Help on this one guys

[Grimm]

Guys... this one is for a research on how to promote not just zoids but the idea of collecting toys as a hobby itself. (Ok... i admit... its for the thesis of my friend) ;D


Kindly give your input on the ff:

(there is no right or wrong here but kindly answer seriously )

*Slight BG of the hobbyist community
*types of collectors
*factors for choosing what to collect
*how to determine characteristics and value of an item
*pros and cons of toy collecting



Any input will be valuable for me.


Thanks guys!



-GRIMM

[Cloud]

what does BG mean?!?

[chris]

Background?

[Grimm]

yup... it is indeed a Background.

Pls give inputs according to your own knowledge and experience. Treat this as a survey! ;D



-GRIMM

[chris]

*Slight BG of the hobbyist community

One of the best way to start getting into a hobby(collecting,etc.) is by finding a group with similar interest. Then everything else will follow(members usually help each other in "hunting" and acquiring certain things). Through the community, one can also establish his/her own network of "contacts" which can help in either in the pursuance of his/her other field of interest or something else in the near future(talk about meeting "professionals" in their own respective fields, some bigtime collectors, and maybe some hot chiks). ;D

*types of collectors

In the field of toy collecting as a hobby, these are some of my ideas w/ regards to collectors.

There are the completist who tend to collect the entire stuffs of a particular toyline. There are also "selective hobbyist" who prefer to buy only what interest them in that particular toyline. There are those who buy multiples of a particular item for some future business reasons or something else.

*factors for choosing what to collect

Money - the financial aspect is usually one of the factors that dictates the nature of collection(what to collect). One might wanna buy a limited(everybody would love to have one or two). But given the price as compared with a regular one w/ almost the same features, he/she would rather settle for what is w/n the budget.

With regards to the availability of the item locally or abroad provided that you have the right amount to spend on em, that would be no problem.

Interest - action figures(superheroes)? Model kits(gundams,zoids)? Die-cast collectibles(cars,etc.). Aside from toy collecting, a hobby can also be something in line with the profession or an outdoor activity for recreation.

Space - depends on where you wanna have em displayed and in what manner too.

Business - a lot more collectors are realizing that certain items will be surely profitable for selling in the near future.

*how to determine characteristics and value of an item

Once you have befriended fellow collectors, you'll surely be guided in this aspect. A little research on your own will help too!

*pros and cons of toy collecting

PROS:
Personal fulfillment and enjoyment
Possible development of the hobby into other ventures

CONS:
Budget:will be needing a lot of these.
Too many to collect for a particular toyline if you're a completist.
Space constraints and the usual cleaning.

Hope these 'lil things help..

[Grimm]

Thank you very very much bro Android! This will indeed help a lot


Anyone else wants to put anything?




-GRIMM

[sykwidit01]

*Slight BG of the hobbyist community
- For me I started with Action Figures, back then I dont realy know there are many collectors and forums for such collections, I just really want to collect it because it looks really cool. Later I was just influenced by a friend

*types of collectors
- Me I am the one who likes to collect the cool ones, lately I want to collect to improve my skills also

*factors for choosing what to collect
- for me the looks comes first

*how to determine characteristics and value of an item
-how to determine, well for me I really dont know how, maybe just do research on the net

*pros and cons of toy collecting
-satisfaction

-budget

[Grimm]

@ Syk: Thanks my friend... Your timely reply came in very handy!



-GRIMM

[Cloud]

*Background of the hobbyist community
- My observations of the hobbyist community here in RP
a. They are fond of seeing the recent acquisitions(w/ pix) of others
b. Most hobbyist here in RP started collecting because of influence and not because they like the item
c. Forums are their main network of communication
d. Not all hobbyist here in RP are successful in using toys as a form of business. As my cousin always tells me, "walang yumayaman na collector dito sa pinas"

*Types of collectors
a. Completist type - one who completes every variant or series of a particular item.
b. Trendy type - buys only those who are in trend
c. Picky type - buys only what he fancies on
d. MOC/MIB Collectors - collects first hand or brand new items
e. Loose Collectors - buys only loose items
f. "Takaw Tingin" types - buys an item that he/she likes even though he/she doesn't really need it, then later sell it coz he/she will realize that he/she doesnt really need it
g. Army builder collector - i think you know this one (e.g, T*******)
h. Hoarders - d**n you all!!! hehehe

*Factors for choosing what to collect
a. Money
b. Availability of the item
c. Trend
d. Desire/fondness for an item
e. Uniqueness (this distinguishes one collector from another)

*How to determine the characteristics and value of an item
a. Demand - the demand for an item is the main contributing factor that determines the value of an item. High demand increases its value, low demand decreases its value.
b. Availability and Trend - same as demand
c. Quality - this determines the characteristics of an item. Good quality also increases its value and vice versa. Those who have bad qualities are often referred to as bootlegs.

*Pros and Cons of being a collector
a. Pros
- Sheer joy of having a collection
- Bragging rights?
- A Good way to relieve stress
b. Cons
- Budgeting part
- Deciding part (on what you are going to collect) - this is the hardest part for me



Heheh hope this helps ~!

[Grimm]

It sure did bro X-31... You really are indeed the new "Watcher" or should I say... "Watchman"

Thanks!



-GRIMM