Collecting polybags

bok2

Hi all,

When collecting LEGO sets I think most people consider they have a given set in their collection when they have all the bricks without necessarily also keeping the box and manual.

However, when people "collect polybags" what do they actually collect?

Does "collecting polybags" imply that you:

1) collect sealed bags
2) collect opened bags
3) collect sets from polybags

What is your definition of "collecting polybags"?

BR, Bo

Huw

My definition is to have a sealed bag and, if possible, another to open, build and display.

CCC

For me, the same as sets. Opened and built means I have it. I save the instructions but chuck the ripped open polybag.

khmellymel

To me, if I have the set, it means I have the instructions and parts/minifigs.  I usually also try to get two, one to open and build and one to keep.  I also keep the polybag of any that I open, I just cut the top and store flat, much in the same way that many store boxes.  If I buy a used set though, I don't need the bag.  

Kevin_Hyatt

If I were 'collecting' polybags then I'd want them sealed. Not sure why!

paul_merton

You can't be a polybag collector without the polybags!

VorpalRyu

I am collecting all the Marvel Lego sets, etc, my wallet will allow, so polybags are a part of that, once I have set/minifig built, I toss the bag normally. Polys like #5002145 & #5002939 are exceptions to the rule, as I keep the extras they come with like sticker sheets in the bag...

Toc13

If it's collecting, then sealed. Otherwise you're just buying.

CCC

Toc13 said:

If it's collecting, then sealed. Otherwise you're just buying.

Surely that should be building. Sealed polybag collectors are the ones just buying (and displaying the packaging or storing).

VorpalRyu

https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=collector definition

Sorry, what was that? Who are you to tell me what constitutes collecting?

Toc13

What is your definition of "collecting polybags"?

The person answering the question. Why?  :) 

bendybadger

It's only sematics, but to me if you are a polybag collector then you have to keep the Polybag itself, otherwise you are a polybag set collector.  Personally I keep my collection sealed but have multiple ones where I am interested in the set or figure.

But it boils down to the usual answer on here.  Do whatever makes you happy.  Open them if that is your bag or keep them sealed in an airtight vault, it doesn't really matter. 

dannyrww

What if you buy a poly keep it sealed, but put assemble it in the bag. Best of both worlds (I actually have done this....just to see if I could). That being said I think you can collect polybagged sets if you take them out an assemble them. I could not figure out the joy of keeping them sealed (though I have a flower cart, Hoth Han, Electro, Lego Elvs, and Jurrassic World Polybags I'm holding on to for trade ammo in the future)/

TarDomo

It depends on why I have the polybag. If it's for display, then I build it. If I think I'd like to sell it some day, I keep it sealed. An example: I have a Headhunter polybag because I collect and display SW stuff. But once when I ordered some lego from S@H, I got a free Spiderman polybag. At the moment I keep it sealed for possible selling as I'm not that into Spiderman stuff. Sometimes I buy multiple polybags, one to build, some to sell.

donutboy

I'm one who likes to get 2 of every polybag. One to open, one to keep sealed. 99% of the time i'll open the first one I get and keep the second one sealed, but I try to buy 2 at the same time. If I only have one and open it then i'll keep the bag but if I also have a sealed one the bag gets ditched. 
Does all that make sense.

BooTheMightyHamster

I don't consider myself a polybag collector at all - it's all about the Technic for me.

So I'm baffled as to why I'm onto my second crate of sealed polys.  They just seem to... appear!

No idea what I'm going to do with them.  Unlikely to build them.

Maybe I'll just give 'em all to Sir Kev for the raffle.

eggshen

I think I can add some clarification here:

If you collect polybags and never open them, you are a sealed polybag set collector.
If you collect polybags, but you open and build the set and discard the polybag, you are an open polybag set collector.
If you collect polybags, but you open and build the set and keep the polybag, you are an open polybag set collector AND an open polybag collector.
If you collect polybags, but build them in the bag, you are a sealed assembled polybag set collector.
If you collect polybags, but you open them, discard the contents and just keep the polybag, you are an open polybag collector (and a little crazy).

So the only way you can be an ACTUAL polybag collector is if you keep the opened bag. Anything else is set collecting.

Glad we could clear that up!!!  ;)

Mojoest

^ So if you start out as a sealed polybag set collector, you could open them all, build them and separate the sets from the opened polys and then consider yourself an open polybag set collector and an open polybag collector. Doubling your collection size in one go?  :p 

eggshen

^ Time to start listing my empty polybags on Ebay.

CCC

Some people do try to sell empty poly bags on bricklink.

bendybadger

This got my wondering.  Do the Poybags shrink in the oven like Crisp Packets (Chip packets for the US members)  Could maybe make some nice little polybags as I often love the design on the front of the polys.

Anyone ever tried?

