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July 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 5
KAYE’S COLLECTOR CORNER

By Mike Kaye

Let’s go back to 2007, yes that was 13 years ago, price because less were produced when they made
a time when an animated Japanese show called their come back.
Bakugan premiered. The animated series, like You may recall a time when you saw a particular
most others, then began producing products to line of toys that were duplicated more than
sell, featuring recognizable characters from others. So, from the beginning, there are
the show. already some more rare than others. Consider
Walking down the toy aisle, seeing the holding the less-common toys when you
Bakugan packages hanging on the hooks, find them in original packaging, even if the
my young son took an interest. He didn’t watch the characters are not very desirable. Most companies
series, but he liked the idea of a ball opening up with produce the more popular characters in larger
a magnetic card, turning into a dinosaur. We began quantities, and this means supply and demand for those
buying them, tossing out the packaging so are at a minimum over time.
that the kids could play with them. Now fast forward twenty years and
Now it’s time to assess the damages new life breathes back into some of
as I researched the decade old toys these toys. This is a sentimental time
that were torn open, and how much and collectors begin to pay more for
money slipped through my hands, those memories and savvy collectors
once again. I started with eBay and start to unload their stockpiles
type “Bakugan” in the search window. knowing this day would come.
A list of related items with photos After thirty years it can go either
appears in the default “best match”. By way. Prices can spike again, or
adding “show only” and “sold items” interest can fall flat. Case in point,
you view auctions that have ended Dream Team Basketball collectibles
with successful bids and the final sale which I kept since 1992; I will be
prices. This is a good way to gauge what lucky to make my money back. If I
the current market is bringing for the had bought a Silver Age comic book
particular items you’re researching. A instead, like Amazing Spiderman #1
few more clicks bring you to auction New Bakugans hang Vintage Bakugans in a high grade, it would have been
can sell for $100s,
“ended recently”, and sorting by on the pegs of retail even out of the original a different story on the thirty-year
stores ranging from
“Price + Shipping: Highest First”. $8-$20. packaging. plan.
Here’s what I found: Who would think that items you
Bakugan Limited Edition Hydranoid Translucent passed up this century are already becoming collectible?
Exclusive (still sealed) $500+, a lot of (39) Bakugan I remember stories of my uncles, who bought every
loose balls sold for about $450, a rare clear version called baseball card, putting ‘52 Topps baseball cards in their
Helios mk2 Japan import SEGA toys sold for $400 and bike spokes. As I listened to their childhood adventures,
a sealed Brawler Evolution from 2009 now fetches $300! I’m passing up Batman Adventures #12 offered in large stacks
Sealed, packaged Bakugan can sell in the $100s. at cover price during 1992, and today selling for over $1,000 a copy.
Perhaps you’re thinking like I am, “Which toys can I buy today, Just when you think you missed that golden opportunity you fast
will become worth $100s or more in a ten-year period?” A recent trip forward to 2003 only to pass over a stacks of The Walking Dead
to my local retail shop and I was surprised to find Bakugan hanging for a few bucks each, which today sell for $1,000s per copy. What
on the pegs. New ones are in the $10 range, but will they ever toys and pop culture items are on the pegs today that we should be
reach the price heights of their predecessors? Or are they now mass buying and storing?
produced, without a prayer of becoming worth more than the original Today’s kids are begging their parents to open the toys, tomorrow
purchase price? One thing I’ve noticed is that there’s an invisible they’ll be looking for sealed examples to collect and reminisce on.
timeline when items become collectibles. Here’s what I learned In closing, I’d like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt
through the experience of being a collector. prayers and well wishes to all those enduring these tough times.
If we go back in time to when Bakugan first began to appear
on toy store shelves, their popularity was fueled by television and This came from left
marketing. They slowly began selling better than other toys. Then field and I pray you
savvy collectors began gobbling them up, but not opening the and your families are
packaging. The market flooded with the newest popular toy began all safe.
to linger and Bakugan eventually found their way into the clearance Do you have anything to
bins. The fad was over. Some time passed, and like many popular sell? Mike Kay is always in
toys, another series fuels a partial comeback. Interest piques again the market. Contact Mike at
kpeople@hotmail.com or text
and collectors start looking for older versions. Then the interest fades 561-628-4369.
again. Years from now there may be certain Bakugans that spike in