To open or not to open...

[kirinafa]

Hello all!
I'm rather new here and to collecting in general. For the past two years whenever i see a new G4 fluttershy i snatch it and just leave her in the package.

Now my question is, do you leave yours in the package or do you take them out? I know to keep the price up would be to keep her sealed, but what do most do? I look to start expanding my collection and maybe even start completing sets eventually. Is it really hard to find the more rare G4s still in its package? How big of a task is it really to complete collections?

[Flugangst]

I pick and choose which I open and leave in box. Like, my exclusives for example are all in box. Not because I plan on getting rid of them in the future, but just for some reason it doesn't feel right opening them. Such as Rainbow Dash Shadowbolt, Zecora, SDCC Muffin pony...

[HoustonCollector72]

 if you can get  2 ,one to open and one to keep mib that would be the best , on my first year  I opened everything I was getting , but then I started leaving some in their boxes and buying a second one of the ones I had opened to also keep mib ,mostly I kinda started doing that because of the buy 1 get one  50 % off  sales:)  so sometimes I get them right away when they get released and if they are later on sale I get them again and open them , some of them I never open, and only get one like the pinkie's boutique stuff
I recently opened   my second  CMC set  after I got it  with a coupon at target , also the  Favorites Set and Masquerade ponies after a sale at TRU
If you are going after the old  releases from 2010-2012, there are still around but just be patient, there are a lot overpriced ponies on e bay ,but do expect to pay a bit more than retail, I got a new RD and TS fashion Style  recently and it was a long wait until  one of each came out at a decent price .
I also went after the MIB G4's that I had opened before and bought a second one to keep MIB
Blossomforth and Flitterheart were the most expensive ones  30 plus dllrs ,and they are even going for higher now
I do find some old releases at Ross for half their original price sometimes though,so it is nice sometimes to find them that cheap .

[starflyer425]

i usually keep them outside the box, though i do keep the boxes in a safe place if i decide to sell later. however, with ponies like zecora and shadow bolt dash, i kept them in the box, but the package is open so i can take them out if i want too. however, FS Pony will stay snug and sealed tight in her pretty box.

[Sunshine]

I keep mine all in boxes unless I get doubles OR they have a badly damaged box...That's why I opened my EG Doll Rarity

[Rainbow Dash]

I open them.  I collect ponies, not cardboard and plastic.

[Rainbow Revolver]

I usually try to buy two if I can so I can take one out xP If I can't I just keep it in the box then!

[gypsyunicorn]

hard to get ones leave MIB
I have my TRU exclusives MIB and my SDCC too
now if you can get 2 open 1 otherwise keep MIB and look for loose ones to toy with 2nd hand or in yard sales

[shindow]

Almost all my items are CIB, unless they're part of a larger set (but I collect Muffin pony so most of hers are exclusive/limited). But for example, her future blindbag and her current brushable are going to / are out of the box. My Snuggle Bubble is out of the plastic and when I get the flocked one in today, she's going in a plastic case because that thing will attract cat hair like no tomorrow. :p

[Deep Purple Crystal]

If they are older G4's I'd say no. They might JUST fetch something on ebay if you, say, listed a 2010 Fluttershy.

I kept my Zecora's box when I got her last August, so there's no shame in keeping boxes as memories.

[CupidStrikes]

I've opened all my G4s except Diamond Rose. I found her earlier this year and had been looking for her for months so I want to keep her "special"....even though she has a massive black smudge on her nose >.< Thanks, Hasbro QC.

I have a handful still in boxes because I don't actually have space for them at the moment and my other ponies' hair has suddenly frizzed up so I'd rather keep them mint until I have a place to put them so I've not got a tonne of untangling to do.

[tikibirds]

I set them free. 

[Eurocoin]

I open all my toys. My personal point of view is that there is no point in collecting/buying toys, if you don't open them.

[MikeysGrrrl]

I've been collecting for about 8 months now Much like yourself I was keeping everything MIB, I didn't want to open them. Then I had my birthday 3 weeks ago and that's when I decided to start opening a lot of items. For me it has more to do with display space as opposed to anything else.

I was running out of room to hang all of the MIB/MIP items, So what I decided was that I would keep all of my regular brushables (singles) MIB, anything that has 2 or more ponies or a ton of accessories was opened. I put all of the accessories in baggies and put them in a dresser drawer, now the majority of the pony collection is out of package and on display

I think it looks better now that most of them are out of their boxes

It really is up to you, you have to do whatever you are most comfortable with

[Sanadaookami]

I de-box almost all of mine- my international exclusives, older ponies (g3 and older), some of the ones I know are just rare and doubles stay in box. Everyone else gets freed. There are a few reasons- first one is space, I have a lot of ponies, enough that they now need there own room. With that many I need to make the best use of all my shelf space, because I hate boxing them up and storing them, if I own them I want them out where I can enjoy them. The second reason is enjoyment- de-boxing a new pony is fun! I like styling there hair and being able to pick them up and show them off. Taking photos of them or dressing them up is a blast! Also I don't plan to sell mine- if I get an upgrade I might sell one who is less perfect but over all selling for a profit is not a goal with my collection.

I think you should consider how you enjoy your collection- do you like the box art? and the way to boxes look on display? Do you have space for all of them? It is a bit easier to keep boxes clean and free of dust. or do you like styling hair and playing around with them? Are you planing to sell them in the future?