The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: dragonfly on June 03, 2016, 09:33:59 AM

Title: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: dragonfly on June 03, 2016, 09:33:59 AM
I'm curious! Being away from collecting for so long, I see many ponies who were in my old herd, long since gone to new homes, have doubled or tripled in collector value.

Obviously we collect because we love the ponies. But do you have an eye for price increases over time when you make a more expensive purchase have, say a Nirvana or a rare/HTF pony? G3s don't seem to have much collector value at all, aside from a handful who went for high prices from the beginning. But I remember collectors who bought and kept MIB specifically with an eye toward future value, even if they loved the ponies as well. Curious if that will change over the years and different G3s will become rare as people realize they aren't easily available.

It's especially interesting to me because I also collect Kenner Shimmers. I bought many around 2008 or 2009 for high prices. I never bought them with resale value in mind, they're just gorgeous and I wanted them. They have been boxed up and not on display; I sold them on eBay earlier this year, even in mint condition with accessories, they were going for about a third of the price I paid. But all to good homes :) Back then, prototypes were going for hundreds of dollars. It's hard to guess what will happen in the collector's market with value. I suppose interest waxes and wanes.

ETA:
I am NOT talking about pony flipping! More like, if you spend $850 on a pony, do you do it in confidence you can sell it if necessary later for that price or more? Or do you not care as long as it's a pony you love and wanted badly - does that make it worth the high price to you?
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: NovelNerd on June 03, 2016, 09:47:04 AM
No, I've pretty much gone into all collecting knowing prices drop ect. In the end when you buy stuff to collect, I think no one should go in with the idea that "yes I can sell this and get such and such" because big chance is you won't. If I was more concerned on the money front I would just re open a savings account and let it build interest. :lol:

I'm not saying I've never had a collection that didn't make some money for me. When I sold my FSF most I bought from someone selling out their collection and they were cheaply priced. I know when I sold them I made I think over three times what I paid? That was nice, but if I calculate in all the money I've lost selling other collection pieces second market it doesn't seem like much. Nope, if o was on it for the money there are safer ventures that are more likely to generate profit, like I have some stocks too.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: LadyMoondancer on June 03, 2016, 10:32:22 AM
No . . . I've definitely lost money collecting, even with some ponies gaining in value.  All those G3s I bought new for $5 and eventually sold for $3 or $2, ha ha.  I just collect because I like collecting.  :)
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Taxel on June 03, 2016, 11:30:26 AM
Absolutely not. I think its foolish to get into collecting and think you're making an investment. At the end of the day, you're buying hunks of plastic/porcelain/glass, pieces of paper, various size/shapes of sewn together fabric, etc. Maybe back in the old days of collecting certain things, like how vintage Mickey Mouse stuff used to go for nothing and no one cared but the collectors drove up the prices by collecting, reselling to each other, etc.

I think my collection is especially worthless :D At least pony-wise. I love baity beauties and if I sold them, they'd go for nothing and most likely would be wrecked instead of restored. So for me, re-selling anything would almost never be worth it. (But if I found something amazing cheap, I'd definitely flip it.)
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Taffeta on June 03, 2016, 11:34:04 AM
Definitely not. Who's to say that MLP will ever have any value in the future? I genuinely think too much money changes hands with Nirvana and the "it's worth (four figure number)" is dangerous given the fact that it's only worth that much to someone who will pay it. And there's no guarantee anyone ever will pay that again for it.

So no. I don't anticipate ever selling my collection. To me separated it is worth less than the sum of its parts, which is a value of nostalgia and emotion, not cold cash.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Skeen on June 03, 2016, 11:37:55 AM
Not really.  There are some pieces I know I could sell if I was desperate, but I don't plan to make money off of it on the whole.  I mean, when I'm elderly I'll sell it off I'm sure, if there is still a market for it, but if not maybe I can donate it to a toy museum or something.  I dunno, I'll be dead so why would I care?
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: brightberry on June 03, 2016, 11:58:57 AM
No, the majority of ponies aren't rare enough or in demand enough.  Demand is more likely to go down with time.  Unfortunately, inflation is also more likely to go up.   Even if you sold the pony for the exact same amount, it's technically a loss because money doesn't buy as much as it used to.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: SkyCakes on June 03, 2016, 12:03:08 PM
No. If I went down that road I would of gave up collecting a long time ago. I collect because I love ponies. Sometimes yeah I think about their value. However, I couldn't base that on the memories I have playing with them. I guess Im going by sentiment value to me. They are worth more to me that way that just cash.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Miniature Sheep on June 03, 2016, 12:10:58 PM
Definitely not, a lot of my ponies are in less-than-perfect condition because I don't have much extra money to spend on those that are closer to being properly minty. Also based on past experience, when I've had to sell some of my ponies while I was out of work, I've never even got back half of what I paid for them in the first place.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: mlly on June 03, 2016, 12:32:57 PM
Nope
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Pierlala on June 03, 2016, 01:14:51 PM
I never started collecting because of the possible price increase for future sales. However it's quite obvious the price will increase over the years, for G1's especially. I don't think there are many people who collect pure for value. But I do feel comfortable that my collection isn't worthless. It's something you can feel quite secure about I think. But I love my Poniesdearly. Whenever I see one in a thrift store (G1 or G2 atleast) I will buy him/her. I just can't help myself.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Galactica on June 03, 2016, 01:34:38 PM
Alas no.

