I remember buying GiJoe's, TMNT and the such when I was a kid.
Now, the moment I started buying stuff with the excuse that I was "collecting it" was with comics around 1996. Specific events took me closer to that medium (death of Superman, Marbel Vs Dc, X-men and Spider-man animated series...) until around that year the Onslaught crossover and Wizard magazine hooked me completelly. I learned what was good and what was not and concentrated on getting classic stories (Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, Daredevil...) up until two years ago. During that 6 year period I also got some Spawn figures and Evas. I also got into Warhammer because of my little brother (just to collect it as I'm to lazy to study the rules).
The Robotech itch has come and gone about three times:
1-When I learned of the Robotech DVD's (didnĀ“t get anything because of money issues, just DYRL? ).
2-When I learned the MPC was coming out (had other things to worry about an forgot about it).
3- When a friend told me he had gotten the whole Saint Seiya series on e-bay. I picked up Robotech and searched for that MPC toy line witch let me here where I learned of Yamato and finally of the 1/48.
Next week my first valk arrives and my wallet is scared