RedClaw wrote:
I also do not know why collector A feels the need to constantly remind collector B how the hobby isn't about money and they just like to be big shots - y'know what I call that? Petty sophomoric jealousy.
</rant>
It's the exact freaking opposite. Even your post is condescending towards those who don't hold the same opinion of you and Mike. You guys only pipe up long enough to put everyone else down, claim to be insulted, and then go back to lurk mode.
I listed six types of collectors, but what did Mike and RedClaw do? You guys both went back to painting an "Us vs. Them" picture! Why!?
Is it because you need that direct opposition to defend your misbelief that you have a greater appreciation for the HOBBY than everyone else? Because you think your affinity for rare items and prototypes needs to be recognized, either by the fandom or some upper echelon?
You know how the guy trying to get sex doesn't get any? The guy trying to look cool doesn't? You know how when you put yourself out there for a complement you're begging to get put down - but when you act like a normal humble person people respect you?
I want to like you guys. I like what you contribute to the hobby, but you guys are instigating this and as much as you want to believe its every one else that has the problem - it's not. Your remarks are condescending.
The "common" hobbyist has no less appreciation for the GI Joe mythos, they just don't have a need for expensive rare items which do not reflect the nostalgic appeal of the original toyline they loved. A repro 86 Viper reflects everything they love about GI Joe and that's what they rightfully desire. They aren't members of the smithsonian, as you are trying to be, they are the modern equivalent of the Lionel Train hobbyist.
I never knew Cobra De Aco and I never need to, but I know my favorite parts of the GI Joe mythos and I have discussed them all ad nauseum with Larry Hama. I know the origin of most of the original 100 or so charcaters - I know that Lady Jaye's real name is that of the Hasbro ad agency president's wife, whom Covergirl's bio is based on. Didn't cost me a $1000 prototype to learn that. So who has greater appreciation for the hobby? Maybe we're both legitimate fans we're just different, that's all.
I wrote a response to Mike's post as well, but didn't post it earlier because I didn't want to stir the pot, but here it is:
1. I can’t wait to have this discussion over dinner at the con. It makes my day to rile you up.
2. You bother because you are trying to convince yourself – your hobby isn’t what you think it is and that eats at you. It is the equivalent of Happy Meal toys Mike, it’s the exact fscking thing as collecting Happy Meal toys and it will never be anything greater no matter how much you have invested in your Joe-Meal toys. These are not depression era tin-toys, they are not “rocket era” wind-up robots, they are not clay soldiers dug up from a roman villages they are relatively recently produced toys that my friends kids still play with as hand me downs. Some day they will be antiques and your collections will be heralded - but today its Happy Meal all the way.
3. Your opening statement is that “money has nothing to do with it” and your supporting paragraphs that follow are all about money. Face it dude, it's about the money. Everything in life is.
4. Why would hobbyists vote for more of the same? Because it’s good! It’s what they like. More McDonalds fries – not different flavors of McDonalds fries! Because McDonalds fries are already the best. I’ll take a million 1986 Viper look-a-likes before getting an ‘87 movie version cold climate Viper because I fit under the persona of the Category 1B hobbyist in my previous list. I want to relive Christmas 1986 forever. Cold climate viper has no nostalgic connection to me and as nice as it would be it wouldn’t fit under the mission of my hobby – troop building nostalgia.
5. I see your third ($4) paragraph differently. Look at the seller’s perspective. It’s not that hobbyists refuse to spend the $4, it’s that if a figure is going for more on eBay than the demand must be there so it’s a safe investment to reproduce it. And going back to my earlier post, a 1A or 1B Hobbyist will be happy to buy the cheapest available because they’re not looking to build a “collection” they’re looking to build a play set. Best price is most logical. They aren't cheap, perhaps they are practical. They choose to spend their money elsewhere - that's their perogative.
6. It’s simply a difference of perspective. You always leave your customer wanting more – Hasbro and MC have done a good job of that. You feel like they are focusing on producing items you don’t see a need in because they don’t interest you personally but in actuality, they’ve done a great job of teasing every collector’s style – rehashed ARAH, repro internationals, troop builders, chase figures/exclusives, etc. There is no push to reproduce every rare and un-produced figure right away – because they don’t care to exhaust their options. The Cartoon fans feel like they aren’t getting enough, the comic book collectors feel like they aren’t getting enough. It’s all part of successful marketing – we’re all hungry at the troughs.
7. Mike it’s not a conspiracy theory about high end collectors, every few months you or one of your allies make snobby asides about how everyone who’s enjoying themselves with the hobby is ruining your collecting experience. No one seeked you out in this thread and knocked your affinity for rare figures - you started putting down the "common" collector and then started crying foul once the "commoners" responded!
