How to save money on anime merchandise
Many anime fans love to collect items related to their hobby, whether it includes DVDs, figurines, key chains, clothing, or just about anything else available on the market. With a huge fan base in Japan and an ever-growing fan base in the rest of the world, new products are always emerging to meet the needs and preferences of fans.
This is also true for Western video games and comics, with many people buying their favorite Halo action figure or Street Fighter minifigures. Whether you’re looking for that action figure from Halo or instead, Love Live! nendoroid, here are some tips to make your budget go that much further.
First, remember that pre-ordering figurines and other anime and gaming products is likely to get you items at the best prices. Items that have already been released tend to go up in price as they become rarer, and this can mean you have to spend a lot more money.
If you are a fan of a particular anime or game, be sure to stay informed through the community news websites about the release dates of certain product options. Another alternative is to find a large online retailer to buy from, who you can ask to keep you informed of future releases; these people will be aware of this and are therefore in the best position to help you.
Otherwise, remember that used products are likely to be much cheaper than new, and this is the best way to get your favorite products on a budget. A Kantai Collection figure or Halo action figure can sell for a much lower price if it has been owned by someone else for a couple of years, as many collectors prefer to buy new items.
You can use an online marketplace to find these second-hand items, or find an online retailer that deals in selling used anime products instead. You can also ask your local anime or gaming group if there is anyone looking to sell or trade items.
Another tip is to remember that buying items in sets is usually less expensive than buying individual items, and this applies to both figurines and DVD cases. While it may initially seem less expensive to buy individual items, official merchandise sets will often provide significant savings, for example if you invest in an entire collection of Naruto figures at once.
Not everyone can afford this in advance, so it’s worth asking friends and family as a gift during the holiday season or on their birthday. Another advantage of buying a full game is that it will instantly become a collector’s item, which means it’s great value if you want to sell your game at a later date.
The next tip is to make sure you take advantage of the sales and rewards programs offered by stores that sell anime and game products. Many of these companies will run regular promotions and special discounts for repeat shoppers, and this can save you a significant amount of money. Shop around to find a few stores that offer these benefits, and sign up for their email updates if possible.
In many cases, signing up for an email newsletter will keep you in the loop on the most exciting product launches and let you know ahead of time about sales that can result in deep discounts on great products.
In addition to the other tips listed above, keeping up with all the promotional offers being offered by different merchandise stores will help you save a great deal of money and also help you enjoy your hobby to the fullest.