In a world of existential threats, strife and moral dilemma, to leave your precious collectable purchase boxed or unboxed has to be one of the most difficult decisions to make.
I guess for most of us it depends on whether you are buying as an investment or you just think “that would look so cool on my shelf, my partner would never notice another one in amongst the others”.
Buying as an investment is always a bit of a gamble. You don’t know how well a collectable will gain in value, though you can usually make an educated guess. But some products just “catch” and become insanely valuable in a short period of time. But like any investment in goods, they are subject to market trends and fashion.
Or.
Or do you keep your collectable in it’s box because you just like everything pristine. Your action figure / card / video game / other collectable, unsullied by air and human touch, all accessories present and correct with no chance of them being lost, short of natural disaster / house fire / aggrieved partner.
Or …..
You are happy just want to add to your already cluttered shelving with yet another piece of plastic shaped as a homage to your favourite franchise / cultural icon, doubling as a dust magnet and it should be seen in all it’s naked glory free from any cardboard or cellophane.
Personally, I’m a mix of the latter two. I have an unboxed Star Wars Black Series K-2SO on my work desk at home. He has company; Lego mini figures and some 2000AD and Marvel Heroclix. then on the shelves are a series of 3As 2000AD action. Then around the house figures from “niche” science fiction films (Black Hole) more 2000AD, Lego kits everywhere, Star Wars of course , the odd superhero figure and the monstrous (in size, not in quality) Jock designed statute of Judge Dredd, which I spent far too much on. All growing grey with dust (but away from direct sunlight, I’m not that crazy).
I’m too tight to buy cases for each figure, Lego kit or model that I have, and too lazy to dust. So, perhaps I should be keeping them in their boxes, if only for storage and protection, but I think out of the box is a better way to enjoy them.
Having said that I do have a range of figures that I am hesitant to break open from their boxes, in case I lose something. Plus, if I am being perfectly honest I actually have nowhere to display them the moment.
There is also the more expensive option of buying two of everything. One to unbox and display. One to keep safe. I’ve taken this option with a few figures, but not that many. I’m not made of money. This is probably the best solution, and one that most of the collectables manufacturers would endorse…………
If you are hankering for more collectables, money burning a hole in your pocket you haven’t got far to go to check out TGC Collectables range.
So, Are you an unboxer? Or a “keep ‘em sealed”? Let us know.
