The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: Ponygeek on March 13, 2018, 07:46:48 PM
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Hey all! I am wondering if all you seasoned collectors have some advice for a newbie collector?
I am looking for advice as to strategies for collecting! Right now I have about 20 G1 ponies and some G3 ponies as well. I am having a hard time trying to decide which ponies I should purchase when they come up. I have decided to focus on G1 ponies for now as a start. But I'm not sure if how to focus from there. I love ALL ponies, so I'm like a squirrel right now and I can't make any decisions because I need/want so many! Should I focus on common ponies first, or uncommon ponies? What is your personal strategy for collecting?
Looking forward to hearing your stories and advice!
(Edited spelling - df)
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I'd say you are doing well to try to find focus from the beginning. If I were to start collecting G1 myself right now I'd start collecting by set, Sweetberry ponies, Sparkle ponies, etc. starting with whatever ones appealed to me most. It's super satisfying to complete a set/wave for me.
Consider what your long term goals might be though.
Do you think you'll be happier trying to 'catch 'em all' or having a large collection? Buying in lots may be more for you.
Or would having a more curated smaller collection be more your style? Selecting individuals based on availability and condition might be better.
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Best advice is to make a weekly/monthly (whatever) budget and STICK TO IT. There are SOOOOOO many ponies available that it is easy to go way overboard, over spend, and burn yourself right out of collecting because it becomes a financial stress.
I've been collecting pretty much my whole life (over 35 years!) and most ponies will come up for sale again. So, second best piece of advice is to have patience.
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Choosing a set is great advice. I started out focusing on a symbol theme—anything with a space element on the symbol, or an ocean/water component, etc.
On the “have a budget and stick to it” theme—wise words!—watch out for ebay. The temptation can be to keep upping your bid until yikes, you’ve just paid $20 bucks for a five dollar pony. Plus shipping... Same concept—it’s gonna come back around at some point, so decide what you’re willing to pay, bid that, then (try to...) forget about the auction until you get a notification that you won (must think positively ha ha).
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Unless something is very very rare, don't let FOMO guide your bidding actions. You can and will always find a cheaper pony eventually without resorting to the tippy top prices on eBay, especially when you're embroiled in a bidding war.
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Choose a color or a theme as mentioned. OR choose a pose! Like collect all of Ponies in the Posey Pose (see what I did there)
http://www.mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Posey_Pose
Personally I'm collect all of the Steamer BB pose:
http://www.mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Steamer_Pose
so pose collecting can take you across lots of different years and releases, because Hasbro reused(es) molds to save money.
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Totally watch out for eBay. But at the same time, I found it pretty useful for jumpstarting my collection into more than 20 ponies (quite quickly, too!), but definitely set a budget for yourself. I use Bluerose's G1 price averages site here (http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/bluerose9978/PRICE/) and factor the shipping into the cost to make sure I'm happy with the prices overall. I tell myself I can always sell or give away doubles.
But if you would feel cluttered, feel free to focus on one set or type of pony! Collect what makes you happy.
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Most new collectors tend to start out the same way. Everything's exciting, and since you don't have very much, everything is tempting. This can be a goldmine for less than honest re-sellers. Most newer collectors also tend to be not too picky with condition, and this can come back to haunt you if you get serious about it. It's not unusual for a more experienced collector to have an extensive "upgrade" list once they start getting pickier about condition.
My advice is this:
1) Take some serious time to do some research. Learn what's out there, and make a list of what you like best. Make sure you also check into the market for anything you decide to buy. Ended ebay auctions are always a good indicator of price, but you can always ask here for price checks on anything you're having a hard time finding a value for.
2) Take some time to think about what you'd like your collection to look like. Do you want a large collection, or to keep it small? Do you want your collection to be more focused, or do you want to expand beyond just the ponies(accessories, merchandise, plush, stickers, etc)? Is space going to be an issue? Are you hoping to have everything out on display, or are you ok with storing/rotating parts of your collection?
3) Think about how picky you're willing to be with your collection. Do you want mint ponies, or are you ok with less than mint ponies? Do you enjoy restoring ponies? Are you ok with "placeholder" ponies that you will eventually upgrade, or do you want to buy a pony once and never again?
4) Take some time to figure out how to care for your collection. Every collector has that "if I had just known!" story involving something getting destroyed/damaged/lost/etc. If you're going to start collecting accessories and other small items, spend some time looking into storage options for them. The last thing you want to do is have a tiny $20 item get knocked off your shelf and disappear forever.
