Collection Intervention and Toy Hunter: How do you feel about them?
Thursday, August 30th, 2012 by Pixel Dan
After years of the toy collecting hobby being pretty much ignored by mainstream television, we suddenly have two shows that focus almost directly on it. But are they doing it the right way, or are they just helping to give the hobby a bad name to those who are not involved?
Honestly, I don’t really know the answer to that question. That’s why I’m bringing this discussion up with YOU!
I’ve been watching both shows, and honestly I still don’t know how I feel about either of them. I’m an all-around fan of toys in general. I like learning about the history of toys. I like seeing cool collections and rare items I’ll probably never own. And while both of these shows give us tiny glimpses of all of those things, they certainly are not the focus of either show.
Collection Intervention is much more focused on the collectors of toys, comics, and other items who have basically gotten “out of control.” Their collecting habit has taken over their lives and is basically getting in the way of more important things such as paying bills or a marriage. Now I am certainly one to agree that there are things in this life that are far more important than collecting toys, and I have always felt I’ve known my limits. But sometimes this show still peeves me a little bit, specifically when the focus always seems to be on how much a collection is worth. The host of the show always seems to bring up the question of “why collect this if it has no value?” and “If this is worth money, why aren’t you selling it?”
The reason I don’t like that is because a lot of us aren’t in this hobby for the value. We don’t all collect things simply because they are rare or valuable, and we certainly don’t all collect with the idea in mind that one day we’ll sell it all and retire on the mountain of money we get. Of course, I’m not saying there is fault with anyone who does enjoy collecting the rare and valuable stuff, I just don’t like that all collectors seem to be lumped into this category on this show.
Toy Hunter I’ve had a bit of a problem with since day one. I try to enjoy it. I do. And I’m sure that the host Jordan Hembrough is a nice guy in person. But the only thing I can see when I watch this show is a dealer who is lowballing people for their toys so that he can make a buck.
I feel bad for generalizing Jordan like that. But as collectors, we all know how we feel about the seedy dealer who overprices his toys at toy shows and conventions. Most of the time, a dealer is not our friend. And I think that’s the barrier that is keeping me from really enjoying this show.
I would love to see a toy show that focuses solely on the history and the FUN of toys. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of doing a show like that before? Hmmm…
Anyway, enough from me. I would really like to hear what you guys think of these shows! Do you love them? Hate them? Disagree with my views? Post below and tell me why! Let’s have a nice, civil discussion about this and see if we can get a general feeling of how the collector community feels about these shows!
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I like Collection Intervention slightly better. This show definitely depicts what can happen when someone is not focused on collecting specific items or toy lines and just has too much stuff that does not increase the value of the overall collection. I do love the theme of the show: people collect to recapture or to hold on to a pleasant memory from the past.
Toy Hunter seems like a rip-off of Americn Pickers and I do not blame Jordan for that at all, only the poducers of the show. Jordan is very fair on his offers and I like the show because it shows collectors that if you sell to a dealer you get less than retail value on your stuff. Just because you have a precieved value of your collectible does not mean that is how much you will get, If the show had more of a Hollywood Treasure feel, then I think more of the toy collectors would enjoy it. I think the producers forgot the "education" protion which it makes any kind of collecting important. But I will have to admit, Toy Hunter is growing on me little by little.
"it shows collectors that if you sell to a dealer you get less than retail value on your stuff. Just because you have a precieved value of your collectible does not mean that is how much you will get"
This is actually a pretty good point that I did not think of. Hmm…
The old addiage my father used to have 'Something is truly only worth what they are willing to pay for it.' I could put $200 on my last MOTU Shadow Weaver, a higher price tag than ebay and it would never go, but if I put half Id be better to get it. Ultimately our collectables are worth only what the buyer is willing to pay for them. This even includes dealers. Which I like my brother Brent are. We as dealers often sell things at below cost once in a while, and in the long run end up selling more, by selling a few items at a less profit margin. We only do this to select repeat customers or dealers. But it has built a good clientele. In conventions where set up is $300 for two days at every convention we end up leaving with atleast 2-3 grand. Toy Hunter is bring awareness to the collecting hobby as well as seilling hobby.
Here is my take.
Collection Intervention is an interesting show, but again, for example on this past weeks episode with Daveed, why not push ALL OF THAT OTHER CRAP he has laying around instead of raiding the G1 collection? Why not weed out that stuff than almost force his hand to sell the Botcon Exclusive?
I watch CI morefor the reactions from my wife Carrie than anything else. I LOVE to see other people's collections, but Carrie's reaction to some of this is priceless and brings me nothing but enjoyment. But besides that, the show presents the collecting community in a really bad light. I know Sean Long is going to be on next week, and I worry how he will be portrayed. That's the worst part for me is yes, some of the people on the show have some REAL issues with intense emoptional attachments to their collections, but others are just overwhelmed and need some help weeding things out. I don't know. I'll watch it till it gets cancelled I suppose.
My wife enjoys the show too, but more often than not she has said "I don't think this person has a problem at all…" Specifically, she didn't feel that the comic book collector on the last episode really had a problem. She didn't think it was fair that he was basically being stroingarmed into selling a bunch of his books.
Sean is a such a great guy (I hope he stops by here and participates in this discussion!) And I agree with you, I'm a little worried about hwo they'll protray him on tv.
The comic book collectors wife was unhappy. Not everybody enjoys comics and toys. There comes a time when you have to get a handle on things. When the people around are effected by your decisions. It fun to have these things, but you shouldn’t let it destroy your relationships.
Dan, your situation with your spouse is unique. You both enjoy toys and collectibles. That is not the case for most people.
I like the shows also, but I think they don’t have the right person for Collection intervention. I just don’t believe her 100%. The Toy Hunter bugs me because I see a ton of stuff in the background that I wish they would talk about, but instead they pick some lame item because he might make some money on it. I find myself saying, ” what is that on the shelf back there” way too often.
