/\ Exactly. I have never spent $1 of my income on props. Matter of fact I deposit $2000-$3000 into my income each year from props bought-made/sold.
How do you afford this hobby?
- Thread starter MovieMaster
- Start date
/\ Exactly. I have never spent $1 of my income on props. Matter of fact I deposit $2000-$3000 into my income each year from props bought-made/sold.
Onkelpsycho
Sr Member
Hm, I wonder why I should buy and resell a prop, that I dont want...
Of course, there could be an interest loss over the years, but i keep the main stuff...
I think sometime you have to be lucky, sell anything what everyone wants to have, what you dont want to have... Or you know you can make it again, if you make it. Or you know from a top secret source, that a new version will be available...
I think some props go up in price, if they sold out. Some go down if something new comes out...
Its not as easy as everyone thinks...
My problem was: I bought the stuff at the beginning of my collection... My hoverboard was $350, now I can get a better board for less, but my old board is collecting dust, because everyone wants one of the new boards, no-one wants one of the old foam boards...
Same here with costumes. I really don't think I ver get the price I spend into my Jack sparrow costume, because now there are better parts our for less... Thats the problem...
A good time to get the stuff, when no-one is interested in the stuff anymore...
Of course, there could be an interest loss over the years, but i keep the main stuff...
I think sometime you have to be lucky, sell anything what everyone wants to have, what you dont want to have... Or you know you can make it again, if you make it. Or you know from a top secret source, that a new version will be available...
I think some props go up in price, if they sold out. Some go down if something new comes out...
Its not as easy as everyone thinks...
My problem was: I bought the stuff at the beginning of my collection... My hoverboard was $350, now I can get a better board for less, but my old board is collecting dust, because everyone wants one of the new boards, no-one wants one of the old foam boards...
Same here with costumes. I really don't think I ver get the price I spend into my Jack sparrow costume, because now there are better parts our for less... Thats the problem...
A good time to get the stuff, when no-one is interested in the stuff anymore...
Idaho Jones
Well-Known Member
I make most of my own also, my wife lost her part time job about 6 months ago, so we set up a budget. I got a monthly budget for lunch and I've started to build my projects out of that. That way no money comes out of the household budget, and its not exactly kiling me to cut out fast food lunch's. I've just about built my entire Tusken Raider from my lunch money LOL
(P.S. After we got our budget going we've been able to bank some savings)
(P.S. After we got our budget going we've been able to bank some savings)
I tried to sell blood but they wouldnt take it in a tuppperware container. I usually make what I want. But if someone has already done the hard work and the price is right, I buy. I also will buy scratch and dent stuff. Best of both worlds. Oh, and having a good job doesnt hurt either:lol
As far as selling goes.....I tend not to sell the stuff I acquire.
As far as selling goes.....I tend not to sell the stuff I acquire.
This may come off a bit harsh but it is not meant to be. The sad fact is this is an expensive hobby, whether it's buying completed pieces or (even more) acquiring the pieces to build one. You have to pay to play and it's a high buy-in.
Yes, there are free paper props and the occasional inexpensive item but overall this is not a hobby for low cost. It is sad but we're talking rare collectables and expensive materials to fab your own.
The good news, though, is that if you're good with any of the CAD programs out there you can at least have a virtual version. It's not much but it's something.
Again, while this may sound harsh it's not intended. Sadly it's the reality of this hobby.
Yes, there are free paper props and the occasional inexpensive item but overall this is not a hobby for low cost. It is sad but we're talking rare collectables and expensive materials to fab your own.
The good news, though, is that if you're good with any of the CAD programs out there you can at least have a virtual version. It's not much but it's something.
Again, while this may sound harsh it's not intended. Sadly it's the reality of this hobby.
And a good time to sell a prop is when there is lots of interest in it.
I've noticed that the RPF runs in cycles. We all seem to get the "fever" for the same things around the same times. Who knows what triggers it. It's usually:
Jurassic Park
5th Element
Indiana Jones
Batman
Superman
Star Trek
Star Wars
and right now...
Ghostbusters and Back to the Future seem to be "hot" right now so now would be the time to sell your GB or BTTF stuff if you've grown weary of it.
A lot of what I sell is based on timing. Right now I wouldn't get a good offer on an Indiana Jones whip but I could sell a pair of GB goggles in a second.