A few tips:
Never keep ponies where sunlight can get to them.
Ponies don't like extreme temperatures(hot or cold), or humidity.
Many pets find ponies tasty - if you've got pets, keep the ponies somewhere they can't get to.
Never throw away anything(accessory/sticker/comb/etc) that comes in with your ponies. If you don't know what it is, try to get it identified. If you can't get it identified, keep a bag for random bits just in case you are able to get it ID'ed sometime in the future. Some of the rarest pony accessories don't look like they're pony items(says the person who threw out the cardboard die from the mail order Adventures in Ponyland game...)
Don't eat spaghetti near any of your collection ponies - it stains permanently. That one I discovered last month:/
As you become more experienced and you learn more about ponies, your collecting priorities are going to shift. You'll discover new things you didn't know existed, you'll start to look for new things to collect as you complete your wishlist, and sometimes you'll just change your mind about something. But doing some thinking and some research early on can hopefully keep you from making some of the expensive mistakes many new collectors tend to make.
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What exactly are you interested in? Do you just want as many ponies as you could possibly have? Is there a particular generation or set you really desire?
...Honestly, each collection and its contents depend greatly on its owner and their wants. Is there anything super-nostalgic for you? Do you only like the overall look of the most recent ponies?
It just depends on who you are, what you like, when you were introduced to MLP, how much $ you wish to spend, and what you find completely unappealing.
Do not let all these options spook you away from the collecting community either. We all have different reasons for being here, but we also are very eager to support one another. Never be afraid to ask questions here and I hope you enjoy this forum!
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Triple recoommending the 'Make a budget and stick to it' advice. Seriously, it cannot be stated too many times. Do not fall into the trap of buying everything you see. Most ponies, even G1's, are common in the grand scheme of things. There are thousands and thousands of each out there. Spend some time watching prices and figure out how much you should be looking to pay. Bulk lots are your best friend when you don't have a big collection but only if you know how much they should be valued at; not just that particular pony, but that pony in that condition.
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Some great advice here. I would say try out different types of ponies, one from different sets to see who really tickles your fancy. You will likely start to see a pattern emerging whether it’s color, theme or type of pony (unicorn, Pegasus, seapony etc). All collectors have their own unique “personality” when it comes to their herd and it’s something that reveals itself over time ... even if you did make a deliberate decision to only collect a particular type of pony.
Spend time lurking on the trader support boards and get to know some common problems and complaints people have from shipping problems and shipping speeds, what is expected from trades and scams. I promise if you stick around long enough eventually you’ll have questions for TS and this way you won’t be caught off guard and can probably prevent some problems before they happen. It’s also a great place to read up on how to communicate with difficult sellers and trading partners if a deal starts to turn upside down and still have both parties come out satisfied.
Read read read read ... look at pictures ... familiarize yourself with the Rena rules if you haven’t read through already ... most of all have fun and remember to post your lovely brags! Welcome!
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Sorry but goddessofpeep, I now have images of you feeding your ponies spaghetti xD
I think most of the points here cover most of what you need to know. I guess "run for the hills before it's too late!" is probably not an option, right? The little critters have a habit of breeding.
Budget - yes. It's fun to buy shiny new ponies but be realistic with what you can afford.
Space as well is a consideration.
Make your list based on what YOU like best. Don't look at values, rarity, prices etc until after you've decided what you want. Too many people try to structure their collections around having rare stuff so they can brag about it. That's not what collecting is about. It might take a bit of time to figure that out, but it's worth taking that time. Definitely never buy a pony as an investment as the prices can fluctuate. Buy a pony because you like it, can afford it, and think it will make your collection more fun for you.
Asking here for price checks on ponies is a good idea. Don't post an auction link though. That's frowned on ;)
If you have about 20 or so G1 already, maybe look at them and see what other ponies come from the same sets. That might be a point to begin.
Definitely keep every accessory even if you can't identify it, also backcards, etc until you know if you want them. Then if you don't, sell them. Never throw anything away. People still amazingly recycle G1 backcards *cries*.
Sun is bad. Heat is bad. Don't groom hair that's curly when it's wet. Don't store your ponies in ponywear - at least, not ponywear with red or pink shoes, it can stain the feet.
If doing research on pony ID, use more than one website, don't rely on just one. People can and do make mistakes.
Finally and the best advice I can give you is - enjoy yourself. Make your collection make you happy. Don't feel like it's an exhaustive list that you have to match up to or meet anyone else's expectations. Your ponies are yours so make sure they fulfil what you want from them.
