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When the first McFarlane sports figures hit the market I was immediately attracted to them. The quality of the pieces were far more advanced than the Kenner SLU figures. But still with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth from the demise of the Kenner SLU’s I never really actively collected the McFarlanes. I did speculate on them when the variations were hot and you could triple your money or more pretty easy.

That too, soon ended as one of the problems that plagued the SLU market continued with the McFarlanes. The practice of people getting the variants from the big box stores before they ever hit the shelves. It became very difficult to get the variations unless you knew someone that worked at the store. The end of the line for me in even trying to find variants was one day at lunch when I made one of my weekly visits to a local Game Stop. I was sometimes able to get either a variant or a piece I wanted there and they often marked the old series down when the new series was released. On this particular day I was approached by a new employee there that asked me if I collected McFarlanes. I told him yes, and the players that I liked. He began to explain to me how he had already bought the good pieces and had them in the back. He said he would make me a good deal, I handed him the two pieces I had picked off the shelf and turned and walked out never to return to Game Stop.

It was several months before I bought another McFarlane and now I only buy pieces I really want or ones that are marked down. The last regular priced piece I bought was the Earl Campbell piece. The other day I was in Toys R Us and just like I do every time I am in there I checked out the McFarlane pieces. They had a fresh shipment in and had several Michael Young figures. I wanted one but I refuse to pay $10.99 for it. I am sure if I wait long enough I can get one for under $5. While browsing the figures I found a Robinson Cano Series 17 marked down to $3.98. Just the right price for me, now if they had only had the Beckett for $3.98 it would have been a great haul.

I have a buddy that calls me a cheapskate but I just remind him of all those Kenner SLU’s that aren’t worth anything. What are your thoughts on the McFarlane Sports Figures? If you buy them is it for investment or enjoyment? What is the most you have ever paid for one? For me it was the Campbell for $10.99. What is the most you have ever sold one for? I sold a Jean-Sebastien Giguere for $40 once. By the way, Goalie figures are awesome.

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