Investing 101?

Commenting that "the Force is stronger than the Nasdaq," USA Today observes that while the Nasdaq has dropped 2 percent since 1998, the price of a 1978 Darth Vader action figure in its original packaging is now worth $600 versus $205 dollars seven years ago, a jump of 193 percent. A 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure in original packaging can now be sold for $800, twice what it was worth in 1998. The action figures originally sold for about $5.00.

Call me silly, but... Investing in Star Wars toys isn't exactly going to turn you into Donald Trump. Sure, a 200% return on a $205 investment in just 7 years is a nice profit. However, does anyone really buy 1,000 Darth Vader figures? Speculating on the price of collectibles is surely going to lose you money. I'm certainly not going to take my money out of a savings account earning 3% interest annually in the hopes that my collection of Darth Vader figures increases in value.

Just try finding a market to sell those 1,000 figures on. I'm willing to bet that 1,000 people aren't willing to shell out $600 per figure. And even less are willing to buy more than one figure each.

And don't even get me started on how inflation has influenced the value of Darth Vader figures.