A Collector's Guide to Vintage Toy Shopping in Sandy & Salt Lake County

If you grew up with a Kenner Millennium Falcon on the floor, a Castle Grayskull in the closet, or a stack of Ninja Turtles in the toy box, you already know the feeling: finding the figure you had as a kid, or the one you never got, beats almost any other kind of shopping. Plenty of that hunting happens online now, but it's still hard to beat seeing a vintage toy in person, turning the card over, and checking the paint and joints with your own eyes.

The owners call Platinum Toys "A Galleria of Nostalgia": a clean, well-displayed space where you can see the toys you grew up with and reconnect with the memories that come with them. This guide covers what to look for when you shop vintage and collectible toys in the Salt Lake area, and what you'll find when you visit Platinum Toys in Sandy.

Why shop vintage toys in person?

Online listings are convenient, but photos only show so much. In person you can:

• Check condition up close. You'll see paint wear, loose joints, yellowed plastic, and sun fading on cardbacks much faster than in a photo.
• Confirm completeness. For loose figures, accessories make a big difference in value. A Star Wars figure with its original blaster or a MOTU figure with its weapon and armor is a different item than one without.
• Compare side by side. Seeing several versions of the same figure together makes it easier to choose the one that fits your collection and budget.
• Find things you weren't looking for. Browsing shelves turns up lines and characters you'd forgotten about. That's half the fun.

What you'll find at Platinum Toys

Founded by Gabriel and Crystal Slatten and open since late 2021, Platinum Toys carries a wide mix of vintage and modern collectibles across the lines collectors ask about most:

• Star Wars: vintage Kenner figures and vehicles plus newer releases
• Masters of the Universe: He-Man, Skeletor, and the rest of Eternia
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and GI Joe
• Marvel and DC, including Superman
• Power Rangers, Star Trek, M.A.S.K., and Mortal Kombat
• Wrestling, horror, anime, Barbie, diecast cars, TV show toys, and maquettes

You'll find loose figures for display or for finishing a set, along with carded and boxed pieces for collectors who want packaging. Makers include Kenner, Hasbro, Mattel, and McFarlane Toys, among others.

Know the lingo before you go

A few terms come up constantly in vintage toy shopping:

• Loose: out of the original packaging. Ask, or look at the photos, to see which accessories are included.
• MOC (Mint on Card): still sealed on the original card and bubble. Card condition, such as creases, soft corners, or a punched peg hole, affects value.
• CIB (Complete in Box): comes with the original box and all of its parts, but may have been opened.
• NIB (New in Box): unused, in the original box, and often still sealed.

Our FAQ has more on what these terms mean.

Tips for your first visit

1. Bring a want list. Write down the figures, accessories, or variations you're missing, so a great shelf doesn't distract you from what you came for.
2. Know your condition standards. Decide ahead of time whether you're buying to display, to open and play with, or to keep sealed. That shapes what's worth paying for.
3. Look closely at the details. Check for loose limbs, paint rubs, and replacement accessories, and make sure the item matches what you expect.
4. Ask questions. Collectors who visit often say the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, so ask if you're not sure about something.
5. Check online first, too. Much of our inventory is listed at platinum-toys.com, so you can browse before you drive over.

Have a collection to sell or trade?

Platinum Toys buys and trades collections. Call 801-850-4161, email platinumtoysutah@gmail.com, use our Contact page, or message us on Facebook or Instagram. Walk-ins are always welcome during store hours.

Can't make it to Sandy?

You can shop online at platinum-toys.com. We ship within the US and internationally. Orders have a 1-day lead time before they ship, and US orders over $100 ship free. Prefer to pick up in store? Just let us know by phone, by email, through our Contact page, or on Facebook or Instagram after you order. Each listing has photos of the actual item, so look through all of them before you order.

Plan your visit

Platinum Toys
The Shops at South Town, 10450 State Street #1408, Sandy, UT 84070
First floor, north parking lot, next to Sanctuary Day Spa and Round One
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 AM–8 PM · Fri–Sat 10 AM–9 PM · Sun 12–6 PM
Phone: 801-850-4161 · Email: platinumtoysutah@gmail.com
Questions? Use our Contact page or message us on Facebook or Instagram. We respond quickly on social media.
Get directions on Google Maps

We're an easy drive from Salt Lake City, Draper, West Jordan, South Jordan, and the rest of the valley, and a good stop if you're already at South Town. Bring your want list, take your time, and come find the toy that takes you back.