Unless you have previously resolved to never again make a New Year's Resolution, it is time to think about your new resolutions for the coming year. Collectors often make resolutions concerning how much money they spend on their collection or how much "junk" they have in their collections.
Here at RTM, we like to take a slightly different approach to making resolutions about our action figure collecting habits, one with a more positive attitude. Try a few out this year:
...be more charitable. Annual donations at the holidays are a good thing, but why not donate once a month to a local shelter? Kids in need are in need for more than just the holidays.
...insure my collection. Most insurance companies offer rider policies for collections on renters insurance and homeowners insurance. There are also insurance companies which specialize in insuring collectibles. Get your comic book and DVD collections covered, too, while you are at it.
...be more friendly and polite in the toy store aisles. You never know who might turn into your next "toy run buddy," so why take the chance of losing them before you meet?
...help parents find the precise action figure or toy that their child wants. Why watch them stand there scratching their heads, when in two seconds you can find what they are looking for?
...expand my collection in new directions. For example, if you have never before purchased a 12" action figure, go get one. GI Joe, 21st Century, Dragon, Soldiers of the World, Action Man, Max Steel: 1/6 is an exciting scale.
...open an action figure. If you are a MOC/MIB collector, buy an extra and free it from its packaging. I'm not saying you need to open everything in your collection, but open something. These are toys, after all, and playing with them is a great stress-buster.
...not buy figures I do not like. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Even if you've been waiting months for a certain action figure to be released, don't buy it if if disappoints you.
...wait for clearance on figures I do not like. If it disappoints you at $8, it might be more appealing at $4. If you still don't like it for $4, pass on it a second time.
...stop being a completist. Completist collectors often buy action figures that they do NOT like, merely to say they have them all. Why be a slave to this mindset? Stop wasting money on stuff you don't like.
...let the toy companies know what I think. Standing in the store telling your friend that a certain action figure "stinks" is fine, but letting the company that made it know how you feel is better. Send them an email to let them know that they need to improve, or to let them know that they have done an excellent job.
...not waste as much time hunting for a new action figure just so that I can be the "first" to have it. Spend more time with your friends and family, the figures will show up eventually without you checking three Target stores every day of the week.
...have fun. Toy collecting is a hobby, it is something we do for enjoyment. If collecting becomes work, it is time to take a step back.
