Toy packaging has become a huge variable in the value of many collectibles. Not all people buy a toy to be opened; some purchase them to display, save and collect. If the original packaging is not preserved, that toy becomes much less valuable. Here are some thoughts on why keeping your toy in its original box can increase its value.
Contents
Packaging Protects the Contents
People want things in the best possible condition, and the state is what determines value. For example, if your toy had water damage, it would be hard to sell because the state of the toy would have been ruined. If your toy was in its original packaging and you kept it that way, it will stay in mint condition, provide value, and protect it.
If toys are not sold in their original packaging, they can be damaged or worn out over time. Collectors are discovering how rare an original box is nowadays and how important it is to keep things in perfect condition.
Packaging Can Be Proof of Authenticity
The original box is a way to gauge a toy’s authenticity and show that you found or bought it from accredited sources. If you find out that your toy has a variation on the packaging, for example, the packaging of transformers g1 toys are either carded or boxed with alternating stripes of black and faction color on the right side; it is proof of authenticity because you know where it came from. Even if a toy is not for sale, giving the box to the person is an excellent way to establish your authenticity.
Packaging Can Provide Extra Rarity Via Variations or Mistakes
Mistakes are fun to collect for many people, and often the only mistake is the wrong toy on the wrong card. If you rip that open, it becomes more worthless or decreases in value than an identical model. Variations can also be infrequent since if your toy only came in one packaging style, it is precious for collectors.
Variations are increasing in value, and it is common to find a variation and keep those pieces in a box or case so they can be displayed with their original packaging. Some toys have the same name but the value of any of them without their initial box drops.
Packaging Can Be Incredibly Rare for Older Toys
Many collectors and dealers buy older toys or collectibles. The packaging is becoming more critical because older toys rarely have original packaging. It is good to keep that packaging because if you want to resell the toy years later, its original packaging will attract a higher price. After all, collectors know how rare an initial package for older toys is.
The Packaging is Part of the Complete Toy
Many collectors and buyers try to save their toys from being broken or damaged so they can enjoy them as they were intended. If a toy is out of its packaging, it is less appealing to people because they want the whole package and feel a toy without its original packaging is incomplete. Therefore, if you want to make your toy have that wholeness effect, keep it in its original box.
The Packaging Can Be Used to Date a Toy
Knowing when your toys came out is essential because it makes them much more valuable. You will know what variations are available, what mistakes are present, and be able to determine the correct date when they were released. The only way you will get that information is to open up your package and see for yourself.
For instance, 1950’s toys have very 1950’s looking packaging. And some collectors use the ages of the toys to determine their values. This means the packaging alone can fetch high prices without even checking which toy it is.
Conclusion
Original boxes of toys mostly determine toys’ values on the secondary market. Wise collectors and buyers try to preserve their toys and collectibles as best as possible. The packaging is another piece of the toy that a buyer looks at when deciding whether to buy it or not; therefore, if you can save them from being damaged, your toy will be more valuable.
