| Basically, collecting Transformer toys is just like | | | | missing or any part gets missing or damaged.This |
| collecting any other toys or action-figures. It is | | | | would come to be referred to as Mint and Near Mint |
| considered to be a trend by some and for others, | | | | conditions. |
| part of a growing urban culture. Transformers toys | | | | The scarcity and number of production is also a |
| were the first 'transforming robots' (robots that could | | | | major factor when price is mentioned. Of course a |
| change their robot-forms to other forms such as | | | | toy figure which is mass produced would not be as |
| vehicles like cars, airplanes, ambulances and many | | | | sought after and hence, not as highly priced as those |
| other forms) in the US in the mid-80s. There is a | | | | limited-edition releases. Limited-edition could simply |
| whole world to it and all sorts of related topics - like | | | | mean a release that has a different colour-scheme |
| the trading of the toys, market and price for it, | | | | than that of the original or released as a |
| demand vs supply, scarcity and many more. For most | | | | Commemorative issue ( for example, in conjunction |
| fans like myself, Transformers Generation 1(G1) have | | | | with the 25th Anniversary of the series ). Some of |
| been the best-ever toy line series in the | | | | these limited-editions come with certificate of |
| Transformers Universe and would actually be the | | | | authenticity and are numbered accordingly - say, |
| best for those intending to start collecting them as a | | | | 1-1000 ( a limited edition of 1000 toys produced ). |
| hobby or/and investment. | | | | Do bear in mind that Transformer toys released in |
| This is due to the fact that most of the characters in | | | | different parts of the world could differ due to the |
| Generation1 are said to have made the biggest | | | | different releases in US, UK and Japan. Some same |
| impact and have remained since then. Imagine buying | | | | characters have different names. For example, |
| Optimus Prime as an 8-year old - not knowing the | | | | Optimus Prime is known as Convoy in Japan. Many |
| value it would come to be 20 over years later and | | | | other characters are named differently in Japan and |
| not thinking much of safekeeping it. | | | | comes in different packaging ( obviously with |
| There are generally those who buy the toys for | | | | Japanese characters and all ). |
| hobby and those who buy them as an investment or | | | | With the release of the 2007 live-action film and the |
| even those that buy them for both purposes. For | | | | upcoming sequel to it, Transfomers : Revenge of |
| those who buy them for investment purposes, the | | | | The Fallen, demand and thus pricing for Transformer |
| condition of the toys remain an important factor in | | | | toys and other related merchandise are expected to |
| determining the price when(and if) sold in future. | | | | be on the increase. For current collectors, be on the |
| Those who buy them for investment purposes either | | | | lookout for more of these toys and for would-be |
| keep them as it is - with the box intact and | | | | collectors, this would be a good time to start |
| unopened even or open them but handle with | | | | collecting. If you are unsure of which toy to buy, just |
| utmost care. When opened, do make sure that none | | | | check out the many sites that are fan-based for |
| of the accessories, which are normally small in size go | | | | some tips and a useful Transformer Toy Guide. |