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You sound a lot like me because I too want every G1 I see and can't choose specific ones! I can't give you any advice about eBay, but I can give you advice about building your collection through local finds. With local sales and thrift shops and everything, you don't really know what to expect. It's not like eBay where you can look up a specific thing and buy it. With thrift stores, there may be no ponies, there may be just merch, and there may be ponies. G1s at thrift stores though are becoming rarer, but they still do happen :) Craigslist is a great place to check. There are usually lots there when ponies pop up. Lots are great ways to grow your collection when starting out because it's unlikely you'll get doubles :) Single ponies also pop up. But there may be some dry spells as there is no guarantee that people will be donating or selling. I also agree with keeping a budget. Anyway, that is just my way since I don't use eBay very often! It's not the best methis if you want specific ponies though. I hope this helps :)
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1. As with any collection buy what you like.
2. Look through ID sites and make a list. Then familiarize yourself with their going prices. They will rise and fall and a pony beyond your budget can sometimes be found for a good price.
3. Pace yourself. A collection is not built in a day.
4. Budget.
5. Have fun.
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Watch your budget, AND watch your space limitations, or you will risk your collection becoming a burden instead of an enjoyment.
Watch out for shipping costs -- they can really blow your budget quickly! Especially international shipping.
In fact, you can really get some great deals by buying ponies in person. Check 2nd-hand stores, flea markets, etc. But I would TOTALLY recommend attending the Pony Fair (http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,389902.0.html)if you can! It's easily the largest gathering of pony collectors and vendors and there are some great deals to be had. Most vendors will be a little flexible on price too, especially if you're buying in bulk. Plus, it's a super fun event, pony-buying aside ;) If you're looking for playsets, buying in person means you don't have to pay shipping. There may also be local pony meets (where are you located?) and you can buy/sell/trade there too. But I can't emphasize enough how convenient the Fair is for expanding your collection quickly and in a fun way.
As far as where to focus, my advice is to start with ones that strike your fancy first. It'll grow into it's own thing all by itself without you having to lay out a specific plan. I personally started my collection by buying back the ones I had as a kid....
~Then, it expanded to the ones I've always wanted within those sets.
~Then ponies to complete those sets, or others I wanted from different lines.
~Then... well, any and all ponies from the USA G1 line. At this point, I considered my goals "completist"
~It expanded to all playsets and accessories.
~Then stickers and ponywear.
~Pamphlets, backcards, and other paper items.
~At some point, UK ponies seeped in, along with German ones... Swedish... Scandinavian/Australian.
~Then playsets and accessories and ponywear and other stuff from THOSE countries and beyond.
~I acquired a set of 6 Pretty Parlors from different countries like Brazil, Germany, Argentina. That particular collection focus has now reached a number somewhere into the 40's!!
~Now, I look for just a handful of specific things I want and also "upgrade" the condition of the ponies I have :)
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First and foremost, what is your goal? This will probably change but for now, what is it you are hoping to achieve. Is it a complete collection. Is it ponies in pristine condition. Is it any pony, regardless of its condition. Is it purely ponies or do you want playsets, merchandise, accessories, etc?
If you already know that you want a large collection, do you currently have the space to accommodate that? In the future are you likely to have that sort of space? Is your current home permanent or at least long term (I've lived in 4 houses with my large collection and it's no easy feat to move and set up multiple displays in different size rooms). How are you going to display them - bookcases, shelves? I now operate on the notion that if I know I don't have a place for it, I can't buy it until I do.
If I could give myself advice when I was starting out, it would be these two points.
1. There will always be ponies. Only in extreme cases are ponies super rare. Collectors sell their collections all the time. The pony you want to buy right now will be for sale again at some point. Maybe even at a better price or in better condition. If you can't easy afford it now, it is not worth going broke over.
2. On the flip side, a pony at a good price does not mean you have to buy it. Do you really want this pony or are there more you would rather have? A lot of people, myself included, tend to buy everything in sight when they first get pony fever. I have a fair amount of ponies in my 900 odd collection who I don't really like, am neutral to or would have rather spent that money on one I love. Just because you can buy it, doesn't mean you should.
It's going to be time consuming but I'd suggest researching what ponies you like the most. Maybe write a list of the top 30 or 50. Research how much they are worth through price checks and eBay sales. Know how much a pony is worth before you buy it or bid on it. Every long term collector I know has put in the hard yards to know ponies as well as they do. You don't just magically know this stuff. The more you know ponies, the less likely you are to get ripped off, overspend and overbid.
