Thoughts on this long time collectors?

Caseysealia

Dollar Store Baby Fakie
Joined
Apr 21, 2019
Messages
631
I'm sure this has been discussed before but here we go.

I've been a pony fan for a while, but actually started collecting only in recent years. I have however been buying them for years off Ebay and was wondering if I was the only one who noticed, that G3s and G1s have gotten harder to find/more expensive. Obviously G1s are old and are gonna disappear at somepoint, but it sure seems like comparing to 2015 things changed. G3s I know were cheaper at one point are getting more expensive, and are getting harder to find in mint condition. Is it just a coincidence, or are ponies getting harder to find? I really hope not yet at least since I do have a lot of G1s yet to get.

Although, today Ebay has been crazy I saw new in package G1s go for $15 and I was able to grab Fantasy Flower Sweet Blossom for $10. So hopefully things remain affordable for a while.
 
I know for some one who grew up in the generation three era I got most of my g3 collection from thrift stores and goodwill for just $0.49 to a dollar and a couple of new ones but nowadays I can barely find a G3 or anypony that not a G4's that I already own the only ponies I find nowadays is duplicates of the main six that I don't already have or even seen even common ones are hard to find nowadays it's really sad that I can barely find G3 since it my favorite generation to collect for because that's what I grew up
 
I miss the days of cheap G1s, when Mimic was only $70 instead of $150 and Rapunzel was $500 instead of $900. :lolpony: :lolpony: :lolpony: Seriously, though. Both lines' production has ended. With the boom in 1980s-1990s nostalgia and popularity and local online buying options (OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace), more people are getting into the collecting hobby. The ponies that are left out there are ending up either in collectors' or vintage toy dealers' hands, and they aren't going to sell for flea market prices because they know how to research values. And the ones that aren't, I assume are being kept by grandparents/parents for grandchildren/children or ending up in the landfills. Nearly 10 years ago, I had only one local vintage toy shop or the flea markets. Sometimes Craigslist. Now there are at least three vintage toy/game shops in the area, probably more the closer I go to Pittsburgh.

Kids who grew up with G3 are getting bitten by the same nostalgia bug that we all were with G1, so G3 prices will likely be seeing an increase, though I still find them often for $1 or less. I'm glad my G3 collection is, like, 95% complete and I've gotten most of the rare ones.
 
I’ve been collecting most of my life and had an almost complete euro collection (grew up overseas) and then had that collection stolen... Not going into details because it’s depressing every time I think about it.

So my beloved G1’s are getting more difficult to find randomly in the wilds of thrift stores, garage sales and antique places. I have however found I’m having a lot more luck online. Finding people selling their childhood collections and people just getting into selling vintage toys. I think sometimes you also need to not be afraid to haggle (but be fair).

Like awhile ago I snagged a decent lot I low balled the woman selling because a lot of the ponies looked to be in extremely rough shape and I had to drive almost 2 hours to pick them up (this was on the way to a friends house anyhow). So when I got there and I looked at the ponies, they were actually nicer than the pictures made it seem, so I gave her more money than we agreed. She was shocked but I told her, she had a few gems and they weren’t as poor condition I thought and I wanted to be fair to her. She appreciated that and has since contacted me several times as she thins out her collection.

I digress, I still see (and buy) so many G3’s to the point where I literally walk away and my mom asks 100 times over if I’m sure there’s nothing I need. (30 years and she still can’t tell which ponies I collect.) I also see a lot of fakies and McDonalds ponies everywhere.
 
I miss seeing g1s in thift stores.I don't feel its the same with g3s i had a bunch of mainly common ponies sit on my trade list for a month i only kept what truly wanted. The rest i put to donations.
 
I miss seeing g1s in thift stores.I don't feel its the same with g3s i had a bunch of mainly common ponies sit on my trade list for a month i only kept what truly wanted. The rest i put to donations.
G3s less so, but you can kinda tell they're hitting that point where they become vintage. I have a feeling that once they hit the 20 year mark they will be going up in price.
 
