Welcome to the Fanboys Marketplace Guide to Collecting! Today is part 4 of our ongoing series. 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. It’s a guarantee that no one’s touched the item and that it’s 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. 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. Others sell alongside 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!
Power Rangers in Space Reunion Event!
On November 19th and 20th Fanboys Marketplace is hosting a Power Rangers in Space Reunion Event. VIP passes and photo tickets are available now for purchase ahead of time. Click the link here, and we’ll see you in November!
