ISO

What is ISO?

"In Search Of" -- the standard community abbreviation used when a collector is actively looking for a specific fantasy toy, colorway, or configuration.

Why Is ISO the Universal Search Signal?

ISO stands for In Search Of and serves as the opening signal in marketplace posts across Reddit, Discord, and dedicated fantasy toy trading forums. When a collector types "ISO" at the start of a post, every community member instantly understands that this person is actively hunting for something specific and wants sellers to come to them. The abbreviation saves time, standardizes communication, and cuts through the noise of busy BST channels where dozens of listings and requests flow daily.

The format is efficient by design. A typical ISO post reads like a compressed specification sheet: "ISO: M/M serpent, split firm, any rogue or dark colorway." Every word carries meaning. The model name, size code, firmness preference, and color criteria are packed into a single line. Experienced traders parse these posts instantly because the format is universal across the entire fantasy toy community regardless of platform.

What Goes Into an Effective ISO Post?

Effective ISO posts follow an unwritten but widely respected structure. The post opens with ISO followed by the specific model name. Size comes next, typically using the maker's own size coding system (S, M, L, XL or numerical scales). Firmness preference follows, whether soft, medium, firm, or split. Finally, the colorway requirement appears, ranging from extremely specific ("that teal and gold rogue from the March drop") to completely open ("any color, just need this model").

The more specific your ISO, the harder it is to fill but the more precisely it targets your actual want. Broad ISOs generate more responses but require sorting through options that may not excite you. Narrow ISOs may sit unanswered for weeks or months. Some collectors maintain standing ISO posts that they repost periodically, hoping the right piece surfaces over time. This patience is especially important when hunting a white whale that may take months or years to appear.

What Are ISO Etiquette Best Practices?

Community norms govern how ISO posts are handled. Budget transparency helps sellers decide whether to respond. Stating "ISO, budget $X" or "flexible on price for the right piece" sets expectations immediately. Condition requirements should be specified upfront. Some collectors only want BNIB pieces while others happily accept gently used toys at a lower price point. Location matters for shipping costs, so many ISO posts include country or region.

Responding to an ISO carries its own etiquette. If you have the exact piece described, respond publicly or via direct message depending on the platform's norms. If you have something close but not exact, ask before assuming the poster is interested. Do not hijack someone's ISO post to sell unrelated items. And if you see an ISO that matches something in your hoard that you were not planning to rehome, it is perfectly acceptable to say so. Sometimes a strong enough offer changes minds.

How Is ISO Used Beyond the Marketplace?

ISO has expanded beyond pure buying intent. Collectors use it to search for information ("ISO: anyone who owns this model, how does firm compare to medium?"), to find specific accessories, or to locate community members with experience in a particular product category. The abbreviation has become shorthand for any active search within the community. Discover pieces worth searching for at LustMonster.com and never miss a drop again.