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Hello, over Christmas I found a new way to spend my money other than video games, graphic novels and GW. I wanted some high quality figures/statues for my desk, and as usual got carried away. After the smoke cleared I realized that a few of the figures of bought were fake(all from Figma/fake) and in hindsight should have been tipped off by their low price( a metal gear solid Snake figure for $25 and a set of male/female figures for animation, for only $24 combined). Later I watched some videos to help determine if the others I bought were fake, but based on the prices I paid and some of other factors they seem to be genuine. Now in order to avoid these issues in the future, as well as some advice on a future purchase, I have a few questions;

1. Any forums about collecting that could give me more expert advice?
2. How to know when something is too expensive to remove from the packaging?
3. How much does something depreciate in value once it is removed?
4.tips for storing and display in a house with smoking.

Now if you have stayed through all this I have a final question about a specific set of figures that are very expensive(well for me anyway, haha). I really like the figures from Square Enix and their Play Arts Kai lines, specifically the figures they made for Metal Gear Solid Phantom Pain. I realize now that the ones from China that are priced at $50 are fakes, while the ones that seem real are listed at well over $300 a piece?! Now I really only want two(Big Boss and Quiet) but they are $300 plus in packaging and I wonder for that price, would it be stupid to remove them from the boxes for display purposes? I have found one that is used, out of box with all bits, for half the price. Since I wanted to display it anyway, perhaps buying a used one is better? I didn’t plan on keeping any of the figures in boxes, but I haven’t spent nearly that amount on a single figure. I am very new to collecting figures, and don’t want to get carried away so please help or advice would be greatly appreciated. If this is the wrong place to post this or has been answered please direct me to those topics and forgive the wall of text haha.

just buy the unboxed one if you want something for your desk.

I've never understood the whole keep them in boxes thing.. I mean, are people buying them as an investment or something?

Thanks for the reply, yeh you are right. Bit the bullet and got it, now just waiting to see if it was worth it. But at half the price you just can’t beat it, as long as it is not a fake...

I say this as someone who knows nothing on this topic....

If it is just a decoration on your desk, and it looks good to you, does it really matter?