What are *YOUR* biggest regrets??

The big mistake I make a lot of times is settling. I go out looking for a certain figure that I really want, don't find it, and settle for a figure that I'm not as passionate about.

I'm surprised you're dressed so formally today! I mean, you're wearing a tie!

My biggest regrets are: 1. selling my original Transformers G1 collection. 2. selling a large chunk of my Transformers collection when my father died. If I could go back I would never sell any of my Transformers.

My biggest regret was religiously using Ebay to get my collection, especially these days where I can just buy whatever from other, more reputable, websites.

“Don’t Buy things just to have them” Me : (looks at all my clearance funko pops)

Your video brought us happiness :)

I have to say I am so glad content like this exists now, everyone wanting to start a collection should watch this. Thank you so much for putting it into a neat, clear and understandable package. Amazing video!

From 00:01-10:47 I enjoyed EVERY SECOND!!! Such an amazing video man thanks for taking the time to make this for the collectors community 😁

In all honesty I've had no regrets because when I started collecting there has been channels like this that has helped me from making any major mistakes

I’m a new collector and I got to say it’s easy and nice to follow your accountant thank you

If it’s not on sale, don’t buy it. Buy what you really want, not hype. You don’t have a lot of space, be selective.

I have no regrets, other than not buying that Black Series Dengar when I saw it at Gamestop.

Becoming OCD about certain toy lines and also passing on things in store when available in a short window.

I mainly collect horror / cult physical media and merchandise, and can relate to at least some of the issues you are pointing out, especially "completion-ism" and "feeding the scalpers".

If it doesn't have a place in my fanfiction, it doesn't have a place on my shelf.

My regrets are selling some things and then buying back...for more lol. I have learned from a lot of my mistakes and I tend to try and not stress now. The big one was telling myself I needed to buy everything and I would stress that things would sell out, so would panic buy for the sake of it (rather than wait until pay day!). I like your questions that you ask yourself, I will put those to use! Great Video...

If you buy a figure solely on the premise that it will go up in value, then you're not buying for happiness.

Says "Don't feed the scalpers", then wishes he'd scalped his 6 Jorg Sacul figures 🤣🤣🤣

Im not your typical collector, I buy what I like, what I can afford and what I can get. I wont go crazy for not being able to get a particular figure, although in some cases I do wish I could have, but I move on. I prefer to collect figures of characters, games and movies that mean a lot to me so I skip things that do not.

Thanks for this video man. Very informative. Sometimes we get caught in buying everything, we don’t sit back and look at it from your perspective.

Thanks Big Nerdy for sharing the same struggles I have. This video was helpful.

Great advice. I recently had to pull back and ask myself which figs I really wanted and which ones I was only getting to get all of them.

"I felt like Forrest Gump after he went to both oceans" LOL That made this video for me when you said that. Great Video MATT

I remember when I first had the financial freedom to start my collection, I almost instantly did the whole “buy every single thing that comes out” (particularly ML), and I’d always end up selling most of it a few months later because I just bought it for the dopamine hit. Lol This year I’ve purged and settled into a nice groove of only doing one single toy line with a pinch of another here or there. It’s kept me from a lot of stress of “how do I pay for all this stuff?!”, and I’m happier that my collect is just a 99% solo focus at this point.

This hits spot on. About 6 years ago, I started focusing on micro collections (the Dark Crystal line, Rock Lords, Robo Force, etc) which were less to collect, and also just favorite characters out of lines (so focusing on like only Stinkor/Stormtroopers/Marshal Bravestarr) which made a MASSIVE difference, and considering I do comic conventions for work, this took the stress out for me.

Awesome video! I collected years ago and broke every single one of these rules and ended up hating/resenting collection 1.0. I got rid of it all. About 2 years ago I decided to pick up a couple of Iron Man Legends and have been collecting ever since. I limit myself to certain franchises/teams in the MCU/MU and out of the 145 figures I have so far I am happy to say that my shelf of shame consists of only 8 figures that don't bring me joy. Definitely going to continue on this happy road but will be using your questions on future purchases and wish I could go back in time with what I've learned and what you have shared. But time travel is not yet possible so for now Collection 2.0 is shaping up nicely. Great content.

