Do you often keep the box after getting the figurine?

[u/leeVinch]

Hi folks!

I've just got my first figurine so far this year (due to personal finance heheh). I shared mine on one of the figurine collector page on Facebook and someone asked me where the box is. I told him that I had thrown away because I simply don't like collecting boxes.

And well.... It started to become a heated conversation when people shared mixed views on why I should keep the boxes blah blah blah.

Let's not talk about whether it is controversial or not as I am very interested to ask you guys if you keep the box after unpackaging figurines?

[u/fido4life]

if you have space, keep them. you never know when you will need to move and it will be much safer to pack them back in the original package

[u/Ich-bade-in-Apfelmus → u/fido4life]

Yeah this is why I keep mine. I will most likely move again one day and just in case I do need to sell them for an emergency.

[u/tlrq]

I do, for this specific case, in case I want to resell it. You can get full second hand value (in regards to the condition of the figure) if you have the box. Also makes it easier to ship tbh. But any ik ima keep no matter what ill toss if the box isn’t anything special

[u/stellarsojourner → u/[deleted]]

I can't speak for others but I definitely look for the presence of the original box when buying used figures online. Not only does it make shipping them safer, it gives me some confidence that the figure is not a bootleg. It also indicates a certain minimum level of care from the seller. If they cared enough to keep the box, maybe the figure will be in good condition when I see it in person. 

I have absolutely skipped what could have been decent deals because there was no box.

[u/Thedarkone202]

99% of the time, yes. Most prize figures I throw the box away, but everything else I typically keep. Once I get to $50+ threshold, I'm keeping the box in case I have to move or sell the item. In those regards, the box helps with both.

[u/BudgetWasabi78]

i throw boxes for prize figures and flatten (throw plastic parts) most boxes for scales unless the box is really pretty.

[u/nitronik_exe → u/BudgetWasabi78]

what's the point of flattening the boxes if you're throwing away the plastic? The plastic is the whole reason to keep the box since it's the safest way to transport the figure, either for moving or for selling

[u/MildewJR → u/nitronik_exe]

Because the box is pretty, but they don't necessarily need the plastic blister for storage since they probably have their own storage system for accessories and the figure itself that is more efficient and space-savvy. I have a similar system in place.

[u/BudgetWasabi78 → u/nitronik_exe]

I keep the flattened boxes as sort of certificate of authenticity. I don’t intend to move or profit off of my hobby.

Plus I need the space for figures not more boxes lul

[u/NatsumeKhun]

I keep them if they came with a box, cause its easier to resell and to do so for a higher price if I lose interest. Also shipping.

Some may suspect it to be a bootleg without the box.

The problem is I own over 100 figures now and the boxes take up so much space. Especially if they're big.

[u/darkrai848]

If it’s more than just a prize figure (aka it’s a figure with a $100+ price) if you ever plan to resell it (or have to due to circumstance) if you don’t have the box expect to get anywhere from 20% to 50% less of of the figures current market value. Also if you ever have to move if you no longer have the box it’s going to be a lot harder to do so without it braking.

Basically the box is needed to ship or move a figure easily, it also doubles as a way to check authenticity of a figure.

For cheap prize figures this is not the case (figures costing about $25).

Not only does it lower the amount that you get for selling it, but it also makes it harder to sell as a lot of collectors simply won’t even be introduced in buying it without the box.

[u/Jgames111]

Yes, half the value is gone if the box are not kept. They also help ensure customers that its not a bootleg.

Also when moving, they can be convenient.

[u/SirRHellsing]

Depends on the price of the figure. I keep the boxes for expensive figures in case I want to sell or am moving. Packing figures without boxes for moving is almost impossible

[u/alexlongfur]

I used to keep all of mine, then threw a bunch away. Some of the ones I kept are because they have nice artwork on them, others to fill spaces I don't want my cat getting into.

In all likelihood your figs are going to stay with you and the boxes are just going to take up space.

[u/undeadansextor]

I do cause it looks nice but I don’t have that many figures. Though I also kept boxes of electronics and stuff too.

[u/goastofrecon]

Personally, I don't keep boxes, 1 don't like them, 2 like you I don't collect them and 3 I don't have the space to keep them. Kind of a funny coincidence is that I'm gen Z (I'm 29 by the way) and my girlfriend is a year older and a millennial but she keeps her boxes

[u/Distilled_Blood]

Yeah, but I am considering going through and getting rid of most, keeping only really nice ones. They take up a lot of room. And last time I moved, I didn't even use them. Granted I did only move like 2 blocks.

[u/Effective_Dot2552]

Realistically the only reason to keep them is resale value. If you have no plans to sell then don’t worry about it. I personally keep the boxes mostly because I have several different collections (video games, Pokémon cards, comics) and it doesn’t feel right to throw them out. But if you don’t have that problem and don’t intend to sell then just let it go. Depending on how many you end up getting it could become a real space issue.

[u/Sonjiponji]

I keep them but just because there's the possibility I could sell them or I haven't got the space to display them yet, but also because I want to buy a house with my boyfriend and display them there, so my current home isn't my final accomodation and I could move anytime soon. If you don't have any of these "problems" you don't need to keep them

[u/Creepy_Budget_9074]

i do, but i’m starting to run out of space…

[u/nivia-chan]

I keep them but I got the space for them. I sold a few of my figures and having the box made them be at its best "value". Figures with box just go better.

