We action figure collectors are a strange lot. We all have our idiosyncrasies when it comes to purchasing. Some fans stake out stores and grab all new figures as soon as they hit the shelves — and to hell with any other fans because "they didn't get there fast enough." Some collectors "hide" the new figures behind other toys, planning to come back later when they have the cash. Other fans walk in, grab one of each new figure and leave.
Then you have collectors like me, who also want to purchase one of each new figure, but they don't just "grab 'n go." No … these are the "scrutinizers." If there are five copies of a new Luke Skywalker figure, then the scrutinizers will study each one carefully, looking for bad paint jobs, bad poses, damaged card backs, misshapen bubbles … you name it. These fans want "perfect" figures to add to their collections.
I, for example, don't like unsightly paint splotches or flecks of dust/paint on my figures. These are my biggest pet peeves. If there's just one dot of white paint on a figure's black pants, then I won't buy it. If a figure's soft-goods cloak has a fleck of dust or paint on it, or if the cloak is noticeably "tattered" or has an elongated thread, then I put it back. My figures must be pristine, because when I take them out of storage for my viewing pleasure, there mustn't be anything amiss to distract my eyes from beholding my perfect, tangible piece of the Star Wars universe.
And you thought you'd heard it all before, right?
You know what's funny, though? Nine times out of 10, if I were to find just one of those new Luke Skywalkers in the store, he'd be perfect, flawless. I wouldn't have to wait to find more and go through that whole "scrutinizing" routine.
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