The Energon Pub

I went out one day and found a used Unicron at some store. Along with a used Energon Galvatron.
So they are missing a lot of parts, but the basics of the figures are still intact.
My new / used Galvatron has everything needed to transform, so his Alt-mode still looks good, as does his robot mode. He is missing most of his weapons. I'm really glad I found him there. I don't mind paying 35$ to get two huge figures like that. Unicron is missing a lot of his parts, mostly his rings and half a chest plate. I think he can still transform, but he doesn't really need to. Anyway I'm so happy to have them. They are not the only used or old transformers I have, I believe I have some slightly older yet much smaller ones lying around somewhere. So with that said, I am one step closer to my goal, of having a large collection of different Megatron / Galvatron, and Optimus Prime, figures! Some of my Optimus figures are used, such as Armada Optimus is missing parts and his arm broke in half and had to be super glued back on. I hated doing that because now he can't transform. But I guess that's what I get for pulling too hard on an old figure I got from Ebay. I guess I don't know my own strength sometimes. My Age of Extinction "Evasion mode" Optimus was also bought used at cheap store in town. The only part missing is his gun. His chest plate is broken, but it stays in place in both modes so he can still be transformed. I'm still happy to have them, since that's about what I can usually afford. I may attempt to save money for some new Megatron and Optimus figures. But you know how things can get in the way. Most of my figures were bought brand new, just not these ones. Sorry for the long post, I didn't realize how much I was writing until I was done!

That's the problem with collecting. Complete, more expensive. If incomplete, weighing the costs if you buy piece by piece until complete, costs more.

Happened to me prior to buying a loose but complete G1 Motormaster. I waited until one complete showed up. Won it for $75.00 no box. Moral of the story, if you can avoid it, get a good loose and assemble until complete but if not buy it complete.

trying to complete a figure/toy piece by piece can be hard and expensive depending on what pieces are missing. best example i can think of is off topic but it was the TMNT vintage Technodrome. one of the parts i was missing rarely came up and was super expensive when it did

I love flea market/yard sales because there's the chance of finding something. And yes, a lot of times things are incomplete, so it depends on the item whether or not I pick it up. If it's missing a gun or some other easily replaceable part and it's G1 era I usually pick it up.

And sometimes things just work out awesomely. Couple years ago I found parts at a flea market, specifically G1 Jetfire's gun(I had a poor condition Jetfire already), Blaster's gun, and a couple guns for Powermaster Prime. Last year my buddy found me a decent condition gun less Blaster at a Flea Market(broken head antennae, but eh), and I bought a Powermaster Prime missing the guns I'd already found. Also last year found Cybertron Scourge's tail/axe, which prompted me to buy an incomplete Scourge off of e-bay(which seem to be kinda common). I've also had similar finds over the years.

So yes, sometimes the hunt is worth it, and the hunt itself is very fun. Of course a lot of it depends on luck. And when you think about it, it's no different from e-bay, just you're there to inspect the figure personally.

Couple other things: Energon Galvatron, excellent find!!! That's an expensive figure. I was lucky to find one a couple years ago myself at a price I dare not mention for jealousy(missing a sword I replaced with Energon Megatron's, same thing just a different color).

And then there's the other side to finding something incomplete. Armada Jetfire. I found one missing his landing gear/shield, not realizing at the time he had such a part. So I search e-bay...bupkiss, nothing on. Awhile later...nada. Yet more time passes, I find/buy a shield for $5 on e-bay, it never comes in(I can't remember if the money was ever refunded or not). Yet a while later I see another one on E-Bay and I finally get it. This was over the course of I'm going to say two years at least, or at least it felt like it. Extremely annoying, but very satisfying as well. At least the mini-con was easy to find on e-bay. Oh, and Armada Super-Prime and Overload? Lucked into them at a yard sale and flea market as well, missing only a missile(Prime), and a flip up shoulder cover and red missiles(Overload).

If I am buying a figure used, I don't usually worry about all the parts. If the figure is there in both modes, I'm in. Most of my G1 figures are all there, but missing a part or two. That doesn't stop me from displaying or playing with them.

fenrir72 wrote:That's the problem with collecting. Complete, more expensive. If incomplete, weighing the costs if you buy piece by piece until complete, costs more.

Happened to me prior to buying a loose but complete G1 Motormaster. I waited until one complete showed up. Won it for $75.00 no box. Moral of the story, if you can avoid it, get a good loose and assemble until complete but if not buy it complete.

I tought I was having a deal by buing a "mostly" complete G1 Doubledealer for 60$ + shipping. Turn out the damn blue chestplate was missing. It was clearly stated in the listing but I bought it too fast.

That damn chestplate was RARELY popping up on Ebay. Each times it did, it was 35$ shipped! After months of waiting, I finally bought one from the UK. Yup, it was 35$ shipped. I ended up paying the full price anyway.

Still, I love to find broken toys at thrift stores for my custom fodders!

There's a lot of fun to be had in getting an incomplete figure and restoring it. The thrill of the hunt ... but of course, there is the cost.

I've been reasonably lucky, getting figures and parts at good prices. Except for G1 Scorponok. Some of those parts are elusive, and the ones that aren't can be fairly costly.

Still ... it is a nice feeling to complete a figure.