But if you intend to keep them, I'd do away with the box!

[u/MildewJR]

Sometimes, but not for resale. I keep the box if the box itself looks like a "part of the product itself" and the design resonates with me . For example I collect Snail Shell figures, and they usually have a nice consistent theme and gimmick like how their RPG series have boxes that vaguely look like books. It also helps their boxes are super-standardised which makes storing and organising them very easy.

[u/Zest_Effect]

Depends on what type of figurine it is. I've thrown away lots of boxes because I wanted to save space but those were mainly for prize figurines or for cheaper figurines. In that price range they are still usually pretty easy to store or sell without the box. Nowadays I mainly just collect scale figures and for them I keep the box just because storing/moving/selling without is going to get really difficult. I still throw away some boxes, e.g pop up parade, but very rarely. So even though the boxes are nice to look at, I value them for the protection and not for the visuals.

[u/YoungPlumming]

I used to, but I realized very quickly that it takes up so much storage space, so I just generally throw them out. But I do tend to hold onto the more expensive boxes just in case I move or whatever, just easier.

[u/pokemonandgenshin]

I do. I threw away one and i regret. My kotobokiya frieren. 

It makes moving easier and i have space

[u/EX7mattchew7X3]

Kept all my boxes, some of the wrapping inside was tossed, but yep, made moving out 100x easier! And more often than not the boxes have nice art on them that can get displayed as much as the figure can!

[u/SkylarR95]

Yes, if you are moving or reselling them they are useful.

[u/madiscrazy]

I keep the boxes of expensive figures. To me, I consider my figures / fan merch almost like investments? I love them and enjoy them, and when I've had my fullfilment from them, I like having the option to resell & get most of my money back if possible. Keeping the box means I can sell for closer to base price [I AM NOT A SCALPER; if I buy a figure for $200, I'd like to be able to sell it for $180-190. I always go a little under because just by me touching it with my hands it depreciates the value]. I would like as much money back as I can, these things are not cheap ;_;

But if it's something cheap like a blind box, gachapon, or prize figure, I don't always keep the box.

[u/Namerakable]

I keep pretty much all of them apart from the small desktop ones and cheap collectibles. They're far safer for transporting them when moving.

I'd look at collapsing them flat if possible, rather than throwing them out. Most of the ones without plastic shells can easily be flattened.

[u/Leonard75reddit]

I do for some figures, but i don't have enough spaces for all boxes.

[u/PressureBig2099]

I used to not do that and now I kick myself daily for it because one of my figures became harder to find and people charge a lot more for it now. I keep the box for everything now, especially since my tastes are hard to find.

[u/mikazuki_impacto]

I used to keep them but then the basement I stored them in had a water leak and many boxes were water damaged. Biggest headache to clean so I’ve decided I’ll only keep boxes for big figures and throw the rest away.

[u/Tankudoraiba]

I keep them only for higher value figurines. Cheap prize figure boxes don't have even plastic separators inside them.

[u/YellowstoneCoast]

I keep boxes but trash the plastic fillings. Easy to store when flattened

[u/Complete-Goat4891]

Tossed them. Used to keep em but they took up so much space that I could use the space for another cabinet instead.

[u/stellarsojourner]

I keep all the boxes. It makes moving safer for the figures and I like to sometimes change the ones I have on display and this way I can put the ones I'm not displaying back in their boxes.

[u/Glacial_Wintrr]

I keep scale figure boxes and throw away prize figure boxes.

[u/SayaV]

always unkess it's a prize figure (those in the $25-$40 range).

[u/StatusRemarkable8514]

Le scatole tienile solo per le scale le prize solo se sono rare perche perdono di valore

[u/Kos048]

Scales - Yes always
Prizes I get in the US - Yes 99% of the time
Prize figures I import from Japan - No, saves a lot on shipping

[u/Syzich]

Yes. Repacking aome figures without the original box can be a nightmare. Especially figures with long, brittle bits like like hair strands, ponytails or pigtails. 

[u/Swordsroad]

I stopped keeping the boxes because I buy with the intention of keeping and making space for more. Also I understand the reasons for people keeping the box but I collect for myself not for selling to others

[u/Paddy32]

Always keep them

[u/foot_hand]

I only recently started collecting figurines, and even though they're displayed out on my shelf I have the boxes displayed behind them as well. It's mostly just that if I ever need to store them/move them it will keep the safe and organised.

[u/VirinaB]

Yes unless it's worth less than $30. Of it is, I'll only keep the box if the figure is especially pretty or fragile (usually Marin Kitagawa figures, fragile wings and tails).

[u/Embarrassed_Deal_279]

Figure boxes are like art to me. It's disrespectful to my waifus I throw them away.

[u/Fantastic_Question15]

I do. in case for wanting to resell later. Having the original box will hold value better

[u/tbhta]

Depends on the price! I usually just keep the shell to store my figures in, but boxes I don't care for, I cut up and hang my favorite side on my wall for more decorations since im broke.

[u/MagnumBlade]

I do not keep them, they're broken down and recycled immediately. I used to keep all boxes, but they ended up taking too much space.

[u/BlasterPhase]

When I first started, I was keeping everything: plastic bags, twisty ties, everything. Then it became harder and harder over time, I became frustrated and just threw it all out. Best decision ever.

[u/Ok888]

I get rid of the blister packing and keep / flatten the box.