Especially since ponies are made out of material that eventually, will break down and will not last forever...
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: SourdoughStomper on June 03, 2016, 01:42:51 PM
No. Pretty much what Galactica says.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: ValeofSpring on June 03, 2016, 03:02:13 PM
IMO if you're going to invest in something, don't invest in plastic that breaks down over time! I think G1s have held up *extremely* well over these 30 or so years--you can get *almost* any pony in mint condition if you're willing to pay for it. But where will they be in 60 years? 100? Also as the children of the 80s-early 90s get older and older, demand for G1s may decrease as people drop out of collecting, though the market seems pretty robust now.

One more point--many, many ponies sell for around what they sold for when they were in the store--and that is without adjustment for inflation. So in general, they are a bad investment for $$$, a good one for love!
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Leave a Whisper on June 03, 2016, 03:40:43 PM
Nope. My ponies are the super commons with a couple of pricey Customs and two rare ones that don't even come close to the triple digit beauties that everyone wants.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on June 03, 2016, 04:41:43 PM
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!
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: buttonso on June 03, 2016, 04:44:45 PM
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.  ^.^
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on June 03, 2016, 06:32:16 PM
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.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Honeycomb on June 03, 2016, 08:05:55 PM
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.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: lunar_scythe on June 03, 2016, 08:29:07 PM
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.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on June 03, 2016, 08:33:15 PM
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.. :heart: :heart:
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: goddessofpeep on June 03, 2016, 08:56:20 PM
If they're an investment, I'm doing it wrong.  Really, really wrong.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on June 04, 2016, 04:56:21 PM
Quote from: goddessofpeep on June 03, 2016, 08:56:20 PM
If they're an investment, I'm doing it wrong.  Really, really wrong.

 :lol: me too...
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: NoPonySpecial on June 04, 2016, 05:17:42 PM
Good lord no!
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: LordBlumiere on June 04, 2016, 06:20:53 PM
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.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: aluke on June 04, 2016, 07:03:01 PM
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. :lovey:
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Tak on June 04, 2016, 09:02:44 PM
No. I think of them as my friends.  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Lucky_Ladybug on June 05, 2016, 01:28:38 AM
Quote from: LordBlumiere on June 04, 2016, 06:20:53 PM
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!
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: elphaba on June 05, 2016, 07:34:43 AM
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.   :(
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Pheasant on June 05, 2016, 12:28:07 PM
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. :>
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: banditpony on June 05, 2016, 01:07:16 PM
No... but in a quick pinch I could get some emergency money. So it's not like some value isn't there. They just aren't really going to increase in price-- and more than likely they will decrease as age starts gnawing away at them.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Delaneys on June 05, 2016, 03:36:11 PM

Oh gosh no... we'll never get near the money out of ponies that we put into it (believe it or not).  But that was never the point - pony collecting brought us an activity our whole family participated in, brought us friends and contacts from around the world, brought endless hours of happiness and activities for friends and family alike, rushing to the thrift stores on the days they put new items out (to beat the other local collectors each week),...  And that is worth an infinite amount more than the cash and time invested in pony trading.  We were emailing with another trader this week about how things have changed so dramatically - how you wanted ponies (reverse Gusty, for example) because they were neat and you liked them, not because of what they were worth or whether they had been "verified" or not.  Trading and collecting were great fun and we started doing it less when it became less so.