Toy Hunter, my opinion may be a bit biased since I know the guy. But, Jordan's show has improved since the pilot. He no longer, at least in the episodes so far, is throwing out low ball numbers to these people, he is asking them instead what would it take price-wise for them to sell the items he is interested in. This was a much better approach, and it seems nine times out of ten he pays just slightly below what they are asking, which I think is fair. Dan, you and I both have worked for a dealer who REALLY lowballed people. Jordan is WAY better price wise than what we have seen. I get he has to make money and such. But his pricings have been better than they were on the pilot episode.
I agree. I think Jordan has taken a better approach to offering money for stuff, so credit certainly needs to be given there. And you're right about seeing dealer way lowball people…I always hated that. You know that.
I understand it's a business, too. So it's hard. I try my best to look at it from both sides, when I can.
I definitely see the show having improved massively since the 1st episode.
My only beef with the guy is that he doesn't seem to be fully "up" on his knowledge of toys; a few folks I know on Facebook complained that they couldn't take him seriously when he said he'd never actually seen a loose Snake Mountain in all his years in his field. And I wasn't too thrilled when he said the vintage Alien figure had never been released, when yes it had.
Otherwise I think the show is very enjoyable, and in general a lot of fun to watch.
You know, everyone is going to have a varied opinion. I've seen anger, jealousy, rage, mis-understandings on how "Reality" television is pieced together. Everyone is going to have a varied and extremly different take on these shows. Plus, not to mention there is still one show left that has yet to premiere.
I think Toy Hunter will be around for some time. It's has more in common with Storage Hunters and American Pickers in the format than Collection Intervention does, and that is the most popular Reality format on Cable right now, unless you count Here Comes Honey BooBoo. Then, maybe we need to find you some Reality Intervention…
These were my fears the minute I learned about these shows.
Collector Intervention seems to do more focusing on making collectors look like whackjobs than anything else.
With Toy Hunter, I'm a little more concerned about what it could do to the market. I don't claim to be a financial expert, but my local comic/toy shop owner is already experiencing a surge in people attempting to sell items with low value for top dollar. People not in the know are going to find '90s Toy Biz Marvel figures and think that they've struck gold.
Suine, I would say Collection Intervention is causing that more than Toy Hunter. That and people are ill informed on what thy own. A lot of people, instead of doing their research they just walk into a store and try to get as you said top dollar.
Yep. My biggest fear right there. Everyone who has Star Wars POTF figures laying around are now going to think they are worth a ton of money. The secondary market prices are going to shoot up from all of the people not "in the know
" thinking they can make big money…
There have been several times when someone has walked into my buddy's comic shop and said something like, "do you buy toys?" To which he'll reply, "depends on what it is." The person then will say something along the lines of, "I have some old Spawn toys that are worth a lot of money and…" etc.
What these people don't realize is that yes, that toy may have been worth something… back in 1997. That doesn't mean the value keeps appreciating. People will always like diamonds and gold, for example. Spawn… not so much.
It reminds me of a friend of mine that wanted me to find out what the "Death of Superman" issue (Superman #75 IIRC) was going for, as he'd bought several at the time, one for him and one for each of his kids, thinking that he'd be able to put them through college or something. I didn't know off the top of my head, so I went home and looked it up and, at the time, it was wort about $3 and change. He didn't understand it. I then had to explain to him that if even HE had several copies of that issue, someone who never reads or collects comics, then think how many many OTHER people have that same issue.
If everybody keeps something, it's not going to be worth much, at least monetarily. That is exactly what most people outside of the hobby (comics or toys, or whatever else) will never understand: many of us don't do this because what we collect is worth money. We do it because it's worth MORE than money, whether it's nostalgia, for play (admit it! lol), or just because we think it's cool.
Despite the fact that I've not seen those two shows (I don't have cable, and don't really want it), I agree with your points above.
The "speculator market" is what almost permanently killed comics in the 90's. I'd hate to see shows like this (if they do indeed portray these collectors in a negative light) cause something similar to happen to toys.
Even without seeing those shows, I would bet that there are plenty of other luxuries that those people could sell that would help them out, and they'd probably make (or save) more money than they would by selling their toys.
There certainly must be some people who have a genuine problem that borders on addiction when it comes to collecting, but when shows focus almost exclusively on only THOSE kinds of people, then it makes non-collectors think that EVERY collector is like that, and that is something I don't like.
Sorry for the mini-novel, lol.
Oh man, good point with the Spawn stuff. When I worked in a shop, there were three major toy lines that "average joe" would always attempt to sell thinking he'd get a ton of money for:
1) Spawn/McFar;ane toys
2) Star Wars POTF figures (1996 on)
3) Toy Biz Marvel figures
Those three things came through the door constantly, and it was always someone who thought they were "rare" and "worth money." And most times, would get very mad and confused when they wouldn't be offered the type of money they thought they should get.
That's interesting because all thee of those lines were huge during the same "speculator surge" time period that hit comics: the 90's.
Toys were selling like crazy and you had awesome lines like the above three (well, Spawn had SOME cool stuff, but I was more into the latter two). Due to the speculator market hitting so big at that time, it goes back to what I said before about "everyone" having one. This was the big boom period for collecting, and it makes perfect sense that those lines, as big as they were at the time, aren't worth much today, because so many people still have them.
Collecting your average figure that you took off of a peg at a Target somewhere for return value is almost a dead hobby, unless you re-sell immediately.
I guess my point is that there is so much more to collecting than what the items are "worth." It's too bad that a show with the format you and others have described won't fly in today's TV market, but I can understand why, even if it makes me a little sad inside
Re-reading my own rant (lol), I realize that it's more directed to the "Collection Intervention" show and less to "Toy Hunter." If Toy Hunter is kind of like Pawn Stars, then, well, maybe it's not so bad. Like I said, I haven't seen it. I just hope it doesn't portray collectors in a negative light. Then again, if it's anything like Pawn Stars, most of the people probably just found this stuff in their attic or something. I'm just shooting in the dark, though.
