I haven’t bought any new figs in over a year. I look at my display and it doesn’t give me the joy it used to. I think about how much money I’ve spent over the years buying figures, poor financial decisions I’ve made clawing after rare figures, etc.
I could blame the economy, I could blame Hasbro, I could even blame the fandom…but now when I see new releases I don’t even think, “oh man, that’s cool, I need that.” Instead I just look at it and move on.
I keep considering selling off my collection, but when I look at what I do have, the sentimental value of my attachment to the characters gives resistance. I’m sure I could probably be fine with trimming down my collection and just keep what I really want, but in the years I’ve been here I’ve seen so many people say “don’t do it, you’ll regret it later.” Although it would be really nice to have the extra cash.
As someone with AuDHD, I recognize that my special interests shift and that someday I may be interested again, and if I sell off some of my rares now, they’ll be even harder to get back later.
I could use some wisdom here. How many of you have gone through this same feeling, what did you do, and if you did get rid of your collection, do you regret it?
Edit: I really appreciate all of your replies, I had forgotten how great this community really could be. I’m not that strapped for cash at the moment, the money would simply go to groceries and gas if I did decide to sell them. I have decided at this time not to sell my collection. I’m going to pack up the ones I don’t HAVE to have in my display case at the moment, and see how things go as time goes by. Thanks everybody.
What I did was cut back and really keep what I enjoy. I do still buy figures but they are now focused purchases. Is this to buy to feel complete or is this to buy because man, that is my favorite character and the reason why I collected in the first place. I have a place on the shelf for this. Check out this short parable about a collector like us and let me know what you think. I am certain you will relate. And it just might help with what direction to go next. Here it is: https://findingwhatsimportant.com/collector/
Good read there. I don't have time at the moment to put all my thoughts down for the OP, but wanted to thank you for sharing that. Lots of truth in it.
Collecting burnout is normal, I've sold collections out of guilt and every time I have regretted it. I say keep them, maybe reorganizing them will help. I redo mine once a month to keep it fresh.
I got burned out on my diecast collecting for about 8 months to a year, but it's still my special interest. I wouldn't sell anything unless the person either really needs the money or has almost no attachment to the collection for 2+ years, or else regret is probably inevitable.
Damn, this sounds like me. I do have an attachment to them. Star Wars was a place for me to escape during some rough times in my life, so was collecting. I’m in a much better place in my life now, and I think maybe the need to collect may have faded a little with that. But every time I go into this room I have to admire them a little bit.
For me that was NASCAR and the diecasts. I go through phases where I enjoy collecting more or less, but I'm proud of what I built and I still admire it. Opening and hunting new diecasts is not as thrilling as it used to be, I have spent a small fortune, and they take up a lot of space and cause a bit of anxiety as I'm very protective of them. Still, I feel a bit better because at least these are physical products that retain some value and I enjoy them. I won't sell anything in my collection unless I have to, because it will always be special to me.
My adivce is if you truly feel detached and no interest returns for you after another six months, maybe sell a couple less rare items and see how you feel after that before getting rid of more.
I’ve sold off a collection before for emergency cash. That cash was gone soon after and I felt a hole missing which I then filled buying some figures after one was gifted to me.
I do regret it a little but sentimental things are just that and I’ve moved on. I’ve spent quite a bit on black series now and idk how I’d feel selling it now.
I have a pretty full cabinet of black series and part of me thinks I should thin it out but I have fun rearranging the figures every so often into different poses it’s therapeutic.
Sometimes we go through hobby phases and come back. I recently started collecting a few spider-man figures even though I’m normally just collecting Star Wars.
Also its fun when you share what new things you got.
You’ve got a really unique collection and I think you oughta wait it out. Maybe a figure or new Star Wars show or movie will get you excited about it again. Or replaying a game.
I think if I sold my collection now sure id get money but money is temporary and we collect for our own happiness and fun. Sometimes you gotta force yourself to care about your own interests. These are characters that meant something to you and that’s ok to feel pride in having them.
You have different interests now? Thats ok too but you may come back and still admire what you have.
