10 years on skullbrain! Really?

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by Lixx, Oct 9, 2017.

  1. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    I thought there was a thread @missy created but could not find it.

    So yeah I've been on this damn board 10 friggin' years.! Ten! Christ that's mind-boggling to me...10 years of these plastic toys. I wonder what percentage of my life in those 10 years I've spent parousing this place? Here's to all the crazy times, flame wars, friends, foes, great toys and topics that have come and gone in that time. Here's to 10 more. Good times.
     
  2. TattooDougHardy

    TattooDougHardy Comment King

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Let's have you around for another 10, yeah? I want to see what you find in the vinyl mines as time goes on!
     
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  3. Biff

    Biff S7 Royalty

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    10 years from now, all toys will have jetpacks. Gotta be here for that!
     
  4. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    I know right? The time flies. The first iPhone was invented ten years ago.Scary. When we started...you showed photos on flickr or photobucket. People messaged each other when they were bidding on the same auction. PK/Rich/Joe/Toybot/Kaijuchronicle...slaved away and did customs and got a ton of shit. Then literally slaved away for the love of the hobby and became recognized by building a loyal following..while everyone and their mother wanted instant fame.

    2017? Everyone has a toy. Instead of the bar being 300 it's now in the thousands. I'm in awe that artists and some companies like real head/sb/gargamel/butanohana still sell for reasonable prices for loyal fans, when they could easily flip the script.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2017
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  5. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Here, here Chris! Happy Skullbrainversary, and glad to have had you around for all that time. Time sure does fly, especially for us old fogies. Hard to imagine how much things have changed in even that short time, including on this weird message board.The crowds are a bit different now, it's true, but the die-hards with real passion for it that stick around, like yourself, really have contributed immensely to building this community. Here's to you, and another ten years of time wasting on silly dollies. Cheers Chris!
     
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  6. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    I'm trying to remember what was all the rage when I got here? Real Head, Gargamel, and Bemons for sure, Zollmen made their first fullsize Galtans a month after I got here. Shikaruna hadn't taken off. Everyone including myself still had a few western toys floating in their collection. People tended to collect what they liked, I mean there was always hype but not to the degree it is now.

    It is interesting to see how this hobby evolved.
     
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  7. JoeMan

    JoeMan Mini Boss

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Damn 2 more months until I hit the 10 year club. Time flies.
    It's definitely been a love/hate relationship. Sometimes I think of all the time and money invested and wonder what I could have done instead. But then like a few weeks ago, packing for a move. Just picking everything up and actually handling it the love for it comes back. Times have changed for sure, for better or for worse is debatable. At least the new interest is keeping so many OG collectors and makers around and active and that's always a plus. Shit, I just picked up some new GID Gargantuas and a new Gorgo from M1 and that is awesome. I think what I've learned over the past year or so is there are so many facets and corners of this hobby now, we all just have to focus on the things we love and let the rest be. Can't let others with different philosophies or ideas about toy making/collecting overshadow the things you love about this hobby.
     
  8. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    I agree 100% @JoeMan

    Color me super GREEN with envy on those GID Gargantuas. It's the only set I need to be complete. I thought I had a hook up in Japan to get me one so I did not bid on the last auction that came up. Really regret that now because the hook up fell through and now none ever come up for auction! Sucks even more that money is not an issue at all and I can't find a painted set! Did you win yours on YJA?
     
  9. JoeMan

    JoeMan Mini Boss

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Yeah, when I got them there were quite a few sets listed. The ones I purchased actually had a buy it now of 15000 yen. I think retail was almost 13000 so I felt like it was a good price going the YJA route.
     
  10. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    ^^OH damn you totally got a great deal. Good score (post pics!) Yeah most of the BIN prices I saw were low 20000's.
     
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  11. JoeMan

    JoeMan Mini Boss

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Once I get moved in and get the collection properly set back up I'll take some pictures to share.
     
  12. Waterbear

    Waterbear Line of Credit

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    What do you mean by 300 and thousands? Is that production number stuff or the size of collections or are you talking about price tags?
     
  13. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Pricing, clearly. I anything has changed in this hobby to the 'current state' I think it is fair to day that - a certain portion of the market - has become very focused on some imaginary value/status symbol they are randomly associating to these stupid pieces of plastic. But whatever, chase that dragon if it floats your boat.

    Getting back to the good stuff though, man, Joe, I think you made out very well. Were timing a little bit different or had the circumstances come together in another way, I would have adored to be able to score one of the new painted sets. Sure the aftermarket, especially the immediacy of it, can suck, and really suck the joy out of a lot of it, but all things considered, sometimes seizing those opportunities like you did is just the only way to go. And without a doubt you will never come to regret decisions like that, which are driven by passion, rather than something ethereal. I think, for a lot of these toys now, it is something you kind of have to accept now and then that getting something, put out into the 'market' as a sort of limited release, anywhere even close to retail is pretty lucky. It is sad to say that, but alas, does reflect on one of the aspects things have changed over the last ten years. Prices go up, and with greater visibility/attention to it, and people willing to pay for items now across the world, it is inevitable that it has become a sort of sellers' market. I am still very appreciative for the standout makers who put the time, effort, and craftsmanship into their lines, and will gladly support them with my money [directly] when I am able, to keep that going, but I also acknowledge that is a very small drop in the ocean of 'sofuubees' now. Anyhow, ranting aside, congrats on scoring an amazing M1 set, I join Chris (and I am sure a few others on here) in feeling both very happy for you, and a fair bit jealous too. ;)
     
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  14. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    What I mean by 'bar' is that 300 dollars was a shit ton of money. I remember Jay bought one of the two headed bemon for like 400 and that was a shit ton of money. Now? People drop 1000 EASILY.
     
