Toy collecting has been around for centuries, and has become a very profitable business. Beginner toy

collectors were greatly into cars and dolls. Today, however, nearly every toy and figurine is collected, as

each has its own unique value, and will continue to soar in profit as the toy grows old.

If you are new to toy collecting, then there is much to know. There are a number of toys to collect, to

start. Obviously, you cannot afford to go around purchasing and collecting each toy that comes on the

market. Therefore, you will likely choose a series in which there are different toys and characters in the

line.

Among the most popular toys to collect are DC Universe Classics, Todd MacFarlane's toys, Marvel

Legends, marvel Universe, Star Wars, Transformers and G. I. Joes. When you are first starting out,

choose one or two toys lines. This way, you will have the funds to establish a good collection as the new

toys in the line come out.

There is a terminology among collectors that you should also be aware of and it simply is:

LOC - loose on card. What this means is that the package which contains the toy or figurine has been

opened but the object was never removed.

MB - mint in box. Mint in box pretty much stands for itself, and simply means that the item has never

been removed from the box and is in perfect condition.

MOC - mint on card. This too, means that the item has never been removed from packaging.

HTF - hard to find. HTF items are rare toys and figurines, and difficult to get a hold of.

BOTO - buy one, take one. This simply means buy one get one free.

Loose - loose means that the item is out of the box and likely has been played with.

GB - group buy. This refers to multiple figures being sold as a set.

Butaw - Butaw refers to items that do not sell well.

Sculpt - sculpt refers to the actual mold and look of each individual piece of the toy.

Toy collecting doesn't have to mean that you search in the past, and start to collect a toy collection

that already has value. It simply means choosing one or two lines of toys and begin purchasing the

characters and toys in the line. There are many toys such as Smurfs and shining knights and so on.

When beginning your collection, the best source you have is an online toy store that sells many different

toy lines and figurines. This will provide you with a direct dealer for your toy collection. There is also

the advantage of, when you buy online, you are cutting through the expense of the company's overhead

and staff, therefore you are being presented with a discount. The difference between purchasing on

the net and through a land store is often at least 10% or more in the land store. Collectors can save a

tremendous amount when purchasing their toy collectibles through an online toy store.