Box or unbox, that is the question...

[Squird]

This may not be an unpopular observation, but I've noticed that people that keep their Pops in the box tend to sell off their entire collection and get out of collecting faster than OOB collectors.

LIKE!

[ThatMarvelGuy]

I don't have space to display them in the box (except for Stan Lee) so i have the boxes piled in a larger box, im about to move so that might change but who knows.

[zhwright07]

I prefer displaying out the box. I toss most of my boxes as soon as I don't get tempted to hoard them.



I have too little space and too many pops to keep all the boxes. I still have my super rare and a select few exclusives carefully stored in a closet just in case I ever needed to sell them.

[dakook]

This may not be an unpopular observation, but I've noticed that people that keep their Pops in the box tend to sell off their entire collection and get out of collecting faster than OOB collectors.

LIKE!

kinda POs me when people collect as an investment

[Hop]

The more I think about the box/unbox debate, the more I'm reminded of the Beanie Baby craze and the need to keep those tags pristine. And look at Beanie Baby values today. The majority are worthless.

(veering a bit off topic from the over-all discussion but I felt interested in responding to this...)
I've thought like this too but I feel like the primary dividing factor is that Funko produces licensed items for IP's that have been in the Pop-Culture spotlight for decades (and they continue to pick up more new licenses all the time).

Now, whether or not these styles of toys will maintain their desirability a decade from now... Who knows? Like you, I'm not in it for resale value. However, just to play Devil's advocate, I think Beanie's are a poor comparison if only because the characters they used were 99% of their own creation and their target demographic seemed to be young children and middle-aged women. None of it was ever going to stick. Pop! figures, especially, are targeted at EVERYONE.

Personally, I know that I'm still going to be in love with my TMNT and Deadpool Pop! collections 10 years from now. I was never going to give a crap about that once-$150 green bear that they (Ty Inc.) later over-produced in to obscurity:

[seanrabin]

To keep my boxes safe I have resorted to getting photocopy paper boxes that are laying around the office and saving them in there.

I fit 3 6" boxes and 5 regular in one.

In another I fit like 12-15 boxes for regular ones.

They are sturdy and easy to stack and store.

[Jezter]

This topic comes up pretty often, especially new people to collecting or the forum. I personally think collecting in the box is strange, since they are figures that are made to stand perfectly fine out of the box. I understand the ease of dusting boxes over figures and stacking them, but I believe these types of figures belong out of the box and on a shelf to be fully enjoyed. I keep all of my boxes, 73 of mine and a few of my wife's in my bedroom closest on the top shelf. So far they don't take up a lot of room, but I will revist the idea again when I get to around 200. Overall, I have the ribba shelves from Ikea and will be getting more soon, and I think they look neat and clean displayed that way, the only negative is dusting them often, especially when we are going to have company because they are in my living room over my desk. Just do what you think is best, people will have their opinions either way!

[BigM]

This may not be an unpopular observation, but I've noticed that people that keep their Pops in the box tend to sell off their entire collection and get out of collecting faster than OOB collectors.

LIKE!

Never really noticed that.

[vicsfunko]

I like box!

[Sidewinder]

I have no interest in keeping them in the box, not much point in looking like a comic book store. I have only ever known people to keep any figures in boxes so they can stay in mint condition and therefore are worth more money. Some people buy 2, one to display and one to keep in the box.

These might not be like the Beanie Baby craze, but I still think many of the licenses will be worth barely anything in 10 years time. We already know supposed exclusive pops can be found in overseas markets as regular pops. We also know Hot Topic and HMV has also sold SDCC exclusive pops, so are they really as exclusive as we are made to believe they are?

[Greeryboy2410]

Rethinking what I've said, I think that extremely rare Pops, like a golden Dumbo should be kept in box. But something like metallic Magneto, is basically made to be out of the box

Then again, they all are but I would be too scared to enjoy having something like Green Arrow or golden Dumbo out of the box incase it falls or something silly

[hiptoycollector]

This may not be an unpopular observation, but I've noticed that people that keep their Pops in the box tend to sell off their entire collection and get out of collecting faster than OOB collectors.

LIKE!

Never really noticed that.

I can just put all my Pops back in the boxes and do the same thing. As long as my Pop's paint job, quality, and box quality are better then the MIP one, mine will be chosen over it.

[hiptoycollector]

Rethinking what I've said, I think that extremely rare Pops, like a golden Dumbo should be kept in box. But something like metallic Magneto, is basically made to be out of the box

Then again, they all are but I would be too scared to enjoy having something like Green Arrow or golden Dumbo out of the box incase it falls or something silly

Dang! You have over 200 posts, and only have around 15 pops. Did you just start, or did you sell a bunch of pops ?

[hiptoycollector]

But in all honesty if you like how it looks boxed, then box it. If you like how it looks out of box, take it out. Personal preference. For those who are just in it for the money, that's your thing too. Just know that if your pop, box, and paint are in a better condition (boxed or not) that is what will be the reason why people will choose to buy your pop over another person's!

[jact]

With my first Pop, I kept in the box for months before taking it out. Then I just threw away the box... Threw the box away for my second as well... Then as I started acquiring more and after I joined the forums, I noticed some really fantastic displays with characters in front of their box art or on top, so I do that!
I am not in it for profit. The way I see it, at the end of my life, what will money matter. I'm going to enjoy my Pops!

[Measured Mayhem]

Not caring about the box is very helpful. You can find some good bargains on pieces with box damage and they look so cool when they are freed!

[wichan88]

My choice was to stay in box based on the space available to display them. Eventually I unboxed a few, especially the glow in the dark ones so they could unleash their potential!

[Squird]

While I am a proponent of taking them out of the box...I will admit to buying replacement boxes (with inserts) for the clear resin Freddy's they gave away at Fundays a couple years back (Red and Green). I did so out of concern over breaking them. Boxes are much more stable than those top heavy little basta##s.

After that, my advice is to melt them down and make one BIG Pop.

[Measured Mayhem]

Yah some of the top heavy ones and/or ones with smaller feet/bases are probably better off in the box.

[wenhol8710]

Let them out, let them breathe!

Museum putty works wonders for any that are too top heavy to stand on their own.

[kyle725]

For my wall shelves, the pops are in-box (usually the rare or variants) and for my ladder bookshelves, the pops are out of the box with the box behind them. I like and keep all the boxes but I'm more out-of-box now.