In the early to mid 1990’s, Playmates Star Trek filled the action figure aisles. Remembering how fun it was to own and enjoy the original Mego Star Trek action figures, I wanted to get into collecting these new figures. When the first assortment was released, I was elated. I bought a complete set and was satisfied with that. Then another assortment. I bought into those too as they were of quality characters and I remember how I missed out on the second and third series of the Mego Star Trek figures. Another assortment, followed by assortment by assortment and so on. I bought almost all of them.
At the time, I was in retail, I was one of the early collectors who hit the stock rooms before the figures hit the floor. It wasn’t until the release of the 1701 Picard figure that suddenly I realized that I wouldn’t be able to complete a set. At this point of frustration, I became slightly aggravated as to how Playmates were creating a hysteria for the completionist collector while the scalpers were the ones that really made out. It didn’t take long for the 1701 Picard to hit $500 and rise quickly. I had to accept that loss.
Then the 1701 Yar, now this is a figure I could have had. In one shipment of stock, we received several cases of Playmates Star Trek action figures. I opened them all. One case was missing one figure and was resealed. It was obvious that it was resealed as it had two pieces of tape neatly sealing the box. I had quickly concluded that the figure was the 1701 Yar, as this was the correct assortment. I also concluded that the figure was intercepted somewhere in transit or more likely at the national warehouse not the receiving area of the local retail store, as I was one of those who had assisted unloading the truck.
Filled with disappointment and optimism, I continued to collect. It was 1995, and then there was the 3000 Barclay. Not to miss out on this one, I ordered five cases of figures, hoping that one would contain the Barclay. I personally opened each case. I opened the first case, and to my disappointment, there was no Barclay. Then the second case, and as I searched the case, to my amazement and as my heart pounded, I held in my had a 3000 Barclay. I decided to continue to open the rest of the cases, and I felt as if I were to collapse, as I pulled a 3000 Barclay from each of the remaining cases. Within a few minutes, I held in my hands four 16044 Lt. (JG) Reginald Barclay from Voyager episode Projections, or the 3000 Barclay. I was shocked as what were the odds of opening 4 of 5 cases to pull the figure that only 3000 were produced. Even if the distribution was even throughout the USA, each state would receive 60 Barclays. One store had 4 of them.
I held on to them for many years. Hoping to trade a couple 3000 Barclays for 1701 Picard or more logically the more economical 1701 Yar, however that day never came. I sold all but one over the years for somewhere between $59 and $99 each. In fact, I sold off the whole collection at a near loss. However, saved a few pieces of interest including the Barclay from Projects action figure only to remind me of the occassion.