Toy Nut Imporium's Guide To Collecting Classic TMNT

WARNING: Extensive reading of this guide may cause shell shock, turtle power, coining phrases like "Cowabunga" and "Radical", silly impressions of Krang, a strong desire to dwell in the sewer, the practicing of Ninjitsu, infatuations with women wearing yellow jumpsuits and white boots, and or extreme cravings for pizza.

My name is Chris. I come from a small town in Michigan....

My fascination with Ninja Turtles began back in 1987-1988 when I was about 11 to 12 years old. It all started with the old Palladium game system, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness. Soon, I found myself drawing Ninja Turtles, being the artist that I am. Of coarse, being at the age of adolescence.  My RPG passion soon turned to collecting and playing with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. I traded many of my old baseball cards for some TMNT fiugres to a kid down the street. As adolescence kicked in for me, I put my toys down and began drawing my attention to the things that teenage boys like- music, partying, girls and such. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles becaem the last toy that I collected as a child.Through the years, I have picked them up at yard sales and such, bought them from friends, bought them on eBay, and what have you, just for the collecting nature in me.

I always enjoyed the art of the TMNT action figure, even though often the inside mechanics of the figures were poor. Yes, Triceratons tail has about as much structual integrity as house of playing cards. Some figures have broken crotch syndrome, leaving their legs to flap in the wind. The strap to the party tube has a life expectancy of about 5 times of playing with it. Movie III April paint job was like the paint over an improper bondo job. Despite these things, it is undeniable, that Ninja Turtles set a standard for action figure art as we know it today!

It has been over 9 years since I started selling Ninja Turtles. I started at a local flea market, tried a comic con, and then finally, opened my first eBay store, under the user ID, subtlehinker. I have opened 2 off eBay websites, selling my inventory there. Now, I have decided to stick it out on eBay, to bring as much TMNT inventory as possible, until I decide it is time to retire this venture.Through the years, many good suggestions have come my way as to further my investments and profits. My task is simple.

I am not only a seller of Ninja Turtles, I am also a collector. To this day, I have over 260 Ninja Turtles to my personal collection, vehicles that I am still counting, and Mini Mutant playsets- at least a dozen. I started by selling my old childhood collection, 9 years ago. Since then, I got everything back and then some! I typically will not pay anything past a wholesale rate if it is already in my collection. If I don't have it in my collection? You bet your shell, I will be right there, just like my buyers, paying the collectors resale value, or at least close to it, just as they do!

I have come across Ninja Turtles, with different colors, accessory colors, and other variations. My knowledge on Ninja Turtles is quite expansive, but I am still humble enough to say, that I am still learning. Much work to do, much to learn about TMNT. Let me show what I have learned, to show you what your Ninja Turtle is worth! As we age, we should never stop learning. As we age, why should we stop collecting toys? Heck, an old man down the street from me, has one of largest collection of Trolls(Russ, Ace, ect.-even TMNT trolls ;) ) I have ever seen! He proudly dons his collecting passion on his hat, and in his truck. Why should we do any less?

GENDER HUMOR with TRUTH: Gentlemen: Your collecting motivation? In my experience- CHICS DIG THE TURTLES! COWABUNGA!
GENDER HUMOR with TRUTH: Ladies: The way to a Ninja Turtle collecting mans heart is to...BUY HIM MORE TMNT! This will give you true TURTLE POWER over him!

Playmates Toys and Mirage Studios began production of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles back in 1988. Since then, a formidable collector's market has opened the doors to the green teens. How do you tell the difference between soft-heads, and plastic heads? How about that Genghis Frog belt, there was a yellow one? Why does one Ace Duck have a hole in his head, and the other one does not? All these questions and more will be answered in my guide.This guide will help you identify the difference between first runs, rarities, variants and commons. My name is Chris, and I will take you through a detailed tour on Ninja Turtle action figure collectibles. This is Toy Nut Imporium's Guide to Collecting Classic TMNT!

This compendium has been collaborated through years of collecting and selling experience, and information gathering. The following links below will be a gateway to DIMENSION X!...I'm sorry! That was a slight Krang outburst. The following links below will be a gateway to different guides about the diverse aspects of classic/vintage Ninja Turtles. There is just to much information to fit on one eBay guide about Ninja Turtles. I thank you for visiting this page, and please feel free to scope this guide for your benefit. Please take a visit to my store Toy Nut Imporium- your classic/vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles specialist!

TNI's Guide To Collecting Classic TMNT-1988(Part 2)
TNI's Guide to Collecting Classic TMNT: 1989(Part 3)