actually playing with the figures (yes, I still play with figures) are tremendous fun (paying jacked-up Shipping and Handling costs, on the other hand....)

[van Statten]

My main focus has always been comic books... that's my passion
Doctor Who is my love and favorite television series. I honestly don't care for 90% of the figures and only collect them because they are Doctor Who

I collect Doctor Who, DC Universe Figures and playsets... yes, I collect playsets, I know that's strange but anything in the 5" or 6" scale I'm all over that! And I have quite a few.

I can afford to collect and I enjoy it. My kid and I play with the figures and everything I buy finds its way open but cared for.

I also collect Transformers but my kid ends up with them and will do so as long as he proves he can take care of them

My wife collects DC Universe Classics figures as well and also statues and dolls of her favorite superheroes, she also has a small Doctor Who collection.

[SeanMozzy]

Great topic! I collect them because... The look, the feel, heck even the smell. They are an addiction. The feelings I get when I open up a new figure. Just complete ecstasy.

[DVD]

Ever since I can remember, I collected something.
Comics came first: TV21, 2000AD, etc. Somehow these were simply thrown away at some point, as my paraents would clear out old rubbish !!!!
Comics (US) came second in the late 70s when I discovered Science Fiction Bookshop (Later to be renamed Forbidden Planet). I boiught tonnes of these, including a few that would now be considered rare. However, I got bored of them in the early 80s and sold the lot for, well, next to nothing.
I then started collecting movie posters. That lasted till 7 years ago. I ammassed 1000s of them. Some went back to the 30s, there were Hammers, all the Bonds, Treks, and well, almost everything. These ended up being sold on ebay by the girl friend I left them with when I came to China... Along with these she sold my collections of Trek figures, trading cared (1000s of em).
I told myself - that's it, no more collecting. After a year or so, I moved apartment, and I did the move in a taxi one afternoon.

That year, I saw a complete (to that point in time) set of Doctor Who action figures for sale on ebay... Oh the temptation. So I got them, and continued to get every subsequent release to this day.

However, my real figure love, was always the Action Man line. The detailing and style of the 12" figure has never been matched in a smaller scaled line. So I got all the 12" Who figures, and now buy the Hot Toys figures.

I am now coming full circle with the 12" figures with these Big Chief figures - and with their concept of costumes and accesories (I can see a TARDIS in the line), I am seriouusly happy.

And that is it - These things make me happy. I enjoy finding out about new additions to the collection, and I like to see it develop. Yes, these are nothing short of lumps of molded plastic, but these put a smile on my face, and create an anxious excitement, whilst waiting for new ones to arrive.

Yesterday, a set of Teenage Turtles arrived, and I am placing an order for the Ghost Rider today. Oh yeah!!

Collecting is something that collectors 'get', that others don't.

[BoltOf3]

I suppose more like a guilty pleasure. Being a young teen is annoying as you can't -legally- do some stuff like go to clubs etc. But then, you can't do all the child stuff. So A Mixture of House Parties and Figure collecting keeps me central

[Melkur]

It keeps me sane, my 7 inch NECA collection and my Doctor Who figures give me something tangible to look forward to, a goal i can attain if you like. Rather than the uncertainty that revolves around heart transplants. In a way it's a crutch, something to lean on when times get rough. I can go up into my bedroom and see everything in it's entirety and feel happiness which nothing else seems to give me. Except my girlfriend that is, but i don't think she'd like me putting her on a shelf

[judooning]

Great topic! I collect them because... The look, the feel, heck even the smell. They are an addiction. The feelings I get when I open up a new figure. Just complete ecstasy.

Exactly the same reason. I can say that i am addicted to them which is why i nearly had a break down when the rumours started that there were no more series 6 figures coming out!

[AJackson]

Some people smoke, some peopple drink (alcohol) ... but in the end... where does that all go... one goes up in smoke and ash...and litters the ground in butts, two goes in your mouth and comes out the other end.... and what do you have o show for either... maybe a Butt or Bottle Collection .. and both can be deadly.....

At least with Figure Collecting you have something to show for all that money you spend.....

[Dalek101]

Great question. For me I guess the answer lies in I was a fan and at a young age wanted to buy the toys and play with them as most kids do at a young age with their favourite shows, re create the scenes at home that sort of thing. Afterwards well I just sort of grew on to them (not literately, im no mutant!) and as I grew up to where I am now they just seemed to still appeal to me, the cost was high but the way I saw it is these 2 key things:

- Its my money and I have it to enjoy it, if my interests lie in figure collecting then what is the harm in that? We all have our specific interests, some people music etc but we all generally collect something from car magazines to simply screwdrivers!

- One day these things may be worth something, and I don't mean as what I paid for them but as in collectables. Old comics become valuable one day, sure for these figures it will take many years but when the time comes I could sell them and make a profit. So you could consider collecting them an investment, but not just that they are pretty cool so I like them.

I admit though the rise in costs has not gone unnoticed by me, to the extent that I no longer buy figures on a regular basis at all really. My last figure was the Uncle figure and that was at the beginning of October I bought that. Im not giving up collecting, but the cost of these things adds up plus also they take up a fair amount of space in bulk as I have them for being a collector of who figures. So I have had to cut back a bit, now its not just any figure to complete the collection more only if I really really want it!!