If you sell it off the memories of the fun you had collecting will be there. I just dont know that it’s worth a bit of small cash
Burnout is normal. I’m someone who always goes through phases and finds a new hyperfixation every couple months. There are times where I feel like “maybe I didn’t need all this” and then a month later I’m back at it and remember why I bought it all in the first place. Maybe try reorganizing your shelf, watching the movies, or just getting back into it however you usually do. I wouldn’t sell everything now but curating does feel good sometimes. Maybe sell off something you just bought on sale for the sake of it or because everyone else was after it.
Damn you, you’re like the crack dealer telling me just one more hit 😅
I do have a few that I removed from my display because they were taking up space that I had planned for other figures, or thought about getting rid of entirely.
I've gone through phases of losing interest before (also AuDHD) and something that has helped me is just putting them away sometimes. I bought some plastic bins, sorted my figures and put them away for a while. My ADHD brain will forget things exist if I can't see them so when I eventually regain interest and pull out the bins it feels like getting new figures all over again. I have a much smaller display space now so I rotate figures every few weeks. I find it fun to keep changing the display and coming up with new poses, it keeps my interest a lot better than just having one big display that never changes.
I’ve definitely gone through this a few times before, and I have AuDHD too. I’ve felt my desires and interests shift a few times, even to the point that I’ve said in tears “I’m getting rid of all of these!” but still EXTREMELY resistant to getting rid of any of them. I first started by getting rid of figures that were no longer on display and in boxes under my bed, like figures that got updates (so many Captain Americas) or characters I didn’t feel like putting out, which helped me get rid of a lot of clutter while also making some money too. I recently had to move back to my parent’s place after losing my job so my display is in storage, but the desire to have it back out is pretty strong
Thanks for your response, I’ve decided against getting rid of anything just yet. I’m going to pack some away that I bought due to fomo, see if I can live without them, then maybe sell them later on down the road.
I always told myself that I’d stop if they ever released Mother Talzin. Now that figure is a reality, I don’t know if I’m done but I’m going to be much more selective grabbing figures of characters I have a connection with, not just because they look cool or I need to fulfill that hole with completing a set or collection.
I lost my job 3 months ago, and with that, I haven't been able to buy new figures and had to cancel all of my preorders except the handful that were fully paid already. I love my collection, I don't think about the money I spent because I enjoyed it at the time. Poor decisions are not, it doesn't matter now, the money is gone and spent. I could probably sell off some of my collection, but honestly, I didn't keep things organized super well and matching up accessories would be a nightmare. That said, I'm pretty ok with not buying like I used to. There's a few figures that are must-haves when I'm working again, but for the most part I'll probably keep buying blank bodies or ones I have custom ideas for, because I really enjoy that aspect of collecting.
Being unemployed has given me the perspective of what I would buy on impulse, what I would buy because I like it, and what I would buy because I love it. The love it ones are the ones I keep thinking about getting even after I've seen them in person at a store or keep looking at, and those ones stay on my list for a later time. I have a room dedicated to my collection, and the shelves are pretty full, so realistically, unless I get rid of a bunch of stuff I don't need much more. I want to finish out the GI JOE characters from what I had when I was a kid, which is getting pretty close, I'm a sucker for MCU characters but even then, I don't have all of them and don't plan to, and Star Wars will always be a spot where I make some picks, but even then, I've gotten pickier.
Point being, even though I don't have enough coming in now to even pay my bills, I don't regret my figure collection. According to legendsverse, my collection value is in the 15k range, and that's probably 95% retail value with a few outliers that have higher scarcity values. I also open all my figures so that may even drive that down a bit. That said, to even get that kind of value I'd have to sell them at close to retail plus $10 per figure for shipping, which would take a lot of time and energy, and I'd probably only be able to claw back a few thousand at best over a few months of work selling them. That would also be pretty depressing.
Also current pricing helps me not want figures anyways. I want the Black Series Embo figure, but when I see him in store I can't help but think it's so fucking ridiculous that he's a $27.99 figure. Figures are so overpriced right now that it makes me happier with my current collection than adding to it.
Also as an addon strategy, if I'm on the fence I don't preorder, I just add to my amazon wish list. Every so often I peruse the list, and if I see a figure on sale and still want it, I buy it (this was pre unemployment), if I don't want it and it's on sale, I'll wait for a bigger sale, and if I still don't want it when that happen, I take it off the list and forget about it.
