Hello there! If you're reading this right now, I guess you want some information or some basic manual of sorts into the world of collecting toys. I'm personally a collector myself, but I tend to favor or "specialize" in PVC figures or plainly figures, I once collected zoids, but the pain of detailing tolls my art skills too much. So I'm trying to compile usable info for you guys, hope you pick up something from this post.
1.) This hobby eats up cash, better have a budget for toys
Collectible toys are not cheap, let me tell you, prices of the toys vary wildly i'm going to give some factors:
a.)Popularity - Some toys are expensive because they are simply popular, supply and demand shit. But sometimes there are hoarders who buy lots of toys to jack up the price. An easy solution to this is PRE-ORDER.
b.)Size - Check the size of the scale/grade of the toy you want to order, a lower scale means a bigger toy which results into a bigger price. Ex. 1/4 Scale - 10,800. 1/8 Scale - 5000
c.)Manufacturer - Well known manufacturers tend to have a steeper price but have a better quality, my personal preferences are Kotobukiya and Good Smile Company, the price is steep as hell, but damn the quality makes up for it. Some cheaper brands like Sega (Prize) have a less of a price but have quality comparable to bigger toy companies.
d.) Versions - Some toys have different versions depending on the costume or color scheme. Special costumes tend to have a bigger price.
e.)Rarity - Some toys are so rare, the price can balloon up to 5-6 times more, take for example : Kotobukiya - Ayase Aragaki, Original Price : 4,300 - Current Price : 16,800
2.)Know the Lingo/Codes for some shops, also know what type of payment you are most flexible with, and there are certain types of ordering systems.
PO- Means pre-order, I'll explain pre order first because it is the most important among the rest of ordering systems. Pre-order system is the most commonly used method for ordering from companies. Pre ordering means paying a downpayment which will secure you a slot in the orders. When the release date elapsed, you will now pay the remaining balance then the toy is yours. For me this is a great system if you are up to date about toy collecting, you know when a toy will be released and you already have the slot, plus you won't have to deal with hoarders.
Back order - Back orders are more expensive than on hand items because the shop will have to order them from their suppliers again, and most of the time, the shop will order from another place because the supplier has no stock (I don't know why but this is pretty common)
On Hand - Item is available and ready to be purchased.
Special Order - It's a special system in which the shop that you employ will hunt for the toy you want, you just give them the name and image and it is up to them to search and purchase the toy for you. Special orders typically require you to pay 50-80% of the price as downpayment. It really is the price to pay if you really want a toy or passed up a chance to pre-order it and is no longer available.
3.) Choose a shop that will suit to your needs. I will list down the shops I personally check and use.
Great Toys Online - They have a big collection near greenhills. But the search function in their site is pretty bad so you have to go personally to their shop and ask the attendant about the toy you want. I bought a Command Wolf AC here for 1,500. It's pretty rare, and was surprised that they had it.
Wasabi Toys - A big shop operating in Greenhills, they have a site which is pretty awesome, the search function is great, also there is a regular update on which toys are now available for pre-order. I have already pre-ordered from this shop, also I had a great experience with the special order, I ordered Sakagami Tomoyo Kotobukiya here, it was 2013, the toy was released around 2011, so the price was pretty steep, but fortunately the got hold of a brand new one having still an intact box. The special order took around 2 months, and was really happy with the service and the brand new toy!
Hubbyte Online Store - Facebook based store, search in on facebook, because of their ridiculously low prices, I took advantage by pre-ordering in this store, the DP are cheap, the full payment is cheaper compared to other shops. The shop is really considerate about the payment, sometimes they will allow you to pay on your payday (Yay!). Also the attendants are really kind and the page master is really funny. They don't have a physical store, but they promise to ship with minimal fees and maximum toy protection. They tend to specialize on figures instead of toy kits like gundams and zoids. Downside is it does not have a search function so you have to search manually the albums.
Onegai Oniisan - They are an online shop with their own website, they have a working search function which is pretty nice, the prices here a cheaper than wasabi's but the problem is they don't have a physical store. So everything you will buy will have to be shipped, never had a chance to buy in this shop.
Metro Toys Online - A facebook based shop, I don't have much experience with this shop, but the best part about this is their meetup places, they are very flexible in their meetup places, but they meet up in major universities around metro manila. They both have figures and model kits.
Coldfire Gundam - They have a shop in greenhills which is run by a couple. They also have a facebook page, the good thing about this shop is the prices here are lower than other shops, (yes wasabi that means you). They specialize in Gundams obviously, but they still have some pvc figures, I managed to buy my first two pieces from this shop.
Waku! Waku! - Found this shop while strolling in Toy-Con 2013, bought my Angel Beats! (Angel) here for 900 pesos, cheap shit lemme tell you! The prices here are really cheap and they have the consignment service in which you can sell you items here. They have a physical shop down in Katipunan, I never been to Katipunan so I never got to see the full stock.
I love Omocha - Facebook based shop, a friend introduced me here, IT'S SO FUCKING CHEAP. Downside is the service is slow due to only one person is operating the shop during weekends. The stocks here are more limited compared to other shops, but if you do find the toy you're looking for buy it here, it's cheap!
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