Hello Andrew…thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to talk to us here at http://toy-lines.com/ to discuss your Ghosbuters collection…let’s get started…
TL – How did you first get into Ghostbusters? How old were you?
AH – My brother was a big Ghostbusters fan growing up, and since I was not born when the first film came out, I l grew up watching the cartoon, The Real Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters 2. So, I was probably around 4 or 5 years old when I really got Ghostbusters fever. Now, I know a lot of people do not like the second movie, but I love it, I could watch it over and over and over.
TL – Was collecting Ghostbusters something you did since childhood & continued into adulthood or did you stop for a while & get back into it? If so…what was it that brought you back?
AH – That is a great question. As I was younger, I never bought toys to collect, I like most kids bought toys so that I can play for hours and hours and have never ending stories. It was probably about 10 years ago that I started buying mint on card collections and never opened ones so that I could have it all. 
TL – How does your family feel about your collection? Do they help you by looking out for stuff?
AH – My wife is always looking out for things I might not have for my collection. My brothers also at Christmas time usually get me stuff. I’m pretty lucky that way. It’s hard because my collection is so massive now, that It’s hard to know what I have and don’t. I’ve actually a few times bought sealed toys that I thought I didn’t have, but after going through my collection I do, so then I resell my extras.
TL – Do you collect just Ghostbusters items from the original first two movies as well as The Real Ghostbusters cartoon or do you include the 2016 Ghostbusters movie as well?
AH – It’s funny you should ask that; I mostly only collect from the Real Ghostbusters cartoon. If you think about it, that’s what all the toys were from. In the last ten years, new figures from the movies have come out, but back in the 80’s and 90’s that was not a thing. 
TL – Do you collect the Filmation cartoon Ghost Busters items?
AH – That I don’t collect, never watched it and never got into that show. I will say though Extreme Ghostbusters which continued the series was great! Only 1 season, but 40 episodes, the series was dark, it spawned a new toy line, I’m a big lover of the Extreme Team!
TL – In Stranger Things season 2 the four friends dressed as the Ghostbusters for Halloween. Toys have been made of them in the outfits…did you collect these?
AH – I don’t have those, but I do own the Stranger Things Reebox ghostbuster shoes. I’ve seen the figures from Stranger Things, and as cool as they are, I really stick to Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters toys.
TL – Do you collect “spores, molds & fungus”?
AH – That I do collect, in my garage I have a few old Kenner Ecto 1 shells that have a few different animals growing off them.
TL – How many items do you have in your collection?
AH – I don’t know. I own most of the Kenner Real Ghostbusters toys both carded and opened. I have a lot from the Argentina Jocsa toy line also, if you’ve never seen those, make sure you check it out. Their Ecto 1 (which was the same as Kenner’s) but there’s had lights and sound!
TL – Do you have a favorite item?
AH – I was thinking about that the other day, if there was a fire and I could only pick one, it’s really hard to choose. I have the original series, wave 1-series one, which is different from the re-releases.( the string from the proton pack comes from the bottom of the pack, where they changed it and it comes from the back) or the Fire House Mint In box, or the glow figures. Hard to pick to be honest.
TL – Do you have a Holy Grail item you are seeking?
AH – I’m looking at finishing my Jocsa collection. There’s a series where they all come with ghosts that have blankets on them, I have Ray and Egon, but I’m missing Peter and Winston. What’s cool about those figures, their blasters actually shoot water from them! Go check them out! 
TL – You’ve met Dan Aykroyd…have you ever met any of the other “boys in grey”? What was Dan Aykroyd like?
AH – No, just Dan Akyroyd. Well let me say this about him, he was supposed to be at a signing from only 4-6, he stayed there till well after 9 pm signing autographs and taking pictures with everyone. He signed all the stuff I brought him and was so nice. By the time I got to meet him, he had no voice but was so nice and I am so happy that I had the opportunity.
TL – Did you ever see the Universal Studios Orlando Ghostbusters show back when they used to have it in their theme park? Do you collect items from it?
AH – I have never seen it live, I have found it on youtube, and I was really impressed with the show they put on! I had never even known about that, I wish I would have had the opportunity to go but being from a small town in rural Quebec, Canada we did not go far. I don’t collect anything from it, I didn’t know there was stuff to collect, but now that you mention it, I’m going to have to go on the look, the hunt is on! 
TL – Where do you hunt for your items?
AH – It depends, I go to toy fairs, garage sells, Ebay, Marketplace, people I know come to me a lot of the times saying they found this or that, so it really depends. A few other accounts on IG I will buy from other collectors.
TL – Is there a limit you’ll spend on your collecting?
AH – That’s another great question, I will put a limit on something when I know the person is asking way too much money! There are a lot of people out there trying to make money so you have to know what prices are before you start really collecting.
TL – Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?…Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic?…Have you or your family ever seen a spook, spectre or ghost? (joke)
AH – Yes, I know that’s a joke but I’m a believe in the supernatural (very much like Dan) and as a kid I did have a few experiences that made me wish I had a real proton pack and trap!
TL – Do you try to buy something every week or more when something just catches your eye?
AH – It really depends, I go through phases, recently I’ve purchased a few full sets (slime heroes and others) but I was only missing a couple of the variants, so I kept what I needed and resold the rest. Any collector will tell you, it’s a sickness, you need it all and can’t stop.