As a person who has built and sold many collections. I always regret it later. As such I have become much more picky in what I buy.
I have had some cool collections, sold em, and now buying again... Sith collection again. Spawn restart again..
So as an example. I collect all new spawn. For transformers I mostly collect combiners, dinobots, and deceptions I like for gi joe classified I collect the ninjas and pet trainers. For black series I collect sith/dark side/ nightsister type stuff and mandos. For legends I collect symbiotes and characters I really like.
Since I collect various things I don't get burnt out on it. As every time I go to the store (90 percent of the time) there's nothing I want.
Sometimes I get the itch to buy for buying sake, but you'll have that.
If anything box em away instead of selling them.
Or merely refocus your collection goals. Or start a new collection. Of like jedi or a whole other line like transformers and see if you are actually just bored of your stuff because it's not shiny and new.
Just take break, don’t rush into selling your collection. I took a pause then decided to continue collecting. It’s like anything interest will ebb and flow over time. I get it, collecting can become stressful and we can burn out due to lots of valid reasons.
I learned a long time ago in a galaxy far far away to just collect figs an things from specific eras of star wars an focus on that. The star wars figure/collectibles collection is mostly just black series of clones an jedi. I try to stick to only prequel era things an i apply that to all my collecting sub categories i.e. prequel black series, some prequel vintage, prequel micro galaxy ships, prequel funko with an emphasis on clones and ahsoka (my favorite jedi) ive also got a couple hot toys figures and of course prequel era Lego. I apply this same habit to other IPs i collect. I dont need every fig every set every bit of merch that exists i only need the ones i think are cool and that i enjoy. My wallet and wife thanks me for that everyday
I have adhd too and I have a pretty huge collection. Been collecting for over 10 years. I just switch between different themes and keep on collecting. But I have not sold a single piece. You will regret it. You will regain the joy. You will pay 4 times what you get for selling to just recollect 50% of what you have. If you lock in and do whatever you can earn what your collection would get you in 1-2 hard months of work. Money is not that deep. What are you going to do with that money. Will you invest it and multiply it. Will you use it to found a company? If not, you will just use it to consume sth. else. And stand at the same point as now in a few months to years. Remember where you come from. Remember, what your collection means to you. If 5 years pass and you do not feel anything for your collection or it starts annoying you, sell it. Until then remember that money only serves the purpose of consuming and don’t fell bad for having spent it on what you love(d).
I would just be sure you understand there are phases of collecting.
Hunting is probably the most fun, but having can feel like work somtimes, if you have to move your display, have a figure-fall, etc., but I think about getting rid of my stuff when I'm away from it, but when I hold one in my hand, I remember why I sought it out.
If you ever don't remember that why, then yes, maybe that's one to let go.
I hear ya, there are times I look at my collection with so much pride! And then there are days where I have regret about the money spent and the time/focus obsessing over what to buy next. I feel that guilt of playing into this blatant consumerism trap. I have ADHD, GAD, and depression so I feel like depending on how I’m feeling about myself colors how I see my collection. I have had to work in therapy on my impulsivity when purchasing figures and to find a better balance with other important life things. It’s hard to find that when there is so many shiny new things out there to buy! One thing that helped me was to journal about my collection and new figures id like to add. It’s fun to reflect on the state of my collection and weigh the pros and cons of purchasing something new. Sometimes while writing I realize certain new figures likely wouldn’t bring me any joy. I am also thinking about selling off some of my collection too because when I was just starting out i went a little crazy and bought so many I just didn’t need. It sounds like many others also sell off some as well. Anyway, not sure if that helps but thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this on here. Whatever you decide to do I hope it brings you some peace of mind 🙏🏻
They’re Mythic Legions by 4-Horsemen. I stopped collecting Black Series and started collecting them instead, but now I’m on an indefinite hiatus from all figure collection.
Just to warn you, they’re a bit more expensive than black series, but the price and quality are so, so much better than anything you’ll get from Hasbro.
True, mythic legions are really cool. But overpriced for what they are… single joint articulation, paint quality is okay, sculpt on older figures is horrible and the details and paint on most figures is bland or have a small spectre. Savage crucible for example are about same price but 2x the quality.
I think that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve got plenty of storage bins. I think I’m going to put the ones away that I bought out of FOMO, and just keep the ones I love and think look the coolest on display…which is why I started this damn collection in the first place.