CI: I have a problem with b/c it paints us toy geeks with the same brush as hoarders, im sure there are hoarders that hoard toys, but we all dont. And most of us dont collect to build a nest egg, to be honest if that is someone's plan, they are in for a rude awakening.
Even when we sell pieces of our collection a lot of times its at break even or at a loss.
TH: I like Jordan and I dont really have a major issue with the resale part, but I am also a big fan of American Pickers. I mean if he paid $50 for something he was going to sell for $1000, sure I would think that is dirty. But his normal 45-60% mark up is about normal for these pickers. Plus think about how much money is spent on fuel and travel, there is a lot of expense that goes into be a picker.
you make a great point, and in fact a lot of folks on Facebook hadn't considered that either from what I noticed; yes, traveling for all this stuff costs money too, which many folks don't consider.
Granted now that it is a TV show, a lot of those expenses are paid by the show, but he still has to run a business when not on the show. And I disagree on him "low balling", he could have bought that classic LOTR figure for like $5, but told her it was worth more then that and paid her like $40 for it.
and as far as dealers not being our friends, I have a much easier time with dealers that are selling rare hard to find toys vs a fat guy in a sweat suit that goes to walmart first thing in the morning, buys everything and then jacks up the price that way.
he may mark up the price, but you as the buyer do not have to go on the hunter for that classic toy, you simply walk up to a booth and pay for it if you are ok with the price. We are paying for the ease of finding something.
I do wish there was a show that was more about the history of toys, but sadly todays TV market wants the drama/train wreck of Hoarder type shows, or the back and forth of Pawn Stars.
Fireball13Z- You just nailed this perfectly.
Jordan
"but sadly todays TV market wants the drama/train wreck of Hoarder type shows, or the back and forth of Pawn Stars. "
Also agreed. It's a sad truth.
I'm going to borrow a quote from Devall from a discussion we were just having over text: "These shows pull in toy people AND 'nromal' viewers. Our idea (for a toy show) would only bring in toy people for the most part. Sad, but true."
He's right. This is what sells. Devall and I both know from personal experience that this is what studios are looking for right now. They have no interest in shows that only focus on history and such. They need the drama. They need the money. They need the "Pawn Stars" format, becuase that's what's popular reight now.
So I do tend to agree that Jordan is diong the best with what he is given. He has a format that has to be followed. So kudos to him for getting a TV show!
Dan- I really appreciate your comments and bringing this topic up. I do read them, and take them to heart. Please remember… I do my best to work with people. When I offer them a price, I tell exactly how much I am going to try and get for the piece. In other words.. " I'll probably put this out for $100.. the best I can do right now is $50."
Also, the camera does not show all of the deals. They pick the very best ones. I do pay high on some items.. and have even been stuck with toys that I can not sell.
I welcome all comments and will read them, I just want you to remember that this is a show… and sometimes for editing purposes, not all the deals are included and sometimes the viewer can not see the entire transaction.
The dealer market right now is very much just like a "wholesale vs. retail" market. Dealers, try to pay half. My clients know this right away when I speak to them. I am very forthright and open.
I think the one comment from someone on the show says it best… " this stuff is just sitting here anyway. I dont care what you pay, it's just going in the trash anyway."
All my best-
Jordan Hembrough
Toy Hunter
Jordan,
First, thank you very much for taking the time to stop by and post your comments. That means a lot. And it's exactly why I stated above that I feel bad for genralizing. I know you're a nice guy, as I see how you uinteract with the viewers on Twitter and such. I think that's fnatastic!
And you're right. I agree, TV will always be edited to show things in the most "exciting" way for the audience, or edited int he most "dramatic" way possible. Liek I told Jason above, I do always try to look at both sides when possible. I totally understand you're running a business and you need to make money.
I think I'm going to stick with my biggest problem with these shows being that it gives the fals impression that "all toys are worth millions" to the non-collectors out there. That's the part that really bothers me.
Thanks again for taking the time to post! I'm glad you're reading! Really hoping to get some great discussion going here!
Hi Jordan , I enjoy watching your show. I just wanted to say may your show be around for a long time.
Sincerely
Art Busby
one of billions of toy fans
around the world
At first I was in to Toy Hunter… After watching the first episode I liked the idea of finding those rare, prototype kind of toys, and talking to the actual designers of some of our favorite lines. Then after a few of the newer episodes, I'm beginning to not like it as much. The host, to me, comes off as kind of slimey. He's going to people's houses, telling them basic facts about the stuff they've spent a good portion of their lives collecting and low-balling them to make a few bucks. I always picture him creeping away from the houses with his back hunched twisting his greasy moustache…It's kind of insulting to us real collectors.
As for Collection Intervention, It's a neat idea, but it seems like every episode there's a spouse or significant other trying to change the person they're with in to what they want them to be. When you decide to be with someone you need to know, and accept what they're in to or it'll end up one person resenting the other….And I agree with a lot of people in the fact that most collectors aren't in it for the money. This show seems to focus on the money/value side alot.
scar1321- I am sorry you feel that way. Honestly man, that is not the way I intend to come across. For your information, and anyone who does not know me, I had a huge collection up until about years ago. I had a home filled with about four rooms of Star Wars and Sci-Fi collectibles.
I understand the passion that collectors have, and respect them. I am, and always will be, a collector at heart. As I have said.. I tell people exactly what I am going to sell the toys for. In many cases ( which you do not see on-air) I broker them and give them more money than they expected.
I appreciate the discussion here, and consider them healthy. I may not be able to take part in all of them due to our filming schedule.. .but please remember… I have the best intentions for the show, and the community as a whole.
I really would like everyone to understand this; I am a collector as well as a dealer, I respect everyone's passion and celebrate the community as a whole. I think this show is really going to elevate the hobby that I ( along with everyone else here) truly loves.
Thanks so much for letting me come here.
