I guess my limit just depends on what yoyo it is. I’ve never spent more than 400 on a single yoyo, and more than 500 total on a purchase of several yoyos at once, but I would be willing to go beyond that if it was something that was ultra rare/something I REALLY wanted. For example, I woulda spent 1200-1500 on that mint OG Peak that was for sale awhile back, but the seller wanted way more, and I simply thought it was mega overpriced (and I wasn’t the only one who thought so). I have to feel good about the purchase, and I told myself paying anything above that would mean I WAY overpayed/got taken for a ride, and I’m not down with that/can’t make a purchase like that with a good conscience. For yoyo purchases (esp. on older & rarer yoyos) you just gotta have a number in your mind that you say, “Okay, that’s the most I’m willing to pay for this and then I gotta let it go” BUT that number has to be rooted in reality - it’s a combination of your own comfortability and honest, diligent research (asking several fellow knowledgeable throwers to value the throw/appraise it). Going back to that Peak as an example, while I could’ve bought it for what the seller was asking for, I also don’t want to be the guy that sets the “new” high for what a throw sells for, and thus jacks the price the hell up for everyone else trying to get said yoyo - stuff like that isn’t easy on my conscience lol. At the end of the day, a yoyo sells for whatever someone is willing to pay for it/what the market determines it’s worth, but I’m not going to 1) overpay and 2) jack the price of the rest of them up through that sale. From what I’ve seen lately and discussed with a few people, the yoyo market is trending down, as even desirable throws are selling for less than they were and regular stuff is getting mad hard to move. However there are a few sellers who haven’t adapted to this market or reality - and thus you get people who are sentimental about their only moderately desirable titanium throw and want several hundred dollars more than it’s actually worth. Anyway, I guess the takeaway I hope people get from this wall of text is to do your research, have any throws you’re interested in appraised/price checked by several knowledgeable people and then don’t overpay.
There have been some really GREAT replies in here, and it’s interesting to see the wide variety of limits people have.
So here are my next two questions.
- What’s your limit on STRING (if you really have one at all)
- What is your absolute staple throw, and what did it cost?
-
I’d probably pay up to 50 cents a string for bulk stuff but I’m also open to boutique or high-end strings on occasion. Right now I use YYSL Plutonium for around 30 cents a string, if my hands always stayed clean and the string would never get grimy I’d switch to A&A in a heartbeat because they’re the best I’ve ever used and seem to have eternal life.
However, my strings tend to become disgustingly contaminated long before they wear out so I’m held to a budget based on that. -
My daily carry yoyo alternates between YYF KO, Topyo Null and C3 Speedaholic XX with others usually stashed in my bag for variety. The dailies cost about $40, $35 and $28 respectively.
Ivan
Wait…the KO is a BiMetal? I can’t believe I didn’t notice that before…AND it’s organic. This is going straight onto my wishlist.
The KO is soooo good !!! @YoYoExpertEric let me try one at FL states and I gotta say that it SLAYS even though it’s an organic! I definitely recommend getting one if you can !!!
1.) Don’t really have a limit on string, most boutique strings are around $1 a piece but I would pay up to $3 I think. Have never really found a bulk string I liked, and I have 100% nylon strings from Airetic and Bad Wolfe that I’ve used for over a year at this point. You can quickly wash those with dish soap and let them hang dry and they’re basically as good as new, no fraying or wear whatsoever.
2.) I could live happily with a Static Co Wave and a new plastic FH1 ($25).
I agree with you. I have about a dozen packages of airetic nylon and I’m 60 years old so I never have to buy string again. I think I paid a buck fifty per string. I have a lot of zipline poly that doesn’t even get used anymore. My daily edc is the TiVayder @ $150 but I have been switching it up this week with the peregrine @ $130
Type of play - 0A, 1A Responsive:
I have plastic skills, but metal taste. I get enjoyment out of every purchase with few regrets. The most I have spent is $60 on a $75 MSRP Yo-Yo. So right now that’s my limit.
I make purchase decisions based on anticipated joy, appreciation, and necessity.
- What’s your limit on STRING (if you really have one at all)
I am a little bias, but also going to be not bias by saying from day 1 (aka 2014) I have been playing and repping @MattB (YoYoStringLab)
This string is the real deal and there is a reason why i have been using these strings and continue to use these strings.
A. THEY LAST - I have seen so many players/enthusiast go through string like CRAZY/DAILY and theres no reason for that! I have been rocking the same string (Ka-Pow) on my KO (staple throw atm for bi-metal) for about a MONTH and I throw EVERYDAY lol
B. THEY LAST (meaning you save money in the long run!)
C. THEY SOFT (lol) - for real these are the softest playing strings in the Universe! ( I don’t like throwing while wearing any fancy gloves, or equipment bc i love feeling the string on my fingers and knowing exactly where the strings are at all times (not ratting out people who wear gloves, I think gloves are great for comps) but in general don’t like wearing them and by having a soft string that won’t tear your hands/fingers (esp in the winter LOL) is a savior!! <3
D. COLOR CHOICES! and THICKNESS CHOICES! - People are very picky nowadays when it comes to String as well (which makes total sense bc there are a million types of gap sizes and preferences)
My preferences depends on the type of yo-yos I am paring it up with. Right now I do like the thicker strings since I love doing binds almost without trying along with keeping it great for slacks and whip tricks I do daily! (KA-POW)
YoYoStringlab totally caters towards any style/preference and color!
