what do you think about used toy soldiers? (2 Viewers)

[Aleš]

I will like to know what is your opinion of a used toy soldiers?
Do you buy them?Or you only buy new toy soldiers?
If you buy them are you treat them the same as a new one,or you treat them as a second class,because there is maybe some damage on the used toy soldiers?
You buy them because they are from a range you collect and you treat the eaqul as the new ones or you just buy them to have them but you hide them in the back when you make diorama?
Because i know that no one can buy new toy soldiers all the time because there are items you missed them before but still i think used toy soldiers are just not the same as a new ones?
Do other think that too?
Or i just have a problem with used things?
I do not know why but i just do not like used things,like used cars,used clothes,used furniture,.....?
is this the same or ho wyou feel about your used toy soldiers?
How you treat them?

 

[4th Hussar]

Many of the brands I enjoy ( Trophy, AQM, TAW, Tommy Atkins WW1, Britain's prewar hollow cast)) are not readily available or affordable new.

 

[theBaron]

It's almost all that I buy. Like 4Th Hussar, almost everything that I collect is out of production.

I just found out this week that the Stadden castings that I buy, the 54mm custom castings, were discontinued 6 years ago, because I was apparently the only person ordering them from Tradition anymore.

I had a brief moment of panic when Bill Imrie passed away, because I wasn't sure whether Imrie-Risley would close up at that point (thankfully, the business lives beyond its founders, may they both rest in peace).

But almost every other type of figure I buy, last left the mold years ago.

Prost!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

I do like old toy soldiers like the lead Britains. I think it is neat to hold a 60 year old figure in your hand and think of all the fun times some young boy had setting them up on th efloor and creating battles. I have also bought soldiers from a forum friend and I have no problems with that either.

 

[VIRIATO]

Good question. As long as they are in very good condition, I don't mind buying used toy soldiers, especially if they are a good deal (translation: cheaper than on retail). In many instances that is the only way to get a set (some out of production Trophy or Imperial, for example). And many times they are more expensive than on retail, but that's the only way to get them. So,to me it's a case by case situation.
Old Britains is another case, I am not a fan of the style of those very old toy soldiers but perhaps I am in need of some education when it comes to this:. Maybe at some later time.

Paulo

 

[lancer]

A good part of the fun of this hobby is the hunt for a figure that is old or out of production. I think buying nothing but new production would be fine if that is what you want, but I like all manners of TS and many of them are old and used. Same goes for cars. -- lancer

 

[Evzone]

A good part of the fun of this hobby is the hunt for a figure that is old or out of production. I think buying nothing but new production would be fine if that is what you want, but I like all manners of TS and many of them are old and used. Same goes for cars. -- lancer

Snap......If I can get brand new and they are easily available then I buy them straight out of the box. Otherwise its secondhand for me. About 50% of my John Jenkins has been bought from ebay or from this site. Getting hold of some of John's early work at a price that doesn't match the GNP of a third world country can be nigh on impossible.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I agree with most of you all. Used figures can give you access to items you would not otherwise find and can offer real value. I even don't mind missing or worn paint; that can be restored. Physical damage is more problematic but even then I guess it would depend on the piece and the damage. Frankly I would consider most items used if they were in good condition.

 

[blaster]

I love used toy figures.

There is a certain patina (comes from the handling) built up over time with these. Broken? No problem because repairs are part of the fun.

So long as a casting or piece has an inherent beauty, I would appreciate it.

Rgds Victor

 

[Grognard]

As long as the price is right and they are in good shape, I don't have any problems with buying these. I can even forgo the box...

 

[jazzeum]

Since I like the old K & C, used is the only way to go. If I get them damaged, which does happen, I get 'em fixed.

 

[Deitz]

I have discovered that I like Trophy AZW and you can only get them second hand now. So I guess I like used TS.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I generally enjoy collecting items which are not readily available - I do of course buy some of the new production stuff from K&C, Figarti, Thomas Gunn, etc. - but I enjoy chasing long retired stuff from K&C's early days, or Heco Tinplate Models, much more. For me, half the fun of collecting is the thrill of the hunt. My favorite collectibles are always those I spent years pursuing before finally getting my hands on them: things like my K&C resin and metal Hanomag, which I chased from 1997 until 2009, when I finally got it; or my Heco Tinplate Hawker Hurricanes, which I coveted from when I first saw one (marked "Sold") in Gideon's old shop, Classic Toys, in 1998, until I finally got two within 2 months in 2010. Right now for me the "Holy Grail" of collecting would be to find and obtain a Heco Tinplate Models 1:32 scale Junkers JU52, something that went out of production in the late 1990's, and which I have never even seen.

 

[tdubel]

I agree with most of you all. Used figures can give you access to items you would not otherwise find and can offer real value. I even don't mind missing or worn paint; that can be restored. Physical damage is more problematic but even then I guess it would depend on the piece and the damage. Frankly I would consider most items used if they were in good condition.

Thanks for the thoughts, you saved me typing.... what Bill said is how I feel.

Tom

 

[gk5717]

As for used figures, I,ve been married for 43 years and I consider my wife used, but I keep her, so yes used figures are ok.
Gary

 

[OzDigger]

Gary, I take it that your good wife doesn't read the forum

 

[gi546]

wow my vote is the only one so far In the category.
I actually really don't care if I know the person that well.
as long as the figures aren't damaged and all the accsessories are there I'm fine with the purchase.

 

[gk5717]

Gary, I take it that your good wife doesn't read the forum

Oz, you figured that out eh!
Gary

 

[maloyalo]

Whether it's new or used is immaterial to me, assuming we are talking about buying things for our own collection. I am only concerned about having specific figures and what condition they are in. I will accept less then perfect depending on how I intend to use or display them. For example I usually collect to build large formations, so I may accept a degree of paint loss, if I have found it does not stand out or detract from the visual effect. But a short rifle would in this case would scream 'flawed' and would have to go.

 

[Gideon]

Toys get finer with age. Ales, they don't have an expiration date.