I also just started buying around December of last year. However, I've always been a big HT/DVD enthusiast, so I became aware of Sidshow when the Balrog, Cave Troll, etc. were still up for sale. At the time I thought, "Wow, those are cool, but probably a little too geeky for me to have in my house." My how things have changed.
I was drawn to this forum by a thread on the Home Theater Forum (which several people here, including Chuck, spaceman, and others, started). Anyway, my first 3 pieces were:
1. Gandalf the Grey (about to be sold)
2. Baby Rog
3. RWOS