new member new collector

[johara3]

hi, i've just started to collect action force and i'm looking for any advice.
I have been buying from ebay and private sales . should i be looking for anything in particular and what is the price range for items , on ebay they seem to be from one extreme to another
johara..

[SteveD]

Hi Johara - and may I be the first to say welcome to the Forum, welcome to the world of collecting AF and welcome to the Asylum!

Which ranges are you collecting? The earlier (less jointed) ranges or the later jointed ones? Or both? Focusing on boxed stuff or loose? Obviously loose will tend to be cheaper, and you'll find there are lots of guys on here with spares for trades.

I personally tended to start off by buying larger, bulk collections from Ebay, taking out what I needed then trading items I already had. It tends to work out a bit cheaper that way I think than trying to buy each figure seperately in the early stages. Im sure others will disagree - but just the way I started. My only problem was the idea of getting rid of any items as the years went by!

If there are any items you are not sure of just stick a post on here - we love to help!

One again, welcome, and enjoy!

SteveD

[Chopper]

G'day mate. Careful, its damned addictive. Steve's probably right re bulk lots, handy if you can find them. If you find an ebay bargain, grab it. I picked up 4 83/84's 2 weeks ago for 99cUS each, trawling Rare tho.

Good luck

[The Baron]

It's always worth getting to know your seller, especially if it's a large lot. So many times my conversations have gone along the lines of "Oh, you live in Nottingham? I hvae a cousin at college there, tell you what I'll get her to collect and you can arrange a delivery" or something, I've saved a fair bit on postage that way. Similarly, ebay have a search by location X amount of miles from you whihc is handy in the same way.

Welcome to the gang!

[SteveD]

And it can be worth posting on here if you are considering larger bulk buys - sometimes folks only need one or two items from a collection, and you can combine your efforts as a "consortium".

Not strictly in the spirit of ebay, but it can prevent you from getting involved in a bidding war with another forum member if you are each only after a few pieces from a bulk lot. (there is also the problem that it can bring an auction to everyone elses attention too, but largely the rest of us still keep an eye on AF on Ebay anyway, so possibly a moot point really).

[Muton]

Regarding bulk buys, that is the best way to pick up red shadows. I have around 15 now, and have never bought any as an ebay "action force red shadow" because ebay user 'johnijoe' clearly has that as a saved search and will pay over £20 per figure! Just try action force and see what comes up!

[gung-hoeddie]

i couldn't agree more about bulk buying. I very recently started to collect again. It's quite suprising what you'll pick up with bulk purchases. More often than not you'll get something unexpected. If you need any help just let me know. You'll soon see whats over priced and what's a good deal as you go on. Ed

[johara3]

thanks for all the good advice, so far i've spent around £200, i've listed below what i've purchased, i have bought a few more not on here yet, are there any prices that look out of sorts
james
unit uncarded carded/boxed cost
SAS
MMS 1 1
patrol boat 1 4
pilot 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 1
squad leader 1 0.5
squad leader 1 1
commando 1 0.5
commando 1 1
commando 1 1
attack trooper 1 1.5
silent attack 1 12
frogman 1 1
para attack 1 1
Z FORCE
jeep and driver 1 15
tank 1 10
commander 1 0.4
commander 1 2
captain 1 0.4
captain 1 2
sapper 1 10
sapper 1 10
sapper 1 2
sapper 1 0.4
beaker 1 0.4
breaker 1 1
infantryman 1 2
infantryman 1 0.4
SPACE FORCE
commander 1 1
Q FORCE
aqua trooper 1 2.5
sonar 1 2.5
sonar 1 2.5
deep dea def 1 2.5
deep dea def 1 1.5
stingray 1 1.5
ORIGINAL
frogman black 1 0.5
arctic assault 1 0.5
desert rat 1 4
desert rat 1 0.5
trooper blue 1 4
mission pilot 1 1
arctic attack 1 3
COM CENTRE 1 22
RED SHADOWS
muton 1 2
muton 1 1
red wolf 1 10
red vulture 1 8
red vulture 1 8
red laser 1 6
shadow trak 1 6
shadow trak 1 22
laser exterm. 1 5

[The Baron]

I'm afraid your numbering system is a bit lost on me, mate. Is it grading?

Which Command Centre do you have? The Z Force one? If you've netted that and all of the others for £200 you're doing VERY well!

[paul463]

THat's good going on the collection so far. I kinda did the same started of "sprinting" and now settled at a sedate pace.

A shamless plug here I still have some MOC Figures at knock down rates (Q Force and Space Force mainly) Will stick something in sales later.