Girls into Transforming robot toys

The Babes in the U.S. aren't the only ones that dig the 'Bots!

Nic is a Botcollector Babe who hails from our neighbor to the north. This Canadian Babe spends her work hours at Ages 3 And Up, and she seems to dig the toys there as much as her customers do!

Keep reading and get to know Nic!

Botcollector: Give us a brief description of your personality and life; try and describe yourself as you are now and what made you the person you are today.

Nic: I am quiet most of the time. I don't like to stand out in a crowd or make others notice that I am there much. I have been heavily into toys and collectibles since I was 14, so there will be no parents selling off my things as I get older. I work in a collector shop so I am around toys all the time. School still takes up most of my time but when I have spare time I like to hang with my boyfriend. I like to go to events like Botcon or OTFCC (or whatever it is called nowadays), but I hate rude fanboys who talk down to me because I am a girl. I know a lot about Transformers, not as much as some but I still have some knowledge about them. I like to talk about them with people too.

Botcollector: We already know you collect Transformers. When did this start?

Nic: I used to collect Beani Babies (* and here Botcollector winces in pain *). I would go into a collector store near my house almost every day to see what was new. The store was eventually sold and the new owner saw how much I knew about Beanies so he hired me to take care of that section of the store. The new owner was an avid Transformer collector and if you hang around him long enough, it makes you want to collect as well. I then started with a few reissues and some Beast Wars figures. It just got worse from there.

Botcollector: What is it about Transformers that drew you to collect them?

Nic: Their coolness I guess.

Botcollector: Is there any focus from the Transformers toyline that you are most interested in adding to your collection, or that you have spent the most time/money on to collect (for example, mostly G1, G2, Beast Wars, specific vehicle types, etc.)?

Nic: For now I'm focusing on collecting the Japanese reissues. I really like the older characters and their styles. Getting all the reissues is an easier and cheaper alternative to trying to hunt down all the originals.

Botcollector: What is it about this specific type of Transformer that you like over the rest?

Nic: I just really like the original look of the figures. I strongly prefer the Japanese ones to the North American ones because the Japanese ones are better quality and keep to the original molds and missile sizes. It's also cool to be the first one to play with it and apply the stickers on them yourself.

Botcollector: Who's your favorite character/figure?

Nic: My favorite figure would be Soundwave because he's so intricate. I love how even the batteries can come out and become his gun and cannon. He also has those cool cassettes that could fit inside him and transform themselves.

	Botcollector: Are you into the toys only, or do you get involved w/ the cartoon, comics, fanfics, artwork, etc.? Nic: I collect the comics as well. I have all the DVDs too. I am on two of them in the extras sections so I had to get them. Botcollector: What kind of collector are you? Meaning, do you try to get boxes, perfect and complete figures, etc., or do you just want to get the toys, and the whole "MISB, MIB, C-0, C-8," etc. is not really part of your criteria for collecting? Nic: I like to open everything. What is the point of a toy if you can't play with it? It is good to put on your own stickers. I don't throw out boxes but if a toy does not come with a box, I would still buy it. Botcollector: How many figures do you have? Nic: About 30 or so. Botcollector: How do you handle the collection? Meaning, do you display figures, store them, switch out figures that you get that you think are cooler than the ones you had already, etc.? Nic: Most of what I have in on display. I have some shelves and I put some on my desk. I like to have them around when I am doing homework or something. I can always take a break and play with something. Botcollector: From 1 to 10, with 1 being a very casual interest, and 10 being obsessive to the point of criminal insanity, what would you rate your involvement with Transformers and collecting them? Nic: I would have to say 5 or 6. I am not obsessive as some of the people I have met. I have a life outside of Transformers. Still I think about them, and toys in general, a lot of the time. Botcollector: What do you think about the general assumption that most girls don't like guys who have a collecting "habit," or who have and maintain/add to large collections of a particular theme or toyline? Fact or fiction? Nic: I would say that is more the case than not. Botcollector: What is it about collecting that is turning these girls off? Nic: Just the stereotypical Collector. The comic book guy from the Simpsons. That makes all collectors look bad. Girls think all collectors are like that. Botcollector: Are you now, or have you dated/been involved with a male who has a fanaticism for collecting something?

	Nic: My boyfriend has a huge collection. It takes up most of his house. Everything from G1 to Energon. I would say it consumes his life quite a bit. Botcollector: Did any problems in the relationship arise because of this habit, or hobby? Nic: We have never fought over toys. He has most of what I would pick up anyway. He has to have the new stuff now and I can wait and just get what I want to get. I am not a 'completeist' like he is. We talk toys often. We also go toy hunting together. It is a good way to spend time together instead of just sitting around drinking or something stupid like that. Botcollector: Was the collecting part of your personalities ever a problem? Nic: I can't see it ever being a problem. I don't get in his way over toys and he does not get in mine. His encouragement of my own habbit is good. He will always look for things I may like and I will do the same for him. Botcollector: What would you have to say to or about a woman who automatically dismisses a guy as "undateable" when she sees that he obviously is crazy about something like Transformers? Nic: That is a little sad. To judge someone because he has an interest in toys of any kind just seems a little stupid. Could be much worse things to spend your money on. Booze, Drugs, and you get nothing out of it. At least you can always sell toys if you are in a bad situation. Botcollector: If there are any unpleasant qualities about collecting, or potential problems that can arise from it, what would you say the most serious would be? Nic: Working around collectors, I see a lot of very obsessive people. I would not want to be around someone like that all the time. Quoting the show, arguing about who was thinking what in a show that was made to sell toys? Come on. There has to be better things to do. Botcollector: What is the main cause of the whole "Barbies are for girls, 'Bots (or whatever warlike toys) are for boys" understanding in society? Is it legitimate? Nic: It always starts at a young age I guess. Cars are for boys, dolls are for girls. I guess it is OK but when you are old enough to make you own decision, you should do so for yourself, not because society says so. I started with 'girl type' stuff. I guess I just grew out of it. People around are a big influence that is for sure. I am sure if I did not work in the type of store that I work in, things would be a little different. Botcollector: The release of figures in the Robots In Disguise line through Armada and the now-shipping Energon figures, a rough estimate of the percentage of recolored or repackaged pre-existing figures is around 50%. What are your feelings on half of the figures being released being recolors or re-packs? Nic: I don't care too much. Then I get a second chance at getting a cool figure. As I said, I don't get everything so it is not that big a deal for me. I buy what I like. If the recolour looks good to me, I will buy it. Botcollector: What do you think of the new Binaltech line? Nic: Awesome. I have them. They are great figures. Die cast and great transformation. Botcollector: The Binaltechs are going to be released in the U.S. as all-plastic variants, with no diecast parts. What do you think about that, and would you buy the plastic one if it were 1/2 the cost of the die-cast one, and had a few stylistic features missing, ie. sharply designed instructions, a Tech Specs card, etc.? Nic: The plastic one is OK. A good alternative if you don't have all the money. I would stick with the diecast one myself though. Botcollector: Well, Nic, thanks so much for your time. We hope to keep in touch, and good luck at the store. Nic: Thanks, that was fun. I want to say Hi to all our customers, and keep coming in!

Are you a female who thinks that 'Bots aren't just for Boys? Click Here to join the ever-growing ranks of the Botcollector Babes!

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