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  15. Waterbear

    Waterbear Line of Credit

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Gotcha. Thanks for explaining. That is pretty nuts. I still cringe at the idea of spending over 100 bucks on any toy.
     
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  16. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Completely true! Back then spending $300-400 was almost unheard of, now it's chump change to some of these high rollers with unlimited funds it seems. Can't fault people for getting what they want but in the process they've made it a whole lot harder for anyone trying to collect certain toys.

    But then again there are so many great toys out there that aren't hyped, although a quick look at ebay will prove otherwise. Still people know what toys are really worth. So these dickhead speculators that really think someone will pay $400 for a non one off M1 Hedorah or Beams Matango, or whatever new Yamomark rolls out etc can fuck right off. Not going to happen ever- unless somone is a complete muppet.
     
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  17. bansheebot

    bansheebot Super Deformed

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Time really does fly -- Shit is crazy. My life is drastically different from where it was when I first joined skullbrain. I don't really post nearly as much as I used to but I check in every few days to lurk and see what's up. The economy surrounding the hobby has certainly changed significantly, if not only in the last few years, where new releases automatically garner 200-300 price tags just because. I remember dropping damn near a whole paycheck on one of the first Yusei Majins back when they initially came out. I didn't mind, I really wanted it, and I think that's all that matters in regards to this topic. While I certainly do enjoy some of the newer toys and 'hype' brands, I get even more of a thrill out of obtaining toys that I missed along the way, of which there are tons. There's so much diversity in sofubi and I think that's one of the many reasons I love collecting it -- Personally, there will never be a shortage of something to look for or look forward to. That, plus the camaraderie between collectors is truly amazing. I've received gifts in this past year from other collectors that I've never even met in person. That kind of stuff blows me away. Hopefully I land a job within the near future... So I can begin buying toys again. :)
     
  18. bunnyboy

    bunnyboy Side Dealer

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    "10 years on SB" thread turns into "What the fuck happened..?!?" within four posts! :lol: <3 <3 <3
     
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  19. 3x3is9

    3x3is9 Addicted

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Congrats Chris.
    I guess my 11 year just snuck by without me noticing.. :razz: I need to post more often...

    Here is the original thread you were mentioning:
    http://skullbrain.org/bb/index.php?...-board-exactly-a-decade-and-a-month-ago.50530
    I'll cross post this for you: (I'd give credit, but the source should be obvious!)
    [​IMG]

    It's funny being part of something long enough to have nostalgia. I sure miss the excitement of a new Charactis or Toygraph release, discovering a new company that had been active in Japan for years without exposure outside of a few shows etc...
     
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  20. poysntixels

    poysntixels Post Pimp

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Ten already? I still think of myself as new, but now I'm retired. Found an sd gundam keshi in a corner under my desk. How long has that been there? Found my slippers too, but have already forgotten where. They weren't toys so who cares?
     
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  21. Odibex

    Odibex Comment King

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    If it was stuck under there, that's... that's just gum.
     
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  22. foto junkaay

    foto junkaay Addicted

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Here's to 10 more!
     
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  23. petitetoilonrouge

    petitetoilonrouge S7 Royalty

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    Grats, Chris!
    10 years ago, I was opening a so-called designer toy store, which started carrying some sofubi after a while (but hardly ever sold any - I'm sure the new owner still has some in boxes somewhere). Nowadays, it seems almost all these stores are closed or struggling. I suppose the alternative marketplaces are doing ok, and a brick-and-mortar business model doesn't really fit with this hobby and its limited runs. I don't come here much anymore (shelves are full and money is going elsewhere), but I'm glad to see there's a new generation around.
    Here's to you young 'uns. And to the old folks hanging on!
     
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  24. Brooklyn_Vinyl

    Brooklyn_Vinyl Line of Credit

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    I’m realizing that it’s 10 years to the day that I joined this hidden and fantastic corner of the inter webs. Since then very few days have gone by that I haven’t stopped in for a peak. I love this place and I’m grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained and the fantastic people I’ve met. It ain’t what it used to be. But that’s true of most things after a decade and it’s good to evolve. Funny enough, just like @poysntixels said, I still feel like a n00b trying not to make an ass out of myself in front of the old timers. Thanks to everyone for making this place great, to the mods for all you do behind and in front of the scenes, and to @brianflynn, our mostly silent overlord for keeping the lights on around here. Looking forward to the next ten years!
     
  25. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    10 years on skullbrain! Really?
    So sad "Lixx" was a good guy who called it like it was. Still can't believe he's gone.
     
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