TL – Do you plan on collecting everything of Ghostbusters or more just your favorite pieces?
AH – I have so much that I’ve sold off some stuff that I can’t display. I’ve really focused my collection on the Real ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters. I do collect some pieces from new collections or special editions it really depends on if it’s special or was it something a company made to make a quick buck.
TL – What did you think of Dr. Stantz’s cameo in the 1995 Casper movie?
AH – I loved it! I remember seeing him coming running out the building and was thinking to myself damn I want Ghostbusters 3!
TL – Have you ever read the Ministers of Grace: The Unauthorized Shakespearean Parody of Ghostbusters?
AH – No I haven’t, I will have to check into that!
TL – Do you like the 2016 female Ghostbusters movie?
TL – You know, that movie breathed life into a franchise that is so near to my heart. I think the first 30 minutes of the movie were great! Funny, exciting and interesting, I think it fell off the rails pretty fast after that. I don’t have the hate that many fans do for it, I have found memories of going to Target and Walmart and Toys R Us and searching for toys and thinking, so many other 80’s lines have had this and Ghostbuster fans have never had this chance, so I embraced it! I bought all the toys from the movie and I keep them. I just see it as it’s own thing within the world of the Ghostbusters. And a side note, I love Paul Feig, he is so kind, so funny, I think the movie lands somewhere in the middle, it’s not my favorite thing, but I certainly don’t hate it.
TL – Of the four “boys in gray” which is your favorite?
AH – Ray Stantz, the heart of the Ghostbusters! Truth be told though, as a kid, I looked everywhere for Red Glasses! To be like Egon from the Cartoon, never found them until recently, which I’m currently wearing.
TL – What is the first reaction people have when they see your collection?
AH – They are amazed! They can’t believe it, and there’s very often a “I had that” or “ I remember that!” its nice, it’s a trip down into your childhood for many, I’m just lucky that I get it every day!
TL – How long have you had your Instagram account for Ghostbusters collecting? Why did you start it?
AH – I have had my account for just over a year. I honestly got it because I was following some accounts that had a lot of cool ghostbuster content and then it would be Ninja Turtles or Thunder Cats, but I was like I just want Ghostbusters! Haha I never watched Star Wars, never got into Ninja turtles, I just wanted Ghostbusters, so I was like I’m going to make an account that I would want to follow!
TL – With the new movie coming out new collectors will want to buy Ghostbusters items to put on their shelves. What advice would you give them?
AH – I would tell them to watch out for price gougers! Look around and try to do some homework before you spend the big bucks on anything. Many people will try and sell new stuff and try to pass it off as originals, so keep an eye out.
TL – From the original Kenner figures to the Mezco & Diamond figures…which series of figures are your favorite?
AH – Kenner Figures hands down! And the Ecto Glow series, and the Slimed Heroes. I loved playing with the slimed heroes when I was a kid! I had them all, and it was so much fun having them change color, and I will say that the ECTO BOMBER (airplane) was my favorite vehicle! I loved it so much! It’s the best!
TL – Have you seen pictures of the Precious Moments Ghostbusters figurines & do you plan on getting them?
AH – I have seen those, and I will be buying them! I find those are really nice and I want to add them to my collection.
TL – Do you have any movie props in your collection?
AH – I don’t own any actual movie used items, I have the Matty Collector trap and PKE ECT… but I don’t own any real props from the movie. I do own a few proof cards from Kenner. So before the toys are sent out they have to have the backs approved and they have Proof cards, I own a few of those!
TL – Is there a point where you think you’ll stop collecting Ghostbusters?
AH – I don’t think so, I hope not. It’s something that I really enjoy. Maybe not so much collecting but sharing mine! I love doing videos and ‘action’ shots with my toys. Spending time in my office AKA toy room, brings me back and makes me happy. I would say what ever you collect or enjoy doing, spend time doing it! Little things in life bring big pleasures.
TL – I see on your Instagram page you have some of the Now Ghostbusters comics. Do you have the complete collection?
AH – That’s a great question, I have most Now Comics but I’m proud to say I also have most of the UK Real Ghostbuster comics! Those comics are wider (like a magazine) and they are works of pure beauty. I own about 150 of them! And they are probably in my top three favorite pieces in my collection. Check them out! I do a feature on Wednesdays where I look at comics, so make sure you check it out!
TL – Do you have the 4 issue Ghostbusters comic Legion from 88 MPH? Do you have the Ghostbusters Manga comic?
AH – Yes, I do, most of the new comics I have, I keep them on the side for when I have time to read them, which is not too often.
TL – Do you read the IDW Ghostbusters comic & if so what do you think of it?
AH – I just started reading them and I really enjoy them! I’m trying to read a few every night, so I’m making it a point to put down my phone and enjoy some good old/new fashioned comics!
TL – Where can readers check out your collection?
AH – My Instagram is GB_EctoColletor . I’m always happy to talk anything ghostbusters! I have people all over the world who have contacted me, and I have made some great friends! The Ghostbuster community is a great one! Thank you so much for the interview.
TL – Thanks for speaking with us. Be sure to check out Andrews Instagram account…I personally check it out with every listing he does.
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