Jordan Hembrough
Toy Hunter
Jordan I love your show. Collecting toys is a hobby for me and I don't know much about market values, wholesale, or whatever other industry forces are at play. What I do know is that when I see something I thing has great character design or brings back some kind of nostalgia, I buy it. So speaking as an outsider of the community who just likes toys, I enjoy your show. To be honest I don't understand why collectors are giving you a hard time. What is a hobby for me is a business for you. What are you supposed to do pay everyone hundreds of dollars more than what the item is worth. Nobody complains about the storage hunter guys who raid people's units who have either fallen on hard times or died. In any case I love your show and record it when I can't watch it on its regular schedule.
"Nobody complains about the storage hunter guys "
Well, that's not neccesarily true. I've seen people online who relaly do that sort of thing not happy about the show, becuase it had the same effect we're talking about here with the toys: it made the "average joe" think he can go out and make money off of buying lockers. Thus, more people are doing it, and there's more competition.
I really do think that's the biggest complaint collectors have with shows like this. JayC from Toy News International said in his post below that the majority of collectors he's talked to about it LOVE the history and the collections seen on the show, but hate the "money" discussions.
So that's what it always seems to come back to. You're right though, it is Jordan's business. We have to do our best to see things from his perspective too.
That's what is great about the show. The thought of the common man finding a treasure that he never knew was valuable. Money makes the world go round and that's why that "people want to know the value of things" formula Jordan talked about works. And in the end, more ratings means more shows.
Jordan, ya got a great show; keep up the good work!
I think Jordan (it's really cool hearing from him) can at least think like one of us if he isn't. That Collection Intervention hot chick, who's name I can't be bothered to remember. I got pissed when she tried to make that guy sell his BotCon Breakdown.
Her name is Elsie Laurey ( sp?). Apparently, she was at Star Wars CVI and was trying to track me down to speak to me. At least, that it was some of the other dealers told me.
Jordan
I'm curious to know how much she knows about collecting in general. At first I was thinking she may just be a face for the show, and the producers tell her everything. But she does seem to have some knowledge.
The toys were destroying his life. I think it was a bold step in the right direction for the gentleman.
It's obvious he did need to sell some of his stuff, expecially to help his business. But I tend to agree with Devall in his post up above. Why didn't they focus more on clearing out all of that random stuff he had clogging up his apratment instead of going directly for his favorite pieces? I think the simple answer is that it "made for better TV."
I watched the first episode of Collection Intervention– and that was it. Done. I could tell where it was headed and I'd rather spend my time watching almost anything else. All of the above comments seem correct about it. I work in a comic shop during my free time and I'm already seeing a massive amount of people trying to sell us their 90's plastic garbage because they think it's worth a fortune.
As for Toy Hunter, I definitely see the negative arguments put up here, but I also find it to be far more palpable and I do enjoy watching it. Granted, I do enjoy American Pickers, and the fact it's mostly concentrated on action figures doesn't hurt either. In the beginning, Jordan spouting off random facts about the toys to the collectors seemed ridiculous since they're the ones doing the collecting, but that's all just set-up for the viewers who don't know jack s**t about toys in order to keep them interested in watching. I do have to force myself to keep that in mind, sometimes.
Anyway, in the long run, both shows will do the same thing for toys that Storage Wars, American Pickers, Pawn Stars, and other shows of that ilk do: cause a ton of imitators and johnny-come-lately collectors hoping to make big bucks. But, then again, there's always the chance someone who will genuinely love collecting may be spurred to start, so it can't be all bad— right?
I've enjoyed American Pickers as well. But yeah, everything you've said have pretty much been my feelings.
I literally just had this happen to me: I'm at work, and a co-worker (who is not a collector) just came up to me and said "I came across this show last night that you would love!" He started describing Toy Hunter to me. He ended our conversation by saying "I can't believe how much that Star Wars figure is worth! I think I have a bunch of Star Wars figures in my attic! I'm going to check!"
Yikes.
So it is happening. I think we're all seeing it. That's just the nature of these shows though. You're right…Storage Wars, American Pickers, Pawn Stars…every show like this will always make people think it's easy to make a ton of money off of anything. And now toys are in that category.
With the state of economy you are going to see more shows focused on finding a diamond in the rough and making a quick buck. I have already see vintage pieces prematurely increasing in price because of shows like this. But In the end this couldl actually hurt the industry as people flood to sell things on the market and inflate prices. The nature f collecting from a collector's standpoint is the thrill of hunting that one piece down, taking it home, and admiring it sitting on your shelf. Like another poster stated, that should be the basis of a show like this.
All I have to say is look what Antiques Road show did to antique collecting. I think it almost destroyed the industry as you do not see too many around anymore because people thought they were an expert and prices began to inflate because of premature demand.
This is exactly what the speculator market did to comics in the 90's, and they are still limping because of it, IMO.
Of the two shows, Collector Intervention is the worst. That show depicts collectors as essentially losers who can't control themselves and need this lady to come in and save them from their own collections. I am not entirely sure why having worked a Christies Auction House makes her a toy expert and the idea these people need to be saved by her annoys the crap out of me.
As for Toy Hunter, I think the problem is that the whole concept of randomly finding these rare toys and then buying and selling them comes off terribly fake to most who know anything about the hobby. I have talked to many collectors and read a lot of feedback about this show, and the thing everyone seems to like is seeing people's collections and learning about rare old toys, while the thing they hate is the whole buying and selling aspects. Collectors and non-collectors alike, basically like the whole trip down memory lane and the nostalgia factor. Not because they hope they can get rich off old toys which most people won't, but because it brings them back to their childhood. I've said this before other places, and will say it again here, why not do a show that essentially spotlights people's collections and rare toys and spend the 30 minutes really focusing on them and talking about them as opposed to haggling over prices for them?
" why not do a show that essentially spotlights people's collections and rare toys and spend the 30 minutes really focusing on them and talking about them as opposed to haggling over prices for them? "
BAM! Someone needs to put me on TV, stat.
