http://www.worldfamousradioshow.com/2011/10/are-modern-toys-really-collectible/
We are the generation of people stung by the knowledge that we once help a fortune in our hands but never realized its potential.
Why is that?
Because we are the generation that played with the original Transformers, the original Star Wars toys, maybe even some of the first ever Barbie toys (although I’m not that old I hasten to add).
But the problem is, we played with them. We didn’t just leave them safe in their boxes, up high on a shelf and admire them from a distance.
As children no-one ever told us these were collectibles, and that’s because at the time they weren’t really considered to be collectible. Besides, if everyone had left their original Millenium Falcon or Luke Skywalker carefully bubble wrapped in the attic, then they wouldn’t be rare and they wouldn’t be so valuable today.
But the concern that we missed the opportunity to make a bit of money seems to haunt so many parents who remain on the look out for collectible toys today.
Many toys are marketed as collectible. Take for example the Lalaloopsy Collector’s Doll – Suzette La Sweet. From her launch she was marketed as a limited edition collector’s item. But the only thing that differentiates her from the rest of the Lalaloopsy clan is shiny hair.
So can a toy that is marketed from the beginning as ‘collectible’ every really gain in value? I would wager that it is not possible, since many people will buy the toy and keep it in boxed condition in the hope to sell it at a big profit at some point in the future. But because so many people will be doing this, there will be plentiful supply of this toy, maybe even more supply than there is demand, and this logically will keep the price down.
So perhaps if you are looking for collector opportunities, you should spend more time reading antiques and collector’s guides and less time looking at marketing pitches and product details.