Hot Toys Collector or Hot Toys Box Collector? Age-old question: To open / not to open the toy!

I've been collecting toys since 1994 and Hot Toys figures since 2000 but the age-old question still remains: "To Open or Not To Open the Toy!"

I've grown to respect and appreciate each and every individual's way of collecting toys, be it to keep the toy mint in the sealed box or to open the box and display the toy or put the toy back in the box after playing due to constraints of space of even rotate the display of the toys for the same reason (for lack of space) but I've been cautioning people for years to remove batteries from the toys if they choose to keep the toy in the box or there will be irreparable damage to said toy when the batteries leak and damage the electronic components. See my toy blog post from September 2011 titled "Hot Toy Collecting Tip #1: Remove ALL Batteries!" for the full article.

What I don't get is people who proudly post pictures of their Hot Toys box collection (I decided to post one picture here as an example LOL) on multiple facebook pages without ever displaying the figures inside and then get offended when people from the same group ask why he buys so many of the same figures and why he doesn't display any of them. See below for some of the comments. It sure makes for some fun reading :)

This is a conversation on facebook about a collector who buys and buys multiples of the same figure but keeps them all MISB (Mint In Sealed Box) with no intention of ever taking them out and displaying them. Names have been omitted to protect their identities.

Q: "Do you plan on displaying them once you have the room to display them all? Or keep them in the box? I found myself not even unboxing nowadays because I don't have the room to display them."

A: "No intention of displaying them"

Q: "Not going to display them??? I wouldn't call that collecting at all. I call that wasting money. "Hey guys, look at all my boxes", that even sounds dumb. lmao. Take some pride in your overpriced collectibles, i know i do..... And why would you buy 2 and 3 of the same figures, an even bigger waste of money since your not a retailer either. My mind is blown right now."

A: "My way different from anyone else & why can't I purchase more than one of the similar figure?? Any rules say so?? & ANY laws say one person buys a figure MUST display?? Who say so??"

Q: "Yah, alright bud lmao. Its just, you spend so much money on these figures it really seems like a waste. You never even get to see the great detail on the back sides of these figures! But on a serious note, nice box collection!!"

R: "No laws, but I'm curious. Why do you buy so many and not do anything with them?"

Q: "Exactly. Thats what i say, its nuts. And buying 2 and 3 of each???? Wtf? This is a simple case of more money than smarts. I could see buying 2 if you want 1 in package and 1 for display but 3 unopened identical figures??????"

A: "FYI I bought them preorder price.. Any issues??? I don't need to know how great their articulations.. I been collecting them this for 9 yrs.. & I like the particular figure.. Can't I buy more than one?? So buying more than one means I break the laws??? Come on.. Pls prove me wrong that I shouldn't buy more than one.."

Q: "No one said your breaking any laws lol!! It just seems redundant"

A: "So?? What are u trying to guide a 9 yrs hot toys collectors??? Must I listen to u??? Your comments unacceptable & rude"

R: "Haha! Nobody is saying anything rude. We all just asked what the purpose of buying multiples is, and not even opening any. And you got really defensive and upset. This is getting really funny."



S: "I bought a new TV recently. It's really nice. I think I'll buy 4 more and keep them all in the boxes."

T: "Once again, it seems A is getting some flak for how he collects. No, you're not breaking any laws, and yes, it's your right, and your money.

I think what bothers most other collectors is we collect these figures for their aesthetic (or even artistic) value. We display them, pose them, customise them, put dioramas, etc, all in the effort to re-create a little piece of a world we love. If you buy a painting, a sculpture, or any other work of art, you'll want to look at it, because it makes you happy, and maybe because it "really pulls the room together". Looking at pretty things (or people...) generally makes people happy.

And there's also the appreciation for the technology and workmanship that goes into making these figures.

All of that is invisible if the figures stay in boxes.

There are good reasons to keep figures boxed: re-selling further down the line, and keeping an extra in case you damage the first one. Also lack of space, and / or having a rotating collection.

What you are doing here, I'm not sure what to call. It could be hoarding, like you would see these figures as great treasures to be kept from all possible harm. From other comments you've made, that would be my best guess. The fact that you have multiple boxed figures would also prove that point.

If that is indeed the case, then, I'm sorry, this may be rude, but I find it sad. Not in the insulting way, just really, truly sad. Because you're so afraid to let anything happen to these prized possession, you're not even letting yourself enjoy the sight of them. Yes, they will fade and alter over time, because they're made of things that simply don't last forever, and that's ok. Nothing lasts forever. These figures will probably outlive us anyway. They're expensive, but that doesn't mean they should be stored in a vault, just because we're terrified something may happen to them. Something might, and so what? Life happens. 'A', you can do whatever you want, but maybe try to live a little.

Maybe I'm completely wrong, maybe you're not afraid of the ravages of time and unfortunate accidents, maybe there's a reason other than fear that makes you collect the way you do. I don't know. But that's exactly what it looks like.

Take care, man."

U: "Nice collection 'A'. There is nothing wrong with wat u post and I do admit I am impressed with ur collection. But bro...FB is a place where pple air their views and we have to accept them as they come. One can be offensive but the other need not be too defensive."

V: "No one is right or wrong, but IMO if 'A' like to share this kind of picture (and he shares a lot in many discussion groups etc), i think that's the kind of reaction he wants people to have. What kind of reaction do you expect when you see this? It's like buying 10 ps4, keeping them in box, posting a picture in every playstation discussion group and saying "i will never open / play with them, and i don't sell". Of course some people will get upset. He's free to do whatever he wants , but to me it's not collecting, it's just showing off. We all got love for toys, extremely detailed action figures. And all i see here is love for owning expensive and rare stuff..."

W: "Respect? I think you need to respect people's opinions about you too when you keep doing this in every single group out there and get upset when people say things that aren't in your favour."

X: "When someone posts something controversial on the internet (public views), be prepared to get different views or don't post it at all.

On the internet and in public forums, it's not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of public opinion. By posting it publicly, that someone allows the public and fellow members to share their opinions about it.

Isn't that the whole point of sharing in the first place..?

I highly recommend printing out a picture and bringing it to a zoo and show it to the monkeys otherwise. They wouldn't have anything bad to say! I think."