I haven't watched either show but:
Collection Intervention: It sounds like this one covers a lot of different types of collectors, and there are some people out there who do need help, after all, if your making a good wage and live like your at poverty level because you buy so many things for your collection, there's a problem. If your marriage is suffering because you spend all your money on toys and there's no money for things like vacations, nights out, and you're neglecting your spouse in other areas, there's a problem. Of course if your wife is just pissed cause you collect "dolls" and they occupy the shelves in one of bedrooms, well that's another problem all together.
Toy Hunter: Okay again, haven't seen it, but I'm a fan of American Pickers and Pawn Stars. To be honest how many of us have gone to yard sales and found a cool action figure in a a dollar bucket that we know is worth ten times that? It's called finding a deal. I despise scalpers, but this is different, this is these guys business, they are looking for the best deal they can to make the most money the can on the other end. You will never get a great deal selling to a Picker or Pawn Broker unless they want it for their own collection. The best ones will honestly tell you what it is worth, then give you what they can for it.
I'll have to go see if I can find these shows to check them out.
I’m a fan of Toy Hunters. I just like to see the places that are traveled to, and the things that are found. That’s the best part for me. I do my fair share of “hunting” so its fun to see a show that is related to my hobby so closely.
The buying to sell aspect is rough for everyone. As a collector myself i have dealt with the shady vendors, scammers, scalpers, and everything in the middle. As a reseller, those experiences have helped. I can put a price on something and feel that it is fair, and something that a collector would be OK with, as well as myself.
For a “legit” reseller its rough as 25% of any profit goes right to taxes. So you are always trying to buy low. Its also doesn’t help that your are competing against eBay in both the buying and selling aspect. If someone sees an auction end for $100, they are going to want $100 for what they have. If you offer any less then they look at you like you’re scamming them.
I try to keep all my prices as fair as possible. But you just can’t please everyone.
Thanks for posting, Jeno! It's great to get another reseller's opinion on this!
Always happy to contribute.
I need to watch Toy Hunter. I love American Pickers, so this is right up my alley.
Collection Intervention I do not want to see. These intervention shows just depress me. I know all types of people with all types of traits, habits or whatever exist, but I don't want to see everything spelled out on television. I almost feel like it's exploitation. I know people in my personal life who have problems with substance abuse, others who hoard and maybe these type of shows hit too close to home for me.
I'll chime in with one more comment, then I'm off for the day.
Networks love "the haggle." Some where, at some point in time, some network exec did a polling and found out that viewers "love to see what something is worth!." It's a formula for TV. Shows before us have done this… shows after us will do it. It's like being on a Game Show… "guess what this is worth." It has viewers pinned to their seats.
What I am trying to do is really just give everyone a "real world" look at things. YES, I AGREE.. there is tons of money involved. But, that is the business. Dealers work with money. I like to see the collections, but in the end… I need to purchase them as well.
And I here you about the show showcasing collections… trust me; I'm working on it.
Thanks so much guys, I'm honored that you let me be part of this.
Jordan Hembrough
Toy Hunter
Thanks again Jordan. Make sure you call me about that "collections" show.
Remember me Jordan? If you are really Jordan then surely you do remember me AND you know how I have exposed you in the past.
I've enjoyed Toy Hunter so far. Its nice to see other's collections, especially when they are so massive and include rare and hard to find items. I like the back and forth action in Toy Hunter, I like to see what these items are worth. It's like American Pickers but with stuff I'm actually interested in. I've only seen the first episode of Collection Intervention it was okay, but I have to call shenanigans. Unless I missed them mentioning this, the lady featured in the first episode actually works for Rancho Obi-Wan. She's the PR representative. Which makes me feel like the episode was a PR stunt. It's reality TV, what are you gonna do? (Probably DVR the rest of the season and watch every episode obsessively.)
why is seanxlong in episode 4?
I've only seen the pilot to Toy Hunters, but I don't actually care about the buying and selling end of it. I would have rather just seen these toy designers collections and to have heard a few stories from them about their jobs or a the process.
I personally dont care to watch these kinds of shows, my only MAJOR issues with both shows are that they will do nothing BUT drive up already rising costs on the older toys that ALOTof us are now trying to collect again for the first time in year. The ONLY thing I can see happening from shows like this is prices doubling or more for toys on secondary markets like Ebay or craigs list. So my final word is they are bad news for those of us trying to finish collections of olders toys…. buy em up fast now guys. Might not get another chance.
Off topic response, but the fuinniest thing to happen with toy prices was seeing the amount of Castle Grayskull drawbridges that went up for sale on eBayfor $10.00+ after the Castle Grayskull Man mock-commercial went viral. Hillarious!
My problem with Toy Hunters, and I said this to Jordan himself, is that the show just comes off as fake. I think, I'm not the target audience for this. Being a collector myself and my wife seeing how much collecting means to me, when I watch the show, we both feel insulted by the reactions to the items that are "found" in the persons collection and the prices they are offered for me. I mean, outside of the show, if the person selling the item really wanted to make some money off it, then that is what eBay is for. That will 9 times out of 10 beat the prices quoted on the show. For some reason, and I can't quite put a finger on it, when I watch American Pickers I feel the excitement of the hosts and the connection to the items with the seller, but on Toy Hunters, it's missing that spark and has a feeling of ingeniousness.
I thought the show came off a bit fake in the first episode; the thing that really pissed me off was that exchange in the Cincinnati comic store regarding the Rocket Fett; I think the show has dramatically improved since that episode.
My partner and I also sell stuff for people too; in many cases a lot of work can go into selling the stuff; sorting and explaining the condition, etc.
Here's what I would find more interesting for Toy Hunters: Instead of jumping around from 3-4 different people/collections in 22 minutes and speaking for 30-50 seconds on a few pieces, why not spend half the show with one person, and the other half with another. Spend more time talking about this history of the pieces and let's see more of them!
