The Economics of the Fandom

It's not a good time to sell, but it's a great time to buy.

Much like the housing market, the Sailor Moon collectibles market seems to be in a depressive slump. As more and more people run into financial trouble, they have less money to spend on superfluous purchases like toys from a 90s show. Subsequently, there are less buyers out there for every item on the market. Less buyers means less demand, and less demand means falling prices.

I've seen it in my own personal purchases ($68 Starlight headset, most recently) as well as in auctions on eBay. Even in private sales it seems like people really aren't willing to pony up for items as quickly or as much as they used to compared to the last 3 years I've been collecting.

The "market value" for everything is declining. Of course, this also devalues - monetarily speaking - my collection. Knowing that I bought while the market was high has hurt on some items - I did just see a Cosmic Heart Locket sell for about half what I paid for it just a few short months ago - but the sentimental value of the collection thankfully doesn't change. ^o^ Some sellers haven't caught on that demand has dropped; or maybe they never knew the value of the item in the first place.

Though my wallet might be hurting, I'm pretty excited about the opportunity for good buys. I'm like a hawk on the wing, lurking over the fallen prey of the economic crisis for the shiny spoils.

Is that too gruesome? ^^;

All that being said, you know things will turn around eventually and we'll all be back to shelling out our cash for the pretty things we want. Until then, I think I'll hold off on some sales and look for some sweet steals. :3

Family of Moonlight & Other Updates

I've become a contributing writer for the blog Family of Moonlight. The people helping with the blog are the 'Tsuki Family' and they all great people. Check out the blog! My responsibilities include covering eBay as well as some aspects of the fandom like fan characters, but the blog has a broad focus on the the fandom in general and you can feel free to submit ideas for posts :D You can read my most recent eBay post here as well as my interview with Shai (on of the Sailor Crystalstars) here. Definitely keep watch on that blog; there should be lots of fun articles coming through!

Collection updates are very excited. I just picked up a Sailormoon lot full of lots of wonderful things. You can see them all in this Photobucket album. I'm still sorting through it all and figuring out the details about what's there so if you know information about these different items feel free to let me know. I'm also looking for estimates on their value.

I just purchased a complete set of swing keychains from Hitoshi Doi for $50. I figured I'd better get the PGSM ones now too, so I did. And I just found an Irwin Pluto plush on eBay with a BIN of $20 so I got that too. xD It doesn't appear to have the leg tag, so that's a bummer. But it's better than nothing! :D

So I really didn't hold myself to not spending myself into a hole again. T____T

Oh well, I guess it's worth the THRILL right?!

Found it on eBay!

I've been staying off eBay for a while because I've been pretty broke. But the other day I ventured back on again!! Here's some of the stuff I'm watching right now:

A Blue Box 17" Mercury - I really do want to get all of these. Right now I only have Moon so this is pretty tempting. But I have a bid on something so I can't swing this now. I'm hoping it might get relisted...
This Stallion Reve - I'm watching mostly to see how high it goes. Call it morbid curiosity! I'd like to know what it sells for in a real auction to have a better idea of what I'd be willing to pay when I do actually try to find one for me
StarFighter Doll - I have this already, I'm just waiting to see if anyone's actually going to pay that much for it. I got mine for $48
PGSM Venus - I have her, but not in the box. And I have the other inners in the box so it would be nice to have Venus too... but I've got money tied up elsewhere so I'm hoping for a relist, again. :P
Mars Petite - I also have this already but not with the Mars card.
Super Moon Gashapon - one of a few that I don't have T_T
Super Chibi Moon Gashapon - another of the few I don't have D:
This wicked cute Serenity plushie - really? That's too friggin' cute!
This pink fabric - Does anyone have a small swimsuit pattern? ^___^;
Another Infinity Volume - in case I happen to come across $500 somewhere to offer...

That's it for now. The item I have a bid in on is at $70. I am not going to bid again if someone out bid's me. In some ways, I'm hoping someone does because I've realized there are other things I think I want more. D: However, since 'un-bidding' is SUCH a pet peeve of mine, I refuse to do it!

Finally! Artbook III

I finally got it: Sailormoon Artbook Vol III
$80

I hope it's real, I really do. T____T

I also put a bid on this one, but that auction has like 8 days left so I am sure someone will out bid me. At least, I hope they do! :O All though having two sure is better than having none :)

I've been staying off eBay because I haven't been taking commissions for a while and I don't have the money to blow. However, someone recently gave me some Sailormoon stuff in exchange for art so I was able to sell that stuff to buy the book. The other item I've been watching for months is the Chibimoon Petite which I still plan to buy...eventually, when I can commit to the $10. u_u

I have to take a new photo of the collection because I've gotten a few things since the last photo. I'm having trouble because that room is an absolute disaster right now as it's doubling as an art studio. I have a fine art show in June so once that's up I can start taking commissions again and buying more stuff.

I think I am going to start focusing on the wands and toys now. I'd like to save up and get some of the really high end priced items. It's always good to have a goal because then you can focus on saving up for that special item. So, starting in June, my target items will be:

Materials Collection - It's poped up TWICE since I've been broke, gosh that makes me mad.
A Sailor Jupiter plushie - any really, since I don't have any of her.
Star Henshin Wand - because yes, it's pricy
Crystal Star Locket - Since I've always really wanted it, but it comes up so rarely I'm not optimistic
Disguise Pen - Because I think it's one of the coolest toys

Is it horrible of me to think things like, "I'm glad there is a recession because the Sailormoon toys are cheaper and more people are willing to sell them"? I feel like an opportunist. But really I'm just an obsessive freak :D

Incidentally, if anyone has the PGSM Jupiter purse: I want it real bad. D:<