The Energon Pub

This is a good discussion. So I think these two questions may help wrap this up.

1. Do you feel that if someone is selling a complete excellent condition G1 bot at auction and it has reprolabels applied, should the seller disclose this?

2. Would you pay the same amount for a G1 bot complete, excellent condition, regardless of whether it had excellent condition original stickers, or excellent condition reprolabels? As a buyer, is it all the same?

JackStraw wrote:1. Do you feel that if someone is selling a complete excellent condition G1 bot at auction and it has reprolabels applied, should the seller disclose this?

Absoloutely. Just like the seller should disclose the state of the joints, whether there's any discolouration to the plastic, etc. Pics can only go so far.

2. Would you pay the same amount for a G1 bot complete, excellent condition, regardless of whether it had excellent condition original stickers, or excellent condition reprolabels? As a buyer, is it all the same?

I would expect to pay more for a TF with original stickers, depending on their condition.

Most times though i'll just replace them with Reprolabels anyway.

JackStraw wrote:Bottom line is when you are talking about the resale value of a collectible, especially an older one, anything added that is not original decreases the value - generally speaking, when it comes to my buying, Transformers are no exception.

Now you are asking me would I rather a WJ with original stickers for $500 or with repro for $50, i'll take the repro, but I'm not sure what that proves, other than the fact that I'm not rich.

so my MP Grimlock with real diamond teeth and 24k gold chest piece custom is less valuable?

As most people are saying here, it depends on supply and demand, but I'll pipe up and say that if I were buying toys not currently available at retail (Lets use G1 as an example, as that's where most of the stickers are anyway) and I could get one with tatty old original stickers or one with shiny new stickers, all else being equal, I'd go for the prettier one. granted, I'm not as much of a stickler for some things as some people are. There are people who will want the original in whatever condition it is in. I bought reissue Hot Rod, because I wanted the figure, but had it not been in ToysRUs for a tenner or whatever, I'd have passed, I would not have hunted down an original. Some people are more selective.

Erailea wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:We're not talking about original paintings or classic cars. We're talking about mass-produced $10-$50 toys. There's a big difference. The analogies don't work.

Natrally. Toys are always another animal than art (not just in value)

I'd argue this point somewhat. They're not regarded as art by the majority of people, but art can be mass-produced/replicated and in every other way that art is described, I can see applications in the field of toymaking. Some of it's pretty bad art, but then there are some masterpieces as well. I think Universe Galvatron might have been someone's attempt at a Picasso.

Reprolabels have added value to my G1 Astrotrain and Devastator and are improving my movie-verse. I'm not planning on selling them in the near future so they work for me.

TO be honest i've haven't had a pleasant experience with sticker on toys.

I once had 2 G1 Seacons Nautilator and Seawing which i bought at a flea market. Their stickers were very badly worn out and had minor detail effect or were flaking off so i just brushed the stickers off and i always decided that unless it's a very important sticker detail like a faction symbol or other extreme significance then they don't matter to me one bit(unfortunately those 2 were lost when i moved from denmark to iceland)

Also, i am not like a perfectionist collector.... to be spend money to buy minor details for stickers that were 20+ years old and were peeling off.

I've also collected a toy-line called Beyblade(back in 2003), small spinning tops that had multiple small detail stickers like stickers for detailed areas like animal eyes. I even had to resort to leave out those particular sticker eyes made by Hasbro since they repeatedly fell out due to weak glue.

Value of the toy.
Imho, the value is in the eye of the beholder. What kind of hurts is that it's like become an industry( both good and bad)

The good:
1. Htf figures can now be purchased
2. Spare parts can now be purchased
3. It can now be used as collateral(almost?) if you need extra cash as a last resort

The bad:( amped up x 100 )
1. Htf figures can now be purchased
2. Spare parts can now be purchased
3. It can now be used as collateral(almost?) if you need extra cash

Heck, even the root vein of the discussion "will use of reproduction decals change a figure's value?" Has it all come down to how much will I get when I sell my figure at the secondary market? Mind you, imho, this is basically only applicable to G1.

In a spin off show of Pawn Stars, Kings of Restoration, the underlying theme is to have an item as complete, functional and original as possible. That is only logical.

It all boils down to personal taste.

In my personal experience I have not encountered many people who would not pay the same amount for an original sticker version compared to a reprolabeled version. The main draw that I've found for TF's is the condition of the plastic, rubber (if there is any), and joint tightness. In most cases even joint tightness can be fixed with very little labor.

For my personal collection I would rather have a nice reprolabeled figure opposed to one with somewhat damaged stickers. In fact, if the rest of the figure is in good condition I'll buy it with the thought of putting repros on it.

It's personal preference, but I think the majority of collectors don't mind. Reprolabels are practically official products anyway.

Erailea wrote:Most important thing is to enjoy what you're collecting & if altering your Transformers makes you happier, then I don't see why you should worry. If you're really antsy about it buy a spare figure to remain unaltered, if you can, otherwise just have fun with your little guys

Exactly! Enjoy them now! Don't sacrifice your own enjoyment of the figures by NOT buying Reprolabels that you want, just because you think it's going to hurt their resale value later. If you think your Transformers are an investment, you're a fool. If you want an investment, buy stocks, mutual funds, or real estate. Transformers are toys and should be enjoyed in the present.

Not wanting to derail this one but I've a question not worthy of it's own topic. I found a complete G1 Squeezeplay in my Mum's attic not long ago, the only stickers showing any wear are the really thin ones on the robot-mode legs. Were I to sell it, which I've no intention of doing at present, is there a chance that anyone would believe that these are the original stickers and not updates? I ask out of interest because I'm amazed at how well these stickers have endured.

Edit for spelling, and it's probably still messed up.

Mr O wrote:Not wanting to derail this one but I've a question not worthy of it's own topic. I found a complete G1 Squeezeplay in my Mum's attic not long ago, the only stickers showing any wear are the really thin ones on the robot-mode legs. Were I to sell it, which I've no intention of doing at present, is there a chance that anyone would believe that these are the original stickers and not updates? I ask out of interest because I'm amazed at how well these stickers have endured.

Edit for spelling, and it's probably still messed up.

Reprolabels are easy to spot. The originals were mostly foilesque (if ya know what i mean). Reprolabs aren't for the most part. They really do stand out cause no matter how minty the deccals are on the original fig they are gonna have a certain patina to them. I Just took a look at my Squeezeplay and they are really minty as well but still show colour fading and just plain look like they've been there for 20 years.

monstergrotusque wrote:

Mr O wrote:Not wanting to derail this one but I've a question not worthy of it's own topic. I found a complete G1 Squeezeplay in my Mum's attic not long ago, the only stickers showing any wear are the really thin ones on the robot-mode legs. Were I to sell it, which I've no intention of doing at present, is there a chance that anyone would believe that these are the original stickers and not updates? I ask out of interest because I'm amazed at how well these stickers have endured.

Edit for spelling, and it's probably still messed up.

Reprolabels are easy to spot. The originals were mostly foilesque (if ya know what i mean). Reprolabs aren't for the most part. They really do stand out cause no matter how minty the deccals are on the original fig they are gonna have a certain patina to them. I Just took a look at my Squeezeplay and they are really minty as well but still show colour fading and just plain look like they've been there for 20 years.

Cheers for the quick reply. These show no signs of colour fading but that's probably down to having no exposure to light for twenty-odd years. They've got that slightly sparkly sivery thing going on but aren't 'foily' in the way of the Dinobots stickers. It looks like I got lucky with this figure. Well hey! Cheers again for your response!