The "buying/selling" aspect works well as a device to motivate the meetings with these collectors, but we just don't get to see enough really good stuff because we're always being rushed off to see the next guy. I mean, the Superman collector from last week along with the Spider-Man guy from this week could have been full episodes in themselves! Let's SEE that stuff if it's there! Why rush us off to see some $15 board games when there's so much to see with these collections!?
In the end, I think the collection should dictate how much of the episode is spent with that person, not the show's "need to see 3-4 collections" format. If a collection permits, slow down, show us more stuff!
I do not really like either show, I think they both help keep up the stereotype that adults collecting toys have some sort of issue or that its something that we need to mock or behold as "weird".
As a business person it does not bother me though, I do not sell used toys and my business is solely tied into wholesale/resale. I can see though how it might cause issues with my fellow e-tailers who do specialize in that stuff.
As a fellow collector though I can see the problems these two shows will bring about, its the same problems that similar shows have caused with novice/uninformed thinking everything is worth much more than it is. eBay has already made it harder and that is for people who have some knowledge, this will reach a lot of people who have these toys (either theirs or their kids old toys) and make them harder for collectors to get at a fair price.
I've not seen either show, but the idea behind these shows annoys me because it perpetuates stuff like this:
http://www.rebelscum.com/story/front/eBay_Today_T…
We've all seen comments on various boards that are something like, "Man I wish I had still had my childhood Star Wars figures. They'd be worth a fortune!" How about you wish you still had your childhood Star Wars collection because it was awesome and brought you lots of happiness?
Of course money is a factor in this stuff, and resellers are a part of the hobby, and they're not all bad. I'd rather just see appreciation for the hobby be the focus, not monetary value.
On another note, I don't know why so many people are talking about these shows driving up collecting prices. All the prices I've seen being talked about on BOTH shows are WELL within reason in terms of current market value. I don't see anything being bought or sold at outrageous prices at all!
And if someone wanted to see how much something is worth, e-bay has become the most current market price guide for any item out there, so it's not like anyone can claim ad higher or lower value price on an item anyway.
As for Craigslist people, 99% of them are out of their minds on collectible prices and have always been anyway.
Maybe some of you aren't old enough to have been around (or collecting yet) during the collectibles boom of the early 90's, but I used to go to flea markets in the 80's and get all kind of killer stuff for a few bucks each, but in the early 90's, junked up 80's toys suddenly all became gold at each vendor's table. It's just ignorance of how the collectibles market works. It's happens. Always has, always will.
But as far as actual market prices, these shows aren't going do anything but perhaps spur a little interest– which might mean the stuff in YOUR collection might be worth a little more, too!
I agree. The early 90's boom is still being felt when it comes to vintage toys. I was collecting back then as well, when E-Bay was in it's infancy and really the only ways to get items was through shows and a weekly publication, if I remember correctly, called the Toy Box.
The shows will cause some flux in prices, if anything for just a short while. And then things will level out. But other things have cause price fluctuations. Look at the New Thundercats, Voltron and TMNT shows. These re-launches have or are currently feeding nostalgia and driving prices up on vintage items. MOTU Classics did the same to Vintage Masters items as well. But the Masters items are starting to come back down.
Yeah, there will be an influx of non-collectors trying to dump their items at top dollar when they aren't worth bottom dollar. But that is nothing new. That happens on a regular basis at every fleaa market, garage sale and auctions I have been to this year.
Our hobby is one of flux. It's always going from one end of the spectrum to the other, with no real rhyme or reason. Some things, like these shows or the relaunching of nostalgic programs, are the catalyst.
Other times, it's just how things go.
the new voltron has toys of it?
No, they were supposed to. But because of that show, people who may have forgotten about Voltron or are curious are starting to seek out and buy the older lines heavier now than ever before.
Personally, I would like to see more of the history and personal collections displayed. Sure there are people out there with some really rare stuff but what about the flea market people? what about the local collectable toy market? How about showcasing the normal people who collect for the sake of remembering? Here on the Cleveland area we have several vintage toy stores, several flea markets and a huge score of toy collectors. Why not find a local and have them take you on a toy excavation of the local toy market? Sometimes it is not just about the money, sometimes it is about the people.
What up Big Kids! Sean Long here. Since I will be on the upcoming show which you can see my preview here http://www.syfy.com/videos/Collection%20Intervent…
I know there has been some concerns for me being on the show but really you don't have anything to worry about cuz it's reality tv and things are exaggerated for TV. They found me on youtube and wanted me on the show and I agreed to do it to promote my channel, website and the fact there is a big Toy Reviewing Community on youtube. My episode shows that a lot of us do toy reviews and a lot of people like me make a living doing it. My episode shows that since It's a job for me and I'm a collector I get too out of control with my collecting which is totally true. If anyone saw my Project Display videos they are basically a shorter internet version of the show which the Producers saw those videos too. My collecting habits have been crazy and I'm now trying to stay focus on my favorite lines like Hot Toys, Transformers, MOTUC, Marvel Legends, DCUC, TMNT, Etc.
The show isn't trying to make collecting or collectors look bad or crazy but a lot of us including myself get out of control with collecting. Do a lot of really need to collect every toy line? No and I wouldn't recommend it cuz I tried lol. When we collect we should buy figures we really have attachment too and want to keep in our collection forever. I know people are MISB collectors which is fine but if you don't have your collection on display or able to play with the figures what's the point? Why have a figure worth hundreds of dollars if it's hidden in a closet or bin. Why have thousands of figures when not even half of them can be put on shelves for you to enjoy the collection? Why spend so much money on figures that aren't important enough to open or display? That's the questions the show deals with.
I hope you guys like my episode. Besides the moments where I have to act resistant to things or them showing me dressing up(which I'm proud being know for cosplaying in videos and conventions) and how my girlfriend is portrayed at times the show is very real in the things we do and say. You guys don't have to worry I didn't sell anything I didn't want to sell and if you know what I really love in my collection there are no worries. I just hope my episode shows why I love collecting and that you can make a living from your love of toys. I hope this clears things up.
