Show Posts
46
Pony Corral / New To Collecting Ponies. Advice?
« on: February 13, 2015, 10:37:29 PM »
Hello 
I started this account back in 2010 because I was interested in Monster High dolls. But I've recently gotten really into MLP: Friendship is Magic and now I want to get some ponies to compliment my love of the show. But there are so many different ways to get them: blind bags, Funko Pops, brushable MLP, MLP POP ponies, plushies, MLP fashions style ponies... And I'm sure I'm missing something, even listing all that. (And I'm not even touching playsets or other types of merch on that list.)
Anyway... I'm going on a big shopping trip for my birthday next weekend and I plan to feature the ponies as part of what I'm hoping to buy. But just going to a bunch of stores and randomly grabbing everything I see seems like a surefire way to end up with a mountain of toys and no way to sort them. I'm pretty sure that's not what I want.
I know I'm getting the MLP: FiM guidebook, the Cutie Mark Crusaders Doodlebook (I *love* coloring / activity books; never grew out of them from childhood. I find them relaxing.) and Styling Strands Fluttershy (also maybe Styling Strands Rarity, but that's not written in stone--long story.) as those are gifts from my boyfriend.
I know there's no right or wrong way to start collecting ponies. But I figure if I go shopping with a plan I'm more likely to buy what I actually want rather than risking buyer's remorse from just buying everything.
Here are a few questions:
1. Do you think it works better to try and collect different characters or various versions of favorite characters? Both?
2. Do you feel that any particular type of pony collectibles are more enjoyable? (Brushables? Mini figures? Funko?)
3. Since it was the cartoon that got me into these G4 ponies (I believe that's the term?) does it stand to reason that I should check out the original cartoon to see if it connects me to G1? I never had the chance to watch it as a kid--there was big time competition for TV cartoon time and I had two brothers.
4. Where do you think playsets fit into collecting pony stuff? Are they as important as the ponies? Are they worth it for a new collector?
5. (This may seem a weird question, but...) What do people DO with the ponies? I mainly owned barbies and action figures growing up. I never really understood the ponies (as stated earlier) so I'm curious what their allure is as toys. (To me they're TV characters at this point.)
6. Where does Equestria Girls fit into the whole pony thing? I saw the first movie and thought it was 'okay'. I've heard the second one is better. I'm kinda torn on these--I collect Monster High and these would fit in... But I'm not sure whether I'd display them with the Monsters or the Ponies? (Again, I realize there's no real definitive answer here.)
7. What do you think is currently the MLP item to have? It doesn't necessarily mean I'll want / need it; I just think it would be fun to know what others are hunting for.
8. If there was one piece of advice someone could have given you when you decided to collect ponies (or even toys in general), what would it have been? That question may make sense or may seem strange. I'm not sure how many kept collecting from childhood vs. returned to this later in life. (I did that with dolls.)
***
Most of these questions are purely opinion based and are likely more discussion based, rather than things with a definitive answer that will work for everyone. But I'm getting very excited about my shopping trip and can't seem to make up my mind what I'm actually after, so I'm hoping hearing others thoughts will help me sort that out. Thanks for your time and have a nice day.
I started this account back in 2010 because I was interested in Monster High dolls. But I've recently gotten really into MLP: Friendship is Magic and now I want to get some ponies to compliment my love of the show. But there are so many different ways to get them: blind bags, Funko Pops, brushable MLP, MLP POP ponies, plushies, MLP fashions style ponies... And I'm sure I'm missing something, even listing all that. (And I'm not even touching playsets or other types of merch on that list.)
Anyway... I'm going on a big shopping trip for my birthday next weekend and I plan to feature the ponies as part of what I'm hoping to buy. But just going to a bunch of stores and randomly grabbing everything I see seems like a surefire way to end up with a mountain of toys and no way to sort them. I'm pretty sure that's not what I want.
I know I'm getting the MLP: FiM guidebook, the Cutie Mark Crusaders Doodlebook (I *love* coloring / activity books; never grew out of them from childhood. I find them relaxing.) and Styling Strands Fluttershy (also maybe Styling Strands Rarity, but that's not written in stone--long story.) as those are gifts from my boyfriend.
I know there's no right or wrong way to start collecting ponies. But I figure if I go shopping with a plan I'm more likely to buy what I actually want rather than risking buyer's remorse from just buying everything.
Here are a few questions:
1. Do you think it works better to try and collect different characters or various versions of favorite characters? Both?
2. Do you feel that any particular type of pony collectibles are more enjoyable? (Brushables? Mini figures? Funko?)
3. Since it was the cartoon that got me into these G4 ponies (I believe that's the term?) does it stand to reason that I should check out the original cartoon to see if it connects me to G1? I never had the chance to watch it as a kid--there was big time competition for TV cartoon time and I had two brothers.
4. Where do you think playsets fit into collecting pony stuff? Are they as important as the ponies? Are they worth it for a new collector?
5. (This may seem a weird question, but...) What do people DO with the ponies? I mainly owned barbies and action figures growing up. I never really understood the ponies (as stated earlier) so I'm curious what their allure is as toys. (To me they're TV characters at this point.)
6. Where does Equestria Girls fit into the whole pony thing? I saw the first movie and thought it was 'okay'. I've heard the second one is better. I'm kinda torn on these--I collect Monster High and these would fit in... But I'm not sure whether I'd display them with the Monsters or the Ponies? (Again, I realize there's no real definitive answer here.)
7. What do you think is currently the MLP item to have? It doesn't necessarily mean I'll want / need it; I just think it would be fun to know what others are hunting for.
8. If there was one piece of advice someone could have given you when you decided to collect ponies (or even toys in general), what would it have been? That question may make sense or may seem strange. I'm not sure how many kept collecting from childhood vs. returned to this later in life. (I did that with dolls.)
***
Most of these questions are purely opinion based and are likely more discussion based, rather than things with a definitive answer that will work for everyone. But I'm getting very excited about my shopping trip and can't seem to make up my mind what I'm actually after, so I'm hoping hearing others thoughts will help me sort that out. Thanks for your time and have a nice day.