It’s 2022 and we’re super excited about what lies ahead for hobbyDB and our family of brands, including Pop Price Guide and The Toy Peddler.
But before we look ahead, we want to take a glance back at the year that was 2021 for hobbyDB.
From welcoming new partners, investors, and friends, to new features, to thousands of new items and the introduction of the hobbyDB App, the last twelve months were quite the adventure.
A look back at 2021 –
We can’t do it alone here at hobbyDB. The world of collectibles is simply too large. We’ve always relied on experts from all corners of the galaxy to help us build detailed and accurate items, collections and subjects on the site.
We added several exciting new partnerships this year with many passionate experts. Here are some of them –
Brooklin Models
In November, our very own Christian helped to introduce the new Brooklin Model Garage at the Inaugural North American Brooklin Collectors Club event in Allentown, Pennsylvania. When finished, hobbyDB will be home to a complete Brooklin Model database, including every variant ever. Helping with Brooklin Models are Gianluigi Cappi, as well as John Kuvakas, John Merritt, Karl Schnelle, Otto Schmid-Kaatz and Tom Kinney.
Valiant Comics
Talking about superheroes. Greg “That Valiant Comics Guy” Holland joined the hobbyDB Advisory Council this year and immediately began adding more than 3,750 Valiant Comics to the database! Look for prices arriving soon!
Tinplate Toys, Toy Soldiers and More
We began taking a long stroll through the past this year with a new push to add classic tinplate toys and more to hobbyDB. To do so, we’ve called upon some experts, including longtime hobbyDB friend Paul Deardorff, who will upgrade our Marklin metal toys and more. He’ll have help from new Advisory Council members and tinplate expert Alex Procyk and Toy Soldier and Timpo Toys guru Alfred Plath.
Check out some of the new features in store for 2022 by clicking here!
The hobbyDB App made its highly-anticipated debut this year.
The App’s barcode scanning technology allows you to scan a UPC or unique barcode (such as Hot Topic) and gain instant access to that item on hobbyDB. From there you can check to see if your collection needs that item. It’s also great for adding multiple items to your collection at once. Rather than looking up each item in the hobbyDB database, simply scan it and add it!
Are you among more than 75,500 hobbyDB users that have downloaded the App in less than a year? Android and iOS versions available now!
We’re always looking for ways to revolutionize the collecting experience by providing you the tools needed for collecting, buying and selling. Plenty of new features changed the landscape of hobbyDB in 2021.
Here are a few highlights from the past 12 months, starting from the beginning –
Infinite Scrolling
hobbyDB kept rolling earlier this year with the introduction of infinite scrolling, which essentially eliminated having to manually click on the next page to continue viewing the database. Throw in vastly improved search filters and upgraded estimated values, perusing your favorite items on hobbyDB became much more easier, efficient and fun this year.
Direct Checkout & Tokens
With our new Token system, buyers and sellers can now interact directly with one another, similar to Facebook and other peer-to-peer marketplaces.
Read more about the benefits for both buyers and sellers here.
Autographed Collectibles
There aren’t too many collectibles out there with John Hancock’s actual signature on them. But if there were, you’d be able to find them on hobbyDB.
We’ve added more than 3,000 autographed collectibles to hobbyDB this year, including more than 2,000 signed Funko items. And more arrive every day.
Among our forays into the world of autographs are new partnerships with the likes of 7 Bucks A Pop, Monthly Pops and Kool Toys & Games to offer signed items exclusive to hobbyDB and Pop Price Guide.
Graded Collectibles
Now you can add professionally graded items to your hobbyDB collection. While editing the item in your collection, choose the Professionally Graded and/or Certificate of Authenticity options then select according to your COA, etc.
Member Ratings
Tell us what you love with our new Member Rating! Find your favorite items while signed-in to hobbyDB, then simply assign them a rating using the tool located in the upper right on every item page.
Bricks & Clicks
Our new Bricks & Clicks program aims to blur the line between conventions and the digital experience. Click the Heart button on your favorite hobbyDB Subject pages and we’ll keep you up-to-date on related events happening in your neck of the woods.
Have an event such as a Funko Pop! Swap, Lego Meet-up or anything else? Let us know and we’ll promote it as part of the program!
Member Directory
Check out what your fellow hobbyDB, Pop Price Guide and The Toy Peddler users are collecting these days via our new Member Directory. Here you can see the fun ways other collectors decorate their personal Showcases with custom banner and avatar images!
Throw in simplified items pages, the ability to add fun images and more and you can say it was a successful year. Just wait to see what 2022 has in store.
Thousands of collectors worldwide became owners of hobbyDB and its family of brands in 2021 via our Crowdfunding efforts.
Investors ranged from the everyday collector buying in for $100 to industry heavyweights putting their faith in hobbyDB.
Nat Turner is among them. The CEO of Collectibles Universe – owner of PSA, PCGS – invested $50,000, instantly giving our trading card database a nice confidence boost and more.
Diecast enthusiasts will recognize Bruce Pascal as one of the foremost Hot Wheels authorities. Bruce was once again among our leader investors. He was joined by powerhouse Hot Wheels designers Bryan Benedict and Brendon Vetuskey in owning a piece of hobbyDB.
And you can join them. Crowdfunding is still open and is affordable and easily accessible. Follow this link for complete details!
The hobbyDB Squad grew to be bigger than ever in 2021 and now boasts more than 1,500 members!
This amazing team of volunteers lend their time and passion toward building and maintaining the site. We’re talking Hard Rock Pin Masters, Hot Wheels diehards and Funko experts all dedicated to ensuring the accuracy of our family of brands.
They add items to the database, along with price points and UPC codes (see the hobbyDB App above). They curate Subjects with up-to-date information and images, plus lots more.
You’ll know them when you see their hobbyDB Showcases. They’re the users with the spiffy badges we assign to their profiles. Join today by following this link!
We were saddened by the loss of renowned Hot Wheels designer Ryu Asada in 2021, among other icons that helped to shape the collectibles community. Closer to home, the hobbyDB community said goodbye to Botho Wagner last year. An author, avid tin toy collector and Advisory Board member, Botho believed in us and we’re forever grateful.
We thank you again for all of your support. The coming year is a promising one here at hobbyDB with even bigger plans in store! Stay tuned!
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