Thanks for chiming in. I like your videos.
The main thing I remember, for whatever reason that may be, is: "where are Bane's nipples?"
I don't know why that stands out, but it does.
I'm almost done watching your episode, Sean and I'm enjoying it. I totally love how you're promoting your YouTube page and how collecting is cool. I'm curious if people actually sell their stuff or if that's part of the show. I'm still holding out judgement on Collection Intervention. One thing's for sure, there's a lot of potential to spoof it!
Sean– thanks for the look behind the scenes of the making of the show!
As I watch the show, I do have questions as to how much is for TV and how much is full reality. I have some experience with reality TV on the other side of the camera, so I do know that the producers try to create moments by asking people to talk about or do certain things to make things "interesting" for he cameras– although they are originally based off the truth.
What you're saying is that you did not contact them because you– or anyone else– really had a problem with your collecting, but rather they contacted you and asked you to pretend to fit their show idea of needing "help"? I wonder if this is the case most of the time.
I'll be interested in watching your episode because I know that you're passionate as well a knowledgeable about all your toys– and I'm also an "out of the package" kind of collector. Nothing better than opening the new toy and getting it in your hands and posing it for that first time!
But anyway, if you're still around, I'd love to ask ya so Q's after the episode airs.
First off, I apologize if I repeat anything else some else has already mentioned, but I couldn’t read all the comnents.
I’ve been watching both of these shows. I like the Toy Hunter show. It’s along the same lines of American Pickers, but for toys. I know he gives low bids, but he also has to sell these items and takes the risk of losing money. The one thing that drives me nuts is I’ve seen some cool stuff in the background and none of it gets mentioned. More than once I’ve seen a toy and was like what was that back there?!! Annoying!
Collection intervention is good and bad. This is the extremes of collecting. When you have so much stuff that you’re stacking stuff haphazardly all around the house or you can’t pay your bills or your spouse is miserable because of your obsession it’s a problem. I think the show does make it seem worse than it is. It makes sense though to consolidate the collection and get those really awesome items rather than 100’s of obsessive purchases. As far as the Transformer guy, Daveed. 38 yrs old and still getting rent money from mom and dad! Yeah, you should sell your Botcon exclusive and you have a problem.
Your a lucky guy Dan, not every guys wife enjoys toys like yours. My wife hates my toy collection, but she tolerates it and return I keep it my collection neatly stored or displayed. I won’t let it take over our home. I could live without my toys but, I couldn’t live without my wife or an unhappy wife.
It’s TV. I don’t take the stiff I see on TV seriously. It’s entertainment and that’s how I see it.
As I am stationed overseas, sometimes it's hard to find these new shows on TV, so I downloaded the first three episodes and made the mistake of watching episode 3 first. It was painfully obvious to me that Elyse did not know her comics, that her opinion of collectors is not only low, but skewed, and that the producers were looking for "Nerd Hoarders". Trying to get Joe to sell his comics at a booth was a disastrous idea. The guy had complete runs of books, and you want to have him sell individual issues?
Labeling Dahveed as a "Transformers Collector", then spending 5 minutes showing us all the non Transformers items he owns was a little ridiculous as well. And her constant harping on "It's not G1", like she actually knew what that means. There are several G2 items that are worth more than the bulk of G1. And, let's face it, G2 was mostly G1 with a new paint job anyway.
I'm ranting a bit, but this show just rubs me the wrong way. I sincerely hope they don't paint Sean Long, who is a good guy (not that I know him personally), as some weirdo.
I'm going to try to find Toy Hunter, as Jordan seems cool, based off his comments on this thread. If it's like Pawn Stars and American Pickers, I may be down for it.
Dan, you should be on TV!
I may have to record next weeks CI, I met Sean at BotCon '10 (Thunderwing88 on You Tube)
As long as people watch these shows just as entertainment because that is what they are scripted, produced, and carefully constructed to be, then I have no problem with them. But, the fact is that there is nothing real about these "reality" shows. They are just a cheap and fast alternative to normal scripted one-hour dramas and half-hour sitcoms. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't buy into the hype or the opinions of these so-called "experts." They may have the chops and some expertise, but they are paid actors just like those seen on any other television show.
If anything, Collection Intervention has inspired me to reorganize and go through the things I don't want anymore. I just donated a bunch of old action figures and I'll probably donate a few more.
Donate,, I will take them, i will pay for the shipping.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has taken the time to post their thoughts. I am very happy to have such a nice discussion about this topic. You guys all rock!
I enjoy both shows. My only suggestion for the Toy Hunter show is to throw in a few episodes highlighting a few collectors. Instead of wanting to buy something maybe just have them talk about their collections. Even better would be to do an episode like Andrew Borden "no reservations" does. Visit places around the country where a whole episode can feature the local collecting scene. An example would be visiting a local flea market, take a tour of some of the areas local vintage toy shops, attend a gathering of local collectors, and interview some of the areas local collectors. Just an ideal. Like I said I enjoy the show.
I don't watch these shows for the "reality", I watch them to see the cool stuff we are all interested in on tv. That's basically all there is to it for me. I'll also say Toy Hunter > Collection Intervention. Toy Hunter is a lot more of a happy, fun show where as Collection Intervention is very sad and hard to watch at times. I'll continue to watch both though, as I said, just to see the cool stuff we all enjoy on the tv.
I have yet to watch Collection Intervention so I can't speak for that one, but I do watch Toy Hunter gleefully each week. My own problem is that most of the collections, although large, don't really contain much wow factor or maybe it's just not toys that I'm all that interested in. At least on shows like Storage Wars, etc., there's always that rare possibility that they'll find some outrageously worthwhile piece of 'junk' that brings in thousands- and this does happen on TH occasionally- but more often than not it's some 80's toy that Jordan goes ga-ga for and it only ends up being worth a few hundred. Oh well, like others have said at least he's not outrageously low balling anymore and for the most part I find the show fun to watch, and that is after all the point.
i just think its great we are finally getting some cool TV shows that are actually solely about toys …
for many of us, the internet has been our only place to really explore, re-live and experience our collecting hobbies and a place to geek out and feel that nostalgia vibe – whilst the internet is never going away, it's great to have another popular medium to kick back and enjoy our collecting culture through … personally, i never thought id see a prime-time TV show about toys … ever …
jordan – if you're reading, do you know if TH will be shown in the UK at any time in the future? awesome work man, keep it up! …
and also a big shout out to pixel dan and devall – you guys rock! great discussion!
