Do you think of your collection as an investment?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I used to... before Ebay had pictures.  I used to... before shipping prices became outrageous.  I used to... before Paypal started becoming popular and adding fees and Pro Accounts.

Now I know that with a product that deteriorates, with all the precautions a seller has to take and all the expenses involved - NOPE!  Not a collectible item that is going to make me any money!

[buttonso]

Nah- most of my ponies are common, many have flaws. I have a couple sought-after ponies but I have never thought of it as an investment. I just like em. 

[Artemesia's Garden]

Not for me, I bought them to play with so many wouldn't be worth much. I just sold a few nice ish ponies from my collection and got a reasonable amount back for them but, certainly no profit if you include all the shipping I paid. I just collect them because I adore them.

[Honeycomb]

Actually, kind of. I have some ponies that I am not so very attached to, so if I ever am in a situation again where money is needed desperately, they are the first to go, and they are some that have value. However, they were not bought as an investment, but not as toys either.
What I like about MLP is that even though you spend money, you can also get it back, most of the time. Not so with clothes or other stuff I used to love to buy before I started collecting.

[lunar_scythe]

It depends; for my Bluebelles the answer is no.  Those are mine, haha, and if I ever needed to sell of my collection, I honestly don't know if I could let them go, at least one of each type.

  For most other ponies I have, though? Well, I rarely buy a non Bluebelle for full price, but I have a decent number of ponies that if I ever sold them, I'm certain I will get back more than what I paid for them.  I wanted them, but not for the prices they were going for, so some I won't buy unless I find a good deal, haha.

[Sweet_Stuff]

No, I don't see them as an investment.. I enjoy collecting.. and especially how could I part with my childhood herd?! Plus, like what was said earlier they aren't going to last forever..

I could resell some higher priced ponies I acquired but I wouldn't... they have a story and I'm their new caretaker now, I couldn't possibly part with them..

[goddessofpeep]

If they're an investment, I'm doing it wrong.  Really, really wrong.

[Artemesia's Garden]

If they're an investment, I'm doing it wrong.  Really, really wrong.

  me too...

[NoPonySpecial]

Good lord no!

[LordBlumiere]

Oh lord, not at all. I went into this hobby with the expectation of keeping my ponies forever--and as of yet, I've never sold a pony. I have no intention of doing so unless things get so rough it's the only way for me to survive. Knock on wood I'll never have to do that. I don't even think any of the ponies I own are particularly rare either, so the money I'd get would really be a pittance.

[aluke]

Nope, not at all. When I downsized on G4, I happily sold my older ponies with their pets/saddles (like Blossomforth, Feathermay, etc.) at retail price, and I was fully aware of what they went for online. I'd rather share the pony love than put a price tag on toys, collectible or not.

[Tak]

No. I think of them as my friends. 

[Lucky_Ladybug]

Oh lord, not at all. I went into this hobby with the expectation of keeping my ponies forever--and as of yet, I've never sold a pony. I have no intention of doing so unless things get so rough it's the only way for me to survive. Knock on wood I'll never have to do that. I don't even think any of the ponies I own are particularly rare either, so the money I'd get would really be a pittance.

This. The most expensive Ponies I have are my three Big Brothers, I imagine. And in any case, I buy Ponies to finally have more after wanting them so badly as a kid. No desire to sell whatsoever!

[elphaba]

I wish, but no - since I'm back on the boards today looking up how to stave off the plasticizer migration devastation!  Collections are only investments when you can keep the items in good condition - and these pieces just refuse, no matter what.  In fact it's the opposite - I paid a lot for some of them, and as they get greasy and sticky, their value goes from whatever I paid to ZERO.   

[Pheasant]

Nope.

Like many others have stated, collectibles are a poor choice of investment for various reasons. Unlike capital goods, they aren't worth anything except what a collector will pay for them. I just like pretty ponies. :>