E. We have the Proof. YoYoStringLab - Player Representatives
- What is your absolute staple throw, and what did it cost?
Plastics Fulvia, $29.99 Atom Smasher $19.99
Metals: Uppercut $34.99
Bi-Metals: KO $49.99
For Plastics I would limit myself for $40
Monos: $70
Bi-Metals: $110
Titanium: $300
I would also totally buy a Fulvia for $40 but glad its at 29.99 LOL! 
I would also like to point out an important factor that it also depends on how special the yo-yo means to you as well! - Sometimes regardless of the price, I def would pay extra/outside of my budget to:
- Support the person/friend/family
- DOPE/limited/Special editions
So everybody quit making special editions/Collabs/and quit being my friend so that I can save moniesssss! LOL
$120 is usually where I’m already saying “hmmmm. Maybe not.” That being said, my staple throw is my Ti Vayder so there is $150. I’m better off at 70 and under.
String-wise I’m pretty cheap. Never had a problem running Kitty xl or Alphaline. I occasionally get full Zipline but that’s if it’s been a good month. For example, my pyrography pen melted last night and my check engine light I already fixed just came on, feels like another misfire, so this month is 100 percent not a full fat Zipline month.
Up until about 3 weeks ago I only used bulk string. Then a kind soul gifted me some dummy thicc from @BadWolfeCo . A week later found out he was going to stop making strings so I spent probably 200$ on two orders from him and found another fourm member with a large amount and variety of badwolfeco strings and purchased those as well.
So No limit for strings or throws lol
My go to throw right now is is either my OG 03.09 Oxygene ti or a Something Speeder (best hybrid ever made imo)
Two total opposite throws but i find myself reaching for these two quite a bit 
i don’t have a limit on individual purchases. that being said there are very few throws I would spend a lot on these days. i have several high end throws in my collection at this point. they are awesome but they don’t necessarily play better than other, much less expensive, throws. i have them for the collection aspect of it. i’m not really spending much on anything right now. though, an RSO Ti Bowl would intice me to drop a few bucks…
enjoy the throw my friends
kgb
Yeah I got to try a KO on one of the PIF threads and instantly ordered one! It’s not glass smooth like higher-end bimetals but it swings way above it’s weight class, plenty of power and slightly smaller than average but it doesn’t feel too heavy for some reason.
The shape is mostly organic but slightly flattened on the inner walls so it feels like an organic but plays just a little bit like an H shape.
AND it sounds great in play, a slight low-pitch ring. It’s one of the yoyos that I’ll always have in my collection.
Ivan
My limit for bimetals is around $140-150, the only exception being the Palpitation ES
For fullmetals/monometals my limit is around $70-80
I Was not replying to you; or anything that you said. So; thanks for the unwarranted abuse.
I was using your name as a metaphor for rambling, long-winded stories that seem to take ages to make a point. In that regard you have proven my point.
Chill out dude.
… Cue long, rambling reply that never quite seems to make sense… but we love you anyway 
$100 which I have paid once. That said my biggest yoyo regret is not buying a yoyo in the BST for $110.
Honestly, I am glad that I am much older than you. Because statistically, I will most likely drop dead before you.
I certainly would prefer that to eventually pass.
We are all part of the puzzle no doubt.
Because you have developed such a Mastery of convoluted reasoning combined with negativity and wrapped up like a burrito with a well oiled defensive posture, I would most certainly miss you far more than you would miss me.
Most of the people that visit this forum obviously know ‘me’ by now. No doubt I have detractors and that is nothing new.
I also have no doubt that the forum members have a pretty good handle on your ‘contributions’ to the board.
That works for me.
I love you too😂
1: 30 bucks for a 100 pack.
I’ve gone above this once for Mowl string which was 35, but it’s too hard to justify the extra 5 bucks when 30 dollars already feels really high for a 100 pack of string. C3, OTS, and even Kitty substandard being <20 dollars is just too good value. I’ve tried a lot of the boutique options and I honestly didn’t like any of them more than the good bulk options we have now. HKMT and YYSL are nice but I will never buy them, I can’t justify the cost.
I know some people don’t get much life out of bulk, but I don’t really swap string unless it starts to look dirty. I guess I’m blessed with having dry hands and frequently washing them, because I can get like a month of play out of a single modern bulk poly string from like any company.
2: Hydrangea Magnolia 160 dollar AL monometal. If I had a signature yoyo it would be this. Everything about it fits my preferences to a T. I liked it enough that after a month with it, I went and bought a second. It’s worth it to me because I like what Hydrangea is doing. I respect the company, their designs, and their players. It’s a super refined version of everything I want out of a yoyo. That being said I think this yoyo would be a huge waste of money for a lot of people. It’s worth it to me because this is exactly what I personally want from a yoyo, and it’s from a company I’m eager to support.
I find that the spend more money to a higher tier product is not always true these days.
Plenty of premium things that are completely lackluster for the price, and higher end material usage doesn’t always mean higher end performance. So much of it is dependant on the design and intent behind the design.
Any company can make a TiSS or MgSS just for giggles but it doesn’t make it a good yoyo just cause they slapped a $600 price tag on it and made it out of the most advanced materials.
Also I’m interested in your definition of boutique brands. Since most of the yoyo space is technically a boutique brand with a handful of exceptions, plenty of which make performance designs.
I’d say $500 Is my max. But average new releases are usually $200-$350.