Star Wars action figures are arguably one of the most popular toys out there. Just take a look in the toy department of any big retail store (such as Walmart), or any big toy store such as KB Toys, and so on. But when it comes to finding the more rare star wars figures, the one that collectors often seek, where do you find them? Obviously older, more rare figures are no longer produced (otherwise they would not be very rare, and certainly would not be worth much money).
The first (and probably best place) to find the older, collectible figures is eBay.com. eBay is a great place to find a HUGE amount of used (and new) star wars figures. You can easily find many of the rare (and valuable) Star Wars action figures there. Heck, you can find pretty much ANY rare collectible item there; you will be amazed with the diversity. The second place that you can look to find used star wars toys (and figures) is Craigslist. However, do not expect to find nearly as much as you will find on eBay.
When it comes to buying rare action figures on eBay, make sure that you buy from a seller with a good feedback rating (preferably at least 100 or more, and with a 99% or better positive feedback rating). Also, be sure to fully read the auction description, especially when buying used toys (or figures). Many times a seller will only put a very brief and vague description in the title of the auction, and then they will put the more important details (and condition) about the item(s) in the actual auction details.
You may be able to get your hands on some decently valuable Star Wars action figures at garage sales or thrift stores, but the pickings can be slim to none, especially if you live in a remote area. Personally the only place that I would ever spend any time looking would be eBay. They have an amazing amount of collectibles; just be careful to buy from a trustworthy seller. As far as Craigslist goes, you just have to kind of use your own judgement, since they have no actual rating or feedback system.
Vintage Star Wars Figures - Tips For Collecting
The story of the Star Wars figurines began in 1978, with the first collection of 3.75" figures released by a small toy company from Cincinnati, Ohio, called Kenner. The range of characters included Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 droid. Apart from the figures Kenner also released a choice of corresponding vehicles, spaceships and playsets in the same scale as the figurines. There were also larger scale items released, but the term "Star Wars vintage action figures" normally relates to the 3 3/4" toys and figures released between 1978 and 1985.
The 3.75 inch scale was far cheaper to produce than the standard 12-inch action figures, and it also allowed to create a unique line of accessories the size and variety of which had never been seen before. You could get many different types of space ships, vehicles, play sets, and a countless types of other accessories and weapons to complete your collection. By producing these smaller, less expensive items, kids could literally try to collect them all. Thanks to this wide range of products, Kenner toys were available at every price point. From cheap figures to detailed more expensive play sets, the Star Wars line ensured that children could get something new for almost any possible occasion.
During the 'vintage age', many department stores often offered various special deals. If you purchased a play set, you could send in the proof of purchase and get a special edition figurine. Often these were figures that would be added to a later series.
With the constantly increasing worldwide fan base, the Star Wars vintage figures and toys have become an extremely popular collectible commodity over the years. If you review some of the official Star Wars collectibles price guides, or simply look up current online auctions related to vintage Star Wars figurines and toys, you find out that the most popular items are often sold for hundreds of dollars. One of the most important aspects which influence the value appears to be the figure's condition. Other important factor is the country of origin, the popularity of that particular character among collectors and fans, whether or not the original package is included etc.
If you plan to sell some of your vintage toys, figures or dolls, you should always consider the mentioned factors and do at least some basic research on the most popular auction servers and collectibles forums before opening your auction. Most of the experienced collectors would probably recommend you to consider selling your figures and toys in bigger lots and include as many pieces of accessories and weapons as possible. That way, you can usually significantly increase their market value. Even if your vintage Star Wars figurines are incomplete or damaged, you can still find potential buyers interested in buying them. There are many collectors out there, looking for specific parts to complete their damaged figures, or to build their own custom projects. As an alternative to online auctions, you can also consider offering your collection for sale at your local comic book store.