The Energon Pub

[Bronzewolf]

Recently, I've been finding myself in the situation of buying a Transformer and wondering, "Is this a good deal?". I always wanted to be able to ask the collective here on Seibertron, and I figured others might want to, as well. So, in this thread, please ask about a toy you're thinking of jumping on, submit a couple pictures if you want, and see if you're getting the right price for the condition your prospective figure is in!

Rules:
Give as much info as you can about the figure; Price, how complete it is, if the seller is throwing in any freebies to make the price more bearable, the condition, etc. Also, like I said, photos help!

This thread is NOT for sharing good discounts or sales at big box retailers (we have Steal of a Deal for that), and not particularly made for brand new figures, unless you're buying them from a private seller. It's for products that you are personally thinking about buying from a private seller (either local, or on Craigslist or Ebay) and are worried about paying too much.

This thread is also not for alerting other people to good deals, just for things you're thinking about buying and want a second opinion on. If you pass on something and another board member jumps on it, that is fine.

Absolutely NO buying or selling between forum members in this thread. We have our own buying/selling forums, please move those discussions there.

I did some intensive research into whether or not a thread like this already existed, and I came up with nothing, but please feel free to remove as needed. I hope to make this a valuable resource for all of us TF collectors and that we can all use our specific areas of expertise to help others get a good deal!

[Bronzewolf]

So, to start everything off, my dad sent me this today:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nostalgic-cla ... SwTuJYxWn5

I know it's not a Repop, because those came in different boxes, as I understand it. My main concern is is it a KO? It's a Chinese seller, which makes me suspicious, but he does get 100% positive feedback. He also does seem to sell KOs, but Identifies them as such in their listings. Thoughts?

[Bronzewolf]

So, to start everything off, my dad sent me this today:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nostalgic-cla ... SwTuJYxWn5

I know it's not a Repop, because those came in different boxes, as I understand it. My main concern is is it a KO? It's a Chinese seller, which makes me suspicious, but he does get 100% positive feedback. He also does seem to sell KOs, but Identifies them as such in their listings. Thoughts?

Update: That OP is indeed fake. That Grey border goes all the way around the window, a clear giveaway.

[-Kanrabat-]

So, to start everything off, my dad sent me this today:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nostalgic-cla ... SwTuJYxWn5

I know it's not a Repop, because those came in different boxes, as I understand it. My main concern is is it a KO? It's a Chinese seller, which makes me suspicious, but he does get 100% positive feedback. He also does seem to sell KOs, but Identifies them as such in their listings. Thoughts?

Update: That OP is indeed fake. That Grey border goes all the way around the window, a clear giveaway.

Feeling alone in this thread?

But yeah, any and all Transformers G1 "reissues" that come in G1 boxes and are sold from China for suspiciously cheap are ALL fake KOs. Usually, their quality is also very bad. So you get screwed HARD and the pleasure is all the seller's.

[Emerje]

I would think "4 available, 56 sold" would be the real giveaway. Who has that many vintage MIB Optimus Prime figures?

Emerje

[Bronzewolf]

So, to start everything off, my dad sent me this today:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nostalgic-cla ... SwTuJYxWn5

I know it's not a Repop, because those came in different boxes, as I understand it. My main concern is is it a KO? It's a Chinese seller, which makes me suspicious, but he does get 100% positive feedback. He also does seem to sell KOs, but Identifies them as such in their listings. Thoughts?

Update: That OP is indeed fake. That Grey border goes all the way around the window, a clear giveaway.

Feeling alone in this thread?

But yeah, any and all Transformers G1 "reissues" that come in G1 boxes and are sold from China for suspiciously cheap are ALL fake KOs. Usually, their quality is also very bad. So you get screwed HARD and the pleasure is all the seller's.

Yes! Please, come in!

Yep, I forgot the golden rule of TFs. If it's too good to be true, it probably is...

[Kurona]

I haven't got any specific listing to reference, but I might as well bring this up.

Chaos on Velocitron. I recently bought Laser Prime for what I figure to be a good price (£30 including shipping -- for a boxset-exclusive Voyager, that's pretty good imo). And while I told myself that's the only figure I wanted from that set, I recently find myself interested in Nautica -- sure it's not a great representation and other molds would have worked better and they could have done so much better on this... but dammit, it's the only representation of one of my favourite Transformers characters ever so I want her.

So: What would you nerds say is a good price for this rare highly-sought-after boxset-exclusive not-released-here-in-Europe Deluxe?

[TF-fan kev777]

Unfortunately Kurona, I think Nautica is going to be on the high side, probably about $40-50 US. It seems like she was the most sought after figure from the set, so the prices on her are going to be higher than Lazer Prime or Quickswitch.

[Bronzewolf]

Yep, seconded.

Though, to be fair, the price you paid for Laser Prime is really good, close to the best I've seen. I saw the whole set on Amazon yesterday for $250 US plus shipping, so in those terms, that was a steal.

I've got another case; Last month I was in talks to buy a 98% complete G1 Devastator, stickers were great, instructions were there, everything wasn't broken, I figured out it just needed two chrome missiles, and a box. I got the person selling it down to $60. I walked, just because it wasn't something I've ever particularly wanted, and I was more interested in owning it to be able to say I own it, more than actually enjoying it and checking something off of my TF bucket list.
Now, a month later, I'm worried I passed up on an amazing deal. Did I?

[-Kanrabat-]

About G1 Devastator, I dunno. Personally, I HATE it. It was one of the first combiner ever and it show. the bots are meh and the combined mode barely hold itself like a house of cards. Beside, you would have been stuck paying an arm and a leg for those damn missing parts.

For me, unless it's dirt cheap and the goal is other than collecting, avoid all and any G1 figures that are incomplete. Better pay the "expensive" price than being screwed over the spare parts.