Very good advice here! You are definitely helping others with this video. Thanks.

Thank you for sharing, to give testimony that collecting always has to bring fun and joy. No the anguish to have everything. Thank you for your words and big hi from Mexico city

Biggest regret is buying all the Black Series figures when I should have just bought one or two Figuarts. Felt so good selling almost 100 Black Seires figures and picking a few favorite characters from Figuarts. And just buying stuff that was there because it was there

6:50 admits he was trying to scalp. But fails. Lesson don’t scalp.

Matt, you're wonderful. Thanks for making this video. I wish I'd seen this when you first put it out. Last month I found myself in a similar place and had a similar come-to-nerdy moment. I was getting toys in the mail that I'd preordered that I realized I didn't even want. I was spending money I should've been saving and not getting the joy from this hobby that started me in it to begin with. I went through all my pre-orders and cancelled anything that I didn't REEEEALLY want-even those things I wanted but that I knew were overpriced for the happiness they'd bring me. It's a constant battle, but I'm feeling happier as a toy collector than I have in years.

I go back to this vid often.....keeps me sharp and disciplined.... all the points you made were 1000% correct. Thx for the info BN!

I'm a very new collector of the star wars black series so these videos that you make really help me keep my focus on what mean something to me. Keep me up it!! Thanks big nerdy!!

The amount of merchandise released it was ridiculous, it got out of hand. So I decided to pick a character which was Vader and that’s wha5 I collected. But once my daughter came I sold it all.

My personal mantra is it’s only worth something to me. Buying something to be worth cash isn’t fun. People always ask what my collections worth and I say only has value to me cause I buy what I want, open and display, and have no intention of selling.

What an awesome video. Thank you for taking the time to make this!

I don't know what you're talking about.....(hides eBay purchase history of last 30 days)

Tons of regrets! I am an 80's kid so I loved collecting. I think I hit a lot of things on your list and had to learn from my mistakes. Now, I am selling off a lot of things that don't make sense and sparking a lot of joy! Keeping it small and simple is the way to go, don't break the bank, and don't let your collection own you. Life is way to short!

This is a great video. I've been experiencing similar feelings right now, and will definitely apply these questions to my collection! Thanks Nerdzoic!

I got Jar Jar 6 of them at Target for $8.99 each.. returned them else where for store credits.. $29.99.. Win!!

This is teaching me a lesson because I have a hard time not to be a pack rat

Awesome vid! Great advice. Definitely a double edged sword on many of the tips!

Cool video. Some really good advice about how to avoid some common mistakes with collecting. Nice job!

I found that Jar-Jar at Target on clearance for $8.

This video was in my recommended feed and is the first video I watched from you and I got to say I really enjoyed this video! As a collector myself I felt like I’m going through some of the stuff you’ve mentioned and this video will help me realize the things that I need to prioritize when I want to feed my collection. Thank you for the great video.

This advise is golden. I've certainly made quite a few mistakes and have my share of regrets!

Thank you for these videos. It’s very easy to go down the wormhole of collecting. I’ve narrowed down what I’m collecting.

Oh man! I get this all to well. I'm doing it right now. I also bought a house about 5 years ago. Once I did this I made a nerd office where I can work on KZfaq, do writing, play games, and whatever else I want. I filled the office and put up shelves finding myself with room to collect big time. However, in the last year I have been going over the entire collection and finding that if the thing I collected doesn't mean anything to me then it really needs to go and that's the focus of my entire channel now. Fandom With ReploidBill is my personal journey through fandom. What I love. What I hate. What I think. What has changed for me over the years. This isn't an add for my KZfaq I'm just saying that when you brought this part up I felt it. I'm literally living it right now. Love the channel man.

Thank you so much for helping me understand this stuff! As a young starter collector, this really helps me out with figuring out stuff!