Enjoy your ponies, enjoy your friends... there are far better "investments" if that is what you seek.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Stormness_1 on June 05, 2016, 04:55:50 PM
In my happiness, heck yes. In my well-being, definitely. But a monetary asset? No way! I do enjoy a bargain, but I rarely sell anything but excess bought in lots. If I was desperate, I might regretfully sell some ponies, but I probably wouldn't knowing what it would do to my depression.. Meds cost more than ponies are worth!
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Galactica on June 06, 2016, 09:59:23 AM
The fact that pony vinyl breaks down so regularly and randomly is why I think it is a rather bad idea to pay a lot of money for a particularly rare pony.  What if you save and save and finally splurge on a rare fabulous pony-  have it for a few months and then notice that it is starting to blush with the little brown bruises of vinyl breakdown...   it will happen eventually the only question is when.

Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Barnacle_lady on June 06, 2016, 11:03:41 AM
Investment for my own joy :) Defenitely not for the money
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Purpleglasses on June 06, 2016, 11:04:10 AM
Quote from: Galactica on June 03, 2016, 01:34:38 PM
Alas no.

Especially since ponies are made out of material that eventually, will break down and will not last forever...

Ponies are made of vinyl, aka plastic, that substance notorious for messing up our planet because it just doesn't biodegrade. (It can break into microscopic pieces that fish living near the garbage patch mistake for food and that's worse.)

But I'm not here to ecoshame. My point is, aside from plasticizer leaching, which seems occassional, what do you mean they're made from a material that will eventually break down? It won't for a long while. Perhaps people who know more about collecting much older toys know more on this subject than I do, though.

To add to the original conversation: I buy ponies because I like them, not as an investment. It does seem possible that the market may drop out if people who played with g1s outgrow feeling nostalgic, but since I feel it and I don't usually pay a lot per individual pony, I'm happy to have them for now as nothing more than an object I like.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Galactica on June 06, 2016, 11:33:48 AM
Quote from: Purpleglasses on June 06, 2016, 11:04:10 AM
Quote from: Galactica on June 03, 2016, 01:34:38 PM
Alas no.

Especially since ponies are made out of material that eventually, will break down and will not last forever...

Ponies are made of vinyl, aka plastic, that substance notorious for messing up our planet because it just doesn't biodegrade. (It can break into microscopic pieces that fish living near the garbage patch mistake for food and that's worse.)

But I'm not here to ecoshame. My point is, aside from plasticizer leaching, which seems occassional, what do you mean they're made from a material that will eventually break down? It won't for a long while. Perhaps people who know more about collecting much older toys know more on this subject than I do, though.

To add to the original conversation: I buy ponies because I like them, not as an investment. It does seem possible that the market may drop out if people who played with g1s outgrow feeling nostalgic, but since I feel it and I don't usually pay a lot per individual pony, I'm happy to have them for now as nothing more than an object I like.

The ponies won't break down like your sandwich, no, but the plasticiser slowly leaches out, and the vinyl does break down leaving brown marks on your beautiful pony.  Some colors will breakdown faster than others, as we've discovered, but no pony is immune.

So yes, you will have a pony shaped pony for many many years- but it's value will degrade as the lovely pink/white/blue skin is blemished by increasingly large and frequent brown spots...

Check out this OLD thread that has pictures of pony breakdown, tail rust, ect...http://www.mlparena.com/archive/Forums/viewtopic/p=1814602.html
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: LadyMoondancer on June 06, 2016, 11:48:12 AM
Excellent points about how ponies degrade over time;  I hadn't even thought of that aspect, but yeah, it's sadly true.  The pristine pony you get today might have cancer spots next year, or plasticizer leaking.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Purpleglasses on June 06, 2016, 04:11:55 PM
That's too bad! Although don't some ponies that leach plasticizer eventually just become really hard? And if they don't all get age spots, I wonder why some do and others don't. I know that people who collect, say, vintage Barbies still find ones in nice shape from the 50's. And many of the flaws in that post, like pin dot,  lipstick or rust, have been found to be cleanable or sunfadable.

If the body colors do fade, though, I guess pony restorers of the future will get really good at color mixing, priming and air brushing. Although I hear improperly applied paint can get sticky or perhaps contribute to breakdown, too. Sigh.

Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: achab1984 on June 06, 2016, 07:24:47 PM
Yes and no. Its just like my Breyer Horses. Some of them gain value while others lose value and your lucky to get back when you paid for it.  Ponies have helped me many times when I needed money though.
Title: Re: Do you think of your collection as an investment?
Post by: Terra on June 06, 2016, 07:52:23 PM
Nah! There's much safer ways to invest after all. That take up less space.

I'll sometimes keep ponies MIB expecting that it might be worth more in the future. however - that comes more from the fact that owning something harder to find is personally exciting much like how finding a pony "in the wild" is more satisfying than ebay....  and not so much solid plans to sell anything.

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