Collector's Tips

So, you want to start a collection? Round one out? Finish off a series of action figures? Whatever your level of collecting commitment, the truth is that Mighty Ducks merchandise is becoming harder and harder to find as time passes. So all of you collectors out there need to know where to look to find what you plan to specialize in. Here are some tips, compiled from my personal experience of collecting through the years.

 

Step 1- Know what you want!- If you're out to collect something specific, say just the action figures, you need to decide that before you go out looking. Knowing what you want in advance will help to narrow down where you look, and how much you spend on it.

Step 2- Set limits- Because of the increasing rarity of Ducks stuff, you'll need to set limits on how much you intend to spend on growing your collection. I personally have passed up quite a few things because they were just too pricey. But don't worry, better deals can turn up if you wait, it's all a matter of luck.

Step 3- Get in the market- All Mighty Ducks merchandise items are by now out of production, and that makes them fair game for professional collectors. If you buy anything from online auctions, you'll need to know the lingo and ettiquite of toy collectors and dealers, including scam techniques they could use on you, and the market value of the items you're looking for. More on this can be found below.

Step 4- Be part of the community- You're  not the only one out there looking for stuff. Be a good Ducks fan and help out those whom you know might be searching for merchandise. Share your experiences and trade stuff, you can do it through this page's board or elsewhere. The point is that the distribution of merchandise to the fans helps to keep the show alive!

   Okay, so you've decided what to go for? Good! Here's a rundown of the best places to look for Ducks stuff, highlighting the  best and worst features of each.

    Online auctions- Down and out my favorite source for stuff. You never know what you'll find here, and all of my odd and rare items came from sellers online. You'll find everything, and I mean everything here, but you need to know the market well so you don't get overcharged for what you buy. Great deals can come through buying used action figures instead of new ones. The key words here are patience and persistance. It takes a lot to sift through all of the auctions for Mighty Ducks stuff, most of it are things from the hockey team. You may have to look for a long time before you find something, but it's worth it! This is the only place to get your hands on promotional material that was never meant to be sold. The most productive auction site in my opinion is Ebay, with Yahoo auctions running a distant second.

    Online bookstores- Sites like Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com carry Ducks books that have been long out of print. A simple search should bring them up. The only downside to this is that you'll probably have to pay more than the books were originally worth, plus shipping. But they'll be in brand new condition, which is a big plus, and you won't have to get into a bidding war over them. Amazon.com also carries the Mighty Ducks movie, since it sells all sorts of media in addition to books.

    Toy collecting newsgroups- I've used these to collect other sorts of toys, and my experience has been mixed. Most of the crowd that subscribe to these groups are professional collectors, and will charge you top dollar for stuff. The upside is that you can be sure it's in good condition, since that's what seals a toy's value. This is also a good venue to use if you're looking to trade merchandise, instead of buying.

    Retail stores- Retail outlets used to be the best place to buy Ducks toys. Unfortunately, it's been so long since they went out of production, your best hopes lie in the clearance section. Now, your best bets for toys are in the sales bins at KayBee Toy stores, or Disney Stores. It is possible that they are carried by some toy stores in outlet malls that sell specifically discontinued toys. I got a lot of my Ducks plush figures at discount stores like Odd Job. If you're looking for the movie, your best chances lie in stores that specialize in selling movies, like Suncoast or Saturday Matinee.

    Garage sales- This is truly scraping the bottom of the barrel. I've rarely seen Ducks items at garage sales, and then it's been scraped up and played-with action figures. Still, these prove useful for collectors who are looking for something general, and can always surprise you with a rare item if you're persistant.

There's my advice for now! Happy hunting to all!