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[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

[PrymeStriker]

It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

[xyl360]

It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

Eh, many collectors do the same thing. They see these toys (and yes, sorry to burst any bubbles, these are all TOYS ) as some kind of monetary investment. While you can make money off of old TF's, that never was their intended purpose.

Of course, the flip side is, they were never intended to be collectible pieces of nastalgia either. We made them that, the same as Hot Wheels collectors, vintage automobile collectors and every other type of collector out there, which is precisely what gives them increased monetary value over time.

She's the equivalent of a high-end liquidator. She is to assess the items she's presented with and give an estimate based on the current market value and provide that info to her client who is the owner of the item(s) she's assessing. Her job is basically to do what a seller on ebay does when estimating how much to charge for that vintage piece of TF history.

I get this side of collecting, I understand it, but I disregard it. As much as I love these hunks of paint, plastic and metal, all they ever were and still are is toys. Just a bunch of toys, and I'm an adult who collects and plays with them. They are not my 401K, they are not my stocks and bonds, and they are not some plastic legacy that I'm going to leave to my children so that the spirit of the Transformers will live on for future generations.

That's just me though, and I know that many (if not most) collectors don't see it the same way that I do. But that's also exactly why I hate the concept of shows like this. Ooo, wow, look at how much those old toys are worth! I should sell them all and make a ton of $! No, not me, sorry, that's not why I collect them.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

I agree that she's well informed in appraisal work. I commend her for that.

However, while I do not know what kind of point these two were trying to get across, from my prospective, she seems to look at the monetary value of Transformers rather than the sentimental value that collectors have. I do not think she "sucks" for that, because that's her job. That's what she's been doing all of her life (exaggeration). I believe many fans are offended by the fact that "she looks at our figures and sees a stack of money."

I agree when it comes to the Generation 2 Botcon exclusive. It should have been used as an incentive to sell off the items not worth having in his collection. This could allow him to have him either have his main collection graded or put in acrylic cases, and ultimately let him and others have fun looking at them... Talking about them... And so on. Mostly because it is a key piece to his collection at that time.

However, she ended up talking about his financial issues more than the clutter. And she disconnected it from the rest because it had monetary value, as well as the fact he was constantly in debt. I cannot entirely disagree with the idea that he needed to sell it, as he put himself in that predicament. But she could have, at least, gone from the monetary value (and it not being a G1 piece) to the fact that if he keeps up what he does... He will find himself selling it if he continues doing what he is doing.

[Megatron000]

Anyone have a link for the Transformers episode (youtube, any other site)? I'd like to check it out.

[Stormrider]

It's obvious this woman knows nothing of collecting beyond what her producers tell her in between jump cuts. Fake and forced drama by a faux self righteous talking head... should be ratings gold. I'm going to read a book now.

i agree. It's apparent this hostess is not well informed.

Neither are the two of you. And yet, you don't see people make ignorant claims about the two of you. Which is a very, very, very sad thing to do.

I mean... Have either one of you have a reputation and history tied to appraising, auctioning, etc. any kind of object like she does? Did you know that she is also a art historian and antiques appraiser? That for more than a decade, she was both an expert appraiser and consultant for Christie's Auction House? How about the fact that she is a licensed appraiser? How about the fact that her expertise includes pop culture?

Did either one of you know that? Obviously not since you both chose to trash her with no merit instead of looking up any information on her. Something that takes very little effort, especially if you do nothing more than actually look up her name on Wikipedia.

What the heck are you swinging at? Can you take it down 3 or 4 notches instead of leaping and making assumptions of what I meant? I could easily make assumptions about you based on your tone and what you wrote, but I won't (for the time being).

I have watched a few shows and feel that the show is based on drama, and her angle is to push the people into dramatic points. (I don't think that should be a big surprise to anyone, since drama sells). In this particular episode she gave the guy advice that people are not into G2 Botcon Stunticons therefore he should sell them, after he said that he was very attached to them for several reasons. Her advice doesn't make sense for a couple reasons - 1. If G2 Stunticons are not popular now, why sell them? Why not wait until they are popular and therefore worth more money? Why not sell something that is worth more money and takes up more space if he needed the money? 2. I believe the G2 Stunticons are worth more money than she claimed. 3. Why advise someone to sell something that they said they are very atached to other than to make better drama? I am sticking to my guns that she is not well informed about G2 Stuniticons.

Like most TF collectors, I take my advice from Transformers experts when I choose to sell parts of my collection; not TV show paid auctioneers with a broad background in pop culture.

[MINDVVIPE]

'Fraid I'm going to have to agree with Stormrider there. No one knows the value of Transformers more than Transformers fans, especially the ones who collect a ton, and are used to selling/trading/appraising them. She might have expertize in... researching skills, because thats all you really need to do, but you won't know the true values and trends unless you have been fully immersed in the fandom for decades.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

What the heck are you swinging at? Can you take it down 3 or 4 notches instead of leaping and making assumptions of what I meant? I could easily make assumptions about you based on your tone and what you wrote, but I won't (for the time being). I have watched a few shows and feel that the show is based on drama, and her angle is to push the people into dramatic points. (I don't think that should be a big surprise to anyone, since drama sells). In this particular episode she gave the guy advice that people are not into G2 Botcon Stunticons therefore he should sell them, after he said that he was very attached to them for several reasons. Her advice doesn't make sense for a couple reasons - 1. If G2 Stunticons are not popular now, why sell them? Why not wait until they are popular and therefore worth more money? Why not sell something that is worth more money and takes up more space if he needed the money? 2. I believe the G2 Stunticons are worth more money than she claimed. 3. Why advise someone to sell something that they said they are very atached to other than to make better drama? I am sticking to my guns that she is not well informed about G2 Stuniticons.