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. “Don't store your ponies in ponywear - at least, not ponywear with red or pink shoes, it can stain the feet”
This made me think of soemthing else. If you decide you want to collect pony wear—and even if you don’t now, you might in the future (ask me how I know... <.< )— and would like to display it, hang onto or find some ponies that are in n poor condition (go to the Pony Fair and cruise the bait boxes...) that you won't be heartbroken about if they wind up with stains (which you won’t see anyway, because they’re covered up by clothes lol)
ETA: I stole this idea from Kitkatvintage, btw 😄
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About Ponywear, is there a list of what ponywear might stain or which are safe? I've become super cautious after a modern pony plush stained my poor Firefly.
Also, if it hasn't been said yet, if you have a budget, just buy a bunch of ponies with your weekly/whatever budget from one person to save on shipping.
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Thank you all for your amazing advice! I think I will try to focus on completing certain sets that I like first. Thank you, this advice has been very helpful and I look forward to putting it all to use :)
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This made me think of soemthing else. If you decide you want to collect pony wear—and even if you don’t now, you might in the future (ask me how I know... <.< )— and would like to display it, hang onto or find some ponies that are in n poor condition (go to the Pony Fair and cruise the bait boxes...) that you won't be heartbroken about if they wind up with stains (which you won’t see anyway, because they’re covered up by clothes lol)
ETA: I stole this idea from Kitkatvintage, btw 😄
I'm gonna steal this idea from the both of you, what a cute way to display!
To add, this is a more personal preference thing, try to keep up with shelving your ponies. I've got over half my collection in a box because I'm so lazy and overwhelmed by figuring out how to display them.
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. “Don't store your ponies in ponywear - at least, not ponywear with red or pink shoes, it can stain the feet”
This made me think of soemthing else. If you decide you want to collect pony wear—and even if you don’t now, you might in the future (ask me how I know... <.< )— and would like to display it, hang onto or find some ponies that are in n poor condition (go to the Pony Fair and cruise the bait boxes...) that you won't be heartbroken about if they wind up with stains (which you won’t see anyway, because they’re covered up by clothes lol)
ETA: I stole this idea from Kitkatvintage, btw 😄
I do the same! Some of the fabrics stain, some of the shoes do as well. No point in putting nice ponies on those outfits.
Just do not choose ponies that get or were slimy (plasticizer leak), or treated with acne cream or remove-zit as that will damage the outfits making contact.
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If you want diversity in a smaller collection you could just buy your favorite pony of each set.
It would give you a good way to see a pony from the set in person before you buy the whole set.
You could also buy a nice lot and get to know what flaws you are willing to live with and what you can't accept.
I don't think there is a wrong way to collect. Just keep the spending in check.
Don't forget to enjoy the ones you have too!
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I'd recommend not displaying ponywear on ponies. I am a very serious ponywear collector, but I never have any outfits on display. I personally think it's a bad idea for the following reasons:
1) Some parts of some outfits can stain the pony they're on, and sometimes it's not obvious what will stain until it's too late.
2) Keeping outfits on a pony for an extended time can stretch out elastic or deform some parts of some outfits.
3) Many of the rarest and most expensive parts of some outfits are tiny things that don't stay on the pony well, making them very likely to get lost if an accident happens(the pony falls on the floor, a pet gets on the display shelf, etc), or if someone just isn't paying attention. Nothing is worse than tearing a house apart to look for a Pretty as a Picture paint brush or the Hearts and Candy necklace. These items are rare partially because they're so easy to lose, and vacuum cleaners and hungry pets just LOVE them.
4) Dust can be really hard to get out of fabrics, and ponywear is not designed with washing in mind. Brightly colored fabrics also don't like sunlight, and while it's rare that an outfit fades, it does happen.
I store my ponywear carefully in baggies, and I have a devoted bin for it. If you are going to store ponywear, always make sure to close all velcro properly on any outfit that has it. Velcro has a nasty habit of sticking to fabric it's not supposed to, and damaging it when pulled.
