Action Figure Xchange

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (sledmaster) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:42:36 PST

I understand what you guys are saying . The thrill of hunting for figures isn't there. I like the new packages but I'm not into the clone wars figures I used to get excited when I would go to my local Walmart or Toys R Us or Target and find that hard to get figure to add to my collection but there are so many repaints that it isn't fun anymore but I think Hasbro will surprise us I hope. I am starting to collect vintage stuff now and want to build my AFA collection but when my son's friend come over they love all the figures I have set up on my wall rack it looks like a department store and I like it too it brings back memories of when I was a kid and couldn't wait to go down the isles to check out the figures.But I think are collecting habit's might change but are love for Star Wars won't and I know we will get that excitement back again Hasbro won't fail us. But you know collecting can go in so many directions that't one good thing about Star...

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (sabacc) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:01:38 PST

I have to admit, after almost 15 years of modern figure-collecting, I've virtually stopped as well. Now I prioritize getting old figures I've missed about as high as filling the gaps of my trading card sets. I typically look right over the figure sales in Rebelscum's Classifieds because there are just too many people getting rid of hundreds or thousands of figures.

One bright spot is that new collectors (especially young people coming on board now with The Clone Wars) may eventually find interest in the older figures. However, Hasbro's gotten wise and steadily provides us with repaints and re-releases so buying older figures is far less attractive.

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (DarthShader) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:58:29 PST

One big drawback to this idea:

Many collectors wanting to dump the SAME items. Not enough BUYERS. And so much of our stuff has become worthless, it can't even be GIVEN away.

Most SERIOUS collectors have moved into higher end collectibles as well. Gentle Giant, SideShow, props, costumes, autographs... Ten years plus of Hasbro collecting left many of us with limited room for storage and display. What would YOU rather display? Hundreds of action figs & ships (carded OR loose) in your living room, or statues & props in a nice display case? Art & autographs in frames. Long time collectors have gotten married and have kids, tastes and times have changed.

It is impossible to compete with the Rebelscum forums, many have tried. For years. There are more people getting OUT of collecting toys than there are buying them. With new figs being $8 a pop, many collectors are finding other ways to spend their cash (if they even have $$ to spend any more)...

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:41:01 PST

Hope you guys don't mind that I update this thread concerning the website I'm building, ActionFigureXchange.com. Just wanted to let everyone know, that if you're still interested in hearing more about it I've created a blog site which provides more insight into what Action Figure Xchange is all about. I've included a link to the "content" portion of the website, of which preliminary construction has been completed. The technical, and functional components of the site are being built now. I hope the entire thing will be ready for a test run in the next 30-60 days depending on how many bumps we hit in the road. I've spent a lot of time on this, and gone back to the drawing board more than once, but in the end I think we'll all have a viable alternative to the outlets currently available for buying and selling action figures.

I would ask that you guys check out the blog at your leisure and provide any feedback that you can. The...

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:05:15 PST

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to say this project is still alive and well. I hope it can become something that interests you all. I also hope to meet everyone in the coming weeks/months at the next meet up. Always a pleasure meeting fellow SW enthusiasts.

Mick Celli

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:40:42 PST

Campbell,

My advice would be to hold off on listing anything until I've gone over some changes that I need to make with my developer. Odds are that we will have a test run prior to a live launch, and any figures traded during that test run will be involved in mock transactions. Once complete the developer will clear the inventory in order to start fresh when we launch for real.

I would hold off on listing your entire inventory until after the test run is over. This will ensure there are no bugs in the site, and prevent you from having to enter all that info twice. But fear not, there will be some lag time in between the end of the test phase, and our live launch. So, you'll be able to get everything you want listed before we go live. I'll keep everyone posted on the changes, and the testing dates. In the mean time, I'd love to hear any suggestions people have, or ideas about what features they would like to see the site include. Especially...

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (sabacc72) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:33:57 PST

Question, Mick. If I start uploading my trade list will it stay there once the site is opened? Naturally, I don't want to load all the information if it's not to going to be useful. By the same token, I want to add accurate trade information if most of it will stay the same once the site actually goes live.

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:02:20 PST

Trading volume is a very valid point. In fact, it's probably my biggest priority aside from completing the site itself. There has to be an active marketplace or else it's just not going to benefit collectors. However, I truly believe the capacity is there. I've encountered countless collectors either in person, or through forums, who are hungry for a new resource for buying & selling aside from Ebay.

I appreciate Campbell's willingness to upload his selling list to the active listings. One collector down, 999 more to go...lol! In all seriousness though, the success of this site will depend greatly on it's humble beginnings at a grassroots level. It needs to gain traction "in the trenches" in my mind to gain respect and credibility. Sites like SWGFA.COM are exactly the platform I want to springboard off of with this project. It's collecting mediums such as yourselves that are the backbone for the community at large. The...

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (sabacc72) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:40:37 PST

That's going to be the key. I'm interested and want to help so I'd be happy to upload my trading list, but the challenge is going to get an audience that really uses it. Once that hurdle is accomplished, the potential for a great service is there.

I have to say, I have less against eBay than many of my fellow collectors. Perhaps it's just because I accept it's limitations. I've become less enchanted with selling there because of the seller's fees and USPS postage rates, but I still regularly find good deals.

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (whendroidsfly) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:31:19 PST

I have enjoyed trading and selling toys here, at Tradefederation.net and at the rebelscum classifieds. I have used ebay for other obscure toys that would not be normally sought after at these other sites . I feel like sometimes we are stuck with ebay when it comes to buying or selling rare items or getting good deals . It would be great to someday have an alternative like AFXchange or Tradefederation that could quickly become popular enough to regularly have over a thousand active listings .

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:52:17 PST

Thanks Chris. Look forward to meeting you as well. Very excited to be here.

Mick

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (JGordon24) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:07:53 PST

Welcome to the boards, Mick! Look forward to meeting you soon. Good luck with your exciting endeavor.

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (AFXRebelForce) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:59:49 PST

Greetings exhaulted ones!! It's great to be in the forums for the SWGFA. Many thanks to Campbell for starting this thread. I welcome any questions or comments regarding my project...ActionFigureXchange.com! I hope to produce a valuable tool for Star Wars, and all other action fgure collectors. Collecting is a passion of mine since childhood, and I want to bring something new and exciting to the community. I value your opinions, and hope that we can form an alliance which will promote, and benefit one another. I look forward to getting to know you all, and meeting sometime in the near future. May the Force be with us all!!

Mick Celli

Re: Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (DarthShader) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:01:12 PST

Good call, Campbell. I will investigate and share.

Action Figure Xchange

feeds@kickapps.com (sabacc72) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:56:44 PST

South Florida resident, Force-Cast correspondant, and all-around Star Wars fan Mick Celli is developing the Action Figure XChange, a site for buying and selling action figures that looks very interesting. He's invited us to try out the Beta and is interested in getting feedback. As far as I know it's not live, but with the help of us and other fans he's looking to start it up this year. Sign up and post your thoughts here. I'll make sure he knows about this thread, and if he's not able to keep up with it, I'll pass on your inquiries to the man himself. Then, with any luck, we should be able to hook up with him sometime during Star Wars Weekends.

Sharon, I told Mick about the Trade Federation and we both think they might be a great audience for this.