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I’ve been collecting most of my life and had an almost complete euro collection (grew up overseas) and then had that collection stolen... Not going into details because it’s depressing every time I think about it.

So my beloved G1’s are getting more difficult to find randomly in the wilds of thrift stores, garage sales and antique places. I have however found I’m having a lot more luck online. Finding people selling their childhood collections and people just getting into selling vintage toys. I think sometimes you also need to not be afraid to haggle (but be fair).

Like awhile ago I snagged a decent lot I low balled the woman selling because a lot of the ponies looked to be in extremely rough shape and I had to drive almost 2 hours to pick them up (this was on the way to a friends house anyhow). So when I got there and I looked at the ponies, they were actually nicer than the pictures made it seem, so I gave her more money than we agreed. She was shocked but I told her, she had a few gems and they weren’t as poor condition I thought and I wanted to be fair to her. She appreciated that and has since contacted me several times as she thins out her collection.

I digress, I still see (and buy) so many G3’s to the point where I literally walk away and my mom asks 100 times over if I’m sure there’s nothing I need. (30 years and she still can’t tell which ponies I collect.) I also see a lot of fakies and McDonalds ponies everywhere.
I'm so sorry about what happened. I know with enough searching they are out there, but they aren't as much. And maybe they are and people just pay attention to their worth now, therefor you aren't going to find them like you can G3s. Honestly the best time to search in the wild for them is summer, so just keep looking I guess. I have a thrift store near me that has like 20 gems on a regular basis. It really is a seasonal thing.
I know for some one who grew up in the generation three era I got most of my g3 collection from thrift stores and goodwill for just $0.49 to a dollar and a couple of new ones but nowadays I can barely find a G3 or anypony that not a G4's that I already own the only ponies I find nowadays is duplicates of the main six that I don't already have or even seen even common ones are hard to find nowadays it's really sad that I can barely find G3 since it my favorite generation to collect for because that's what I grew up
Exactly. I miss the days of buying g3s super cheap on Amazon. G3s were kinda like how G4s are now....Everywhere.
 
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I miss the days of cheap G1s, when Mimic was only $70 instead of $150 and Rapunzel was $500 instead of $900. :lolpony: :lolpony: :lolpony: Seriously, though. Both lines' production has ended. With the boom in 1980s-1990s nostalgia and popularity and local online buying options (OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace), more people are getting into the collecting hobby. The ponies that are left out there are ending up either in collectors' or vintage toy dealers' hands, and they aren't going to sell for flea market prices because they know how to research values. And the ones that aren't, I assume are being kept by grandparents/parents for grandchildren/children or ending up in the landfills. Nearly 10 years ago, I had only one local vintage toy shop or the flea markets. Sometimes Craigslist. Now there are at least three vintage toy/game shops in the area, probably more the closer I go to Pittsburgh.

Kids who grew up with G3 are getting bitten by the same nostalgia bug that we all were with G1, so G3 prices will likely be seeing an increase, though I still find them often for $1 or less. I'm glad my G3 collection is, like, 95% complete and I've gotten most of the rare ones.
I kinda remember those days. I mean, they still can go for those prices, but usually the "average" prices have gone up. Lol I did see an actual Rapunzel go for $100 a few months ago, on bid too. I mean, its cool that more people are into it, but makes it harder for others to get them. I guess the suspense of them being rarer makes it more fun. before G3 hits the 20 year mark, I try to get them while they are still cheap. I guess even one they are vintage they could still be cheap a while but there is the chance that they will go up price wise. That's awesome that its almost complete! Best of luck completing the rest of the set!
 
G3s less so, but you can kinda tell they're hitting that point where they become vintage. I have a feeling that once they hit the 20 year mark they will be going up in price.
I just feel like nobody wants G3s because of all the G4 craze. When it dies down maybe so or when G5s come out its always the same one gen doesnt like the other one but I guess that mirrors real life a little doesn't it?
 