My biggest collecting regrets were first, not having the money to buy the ones I really wanted and when I did have the money I was dumb enough to think oh I will get that one later. I passed up a lot of really good stuff. Stuff I look back and think, gee I had that one in my hand and let it go.

I'm much more selective these days. I've definitely made some mistakes, but can't bring myself to part with any of it. It's all on display, and is pure nostalgia for me. So, best approach is to never expect to "make money" from my collection, and buy only what I really want. The biggest question I'm dealing with is where does it all go after I leave this earth one day. Anyone in my family would see it as a burden. Has anyone else thought about what to do with it all when your gone?

I was collecting what I thought would be worth money, but now I collect what I enjoy and don't care if could be worth money.

One of my fav channels on yt keep up the great work!

This was a great and informative video,I'm glad you're around nerdy,to share your insights into a hobby to should not be stressful.

Thanks for making this video. It definitely helps for first time collectors such as myself. More power to you sir :)

I needed to hear this. This is gold. Thanks man. :)

I applaud you for this video and the message behind you. Thankfully I learnt this lesson very early on (with comics) but had a relapse with POTF and Phantom Menace after which point I pretty much stopped.

Trying to keep my collection toward my childhood favorites and hobbies

This video is so important. Great advice.

Excellent advice. More collectors should talk/share this. Gem Mint (who is into comics and statues) talks about using the hobby to fund itself. Don’t want something anymore? Can always sell it to use the cash to help the hobby budget. Another good thought to help keep the pocketbook safe.

"happiness" is really the overarching criterion to collecting, thank you for the vid.

biggest regret: buying stuff that I thought "looked cool" but weren't specifically part of a larger vision/plan for my collection. Later, I would be like: "Why did I buy this?"

Dude!!!! I can totally relate to all of this. At this point I’m finally starting to sort/sell all the random excess in my Toy Tomb. Trying to downsize/fine tune/ curate my collection. Love all your content bro! I’m slowly working on launching my own channel, to document the process.

dude!!! I fn loved this video! THANK YOU FOR THIS! I have done every single mistake and regret you talked about. And I will literally ask myself all this questions from now on! Thanks my man!

It's the internet as a boy in the 70's we didn't have any clues as to what was released. Now with the internet sites and you tube channels we know what's being released one - two years from now.

Great advice. Im a football (soccer) card collector. The regret that resonated in me was the buying shit you dont need.

You have helped more than you can know. I have made these mistakes and don’t feel as bad now. I think I can use this to make better choices. Subbed and have fun with future collecting.

So much of this is familiar to me personally. Great video!

This was a Very good analysis on things, and certainly relatable when I think about collecting👍

Excellent tips!

So I'm like a year late to this post. Great point @Nerdzoic about collecting. I only collect what I like, what's in my budget, and whatever makes me happy.

Another great video. 3 years ago i hit that phase in collecting where it stopped being fun. I decided to take a break, and to get rid of a lot of the things that I had bought without really knowing why I bought them. I got to see the joy it brought other people to find things they had been looking for, and the thrill it gave them at finding a great deal. I realized I had been approaching collecting completely wrong (just buying everything that caught my eye, or that was valuable). I decided to use a good portion of my old collection to fund my collection 2.0, which is Lazer-focused on only things that make me happy, regardless of potential resale value.

Good video! I’ve collected for a long time too and it is difficult these days. Hard to determine if something will hang around or be rare very quickly and shopping in store is rare in itself these days. Even online preorders can go quickly. I try not to impulse buy but with preorders you can usually cancel with little to no consequence with many retailers and have time to wait and see if it’s something you really are excited about. I also leave items in box after getting for awhile before opening. If I decide it was an impulse, being boxed allows easier return, trade, or sale to another collector. Being a part of a collecting community can allow for trading and selling, to get rid of things you don’t want anymore or acquire things you never found or missed out on.

I love you for this. I totally relate!

This advice is so true and to be honest even at 45 and have been collecting for years I still am guilty of a couple of these from time to time! Awesome list! Plastic finds a way folks👍😁

Good vid and great advice.

