OPINION: 5 Reasons to Love Little Toy Shows

[Stunksstage]

Spend A Little Less And Have Just As Much Of A Good Time...

SDCC 2008 (Left to Right) - C.J. Stunkard and the Figures.com Team

By C.J. Stunkard


Last month, I wrote about the pros (and cons) of attending San Diego Comic-Con International (see HERE), and I stand by those statements. SDCC is “the big show”; it’s Disneyworld for geekdom. The thousands of folks who descend upon San Diego bring with them energy and enthusiasm that is palpable when walking across the showroom floor, and the experiences that fans take with them make attendance a worthwhile, albeit expensive, adventure.

Of course, if SDCC is Disneyworld, then your nearby comic book stores are neighborhood playgrounds, and your local toy shows are those fairs that come through town now and again, offering the spinner, the whiplash, and whatever transportable rides they have in working condition. While this is the type of thing that is always considered a lesser amusement, it’s the type of place wherein one can spend a little less and have just as much of a good time. For some people, this experience is even better than the “the big show”.

I am one of those people.

The local toy show is a toy collector’s dream come true. Every table has something to see, every box is worth rummaging, and frankly, a guy can leave with a bundle of additions to his collection for the cost of 1 or 2 larger San Diego Exclusives. Of course, I am speaking as a casual collector of loose figures, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mint-on-card guys had different experiences than I.

So if Comic-con International offers celebrities, exclusives, and fan interaction on an epic scale, what do the local toy/comic shows provide?

5. A Less-Crowded Floor

At SDCC, fans storm the hallowed halls of pop culture’s mecca with all the fervor of folks fleeing a zombie attack (or swarm of bees, whichever you find more terrifying). Small-scale shows tend to give you a little less stress as you comb the aisles. Folks aren’t rushing to be first in line for this panel or that giveaway, so attendees have the chance to enjoy a stroll through the aisle without the risk of being trampled (a pleasure one might not find at SDCC until Sunday).

4. Cost of Admission Is Usually Negligible.

In my area, I’ve never seen a show with admission above $20. Usually, you are looking at a max of $10, and depending on the amount you buy, the discounts will make up for the cost. And if you’re like me and simply enjoy the hunt for its own sake, then $10 is worth an afternoon of seeing old treasures and vendor displays, boxes of parts, and collections galore. It’s almost like visiting a makeshift museum, and it’s a blast.

3. You Won’t Believe What You’ll Find

Carrying the museum analogy one step further, you never know what will be on display. One vendor may have a soft spot for Super Powers, while the guy next to him love all things Bionic Six. Across from them may be Gundam figures galore, while the dude behind him has boxes of Go-bots, Ninja Turtles, and customs you’d would not expect. You just never know, and for a guy like me who enjoys having a piece or two from all the varied lines of his childhood, this sort of crapshoot is an absolute pleasure. You can stumble across treasure you had forgotten or never knew existed.

2. Prices. Prices. Prices.

Insamuch as the hall of dealers makes for great touring, the sellers at these shows did not come to showcase their collections; they came to move product. In most instances, if you’re willing to take more of it off their hands, they’re likely to give you a better deal. Let’s face it: shipping increases have made eBay less and less of a bargain bin, and the old days of certain items being worth the extra few bucks to have in-hand at shows are coming back in vogue for collectors of all types. But whereas the eBay “Offer” system leaves something to be desired, the in-person haggling of the local toy show is a tried and true custom of the hobby.

1. Fellow Fans Can Make Your Day

It’s true that online forums and boards are trolled like the roads of Mordor, but shows tend to be a bit less adversarial—in fact, they can be a downright blast. Whether you’re talking up a vendor who happens to collect the same things you do or another shopper catches you eyeing a particular piece, you can almost always find a fellow collector to join you for a conversation you’ll not have anywhere else. Sure, you take a risk starting with the fateful ice breaker, but you’ll never know what follows.


So, that’s the skinny on the local toy show. I can’t speak for those offered across the nation, but I know that the one’s I’ve attended in the mid-Atlantic East are worth the money, time, and energy. My method: Walk the entire floor and check all the vendors, make mental notes of those who can separate me from my hard earned cash, then head back to those spots for my in-depth looking. It’s like visiting an art gallery, taking a breather, than picking out new pieces for your private collection - of course our art is usually 4” tall and much cheaper. Thank goodness for that, right?

Got memories from your own local toy shows? Reply with a comment below!

By C.J. Stunkard

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