I mean, the G3 market still isn't great, but the very first G3s are now 16 years old. My younger sister was three when they came out, and they're what her generation, "Gen Z," grew up with. I've seen an increase in younger collectors on the boards and groups saying that G3 is what they grew up with (and they is agein' me :surprisepony::surprisepony::surprisepony:). So the market for them is going to bounce back. Some of the average sold listing eBay prices are already higher than I expected on some of my sales G3s.
 
I just feel like nobody wants G3s because of all the G4 craze. When it dies down maybe so or when G5s come out its always the same one gen doesnt like the other one but I guess that mirrors real life a little doesn't it?
True! I really do think G3s will be sought after at somepoint, I agree about G4 too. I guess we'll find see!
 
I mean, the G3 market still isn't great, but the very first G3s are now 16 years old. My younger sister was three when they came out, and they're what her generation, "Gen Z," grew up with. I've seen an increase in younger collectors on the boards and groups saying that G3 is what they grew up with (and they is agein' me :surprisepony::surprisepony::surprisepony:). So the market for them is going to bounce back. Some of the average sold listing eBay prices are already higher than I expected on some of my sales G3s.
Its so weird because I used to play with G3. Its just shocking that they're so old. But yeah, I wonder if it'll bounce back slowly or suddenly. Yeah kids that would've played with them would be/almost be adults now, so they will become sought after soon. Especially if people want quality toys in their collection.
 
They’re pretty similar to G1 in style, so I think they’ll become more popular soon enough. Though I think G1 will always be most sought after due to them being the oldest. G4 will probably have the biggest nostalgia boom later because the show is so popular.
 
They’re pretty similar to G1 in style, so I think they’ll become more popular soon enough. Though I think G1 will always be most sought after due to them being the oldest. G4 will probably have the biggest nostalgia boom later because the show is so popular.
Agreed. G1s might get so expensive at somepoint that G3s will REALLY be sought after lol. But we'll see. G4s are already super sought after and FIM hasn't even ended yet.
 
True. G3s are usually more reasonable than G1, while not looking too different.
 
True. G3s are usually more reasonable than G1, while not looking too different.
I guess they haven't been around long enough to become rare yet. Another thing is that G1s weren't as widely available as they are now. And by the time G3s came around collecting was bigger than it was in the 80s, making it that less were getting thrown away.
 
I think the G4 market may pick up when the show/toy production ends and kids who grew up watching reach adulthood. It's come down a bit in recent years, but prices for earlier, non-Mane 6 ponies are still up. Prices during the height of bronies were insane, and I don't look for those wanting to sell later to get what they paid for some of their things. I've been really lucky finding G4 at the flea market recently as kids are ageing out of the fan base.

ETA: I think the core collector community of kids from the '80s-'90s has always been there. I know I never really stopped collecting, even when I was a "too-cool for toys teen." The internet made us all realize we weren't alone, and the TP, Arena, eBay, and PayPal made it way easier for us all to access the ponies we need, want, and/or never knew we wanted.

ETA again: And before the TP, there were AOL and Yahoo! Groups. I didn't get the internet at home until 1997, but MLP was one of the first things I searched. The TP and Dream Valley were the first results. I was also a member of Pony Finders and a Pony group on Bolt for many years before I finally joined the revamped TP in 2005.
 
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I think the G4 market may pick up when the show/toy production ends and kids who grew up watching reach adulthood. It's come down a bit in recent years, but prices for earlier, non-Mane 6 ponies are still up. Prices during the height of bronies were insane, and I don't look for those wanting to sell later to get what they paid for some of their things. I've been really lucky finding G4 at the flea market recently as kids are ageing out of the fan base.
I've noticed too! The ones from 2010-2012 are becoming/have been expensive. It seems prices went down but its gonna come back up soon, especially depending on G5.
 
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