Welcome to Rec.Toys.Action-Figures!

WELCOME TO REC.TOYS.ACTION-FIGURES!

(last revised 09/23/96)

We are glad you have decided to take the plunge into the world of  
action figure toys. And this is the newsgroup for all your action 
figures, playsets,  vehicles and other accessories used with action 
figures. Here, you will  find posts for buying, selling, critiques,  
fantasy, humor and much more.  If it deals with action-figure toys 
and their related accessories, then its probably OK to post it here. 

What is an action figure?

That's a good question. There is no definitive answer. It's probably
easier to define what is *not* an action figure (e.g., yo-yos, lego,
etch-a-sketch, etc.) The best rule of thumb is this: Do you think its 
an action figure? Then you can probably find someone to agree with you. 
The question of what defines an action figure is a perfectly on-topic 
discussion for this group.

Here is the official group charter:

*******************************************************************
CHARTER: rec.toys.action-figures

Rec.toys.action-figures is an unmoderated newsgroup for the 
discussion of action figure toys and related accessories. The scope 
of discussion within this group includes action figures, as well as
action figure playsets, vehicles and other accessories intended for
use with action figures.  The types of posts within this group may
include (but not be limited to) posts of news, release dates, 
collecting, customizing, and reviews related to action figures and
their accessories.  Until the creation of a more appropriate forum,
posts related to the buying, selling, and/or trading of action 
figures and related toys are acceptable in this group.  
Crossposting to other rec.toys.* groups is discouraged.
******************************************************************


Other relevant news groups include:

     alt.food.pez  
     alt.toys.gi-joe                  
     alt.toys.transformers 
     rec.toys.action-figures
     rec.toys.cars
     rec.toys.lego                    
     rec.toys.vintage
     rec.arts.sf.starwars.collecting
     rec.collecting.dolls


Test posts belong in alt.test, misc.test or your local test group. 
Some newsreaders don't show you the things that you post. I guess 
they figure  that since you wrote it, you don't need to read it.  
In addition, making  a test post and then having a real post right 
below it makes you look  like a new user. Test posts are off-topic 
and poor netiquette. Not the  best way to make a first impression.  
Remember, just because you don't see your post, it doesn't mean that 
others don't see it.

Crossposting (i.e., posting the same article in two or more newsgroups)  
is reasonably tolerated (especially if it contains information that 
might be of interest to several newsgroups). However, please consider 
where you post first. If its only really relevant to one group, then 
its probably best to only post it there.

But first....

Please take a minute to read this message. It contains a few suggestions 
that will make your stay here more fun and help you avoid a few mistakes 
that are easy to make. We want to hear what you have to say and we want 
you to come back often.


STEP 1: THE FAQ

Read the FAQ.

Now some of you are probably wondering what a FAQ is. If that is the 
case, then you probably want to start off really slow. FAQ stands for 
"Frequently Asked Questions." Its a continually updated document that 
contains the answers to the questions that seem to crop up on a regular 
basis. There is a great FAQ posted in the newsgroup 
news.announce.newusers that will help get acquainted with the Usenet 
newsgroups in general.

Why should you read the FAQ? This newsgroup has its own FAQ filled with 
valuable information pertaining to the topic of this group: ACTION 
FIGURES!  If you ask a question that is contained in the FAQ, then it 
becomes painfully obvious that you have not read the FAQ. Often you will 
still get a reply, even if it is only a suggestion to read the FAQ. 
Nobody likes being new or appearing naive. The FAQ can help....but only 
if you read it.

The FAQ is a great place to start. So how do you get it? Several ways. 
First, let me say that the rec.toys.action-figures FAQ is maintained by 
Scott  Gordon. He is responsible for 
coordinating all the questions and answers and putting them in a useable 
form. If all else fails you can mail him for help (If that fails then you 
can mail me for help. *grin*).

Additionally, there is an entire FAQ devoted to the topics of Buying, 
Selling, Trading and Auctions on the newsgroup. This is a must read
for all new posters and even experienced posters should be familiar
with the information found in this guide. The B/S/T/A FAQ is posted
bi-weekly and is available on the web at the Raving Toy Maniac
site (see below). Do yourself a favor and read this info before
entering any transaction on the newsgroup...either as a buyer OR
a seller.

Check the bottom of this message for several ways to obtain the FAQ. It 
will be well worth your time.

[Note: The rec.toys.action-figures FAQ started out as the rec.toys.misc 
FAQ. For now, file names have been maintained to avoid any confusion for 
various pointers to these documents. Some of the information may have 
changed since the introduction of the rec.toys.misc FAQ. Most notably, 
the "Financial Aspects" section has now been split off into its own 
separate FAQ (The Buying/Selling/Trading/Auction FAQ).]

STEP 2: LURKING 

Read the newsgroup for a while before posting. This is called lurking. 
If you lurk for a while, you will get a sense about what is acceptable 
and what is not. You will learn what types of posts get angry replies 
and which types of posts get nice replies.  Some people suggest that you 
lurk for a month or more before posting. 

If you are buying or selling, then it is even more important to lurk for
a while. Many sellers are scared off because they post a "For Sale" ad 
that gets many negative replies. They often don't even know what they did 
wrong.  And they seldom come back. We don't want that to happen to you. 
Selling is perfectly acceptable here. But please remember, anything you 
post is up for comment...including prices.

If you are buying, then it behooves you to shop around. If you buy from 
the first post you see, you will probably want to kick yourself when you 
see the same thing for sale cheaper just a few lines down or a few days 
later. Be patient. And be informed. Ask questions of the seller and know 
exactly what you want and what you are getting. Knowledge is your best 
defense to getting ripped off.

One further note: If you see something you'd be interested in buying or 
you have something that someone wants, use private e-mail to respond. Do 
NOT follow-up the original article with another post. This goes for 
auctions, sales or almost any business transaction. Private e-mail will 
get to the individual faster and more directly. Plus, you are assured 
that the person will actually see it (though maybe not read it) because 
posts are not always thoroughly propagated. You have the best chance for
a response by using e-mail. However, if you have a comment or a question 
that might be of interest to others, then a follow-up post is proper.


STEP 3: FLAMES

It is human nature to disagree from time to time. And that happens here 
as well. Some of the best conversations come from disagreement. 
Differences of opinion are welcome. Insults and personal attacks (or 
flames as they are sometimes called) are not (though we do indulge in 
some good natured ribbing now and again).
 
Remember that we are all human, we all have feelings and we all get 
angry from time to time. Remember that what you say could be read by 
thousands of people. A good general rule of thumb is this: "If you 
wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it here. And if you 
wouldn't do it in public, don't do it here."


STEP 4: LET'S PLAY

ENJOY THE TOYS!!! And your fellow enthusiasts. Ideally, 
rec.toys.action-figures can be a collaborative and cooperative endeavor. 
We are glad that you have chosen to join us. Pull up a chair and let's 
talk toys!


STEP:5 FINDING THE FAQ

Here are several ways to get the FAQ:

 Usenet Newsgroups

      The  FAQ  is posted to the following newsgroups the first and 
      fifteenth day of each month:

      a) rec.toys.action-figures
      b) rec.answers
      c) news.answers
 
            

 World Wide Web 

      The FAQ is available in html format at the Raving Toy Maniac 
      Page: 
      http://www.toymania.com/resources/faqs/index.shtml	

That's it. 

Hope you enjoy Rec.Toys.Action-Figures!