Given that this is such a controversial topic, I'd like to contribute in aiding potential suckers or willing consumers for G1 Transformers KO without being shafted by unscrupulous individuals
1. Box art: check for it's newness and spelling errors (some KO have already rectified this.
There was a time around 1990 to 1990 when G1 figs were released for the Chinese market. Some of the box art quality were kind of subpar compared to the 1984 releases but they are/were official Hasbro products.
2.Paint applications, sometimes(G1 Cyclonus for example, the silver paint on his horns are uneven (beneath the nose cone). Though later versions have rectified this.
3.Label quality. Scourge's sigil is light red and not dark purple blue. Some scammers will have applied the factory labels on but for most of the time, KO G1 figures have it the opposite(as in the factory labels are unapplied)
Another thing, the paper materials the decals are printed on vary in quality. From High grade to crumble in your hands cr@p.
Rub symbols back then were said to help tell the difference between the real McCoy. Well not anymore.Also some Euro G1 "Classics" ditched the rub symbols altogether.(It is funny that the KOs have rub symbols while the tail end originals do not)
4.Plastic quality. The originals have a more oomph in weight, unfortunately even Encore plastics feel cr@ppy (Take henkei and Encore Ratchet). Take Bruticus and Piranacon
. Also take note of molding blemishes. But that too may not always be the case (see example 1) when TFs were released for the Chinese market, there were noticeable degradations in the molds of several TF G1 figures back in 1991.
Check the plastic for gloss. Wheeljack's shoulder missiles and plastic are a good example. They are smoothly done but kind off drab in appearance. Not glossy.
5.Chrome application on both body and accessories. At times it's a hit and miss. Sometimes even with imperfections.
6. Molding fit. Sometimes they don't transform evenly or the guns don't fit into the fists properly etc.
7.Wheels and rivets. The rubber tires are at times a hit or miss.But check the wheel rivets. In Wheeljack, his original version 2 rivets was hexagonal. Some KO's just couldn't get it right. Most default Autobot cars had a type of circular rivet with 4 simulated "screws" in between. Well the KO of Protectobot Streetwise has non of these simulated "screws".
8. Completeness/doubles. Superion lacks the "shield" aka launching platform. Devastator has two Scavenger guns etc.
On the recent Stunticon release, check the simulted "hubcaps" of the set. On the 4 cars, the co centric pattterns are not centered.Motormaster on the other hand, the chrome on the hubcaps on the facsimile wheels aren't properly chromed (kind of looking torn and stuff.)
That's as much as I can squeeze from my direct experience in handling high quality KOs. I for one own the Devastator version. Closest thing to the real McCoy. I hope this helps potential buyres prior to purchasing them.
Okay, in the end, this piece I wrote doesn't necessarily condone buying stuff like KOs. If let's say a henkei Wheeljack is available together with a KO henkei, I will buy the original item of course. But if a long lost mold which HaTak no longer is interested in making becomes available and is of a high quality, then I might just consider getting one.
Similar to the previous "Metroplex" brouhaha, well the KO versions were easily identified and consigned to oblivion right? When the Encore became available, who do you think got purchased in droves?
So in the end, if the powers that be makes the originals available, then no one will purchase them KOs.
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