As for general collecting, one other thing to consider when deciding how your collection will take shape is if you want to be a completionist collector or not. Many collectors like to go for full sets of ponies. This is fine if you've got the space for it, but it usually ends up with a large collection. The upside is most collectors do want to have the complete set of something. Not having a complete set often feels...wrong. Unfinished. There's a satisfaction that comes when you complete a set. And of course displaying ponies in their full sets always looks nice. However, you will often end up with ponies you're not that into just to complete certain sets. It also generally means that you have to be careful which sets you want to go after if you've got space issues. It also means that you'll be on the lookout for any particularly expensive members of any given set you're after. There are a few sets that contain ponies that have an abnormally high market value compared to the rest of the ponies in their set(Mimic, Diamond Dreams, Red Roses, etc.). That's something to take into consideration too.
Some collectors are more pick and choose collectors. They only go after what they like, and ignore anything that doesn't specifically appeal to them. These collections can also get large, but most of the focused, smaller collections are like this. This is probably the way to go if you've got space issues, at least at first. A lot of pick and choose collectors start to get the completionist bug once they've started to run out of things they actively wanted. Once their "have" list starts to fill up, most collectors start adding to their "want" lists.
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A wish list is essential if you buy online. Also a budget, heck sometimes I set a budget before I go looking for a particular pony, because I know once I find one I'll start justifying the price and blow my whole pony budget on one pony I really want. I always do my research first when making a big pony purchase. Make sure I'm not spending too much, and know what flaws to look for for each particular pony. Like the second set of rainbow ponies are prone to symbol rust, because they get plasticizer leak fairly commonly, and which ponies have fading pink hair. That way you don't buy a Tickle with a gold symbol only to find it's just rusty, or a 'white-haired variant' Posey, only to find she's just a faded regular one.
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I absolutely agree with making a wishlist and budget! And research what sets you want, so as to not get ripped off like stormness said with a "rare white haird posey" (a lot of eBay listings or even etsy will say that the pony is rare even when it isn't. something to keep in mind!)
I started out with no real idea of what I wanted to collect, so I just collected EVERYTHING. I can't say I regret any of the purchases I did the two first years whiel still collecting without a clue, but it does make for a cluttered situation for someone like me who definitely likes to collect sets xD I felt like my collection was very much all over the place, and I don't enjoy that feeling.
Nowadays, I collect by sets. I try to have a couple sets at a time that I work on (plus the odd ponies I stil miss from my days of just ~collecting~ ), and try not to start any more sets before I've completed them. When I completed my TEs, I felt fine buying my first TAF pony and starting that set. Working on sea ponies, flutters and like 2 more sets now (if we're talking g1. g3 is a bit all over the place for me, still, but I do have a wishlist I stick to for them as well).
I find that really helps ^___^
Welcome to the pony collecting world! :hug:
(also excuse any typos or if anythin's unclear, please ask in that case, still loopy on medication from getting surgery done yesterday lol)
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So much excellent advice here!
Budget, space, and keeping your collection safe are the most important things.
Remember that your tastes will change as you go on, and that's ok. spending time scrolling through eBay (but not to buy, just window shopping) can help you to figure out what you like and don't like. Collector books and sites will help too.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and look for info from other collectors. Let their knowledge help you to avoid mistakes that others have already made.
You will overbid on something or feel buyer's remorse at some point. It happens to nearly everyone. Learn from your experience and go from there.
Have fun!!! That's what collecting is all about.
Elf
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I second most of what everyone has said.
I only like mint ponies. I’m also picky about colour/pose, so I only collect the individual ponies and sets I like the best. I’m not really bothered about rarity, although I do own a few rare ponies, but only because I like the way they look.
Pony collecting is fun. I am down to my lost HTF ponies now so it’s a bit more expensive, but there’s no rush - part of what makes collecting fun is tracking down the ponies you want for the right price/condition.
Happy collecting!
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All of the advice here is fantastic! I've been at it for about twelve years, give or take. As far as aquiring G1's and G3's, I'd learn all you can about them online, and then look for lots of them on a site like ebay. If you get some that just have surface dirt or minor marks, a magic eraser can work some REAL magic. I started learning how to restore them when I got into G1's, just because in the end, it's cheaper to buy a slightly damaged pony and fix it up. :3
It's also incredibly satisfying to fix an old toy up!
Also, one thing that's worked for us is making a local listing looking for them on social media. Just always make sure to bring someone with you, and meet in a busy, well lit place for safety!
Happy hunting!
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Also, if you live with others (a spouse, roommate, parents, etc), just be mindful and respectful of their space as well. Ponies have a way of exploding all over the place without you realizing it *lol* Just because you're excited about your hobby doesn't mean everyone sees it that way ;)
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Ok don't go crazy and buy buy! I have done that many times and spent way to much!