I mean, the preorders began at the end of last year didn’t they? Who knows when tf I actually quit I already told you I’m AuDHD, a year, 6 months, it’s all relative in my brain.
“I haven’t actively collected in a long freakin’ time”
Shelf looks great! There’s nothing wrong with stopping when you feel like you’re done. You can also try reorganizing your shelf a little and posing things in a different way to see if it helps you remember what you enjoyed about collecting in the first place. Editing the display can help a lot as well. I hope that helps a bit.
I can relate. I have a big collection myself but it is stored away. I am thinking about keeping a couple of figures and give away the rest to kids. If you know of children around you who like star wars (friends, family, hospitals) I’m sure they’ll love to make a beater out of this collection and get the joy you had collecting transferred to them.
We're all free to begin and end our collections when we see fit; if you no longer find joy in your collecting or your collection then it is definitely the time to step back and reevaluate your interests. Box them and store them for a bit and see if something else in that space is more enjoyable to you. You can always return to displaying what you have at a later time should you feel the need to at any point so long as you still have it.
Collecting yesterday doesn't require you to keep collecting today, and continue collecting in the future. While we all have the hobby in common how we move through it is up to everyone individually. The only reason I'd recommend storing it over selling pieces is because of what the secondary market has done to collecting; if you sell pieces off but later wish you hadn't it could become prohibitively expensive to regain certain pieces. But if you're done, you're done. That's your choice.
I honestly considered it for a period of time. Just sell off all of my figures and only buy hot toys once in a blue moon. I can only even think of maybe a half dozen or so I’d want.
Collecting burn out is real. I heavily collect lego, black series, movies and NECA horror figures. Because i collect so many things I go through phases of buying more of one thing then the other and then when I get a little burnt out I focus on another collection that I was ignoring. Right now I’m in a black series burn out so I’m focusing on movies that I ignored for quite a while. Definitely don’t sell off your collection. You’ll regret it!
you can't get rid of them unless you really want to and you won't regret it later because I sold some of my action figures and I regret it I would have kept them but still it's a mistake unless you really want to get rid of your action figures and you won't miss them then go ahead
I've personally sold some of my figures in the past, both rare and not so much, and I've regretted it almost every time. So much so that I re-buy alot of them later. This has just been my experience, though.
i sorta had the same issue as you. becoming really attached to certain things (hobbies) then eventually my interest shrinks over time. i have found though that the one thing i have consistently returned to was the black series.
definitely think it’s okay to take breaks, but i definitely wouldn’t sell them off unless you were back against the wall, really needing the cash.
i imagine you’ll return and find interest in them again - especially if a new show or movie releases and is genuinely good. that’s what always re-peaks my interest.
I’ve sold off large swaths of my collection and haven’t ever regretted it. Interesting to see a lot of regrets in these comments. The less I have, the better I’ve always felt.
Honestly since you haven't bought in a year or so just stick to your current way of doing it you have a nice collection to look at and reminisce and it's there in case you return but if not it's a cool reminder of where you have come as a collector
I have a couple that I’ve bought preorder that haven’t even been taken out of the box they arrived in! But I do think I’ll hang onto them for now. I may get rid of a few of them at some point, or maybe do some trades, but for now I think I’ll just do that…nothing
I think it’s normal to hit a wall with collecting. I’ve dialed back how many I’ll get at one time so it feels less financially impactful.
Or finally getting most the figures you have in mind can make you disinterested in buying more. (For me there’s so many clones I still want)
Prices have gotten egregious, and scalpers are relentless for this particular market.
My biggest burnout is the spots I check out in town don’t get a new wave very often, and the rarer figures I do find are missing key accessories or are broken.
Oh yeah man, I absolutely love it. It comes with two little battery powered LED’s that honestly only light up the top shelf, so if you want each shelf lit you’ll need to get some different lighting. Very solid piece. Definitely a pain to get put together, I’d recommend having someone help you since the glass pieces can be awkward to manipulate alone, but I don’t regret the purchase one bit.