I am sorry that I made you feel that you need to be defensive. But honestly, you are pretty much telling me that you are allowed to assume things about others, but when it comes to others doing it to you... It is not okay. Meanwhile, you and one other have talked about this person and series as if you are an expert on both.

That is what your words are telling me. And FYI, I go with how things are said by the person, not the person who said... As it is easy to misunderstand the tone of a person you do not know.

And what is the item being focused on? A 1994 Botcon exclusive that was sold for $1,300 and by a guy who placed himself in said situation. Not the person who has a huge collection she admired and told him to keep. Not the person who relied on his parents to pay the rent on not just his L.A.-based condo, but his business and bills. And not the fact that removing the item, he is freed of the addiction he developed due to his trauma being a sick child.

And when it comes to the show itself... I appeared on two episodes of Mtv's Singled Out, we spent an approximate 3 hours per episode and had to wait around 4-6 months until those episodes aired. So I know based on what I experienced and the final product, there is a lot of stuff not seen by the viewers. So what we had seen was what the producers wanted, not what the viewers deserved.

And finally, with the facts:

1) Dahveed has an addiction to Transformers.
2) Dahveed has a business that only increased his collection, not his profits.
3) Dahveed was relying on his parents when it came to his Los Angeles (assuming the Toy District is near Little Tokyo) condo.
4) Dahveed needs to remove an essential piece from his collection if he is going to break this addiction.
5) Dahveed was told to not sell his complete sets, which (combined) can probably have him buy the condo he lives in.

So the point is simple: If he did not place himself in a situation where he could become homeless if he parents cut him off, he would not have to sell the piece. And all he needed to do was have his home simply be decluttered, she would have used it as an incentive to have it be displayed instead of being left in his boxes.

Oh... And he has a complete set of "Return of Convoy" (1991). If he also had "Operation Combination" (1992, final set), he would be a deity among many serious collectors.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

'Fraid I'm going to have to agree with Stormrider there. No one knows the value of Transformers more than Transformers fans, especially the ones who collect a ton, and are used to selling/trading/appraising them.

Not entirely true.

LINK: http://coolandcollected.com/toy-hunter-rise-from-ashland-episode-recap-and-review/

Take this and stores run by people who are also collectors. That collector paid an estimated $150 for a C-7 or C-8 loose Bumblejumper. He could have paid $35-$50 if his need for the piece was not there.

Plus, comic collectors have required a "Overstreet Comic Price Guide" for years. Stores that are run by collectors base their prices on what allows them to make a profit, not sentimental value. And other collectors will either overpay or underpay for items they want, while others require experts to help them set up a monetary value just in case they need to sell.

She might have expertize in... researching skills, because thats all you really need to do, but you won't know the true values and trends unless you have been fully immersed in the fandom for decades.

And where does it say that she does not have a collection of her own, has a history of collecting, and/or have family/friends that have collections of her own? What about the fact that she is an expert in pop culture? Does this mean she knows nothing about collecting?

I just watched the episode again. And while you were debunking her, you also ignored the fact that he developed a Transformers collection. And that the pieces she told him not to sell also had sentimental value, but were also complete sets. So if she was what you claimed she said, she would not have been the way she was.

Oh... And her behavior towards his collection, sans the one piece that could be sacrificed in hopes of helping him get his life in order, proves that she has her own collection and knows the difference of collecting and hoarding.

[Stormrider]

'Fraid I'm going to have to agree with Stormrider there. No one knows the value of Transformers more than Transformers fans, especially the ones who collect a ton, and are used to selling/trading/appraising them.

Not entirely true.

LINK: http://coolandcollected.com/toy-hunter-rise-from-ashland-episode-recap-and-review/

Take this and stores run by people who are also collectors. That collector paid an estimated $150 for a C-7 or C-8 loose Bumblejumper. He could have paid $35-$50 if his need for the piece was not there.

Plus, comic collectors have required a "Overstreet Comic Price Guide" for years. Stores that are run by collectors base their prices on what allows them to make a profit, not sentimental value. And other collectors will either overpay or underpay for items they want, while others require experts to help them set up a monetary value just in case they need to sell.

She might have expertize in... researching skills, because thats all you really need to do, but you won't know the true values and trends unless you have been fully immersed in the fandom for decades.

And where does it say that she does not have a collection of her own, has a history of collecting, and/or have family/friends that have collections of her own? What about the fact that she is an expert in pop culture? Does this mean she knows nothing about collecting?

I just watched the episode again. And while you were debunking her, you also ignored the fact that he developed a Transformers collection. And that the pieces she told him not to sell also had sentimental value, but were also complete sets. So if she was what you claimed she said, she would not have been the way she was.

Oh... And her behavior towards his collection, sans the one piece that could be sacrificed in hopes of helping him get his life in order, proves that she has her own collection and knows the difference of collecting and hoarding.

Obviously we don't know each other very well; you present a decent arguement but I don't agree 100%. That's fine with me. However I do have a question... are you married, in love with her, or related to her by any chance? I don't mean that in any disrepectful way. I am just trying to understand why you feel that your claims and plausible explanations that seem to stretch just far as mine are dominantly more correct. I am not asking you to accept mine. I am asking because you continue to hound that your explanation is the only correct one. Perhaps you personally know her, which I am perfectly fine with, or perhaps I am too much of a realist with TV.