CCC

I would imagine so. I'll try next time I open one.

donutboy

@bendybadger , if the shrinking thing works you could make some cool polybag keyrings. I'm completely up for that.

bendybadger

mmm might just crack open a spare Polybag now and give it a go.

donutboy

let us know, let us know.

bendybadger

It does indeed shrink but not in a nice way.  Makes a bit of a melting plastic smell too which is not surprise.  First time I have been near the oven in a while said the wife whilst shaking her head. 

The plastic  bubbles a little so you get ball shaped pock marks.  More expirimenting needed I feel.

donutboy

Aww, shame. You could have started a new craze there. (in our house, at least).

bendybadger

This is the result
https://flic.kr/p/w6Rhvt

donutboy

Hmm, not a very cool keyring.

VorpalRyu

@bendybadger, temperature might have been a little too high, possibly? If I remember the old heat shrink gimmicks we used to get in some cereals, etc, they normally were done at lower temperatures...

donutboy

Seriously though. Good work for trying.

VorpalRyu

https://www.madaboutscience.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=45

eggshen

What about boiling on stovetop? At Easter the kids and I always have these wrappers that go on some eggs and shrink down around the eggs when we boil them. The wrappers are pretty flexible after removed from water until they cool and harden. Not sure if the plastic is the same. I would imagine you would need something to put them on as they cool so they take the shape you want.

I don't have any polybags to try this on, I throw them away because I'm not an open polybag collector (see definitions above  :p). 

bendybadger

^I will have pasta tomorrow and try it out. Whats the worse that can happen?

Sethro3

They are great impulse purchases. I have quite a few (at least 2 Target sized bags full of them) of which they just sit there. I don't open them. I rarely look at them, yet I continue to buy them. I don't understand. Maybe my daughter will be getting some good stocking stuffers in the future and the rest to go into my collection.

I have so many unopened sets, it doesn't make sense. I might as well get some use out of them or sell them. My new motto.

dannyrww

I give some out as prizes at our schools Lego club.

dimefield

I put them in birthday treat bags.. Christmas stockings.. Recent new use is in geocaching as a item to leave for the next person.

ReesesPieces

dannyrww said:

I give some out as prizes at our schools Lego club.

I've give them as prizes for my students as well.  

bok2

When "collecting polybags" do you consider foil packs (e.g. as used for many Friends sets and Mixels) a "real" polybag?

Sethro3

I didn't. But I'm not a "true" collector. I have only considered the thinner bag to be a "polybag" so it doesn't include ALL bagged LEGO for me. Everyone probably differs.

Drmnez

I can't stand collecting and keeping things in packaging. To me, that is planning on reselling (outside the convention mf as that is the only way to prove authenticity). I am not hating on ppl that do collect and keep in packaging, but I personally can't enjoy my Lego that way. I still consider that I collected polybag set even they are open.

SumoLego

^ This is,why you should buy two of everything...

(Lego marketing people giggle in delight...)

Drmnez

^I used to, but its sooo expensive.

brownbricks720

I tend not to open up the polybags. Unless I have multiples of them. Or if there is a polybags with good pieces in it I will open it. I don't keep the opened bags. Probably my favorite polybag is the chrome darth vader anniversary from 2009. 

DoubleD

It depends what polybag it is ones like balloon cart or spring scene I will open and put iny city. But I have a a lot of them still sealed that I really don't find a use for besides to collect. 

Juna

I am part of the buy-two-open-one-worship-the-other crowd. Except for the creator ones (the small tiger, jeep, kitty, etc), those I build and keep in my cubicle. They are really popular at the office!

It used to be buy three, with the third one for reselling when the price doubles (so I am actually getting one free), but I stopped doing that when I realized this (price doubling) doesn't happen anymore. For some reason these large eBay and Bricklink sellers always get insane amounts of the licensed theme polybags, even after the polybag's promo is over. Their price never goes up like the old Star Wars one used to do. However, that's another topic for another day :)

OldSchoolFan

I found Bumper car Joker at Target on Friday. Opened it up, fun little build

Rakul

OldSchoolFan said:

I found Bumper car Joker at Target on Friday. Opened it up, fun little build

I found it at a Target in Virginia Saturday as well.

AllBrick

Collectors keep things, consumers use things. I therefore see myself as a collecting consumer as I do buy / acquire 2 or more of things (Lego, Hot Wheels etc), one to open and one to stash. I am planning on keeping as much as possible to give to my son when he is in his 20s (18 years to go). Then it will be up to him as to what happens next. 
I will be sad if he just sells it all though.
A true collector of anything keeps stuff sealed.

CCC

Not necessarily. A "true" minifig collector is likely to open minifig polybags in order to get the minifig to be part of their collection. Otherwise it is just a few minifig parts in a bag, and not a minifig.

VorpalRyu

^ An interesting viewpoint, makes sense, but by that definition, Lego collectors would assemble the sets, else its just bricks in a box...