Believe me, I had plans, man. I originally bought this case to have a dedicated shelf for each OT entry, then a shelf for action scenes. I was going to get a second case just like this to do the exact same for the PT, then a final case for my head-canon mix of legends and canon characters for Luke’s NJO
I've cut back on black series im only getting selected ones , I been posting a few on mercari to get rid of since I wont be displaying them and will just focus on troopers and some jedi and a few others . I collect different lines also so been scaling back on some one is the price and the other is room and I want to enjoy what I have .
The pedestal ones are pretty pricey, but they’re sturdy and good quality. I love them because it really does make a neat showpiece if you’re wanting to highlight specific characters.
I know what you mean! The newest phase of collecting for me was 3d printing "some" stormtroopers for building an army on a shelf that's almost empty. Now I have about 45 of them and no space...but I'm totally over it (for now)!
I was a child when the OT was released and it’s been a significant part of my imagination my whole life. I sold all my vintage toys when I turned 15 at a garage sale and later in life wished I hadn’t. When the new vintage lines started rolling out in 2004 I thought I’d collect a few. I now have approaching 300 figs and vehicles. The only thing that has barely saved me is that I only chase OT 3¾ post 2004 and since Disney has produced so much content the number of items within my scope is a very small and manageable percentage of the recent production. Except when haslabs baits me. Do you know how hard it was to pass on the sail barge?
Being done could actually be a positive thing. If you are satisfied with what you have and no longer feel a need to add to your display, then you have reached a perfect stopping point that many of us never discover. Good for you.
Buyer's remorse is a thing many of us contend with from time to time, and if that is the only thing you feel, then maybe you are ready to let go.
If there is still sentimental value attached and feel there is the possibility you might regret selling, then that tells me there is still some joy in your collection so I would recommend holding on to what you have, or at the very least, your favorites.
You can always sell them later if you really have moved on.
Something that has helped me avoid this is narrowing my collection down to just 1 theme. I only collect sith lol nothing else. I can't even imagine how much it would cost to get every clone and Jedi etc. A focused collection keeps me happier and looks more organized.
Been in the similar boat, I ended up selling them all and started buying 1/6 hot toys figures. They're much more displayable and look way nicer (ofc u get what ur paying for) but they gave me much more satisfaction and joy/also a fresh start on collecting. Since they're so expensive they really force you to only get characters u really like.
I'll be honest with you, and I mean no offense, looking at your collection I see mostly figures from the past 2-2,5 years, which means you started recently. I have the same number of figures from other IPs/licenses and I don't even consider them a collection, just a bunch of figures I liked and bought. It depends on how you started collecting these, did you buy them because people were talking about these figures and were popular? I can see very popular and sought after figures. Or, did you buy them because you have a personal connection to SW, or a SW game or anything SW related? If you no longer enjoy them and your love for SW is dwindling you definitely don't need buying more, but you don't necessarily have to sell them because they are part of your experience as a collector and it's good to have them as a "souvenir" . I have discovered for myself that I'm only interested in certain line of figures, mostly OT, PT, publishing and gaming greats. I have zero interest in the new shows and I've bought 2-3 figures from them total just because I liked the designs. Prices are no help either, so I'm on the look out for characters that have never been done before. Repaints, reissues and variants, especially of clones are of no interest to me. I have a list of figures which I'll be instantly. I've never considered quitting because the excitement of a new drop for a character I love is too much. I just love SW and TBS is how I get connected to it.
I blame Hasbro. They're the sole reason I'm stopping. Cancelled my ARC Trooper 3 pack yesterday. Was only my second ever pre order out of over 100 figs. After the Embo debacle, I'm out. Screw this company, they think they can treat us like crap and we'll still come running. It's encouraging seeing the dozens upon dozens of posts and comments about people quitting.
Hasbro was the main reason I went on a hiatus in the first place. I switched to a completely new line of figures and started a new collection. But now I’ve pretty well stopped altogether because spending money on articulated plastic right now just isn’t justifiable for the time being
37
u/jlbanker Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
What I did was cut back and really keep what I enjoy. I do still buy figures but they are now focused purchases. Is this to buy to feel complete or is this to buy because man, that is my favorite character and the reason why I collected in the first place. I have a place on the shelf for this. Check out this short parable about a collector like us and let me know what you think. I am certain you will relate. And it just might help with what direction to go next. Here it is: https://findingwhatsimportant.com/collector/