To open or not to open...

[Countdown]

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere - I didn't see this anywhere else...

My question is: How do each of you decide which tranformers you keep open and displayed and which ones you keep sealed in the original packaging - e.g. MISB/MOSC?

Now, my collection has grown from when I started with one little figure (just past 40 figures now) and all of the figures I own are opened and displayed. All but two of those are under plastic cases to keep them away from dust and cat fur. I can't resist transforming them at least once. Some of the newer ones for example were much more difficult than I remember as a kid.

But, now with some of the figures I own I wonder, should have I let them remain in the case? (keep in mind none of my figures are as of yet extremely valuable like some of yours) I don't think I would have liked them as much as I do if I left them in the original packaging, yet, sometimes, I wonder if it's better for the toy if they remain sealed.

I am on the fence on this subject even tho all of mine are opened. I am worried I might regret opening these down the road.

Tell me how you decide what to open and what you keep sealed please.

[Time Traveller]

everything pre-BM that i get packaged... stays packaged. ESPECIALLY G1. I don't think there's a G1 out there that you wouldn't regret opening. BM isn't high-dollar, so that series and later i have no qualms about opening. If it's some super-rare variant or weird exception, i'd buy it loose rather than open one.
The most valuable (compared to original price) figure i've recently opened was probably alt mirage.

[Dinobot]

Unless I was able to aquire a mint misb g1 transformer, I would probably open it. Even then my curiousity may get to me. My friends bought me a boxed g1 jetfire, but since the figure already had the stickers on it I knew it was pre-opened. Somebody retaped it. I also bought the reissue anime Galvatron and Orion Pax. They both were opened in less than a minute. Im with you there on the Alt Mirage TT, I opened that one too, just because he would feel lonely compared to all the other alts on display.

[Rocktimus Prime]

It can depend. The bulk of my Primes are still in their boxes, but I buy doubles of them any chance I get so I can have one that is open.

I also bought the Masterpiece Starscream, that had to be opened, too nice to sit in its box, and Primus came out of his box too (the box was badly damaged, so that was a no brainer. Same for Alternators Hound).

[Razorclaw]

I have the bad habit to open everything
i've opened my MISB G1 Megatron and Devastator 2 years ago

[Jose]

The only TFs I get packaged come in boxes, so I don't regret opening them as I can put them back. Actually, the only G1 box I have is Prime's. I like to play with my toys, so I pass on the sealed stuff.

[Commander Megatron]

I have a MISB Euro Exclusive Circuit coming, I can't wait to open it!!! I know I shouldn't but I have to. I guess its just down to personal preference.

[TheDawg]

I've bought a few MISB classics recently and have had to open them to transform them at least once before displaying them. I know they're not as valuable as MISB G1's but even them I'd probably have to open. i just get itchy fingers and have to have a play Altough I do keep all the boxes and store them away safetly.

[Minerva]

Whenever I get a MISB Transformer I usually let it stay in its box... although sometimes I find it really hard to resist opening them! I still haven't opened my MP Starscream for example, but I do want to! I've even thought about getting another one so that I can open one

The only exception is if I get something that's not really valuable. Then I can open it!

[Piranacon]

well most of the newer stuff i get stays in its boxes(just my prefrence) as for older stuff i dont buy anything that is MISB so most of the get opened for display but some display better in the box like G1 galv love that box

[Countdown]

A lot of great thoughts there! Thanks for helping me see these different points of views! I don't feel so bad about opening EVERYTHING now.

Still, when I find that one perfect misb g1 figure sometime down the road.... somehow I know I am going to open it up... must work on willpower!

[Sideways]

I open all my stuff. I play with it.

[vectorsigma]

thats why in most cases like the new movie figures my brother collected he bought two of each so he could open one and keep one sealed me i open mine thats just the way i am

[Minerva]

If I could afford doing that with everything I get, I'd probably do that too!
*fingers itching to open MP Starscream*

[Bumblebee]

i personally open everything but my smaller collections lol but transformers have to be opened i couldnt even keep the reissues keychains moc right now i got the target baracade unopened just because i havent really had the time to open him with his red frenzy (aka Rumble ) but that will change probually tonight

[Deszaras]

I tend to avoid MISB /stcikers unapplied G1 figures. They are normally ore expensive and i tend not to like putting the stickers on. {See my zoids. if they come with decals the decals stay on thee sheets and probably will never be used. }

[Hot Shot]

I look at it this way.....Am I in it for the fun or the potential money I could get for selling it.
Me personally...I open them. Within the last year I started collecting again after almost 25yrs off. The movie came out and reignited that Spark as you might say. I now have over 400 figures most of them are opened....so I just havn't gotten to yet.
I heard someone say on a message board once....."Open them, They can't breath in there."

Do what ever makes you comfortable.

[Sunstorm]

I am definitely in for both fun and hopefully some eventual profit from one or two well chosen pieces.... I open virtually everything I get to at least look it over, though some pieces remain tucked away to keep them nice.

I'm selling such a huge portion of my collection right now, that I reckon I'll have made around 15-20% profit on what I originally paid for everything overall, but then I had always had the intention of at least selling some to make money for my wedding. It doesn't mean I'll stop collecting, far from it. Any new ones I get as presents now will not be sold for a long, long time.... I'll just rebuild my collection again and maybe there'll be something else to sell them for later on like a car or something...

[Rumble]

95% of mine get opened within 5 minutes of me getting them home (When I was younger I used to open them in the car when my mum was driving home from town!). The rest are others that I want to keep sealed for now, tho they may be opened eventually.

Rumble.

[Kup]

toy are ment to play with, so i'm in it for the technical transformation stuff so i need to open it but i keep the boxes mint or in good condition,

i must say that i still have a lot of unopened stuff due to time shortage