GeekOut Vlog: Why I Quit Toy Collecting

I've been an on-and-off collector for almost 12 years. Last week, I decided to quit. I sold 50 or so toys to a group buy.

I do miss them, though.

Follow me on Twitter: @TheBim
Follow me on Instagram: @bimbarbieto

[souldrum]

The biggest mistake toy collectors make, and the reason why they stop is because they end up not collecting for the right reasons. For example they’ll buy it because it’s new. Not because the figure means something to them. Or they’ll buy it for YouTube views to be the first one or one of the first to put the video up. Collecting should always be a very picky thing. It’s what keeps me collecting personally. Ive been collecting for almost 10 years now. And my collection of figures is so small compared to people who’ve collected less years than me. That’s a problem. You have to make sure every figure you buy personally means something to you and to make sure it’s the best version of a particular character that you can afford. Just my 2 cents.

[VincentStevenStudio]

I've come to a point in my life where collecting isn't as important. In just the last five years I've lost 2 of my best friends, my dog, and my uncle. I used to look at my collection with awe and happiness. Now all I see is stuff. Plastic that costs money and uses up space and when I die it won't come with me. What matters is our family and friends, our pets, the memories we create. Not the inanimate objects on my shelf. Sometimes I wish I'd use that money on important things like a car or travel and see the world. Idk. That's how I'm feeling right now. It's also overwhelming at this point because just when you think the collection is close to completion, companies keep announcing and releasing new figures or new versions. It's never ending.

[lukebaldock]

When you see your toys as "Assets" instead of just enjoying them its time to quit.

[AndroidDBZ]

I gave up my figurine collection before, but let me tell you this before you make the same mistake I did: You will miss them. It’s the ones that hold that emotional/sentimental value that you will miss the most. I started to buy the ones I had before and this time I have a deeper appreciation for them and realize those figures have value. They have value to me, they give me some sense of comfort, and that’s okay. I don’t want to be a collector, somebody who just keeps buying toys, but I do want to be a person who keeps their items of value. I will never make that mistake again, it was a harsh reality to live with that I would give up something I treasured as a child just because I grew up into an “adult”. The inner child’s voice was loud and said to cherish it, we only live once and it’s okay to comfort the inner child’s needs. Just don’t go overboard for sure, find a safe place and remember to not try and buy everything, just buy/keep the ones that bring joy to your soul. :)

Edit: I liked your video btw, I think people can be so harsh with their comments sometimes, don’t worry though, deep down only you know if you did the right thing or not, other people can’t tell you how to feel. :)

[lol_cow]

Just caught this video, it take a real man to make such a hard decision and to stick with it. I don't know you but I'm proud of you. Most people can't surpass themselves, you seem to have and with that type of determination you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

[nikirod]

Your reason for not collecting is so on point. I been collecting Funko Pops for 2 years and it had grown into a HORRIBLE stressful hobby. I have a friend who obsesses over buying them and seeing him made me realize that the collecting was no longer fun and required ALOT more work than I am willing to waste my life on. I wound up selling off 1/2 my collection and although I do still receive some as gifts that I appreciate...I have stopped worrying about "rare" ones that are basically unattainable because of the market. Everything needs balance and when its not longer fun ...it's good to give it up.

[RXNRMDN]

Why did you sell the sentimental ones as well? Those transcended just being toys. First gift from wife means more than just being a Hawkeye figure.

[PinkyBear]

I'll stop collecting when..I run out of space. XD

[MissAmazanda]

I've been collecting toys since the mid 90's when I was in high school and let me just say for the record...none of my toys will ever be sold I don't care how much they are worth. Money is just something that comes and goes but my collection is mine and means more than numbers printed on a piece of paper...

[idid]

Hog-wash, once a collector, always a collector!
Yeah, I quit too, then you get back into it again or just start collecting something else!
You ain't fooling nobody, ha, ha, ha!

[BrianSmith-ljug]

I stopped for much the same reasons.It becomes an addiction, you want something so bad, get it then move on to the next target.Too much was never enough and It never ends.I remember deciding to stop at 50 when i went into a new relationship.Great memories of collecting though.

[JOHNN.]

You are going to want them all back one day and it's going to cost a fortune .

[DreamwalkerTenesha]

Damn it seems like all the collectors only stop because of their wives...im gonna have to promise by fiance that will never happen. I collect dbz dbsuper figures

[zojirushi]

Why didn’t you keep the ones that have sentimental value? Like the ones you got from your wife or your family?

[rubix]

You had a pretty sweet collection. I definitely feel you tho. Scalpers take a lot of the fun out of toy hunting.

[XOSinclairSmytheXO]

I've been collecting on and off since 2008 when I use to work at a Target that connected to a mall. I remember I would go toy hunting on my lunch break, What I couldn't find at Target I would go to Kaybee Toy Store to find it. When my grandmother passed away 2021 and the few years before her passing I started selling off my collections brick by brick. In 2017 I sold off my Funko pop/ Kidrobot collection after a bad break up I didn't want to be reminded of this person that was once in my life. I recently sold off my silver coin, jewelry collection, vintage video game/systems, comics, and trading cards due to bad times to pay my monthly bills. It funny when you clear up space in room, dressers, and closet there is always someone else trying to fill it up with their stuff. I'm trying to buy less and save more money. I like the whole idea of minimalism but not to the extreme where I have nothing, but to enjoy the things I already have for a longer period of time.

[verneinnhel]

Some nights, I would just look at my collection and admire them as ART. Because that's what they are to me. And they make me happy. "These are COOL!" When you lose that, then yeah, go ahead and get rid of them. I hope to never lose that. I will NEVER get rid of stuff that was gifted to me.

[Robertoblues]

I think collecting is mostly an obsession? . It is very difficult to find the right balance. How many of us are willing to admit that deep down we can let go of 30% or 50% or more of our collection? and that at the end of the day there would be no major issue with that. If we lived under the premise that we should only keep the figures that we really really want, everything would be easier.
We would live less obsessed and we could enjoy this hobby more.
Remember. less is more

[thecollectors]

My collecting timeline started 11 years ago
The first two years was genuine and passionate and then I started getting Hyped up making impulse buys a few more years later I stopped collecting sold off some of the collections you will see on my videos the end of 2019 I started back collecting without the impulse buys I realized my passion is heman Ninja Turtles WWF Hasbro/retros
Within the next two years I will only have those three collections left I don't do reviews I just show the stuff that I love excellent content all of your issues was clearly defined and it made sense

[Weailand]

So basically your wife made you sell your collection!