Still figuring it out, really. I do targeted purchases of things I want to make, because just buying something doesn't make it mean anything to me. That's not a lesson I arrived at cheaply. I try to keep the impulse buys down, and seriously debate the bigger things. Which I also have to be careful is actually a merit-based debate and not just me talking myself into "needing" something. I long ago realized that the idiocy I displayed when collecting action figures was simply not sustainable for an adult who wants to pay off a house before he dies.
Above all else I have to remember that at the level I can approach this hobby these are luxuries not investments.
Above all else I have to remember that at the level I can approach this hobby these are luxuries not investments.
Interesting reading the comments about "the wife" and "the girlfriend". Hubby and I have been together since 1976, we met at a con back then and when we married we merged our collections and sold off the duplicates - paid for our honeymoon from the proceeds. We collect only what we really like, we don't buy with an eye to selling - even "limited editions" aren't so limited any more. We make a lot of stuff (both of us know how to mould and cast). We buy toys we like when they're on clearance. We sell when we don't want something anymore. We sell when we run out of room.
Basically, as others have commented, this can be an expensive hobby and you need to keep "want" and "need" separate.
Basically, as others have commented, this can be an expensive hobby and you need to keep "want" and "need" separate.
zombiejedi
New Member
I can't any more been to busy with my girlfriend and son. They take precedence right now. Hopefully next year tho.
Part of it is patience/persistence, part of it is good luck (being at the right place at the right time when a good deal comes along), part of it is saving money for when you think that dream item might come along, and yes having a supportive significant other makes a huge difference. I think if you are in the hobby for the long term (ie: years), then given time you could save for most any of the cool items that come along except some of the original props. Part of it also is your collecting strategy. Some have these huge collections whereas others are more selective and keep smaller collections. The only way I could afford my collection is by keeping it small and focusing on only the items that I thought were really essential to collect. For example, a really good Vader helmet only comes along every two-three (or more) years so that is plenty of time to save up for the next one. :lol
ave4uevoli
Sr Member
knee pads :lol
skiffy
Sr Member
I would say buy what you can afford and try to be shrewd - as others have said. A coupla years ago I bought a Master Replicas CE Stormtrooper helmet for £50 from Play.com. The same thing is now available on the 'bay at £175. Also, I made my own Star Wars blaster using the PVC plans. You'll find a way to get what you want.
Bear in mind too that what you see on these boards is the very best of what can be achieved - there's no shame in going 'hand/home made' or slightly inaccurate, until you can afford to do better.
The passion will carry you along, and when you get that super rare item you've been saving a year for - you'll feel it's all worth it.
Bear in mind too that what you see on these boards is the very best of what can be achieved - there's no shame in going 'hand/home made' or slightly inaccurate, until you can afford to do better.
The passion will carry you along, and when you get that super rare item you've been saving a year for - you'll feel it's all worth it.
STpropguy76
Well-Known Member
I agree with SithLord,
You have to be in this for the long haul, (Years)
This is not a try it hobby. It's a life of it's own.
I've been Collecting for over 20 years.
You acquire what you can on the budget that you have over a long period of time, Discarding here and there what no longer interest you.
We all at some point Impulse buy.
You should learn how to cast and recreate your own props as much as possible.
After years you'll have a nice collection, As long as you focus on what you like.
Buy what you enjoy, What interest you as that way you will become an expert on that and know what to buy and what not to.
Also you will enjoy just looking at your Collection or showing it off.
You have to be in this for the long haul, (Years)
This is not a try it hobby. It's a life of it's own.
I've been Collecting for over 20 years.
You acquire what you can on the budget that you have over a long period of time, Discarding here and there what no longer interest you.
We all at some point Impulse buy.
You should learn how to cast and recreate your own props as much as possible.
After years you'll have a nice collection, As long as you focus on what you like.
Buy what you enjoy, What interest you as that way you will become an expert on that and know what to buy and what not to.
Also you will enjoy just looking at your Collection or showing it off.
Mercury
Sr Member
Personally I narrowed my interests down to one theme, for me, weapons, then restrict myself to predominately resin versions of those. Over the years I've also learned that if you have patience and are willing to wait by passing up items when they 1st appear, not always, but a lot will be resold, traded, etc for a more reasonable price. I say reasonable in the sense of what I have at the time or am willing to spend for a given item. I would love to have the finances to purchase every variation in metal that might become available but since that isn't the case, a well built and painted resin kit looks pretty good in a collection.
Techkman
New Member
I could not agree with you more, I've only been collecting myself for a short period (3 years) but I've devoted a fair chunk of my free time and spare money on it.
This all because I love collecting and owning props, replicas and what not and because it grants me enormous satisfaction to look at my (currently) small but nice collection of loot.