[Bronzewolf]

About G1 Devastator, I dunno. Personally, I HATE it. It was one of the first combiner ever and it show. the bots are meh and the combined mode barely hold itself like a house of cards. Beside, you would have been stuck paying an arm and a leg for those damn missing parts.

For me, unless it's dirt cheap and the goal is other than collecting, avoid all and any G1 figures that are incomplete. Better pay the "expensive" price than being screwed over the spare parts.

Ah, that makes me feel better. That was the reasoning I used with the guy selling it, that I'd have to spend at least another $40 finding those parts, because no one is going to sell them by themselves. You're gonna have to buy an entire lot, and then go through the trouble of piecemealing the rest of said lot out again. Granted, however much you make from those extra parts takes some of the pain away, but it's still a process.

That's a good rule to keep in mind. I agree that paying more for a 100% complete figure gives a lot more peace of mind than buying a incomplete figure that requires work and additional purchases before being finished, even if you pay less at the start. Like my G1 Bluestreak is 100%, just w/o box, and I paid just under $50 for him, but I couldn't be happier. Love him to bits.

[Kurona]

This seems far, far too good to be true. Seller has 100% positive feedback but only from one person and the account's only been open for just over a month. What do you all think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152643282912?ul_noapp=true

[-Kanrabat-]

This seems far, far too good to be true. Seller has 100% positive feedback but only from one person and the account's only been open for just over a month. What do you all think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152643282912?ul_noapp=true

Obvious scammer is obvious. Unless you want to lend him your 10 quids for a month, you better off avoid.

[Bronzewolf]

Alright, experts, give me a second opinion
I'm in talks to buy a G1 Bumblebee and Wheeljack from a toy store, through Instagram. Both are genuine, and in excellent shape. Bumblebee's 100% complete, and is selling for $43. Wheeljack is also in amazing condition, for $65, and only missing a missle. No boxes for either, but they have instructions, and in bumblebee's case, the red stat viewer.

I'll probably be able to haggle the price lower, especially if I buy both. Is $90 for both a good deal?

[-Kanrabat-]

This is an absurd price for a G1 Bee. Especially in US dollars. But depending on Wheeljack's condition, it may be a good price for him. Still, 90$US for both would be a good price only if Wheeljack's would be 100% complete and in great condition.

But eh, it all come down to if you can have the figure RIGHT NOW or if you are willing to wait for a better deal to come up.

[ScottyP]

^ Agreed. Great price for Wheeljack if it's in good shape, rip off city on Bee.

[Bronzewolf]

Thanks guys. I got her down to $100 shipped. I kind of need them for a thing I'm doing in a couple of weeks, so I bit the bullet. Honestly, that really makes just $65 for Jackie, $25 for Bee, and $10 for shipping, which I'm much happier with. I think I got a pretty good deal, considering Ebay prices for both.

[-Kanrabat-]

Thanks guys. I got her down to $100 shipped. I kind of need them for a thing I'm doing in a couple of weeks, so I bit the bullet. Honestly, that really makes just $65 for Jackie, $25 for Bee, and $10 for shipping, which I'm much happier with. I think I got a pretty good deal, considering Ebay prices for both.

Could have been better, but could have been worse. Not a loss, not a win, just okay. And sometimes, that's enough!

[Bronzewolf]

My most recent haul.
transformers-toy-haul-thread-p1908990.php#p1908990
$200 for everything. A good deal?

[triKlops]

@BWolf Score on that , all the way around.
nice work!

[Bronzewolf]

So I have an Amazon gift card that I'm trying to spend, and I'm debating between Beast Hunters Sky Lynx (Minibot (little brother) loves Dragons/predacons,and he's trying to gather more) and Generations Whirl, which is my personal choice. Opinions on either? Are they good prices? I don't have a ton of experience or knowledge with that Sky Lynx, so any opinions on that especially would be greatly appreciated.

[triKlops]

So I have an Amazon gift card that I'm trying to spend, and I'm debating between Beast Hunters Sky Lynx (Minibot (little brother) loves Dragons/predacons,and he's trying to gather more) and Generations Whirl, which is my personal choice. Opinions on either? Are they good prices? I don't have a ton of experience or knowledge with that Sky Lynx, so any opinions on that especially would be greatly appreciated.

Sky Lynx is dope but I bet you can find it cheaper with a little more digging.
Whirl is a great NeoG1 reimagining, especially with the GIJoe style decals and details, but beware of the stink.

If you are unaware of random Whirl funk, check for Burn's trials and tribulations in his thread.
https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=102947

Good luck regardless of decision, I have both and been happy with both purchases.

[Bronzewolf]

Sorry to leave this thread so desolate. Here's another question for everybody. About to buy a CW Bruticus and Defensor (without legends dudes, out of box) for around $206 total shipped from the UK. Is this a good deal? I feel like it is, and like I'll never see a price that low again (just over $100 per combiner is damn near retail) but it's still quite a bit of cash. I'd just like to feel a bit more confident.

[-Kanrabat-]

Sorry to leave this thread so desolate. Here's another question for everybody. About to buy a CW Bruticus and Defensor (without legends dudes, out of box) for around $206 total shipped from the UK. Is this a good deal? I feel like it is, and like I'll never see a price that low again (just over $100 per combiner is damn near retail) but it's still quite a bit of cash. I'd just like to feel a bit more confident.

Go for it man, before it's too late. First, it's SHIPPED. Second, every single CW deluxes go for around 40$ plus shipping nowadays. So if you missed out, now is the golden opportunity to strike.

HURRY!

[RiddlerJ]

I suppose this is obvious but just to ask.

So I guess this is a KO right?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-A ... Sw8-FaaEEc