Great content mate! Long time collector and I regularly step back, asses and reset. Our collections aren't linear - they evolve over time with us, and the focus can change - its good to let things go that you don't feel that connection with, and refocus. Collections with a focus always look better than pure quantity.

Thank you for this 🙂

I always come to your channel for advice or any tips on collecting action figures.

A wise video about the joy of this hobby. I will share it with my friends, who will benefit from this video. Thanks!

for your 12 dolls, put them in a vintage custom box. it s awesome, fun, won t hurt your Wallet and their value (which is 10 dollars but big) and have a contunity in your cardback art since 77.

Thanks Matt for making this video. I can honestly identify with all 8 regrets. One thing I did back 20 years ago was decide that I was only going to collect OT stuff, but occasionally only buy the figs from PT, Clone Wars and Rebels that I really liked. The main thing is to collect what I can afford and what I truly like.

Good to see your channel grow. Keep it up.

Thanks for this bud. You’ve actually just helped me work out how you greatly reduce my Marvel Legends collection

Great advice.

Keeping it real, that’s why i follow your vids Matt, keep it up 😊😌👍

What a great video! I certainly went thru this also in my 30years collecting. Just want to share my guideline that helps keep me sane: 1. theme- I narrow my collection down to a small subset of things I collect now: Star Wars, 1:12 scale, clone troopers, some other trooper types, some Jedi, some sith, Mandalorian, bounty hunter, boba Fett, some bad batch. For other IPs, I am extremely selective- it has to be something with a nostalgic value attached to it. 2. Reduced need to complete- aside from black series clone troopers I don’t feel the need to complete anything else. It’s like gambling- the house will always win. Toy companies will often come out with unlimited variations that will fuel the need for next purchase. I think by really narrowing things down for what needs to complete, it is very achievable. And great thing with clone troopers is, if I stumble upon one with great price but I already have it, I can still buy it because it’s good to army build. I still get a sense of satisfaction. 3. Space- If I need a warehouse to store some of my collection, I think it’s a good sign I have lost the plot. If I have a collection that can be enjoyed by opening up just a couple of cupboards without the need to dig into every nook and crannies in the house, that’s good enough for me. I also made a conscious decision to abandon 1:6th scale figures because they take up too much space. Anyways, thanks so much for giving the platform to air out this issue.

Thank you man. I get anxiety sometimes

Thank you for the video! A lot of those apply to me. Right now I am trying to display my collection so that it looks classy and neat besides a jumbled mess on the shelves.

This was helpful. Thanks.

My biggest regret is being impulsive. Saying to myself before shopping endeavors is " im gonna wait and see" then boom, 10 mins later i have stuff and honestly dont know what i did. Ive learned to be more patient.

New sub!! Your regrets are great lessons for new collectors!! I bought that tidy book too lol!!

This video in itself made me happy. Thank you for the knowledge!!

Thank you for this - i recently reignited my Star Wars collecting hobby and have limited myself to Wedge/Rebel Pilots with the odd Boba Fett or something I really like. I think this “theme” based collecting will help me stay within a budget and also keep me focused. And help me ditch the FOMO aspect. I really appreciate your vids a lot. Thank you.

I am glad there is a adult that likes toys as much as I do

Phenomenal content as always!

I just regret buying everything I see instead of buying what I really really want. Took space and money.

You are so spot on. I'm almost thankful my parents were hoarders because I've always been very aware of my buying habits for collecting. I have a massive tolkien collection, but I am extremely choosy and i decided to focus my collection on vintage and book focused goods, preventing me from blowing my budget on figurines and instead spending on specific figures that complement my books for display. For star wars figures I never buy characters that are not in my top ten or so favorite characters, and I never buy anything that isn't Aestetic and will look good displayed. Which prevents me from buying most things really. And most importantly, I remember that this is a hobby for me to enjoy, not a scheme to make money. So I never regret opening boxes and actually moving them around and stuff. If it don't make me happy there's no point!

thank you for this video, i just started getting more figures and been stressing out but after thus video its going to change my ways.