The Collector’s Guide-Part 4: Original Packaging

Fanboys and I have been working on a Beginner’s Guide to Collecting set of blogs over the past few weeks. This is to provide tips, tricks and helpful advice for novices or beginners who are wanting to jump into collecting as a hobby or even as a business. This is part 4 of that series. They don’t have to be read in order, but if you’re looking to start at the beginning you can check out part 1 here.*

When it comes to collecting, especially toys, Funkos, and the like, keeping the item inside the box is all part of the package…pun intended. When it comes to how valuable a collectible item is, two things are usually at play: rarity and condition. How rare an item is will make it go up in value. After rarity the next thing a buyer looks at is the item’s condition. The best way to assure the item is in its best condition is to keep it inside its un-opened packaging. This assures the buyer that it’s never been handled and guarantees the item is in mint condition.

Having said that, the condition of the packaging also plays a factor as well. A lot goes into the packaging of a toy so that it stands out on a shelf full of toys. A quick stroll down a toy aisle in any retail store and you’ll definitely know when you’ve hit the Barbie section. Why? Because of that unmistakable Mattel pink Barbie branding. Packaging is important. Not just for consumers, but for collectors as well. So take care of the packaging!

Take Funko Pops for instance. It’s reported that a Pop’s value drops by 70% simply by taking it out of the box. On the website Popsandfigures.com, they looked at the numbers on Ebay of bids and buy it nows of Funkos inside the box versus ones being sold out of the box. Their results were that you could make an average of 147% more money from unopened Funkos versus out of box ones.

Some items are limited editions. Some are sold along side other products for promotion, think comics that come with an action figure, or toys that coincide with the opening of a major movie. The packaging often reflects design that sets the item apart from its other packaging. This too is a marker for a seller looking for specific or more rare items. If your item is still in the original packaging, the seller will automatically know it and you won’t have to spend time trying to prove otherwise.

The best way to resist the temptation to open your favorite collectible: buy two. Buy one for your collection and another to open and display, or play with, or give to the kids or whatever. You get to have your cake and eat it too. Later on if you decide to downsize your collection, or want to sell your item, you have a mint condition one ripe for getting the most bang for your buck.

In conclusion, don’t open that box! It may feel counterintuitive at first, but if you ever intend to make money from the value of what you’re collecting, it is that important. Of course if you’re collecting strictly as a hobby or from passion that’s a different story. Now, get hunting!

*click the following links to read Fanboys’ Beginner’s Guide to Collecting part 2, and part 3. Thanks!