Transformers Action Figures - Toys Worth More Than Meets the Eye

If you were alive in the 80s, you are aware of the Transformers franchise. The cartoon, action figures, comic books and related paraphernalia were everywhere, the ubiquitous Optimus Prime staring back at you from every toy display. What you might not know about action figures is that they hold their value extremely well compared to that other staple of pop collectibles, comic books. Even more obscure is the knowledge that the Transformers action figure toys are extremely hot collectibles, garnering better prices than their action figure and toy department competition, such as GI Joe, or Marvel and DC's Secret Wars/Super Powers toys, all from the same time period.

But, why would robots outperform the action figure mainstay, the soldier? Well, part of the answer is price and availability. The Transformers were generally more expensive than other toys, particularly their big ticket flagship characters, such as the various incarnations of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Since an expensive toy is a slow moving toy, Transformers action figures were relegated to the smaller bins and shelves to make way for hot selling action figures and vehicles such as GI Joe and even Go-Bots, the smaller, cheaper version of the Transformers. Transformers action figures did include smaller characters like Bumblebee and Powerglide, these are the toys that sold best and actually have mediocre performance on the collectible market.

So, what bearing does this information have on collectors of collectibles today? Sharp eyed collectors will know a must have from a dud at first glance, but some of us aren't so talented. Some of the ways to choose what new toy might be worth loads later on, is to pick the toys that actually sell the least. Meaning the bad guys, usually. Children want the good guys first, only filling in their collection with the bad guys later, if at all. Expect less units of Decepticons to be manufactured over all.

Another clue is the MSRP. If it is a big ticket item, which many Transformers often are, it will surely sell less units, making it an obvious choice for the collector. Keep in mind that the smaller, cheaper toys are okay, especially if you select the rarer, less popular bad guys and third string characters. The rule of thumb here is to select the action figures that the children aren't buying. Hanging around the toy aisle observing little kids' shopping habits might seem odd, but you'll do okay if you go one step further and ask the parents what Transformer toys are hot, as they will usually have their fingers on the pulse of not only what their kids want, but what their chidrens' friends want as well.

Whatever the kids are clamoring for as their first choice, cross it off. Focus on the background characters, the expensive toys and action figures that most kids can't afford, and the bad guys, like Megatron and Soundwave. Remember, as always, not to open the boxes, leave them in a lit area, or a smoking area. And don't buy for your personal tastes, buy for the potential profit. Chances are good that the toys you like most are the ones with the highest circulation.