I couldn't beleive the bit where he says that some collectors were posing naked with star wars toys covering their private parts - WTF??
The sad thing about all of this is the conflict it is bringing into the hobby. I remember in the late 90s and early 2000s that the internet was a breath of fresh air into the hobby because it enabled networking and enabled friendships to be built. Fast forward to now and it is without doubt the worst thing ever to happen, not only in this hobby but in everyday life. Facebook has probably ended more friendships ,marriages and partnerships that anything else in history.
Regarding.collecting, many of these self appointed experts havent got a clue, and many seem to put themselves on a pedestal. Trust me, there are probably.a handful that have been there since the start and most of the others see it as an ego trip to make themselves look better. I can assure you now that most people know who these idiots are because its blatantly obvious they are doing it for personal gain. I also believe that people dont mean because of the hobby, it's because it affects their personal collection and they see repros as damaging their investments.
Supply and demand is another issue. It's a known fact that most kids lost the accessories with their figures pretty much straight away because they were meant as toys. Fast forward to now and millions of figures have no original accessories, and the prices people are asking for some is ridiculous. I have no issues with some people ( and there are more than you would think) that buy repro purely because of this. If other collecting areas accept them, why cant Star Wars?? The answer is that many vintage Star Wars collectors think of themselves as elite and that it is the pinnacle of ant toy collecting.
Regarding the replica carded figures etc, if someone wants to buy a replica MOC Trilogo R2D2 Pop up for £40 rather than £500 minimum for a real one then to some it's a no brainer. I have seen one of the R2 Trilogo and they are pretty much bang on, plus they are stamped on the rear of the card with SLC. IMO this guy is helping many collectors to realise a dream on a budget and isnt out to hurt the hobby. Its just that some become angry because in their own mental thinking, they beleive they should be asked about these and the damage they do to 'Their'hobby.
Trust me , we need to rid the hobby of these people. It's not the repros that are bringing this hobby down, but the selfish, ignorant an arrogant twats who deem themselves fit to criticise anyone and anything. Money and greed is a huge factor and too many think they are the big boys because they have deep pockets. Well I've probably owned more vintage, prototypes etc than they ever will.
Dont ever let anyone tell you what to collect or how to do it. Collect for you and have the balls to stand up and tell these arseholes to **** off.