From Apply Now,
Your Guide to Action Figures.
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Action figure collecting may seem like a succinct and specific field of collectibles, but for novice collectors, it can be a little overwhelming at first. There are literally thousands of different action figures to collect, and figuring out what to collect can be a challenge. There are also plenty of places where you can buy action figures, and in order to be a satisfied collector, you need to know the best places to find the action figures you’re looking for. Here’s a guide to the pros and cons of the different places where you can find your favorite action figures!

Retail Stores: This is where kids get their first action figures, and they provide an excellent resource for collectors, too. After all, the kids of today are the collectors of tomorrow!
Pros: You can never go wrong paying retail price for any action figure, and that’s the biggest positive aspect of shopping at retail. Retail stores have learned to cater to action figure collectors in recent years by offering a fairly wide and ever-changing selection, and in many cases, stores offer exclusive items to entice collectors to shop at their stores.
Cons: Retail stores carry only what sells, and so lots of collectors and kids have to want to buy the figures they stock. Otherwise, the retailer will have no problem dropping a toy line from their selection. These are big businesses after all. And because of the lower prices and exclusives, there’s often a lot of competition among collectors and scalpers to walk away with the best items before everyone else.

Specialty Stores: Whether you check out comic book stores or higher-end toy stores, specialty stores cater to collectors as best they can.
Pros: These stores are run by collectors and the owners know their clientele better than retail stores. They are able to order items from higher end manufacturers while also providing many of the same items that retail stores provide. In many cases, they are also able to import items from other countries.
Cons: Like any area of collectibles, price can be a limiting factor. Not only do specialty stores have to be more concerned about maintaining rent, but they also have to pay more to carry the items they sell. Combine these and other factors, like the cost of importing foreign action figures, and you’ll have to pay quite a bit more. These stores also can’t stock the quantity of items that retail stores can, so if you see something you like, it’s for the best that you not wait around for it.

Flea Markets/Garage and Yard Sales/Live Auctions: These are old collectible standards. Combing around flea markets, garage sales, and auction houses are where incredible finds are made for pennies on the dollar if you have a keen eye.
Pros: You never know what you’re going to get. Each week presents new opportunities to unearth that impossible to find action figure, and you may score it when no one else, not even the dealer, knows what it is. And because it’s unpredictable, you’re not limited to what certain stores can order.
Cons: You never know what you’re going to get. These are very hit-or-miss and require a lot of patience. You may have to go to the same flea market for months before you find something that you’re looking for. Condition is almost always an issue, since everything is second hand. And because dealers often don’t know what they have, or make up stories to get you to buy an item, you’d better come armed with a lot of knowledge or a clear sense of what you’re looking for so that you don’t get ripped off.

Collectible Shows and Conventions: Several times a year, all over the world, conventions bring some of the world’s greatest collectible dealers offering unheard of bargains and unearthing some of the rarest and most unique action figures ever.
Pros: Just as I stated above, there is a wide spectrum of what to buy at a convention. Many dealers use conventions to clear out overstock at extremely low prices. Others use the opportunity to bring out their better items, knowing that many different collectors will have money to burn.
Cons: There’s usually an admission cost just to get in, something that you don’t have to worry about with retail or specialty stores. These are often held in more populated areas, so if you don’t live close to a big city, you might not be able to attend. Finally, conventions like these are usually spread throughout the year, but they don’t happen every day. You’re limited to your schedule, whereas retail stores are open seven days a week.

Online Auctions and Stores: There’s nothing that’s had more impact on all collectibles than online auctions like eBay and online retailers. The internet has presented many new opportunities along with new challenges.
Pros: You can truly find just about anything online. Whether you’re into collecting a vintage toy line that’s so obscure no one else even knows of its existence or just buying things because you want to avoid the hassle of driving to the store. Online auctions offer some of the most in-demand and rarest action figures available because they attract bidders from around the world, and more and more online retailers are offering exclusive action figures and collectibles to get your business.
Cons: There’s a lot to be said about seeing an item before buying it. Stores and sellers can post dozens of pictures of a single item, but there’s no comparison to holding it and examining it in person. Always make sure you’re buying from a reputable dealer. Examine their feedback, or if it’s an online store, talk with other collectors about their experiences with the store. Internet buying is almost necessary to collect action figures nowadays, but it pays to know what you’re doing.