At Celebration VI I learned just how fake reality TV and Toy Hunters is. Jordan had a booth set up and was selling toys (and his t-shirts), when I noticed at the top of his booth was a pedal car speederbike. When I looked at it, one of his associated said "you can own a piece that appeared on television" to which I replied, "didn't you sell it to a father who was buying it for his son?" referring to a recent episode of the show. The associate smiled at me and said, "reality TV is not all reality." If that was staged, it makes you wonder just how much of the buying and selling or even discovery process, where Jordan searches for toys, is staged? I'm guessing a majority if not all.
Lots of good comments here…
These shows are the logical extension of other shows such as Clean House and Hoarders (regarding Collection Intervention). We're in the part of the cycle where they are copying these concepts into every possible variation – Hollywood Treasures being another variation on the selling/buying theme.
I know it's faked to some extent, and I agree with the people who say that this show probably isn't made for most collectors.
I watch American Pickers or Pawn Stars and learn about the different types of items people collect. Toy Hunter is made for people who want to know more about toys.
It'll have a slight bump in the amount of people scouring their attics for treasure, but overall, the effect will be negligible.
Local news had stories on the collectibility of Star Wars around the release of the new films; I'd note people talking about it here and there, but it didn't make that much of a difference in the number of people who would bring their collections to collectible stores.
Collection Intervention, on the other hand, depicts that side of collecting that many of us fear we will be represented as: some insane loser who can't make a decision for themselves, with a nagging spouse who wants to liquidate our stashes without realizing how much the collection is a part of our lives.
I find the methodology of the show troubling. The Star Wars episode, for example – what you need to have the people do is cull the garbage out of their collection. What segments don't they like? Maybe Lego can go. Not everyone needs ten full-sized statues of the principal cast in the house. instead, they have a dealer trying to take the vintage stuff that probably means the most to the collector – when what you really need is a dealer to say "every figure from 1995 to 1998 is garbage. If you don't care about it, I'll take it."
The Barbie episode was better – she really wanted the 1st Barbie, so let's cull the junk to hit that goal.
The happy show that just informs us about toys would never make it to network. They need the drama of people suffering/triumphing to make it work, just like Hoarders, Clean House, and the rest.
Jordan's source for that Bumblejumper told him it was worth way more than it is. They arn't THAT rare $150 with loose arms and head at least, the Autobot logo was badly faded. I bought mine at OTFCC (not BotCon) 2004 for $80 and mine has all tight joints, nice logo, and the only issues are cosmetic. Very minor at that.
As a non collector, both of these shows are perfectly fine and interesting. Maybe they are more for the general public, than collectors themselves?
Here's an interesting wrinkle to the debate. Apparently when some folks were approached to be on the show it was called "Master Collector" and when they started filming they switched the focus: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/09/13/how-master…
I buy and sell toys also, have for many many years, I sell at flea markets and the such here in Northern New Jersey. I have never met Jordon but I have met his "helper" at a couple flea markets,He is not a nice guy, the blond hair heavy set guy,comes off cocky and has a attitude, I have sold Star Wars,Star trek, GI Joe ( the 1960 and the 3 3/4 figures),Megos, and so on for many years and have had any great finds, I actually had a LOGANS RUN figure That I sold to John Bonovita back in the day, so i know what to look for also. CI shows the worst of the worst, borderline HORDERS, especially that guy with all the GI Joes. Toy Hunter, yeah, good show but EVERYBODY thinks they have gold now. It will die down and level out, i hope soon.
Here's one thing that bugs me about Toy Hunter: Why does Mr. Hembrough toss around the plastic bins at the locations he hunts? Thats potential for damaging so called mint items. He then says that certain items are devalued because of box damage! Well, quit tossing the plastic bins!
Show is fake…..some of the toys are actually provided by the show!
Well I have an issue with toy hunter. Most of the toys he purchases are crap and will never sell. I am a toy dealer – promoter and have my own toy show. Most of the toys he purchases the dealers and I walk away from due to the fact they are crap and not worth the time or money to purchase. Many prices he purchases toys for are way to low and then states he will sell them for just a few bucks more then he bought them for. This to me is bull because I would buy them for what he is selling them for.
With all his traveling he does either he is independently wealthy or buys low and sells high. Or else how can he stay in business. The toy market took a big hit in 2008 and still has not recovered fully
He states he's been in the toy business for 25 years. That means he's been dealin since he's was 16 years old. I don't know about you but I have never met a 16 year old toy dealer.
I am trying to understand this Jordan guy and his sidekick Steve,, No real collector/dealer would call ACTION FIGURES—Dolls_ like Steve does.
The recent episode they were looking for items for a client name Dan Hill, some comedian no one has ever heard of.They came across a Steve Trevor 12" figure, I a beat up box, Jordan puts out names of past women dressed up as WW,and who does he mention? Kim Kardashian, now,, In the GEEK world, ya think Jordan would have said OLIVIA MUNN,,, She looked a whole lot more like Lynda carter,,and Olivia has more in touch with Comic con ad other Geek fan events.
I am a collector, and dealer, I have seen and met Steve, He was a shmuck before the tv show, The price that Jordan says he can resell for… BULL……and stop repeating everything,, how many times you gonna say Dan Hill?? Did he pay you every time you say his name? Gene Simmons,,, only cause you had tv cameras you did business with him. He is a media whore and he has said so,,, Not impressed that you "found" those common items,,,