Actions Figures: Should They Be Removed From Their Packages?

[Extrocomp]

I am thinking about starting an action figure collection. I don't know whether I should leave them in their original package or take them out for display. There are plenty of reasons for leaving them in their original package.

1. The complete product is the package and the action figure inside it. It is the package that has a UPC code and a copyright notice, identifying the action figure as an official product. An action figure without a package would be like a book without a cover or a game without a manual.

2. A lot of action figures come with alternate limbs, alternate heads and many different weapons. How could the alternate parts be displayed if the figures are taken out of the package?

3. Many action figure packages are very good looking in their own right.

4. Most of the action figures I've seen in circulation are those still in their original packages. If everyone keeps taking them out of their package, won't they disappear from circulation? Some characters are unlikely to ever get new action figures, so the ones that still exist in complete form must be preserved.

5. Some action figures don't stand up properly. My McFarlane Dog Alien is currently leaning against my McFarlane Alien Queen.

There are also reasons to take them out of their packages.

1. You can't play with an action figure unless you take it out of the box. I'm a big fan of the "I'm a Marvel, and I'm a DC" videos on YouTube, so I know it's possible to make a really good fan film with just action figures.

2. Many of the action figures released by Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles are released as a kit that has to be assembled and they have no plastic covering so it's impossible to display them while they're still in the box.

What do you guys think? Should action figures be removed from their packages?

Is there any way to remove an action figure from its package in such a way that the package is not damaged, or only minimally damaged, and that it's possible to put the figure back into the package if I wanted to?

 

[wamdue]

I would say get two of each one, so you can use for play/display and one for investment

 

[Nardpuncher]

I say take them out.

It's one of those things where if you're relying on some toys to help pay your kids way through college in the future then you may have done something wrong somewhere else.

 

[od0_ital]

^

Ouch.

But, yeah, the era of old toys payin' big bucks later has pretty much passed, since so many folks try to save stuff for just such an occasion.

Though I did have a teacher in high school, her son made a small fortune when he sold off his Star Wars collection, still in original packagin' & with receipts provin' the dates of purchases in the late '70s & early '80s when the Special Editions hit theaters and everyone was ridin' the wave of nostalgia.

 

[Shazam!]

Take them out, have them stood on a shelf. If all you're gonna do is keep them in a box and hide them in the loft you may as well not have them and there are much wiser investments than plastic Batman figures.

 

[RoJoHen]

Action figures are meant to be played with by little kids.

 

[Too Much Fun]

You can take them out and that doesn't mean you have to play with them or stand them up. You can do what I do and have some (or all) of them sitting down on your shelf. It's easier that way since standing them up risks having them fall down so you're constantly having to stand them back up, which is annoying (unless they're leaning against something). I have all my Star Trek figures sitting down, except "Trials and Tribble-ations" Dax because her damn skirt makes it impossible for her to sit down.

 

[Trekker4747]

Are you going to play with it? Then yes.

Are you going to display it? No.

Though I sometimes will buy two and keep one untouched and then open and display the other.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Do whatever you want to do with them. I'd recommend collecting action figures as hobby for any man who wants to be less appealling to women.

They are too expensive these days. Or I'm old. Both, actually. (I'm referring to women. )

The ones people are gonna remove from packages are the ones kids are buying. Vintage figures are worth money, cuz almost no one left them in the package. There's probably gonna be gobs of collector aimed figures Mint On Card.

 

[shivkala]

Are you going to play with it? Then yes.

Are you going to display it? No.

In my opinion, it doesn't get simpler than that. If you think displaying the figure and their original parts as is, then don't open them. If you intend to pose and repose the figure, then open it.

 

[melancholymecha]

I have a couple Trigun anime action figures still in their box... mostly though I collect fashion & Disney dolls. I do both. I usually debox the playline dolls & keep the collector dolls in their boxes. But sometimes I have no choice but to debox them if they come in a box thats in terrible condition.

 

[wew]

Sounds a bit like comic books- should you read your book or immediately board and bag it.

I bought comics to read and collect, not to collect dust. I more than got my money's worth on reading and rereading my comics.

I say take them out of the packaging, unless you plan on selling them later.

 

[captcalhoun]

buy MOC and buy loose. i only buy loose and display them loose.

what are you getting? I collect Pallitoy Action Force and GI Joe ARAH.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

That depends on what you want out of your figures. Are you buying for your own personal joy? If so, then open them, display them, love them. Are you buying them because you are hoping to sell them down the line? If so keep them MOC. Just know that today's toys will never hold the same value as older figures. This is a collectors market today with more and more collectors keeping the figures mint, making sure that there are more of them out there.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I keep the really rare figures in the package like my trifold Borg, but I open my others.

 

[Extrocomp]

No one has answered my other question. Is there a way to remove action figures from the package in such a way that they can be put back into the package later, exactly as they were originally, with only minimal damage to the package? What is the best way to cut the package so that it can be glued back together?

 

[wew]

In some packaging styles you can razor cut the plastic (razor needs to be incredibly sharp though) go from the section near the card card in a vertical cut anywhere from 1/8th of an inch to 3/4 of an inch (depends on size of figure and box) then you do a horizontal cut until close to the edge of the plastic to make a sort of plastic trap door.

This only works if the figure is carded, its has no oversized elements (think early star wars figure- 3-4 inches tall and maybe no more than 1/2-3/4 inch deep) and figure is loose.

Another option for other packaging, is to razor cut the entire place border next to the cardboard and save the plastic if you want to repackage it. You can superglue or expoxy the plastic back.

However, in regards to much of the packaging today, good luck.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

No one has answered my other question. Is there a way to remove action figures from the package in such a way that they can be put back into the package later, exactly as they were originally, with only minimal damage to the package? What is the best way to cut the package so that it can be glued back together?

This depends entirely on what product line you are collection. For instance, items from companies like Sideshow Collectibles or Hot Toys can be placed back in the box with zero damage at all. On the other hand most mass market companies like Hasbro and Mattel with require you to destroy the package to remove the figure. Perhaps it would help if you told us exactly what you are planning to collect?

 

[Odo's_Bucket]

Put the toys away and experiment with sex. You won't regret it.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

Put the toys away and experiment with sex. You won't regret it.

Says the person with a toy in their avatar.