I would look around and see what stands out to you! There is a site called Strawberry Reef that I like to go to and check out. You can look at all the Generations and each pony along with the name and sets they came with!
And set yourself a budget right away for what you want to spend each week or month total! Don't go over it!
The other thing that I learned is that lots are awesome if you don't have very many ponies. But you need to break it down to the price of each pony in the lot with the shipping also included. I don't like to spend any more then $4 per pony. I have seen many lots go for over $8 per pony and that it to high for some of the more common ones. Or the ones that are marked up with ink and hair cuts!
There is a lot of good info in here! I hope you have fun shopping for some new ponies! :)
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Hello there! I've been collecting ponies for about 15 years now. I'm an unusual collector in that besides my goal of collecting every male pony Hasbro has released across all the gens, I don't have any specific sets I try to get. I generally just pick up ponies I like aesthetically. Sometimes I end up enjoying some molds more than others, like recently when I discovered a love for the newborn ponies. If I were to give advice, I'd just say 'collect whatever you're drawn to'. So I'm probably not very helpful in regards to finding a focus, but I'll try to offer some general advice!
I'm a firm thrifter/garage-sale-goer/antique-store-hunter. I know in many places it isn't easy to find ponies at those sorts of stores, but it's fun to look anyways and you never know what you might find! I often find bags of ponies for $2-4 at my local antique store. I only have one G1 that I haven't found 'in the wild', actually, and I got him from someone else in the community. If you do decide to try hunting for ponies in the wild, I would recommend visiting the stores just after the weekend (either Monday or Tuesday) if you possibly can. That's when I've had most of my luck.
If you're having no luck with that or you'd rather buy online from places such as eBay, my advice would be to pay attention to the condition of the pony before buying. Comparing the pics that the seller has given to an image on an identification site, such as Strawberry Reef, or a picture of the same pony MIB (which you can usually find quite easily by googling), will give you a good idea of the pony's condition. It can also help you tell whether the pony has faded any, had its hair cut, etc.
And I definitely agree with TwinkleEyedWitch about the Magic Erasers. Seriously, those things will transform a grimy, hopeless pony into a squeaky-clean, colorful, happy pony. They are indispensable to pony collectors! Just make sure to keep your touch feather-light over the painted areas such as the eyes, blush, and symbols, because it can and will damage them if you're not careful.
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1. Figure out what you like and what you want to collect. Do not go overboard with buying lots unless it's locally and cheaply. That pony you want... it will ALWAYS show up again for sale. Even Nirvanas...
2. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!! Do not go on Ebay every payday and empty out your account just because you have items you can buy and money to buy them with!
3. Figure out how you will store them. Everyone has a moment where they have to pack 'em up and move. Or kids are coming over. Or you're showing your house for sale. Figure the proper storage solution out beforehand so you are not dumping them into cardboard boxes willy-nilly with no labeling.
4. Keep a regular inventory!!!! Especially when you start small! And yeah have a container just for those odd plastic bits because they do get thrown away and the last thing you want to do is have to re-buy a $40 piece of plastic!
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I do inventory at least one a year, and update my want lists as I go along. I now have a box full of extra ones, and yes I do keep an eye out at my local thrift store.
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Well.
The way I did it when I was starting out, is I would buy reasonably priced lots that had a few ponies I liked in it. Then I'd clean up and sell the ones I didn't like. And with that profit, I would rinse and repeat. But this was also a way for me not to spend "too much" on the hobby.
Then I realized I got tired of buying ponies online, because it was too easy...
So, I started only hunting them locally (unless it was something I *REALLY* wanted and was rare enough that it wasn't likely to pop up.) ;) This has actually made my collection much more dear to my heart.
But I also agree with others to say take your time. Ponies absolutely show up again and again.
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Stalk the newly listed on Ebay. This is how I scored my Rapunzel for $20, Baby Gametime for $5 and Mimic for $5. Many more, but too many to list. Have to be fast.
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1) Take some serious time to do some research. Learn what's out there, and make a list of what you like best. Make sure you also check into the market for anything you decide to buy. Ended ebay auctions are always a good indicator of price, but you can always ask here for price checks on anything you're having a hard time finding a value for.
I second this :) Also, I'd recommend checking out some of the awesome pony websites that are out there so that you can easily ID ponies and just have fun learning about them -- two sites that come to mind are Ponyland Press (http://www.ponylandpress.com) and The My Little Pony Scrapbook (http://www.etherella.com/scrapbook2/) (there are many, many more as well).