About Me
I started collecting toys back in the mid-1970's, in the years when Star Wars was first released. It was the Christmas of 1977 and I was seven years old. My parents bought all of the original Star Wars action figures and playsets for me and from that point on, I was mercilessly hooked on the hobby.
Like many other children, I actually opened and played with all my toys. Tearing into each package with the unbridled avarice and euphoria that only a new plaything can call forth. I set them up. I knocked them down. I kept them all in a huge bucket that went with me everywhere I'd go.
It was bliss.
These days, I collect all the new POTF2 figures and accessories as well as selected Spawn, Marvel, and DC action figures. I will sometimes grab up other items if they strike me as interesting or worth having. For example, I kind of like the new Final Fantasy VII figs.
I support my passion through a variety of different jobs. Full-time, I support database administration and development as well as internet development. I am a freelance writer on the side and write a column in a small local newspaper. In addition, I have had some of my video game reviews published in a number of magazines including GamePro and CD ROM Today.
About N.E.T.C.
There is an evil in toy collecting. It goes by many names. I choose to refer to it as "scalping." It is the practice of buying up all the newest and hottest toys as soon as they hit the shelves and selling them off to dealers or collectors at outrageously inflated prices. We have all seen it, and the true collector has nothing but disdain for those who follow this practice.
For a long time I simply spurned these hoarders and scalpers, tearing them up in postings to the R.T.A.F. and on websites all over the Internet. Finally, I decided that complaining wasn't getting me anywhere and I decided to take action.
In September of 1997, I formed The Official New England Toy Collectors Mailing List. It started with a handful of members and a dream...a dream that someday, we would be strong enough to affect both toy manufacturers and retail establishments. Our goals were (and still are) to unite toy collectors across the New England area. I send out a daily newsletter that is a compilation of letters from other members. The daily posting usually consists of area reports, rants, trade offers, and opinions.
Now over 100 strong and including members from TRU and KB stores, the N.E.T.C. allows New England collectors to help each other find the newest and hottest figures, buying, selling, and trading them for retail value plus shipping. We have grown since that first small group set out to make a difference. We have a killer website where we post our members wants and trades on our website, offer contests where you can win hot new action figures, and list upcoming area events and news bulletins.
Stop by our website at www.tiac.net/users/ascribe/netc or send me an E-Mail for more information!