Hello! I collect sylvanian families/calico critters!
They're wonderful, high-quality toys.
I collect new ones; there are just a couple out-of-production sets I'm looking for.
I know there is quite a collecting community, with some who collect only the vintage ones.
Sylvanian families/calico critters have gone through a few phases, with different parent companies epoch and Tommy, but unlike Kenner vs Hasbro Littlest Pet Shops, all sylvanian/calico critters are very much in keeping with the same style as each other. There are some differences in the phases, flat hands vs hands with a thumb so you can make them hold things being a main one, but they're all basically very similar. They started in Japan and there are lots of reeeeaaly nice sets you can get from Japan. There are also sets that are identical between the Japan and English ones, just different packaging. I've found that buying on ebay from Japan is often cheaper than buying local!
There's a very lively active forum here:
http://sylvanianfamiliesforum.co.za/phpbb/and buy/sell facebook group here: ooooh wait that's Australa/New Zealand only. I'm sure there's a U.S. one somewhere.
Are you interested in buying pre-loved or new?
I chose new, because I like opening pretty boxes and new condition.
If you go the pre-loved route, there are pros and cons. If you're a completest like me, it'll drive you insane trying to get all the original little pieces. If you're not, then you'll find an abundance of lovely pre-loved toys inexpensively. If you go vintage, then that's a whole other world. I'm pretty sure there are rare vintage sylvanians to compete with the likes of Ruby!
There's also a very active community of people who make handmade items of clothing for sylvanians, some are amazing. People aslo take great pride and joy in decorating the houses, walpapering and making carpets and curtains and so on. So if you like unique and crafty, there's plenty to enjoy.
Sylvanians are all vegetarian or pescatarian too, so I like that