Action figures are the most widely-collected toys on the market, with the most possible variations. They range in size, possibility and very much in collector's value, and millions of people buy them for various reasons.
Because these figures should be carefully preserved and many collectors of action figures are also fans of the series from which they came, some will buy two figures--one to store and one to play with. The rule of thumb for collecting action figures is never to take them "off the card", the cardboard backing on which they are enclosed in a see-through plastic bubble. Doing this devalues the figure quite a bit, although if that figure is rare enough it will still be worth a substantial amount. Unfortunately, storing carded figures can take up a lot of space, and does not leave much room to display one's collection; however whether or not to buy a second figure to take out of its packaging for play or display is really up to the discretion of the collector.
Preserving action figures is a simple process. However, their packaging is NOT made for sunlight or dampness, so these will be the first things you'll want to avoid. Store them in a waterproof container far out of range of windows, or in a cardboard box in a room that does not incur moisture. If your attic or basement gets very cold and action figures are stored there in cardboard boxes, they may become damp or the cards will begin to lose their integrity and bend. Storing in places with fluctuating temperatures may require an airtight container.
If you need to display them while carded, do so in a room where sunlight will not be shining directly upon them. A place like a den or a recreation room where you could hang them on wall pegs is preferable. As for loose (uncarded) figures, a glass case or even a wide shelf will do, so long as care is taken to keep dust off them, and prevent sunlight from touching them.
Finding action figures is a never-ending process for the collector. Start with your local department stores--pick up figures that are new and current now, but may be off the shelves in a month's time. Sometimes you may even be able to find older figures that have been thrown into the bargain bin.
Flea markets and yard sales are a great place to look for older figures. If there are kids living in the house, you WILL find old action figures in their yard sale for very cheap, possibly even gently-treated enough to be in mint condition. You will rarely find carded figures at yard sales, however occasionally a toy dealer at a flea market may surprise you.
Online sites and auctions have a huge selection of action figures to choose from. Simply type in what you are looking for on any auction site and press search, and many results will be yielded to you. This is a great way to find carded figures, because not only can you find international figures and rare repaints, you can find people who are selling off parts of or even their entire collections. This can save you a lot of time and money if you are just starting off on a new series, and a longtime collector is trying to get rid of his so he can free up a little storage space for new figures. Loose figures can also be found for incredibly cheap here, so if you are looking to pick up some to display, now is the time!
Finally, the best possible place to look for figures to add to your collection is in toy collectors' magazines. These magazines will tell you exactly how to get rare, shortpacked and variant figures that you might not even have known about before, along with the release dates for these and other new-release toys. Some offer monthly contests and even mail-in offers for their own exclusive figures, ones that you will have great difficulty finding afterwards, but you can get for an excellent price from the magazines. Others offer links to sellers' websites, and extensive price guides to assist you when buying or selling parts of your collection.
Action figures have been the most popular toys out there for a long time, and collecting them is a great hobby that lets you hold onto or reacquire pieces of your childhood. Take care of your figures, keep them well, and show them off--but most of all, enjoy them. Be proud of your collection!
