The Energon Pub

I posted a few days ago asking for help identifying whether or not this Tyco Transformers train set was actually MISB. I'm pretty sure it is now. I'm really bothered whether to open it or not. I know ultimately it is my decision and I should do what I want. However, I wanted some deeper input, that's why I'm posting here instead of the Toys or General Discussion forums.

I don't know how many of these are in existence. I've only been hunting for it for a few months now but from word of mouth, it's hard to get these complete with box. Not so tough getting a complete 4 car train set [no tracks, electrical transformer, little figures, pop-up buildings, or play mat].

If I open it, I feel that it may be, in a way, destroying probably one of the very few MISB in decent condition sets there could be [nearly 25 years old].

So it's sort of a moral dilemma. On one hand I could be selfish and open it because I can, and I like opening new things and this is the ultimate find for me. But on the other, I could just wait till I find a complete set again with box [or find a box later] and sell this MISB to a collector who would love to have a MISB of something they probably thought they couldn't get (if this is really as rare as I think).

In the end it's just plastic in a cardboard box, but still, I'm a collector so I know how it is.

I'm still going to put it in a protective plastic casing for a while [airtight or not, not sure if it's worth it]... unless I open it...
[http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=55995]

I doubt I can ever give you a definitive answer that will make you decide whether or not to open it or not, but I can shine a light on to why collectors prefer AFA/MIB/Loose collections.

They collect based on past habits that made them happy. Seriously, that's it. Very few collectors worry about the value of their collection, aside from insurance and replacement issues of course. Those that actually care about things like value are, in my eyes at least, long term investors.

For example, I'm a loose figure colelctor. I don't give two slags about packaging. Almost all of it goes into recycing after a mad opening spree. Rare Japanese Figs have the same shelving Priority as mass-released Universe or Botcon figs.

I may seem to be straying off topic here, but it all comes back to you I promise.

You're stuck with a dilemma. That train set is extremely pricey and in very good condition. Based on no research, a little common sense and some estimates, I'd say there's no more than 100 in that very condition.

Now here's the question for you: does a rare train in a box make you happy? You are owning something that's a treasure, but what is a tresure if you don't get enjoyment from it? Even Scrooge McDuck used him money bin as a personal pool. If it doesn't make you happpy, then open it and giggle like a child as the train runs around the track.

If you do decide to keep it MISB though, I'd suggest getting it AFA'd. It'll cost some, but it will guarentee its rarity and condition for a long time.

I've felt that keeping a TF (Or any toy really) MISB was like slapping Hasbro in the face. They did not design a toy that could turn in a complex fashion from a robot to a car or a jet, or what have you, load it up with lights ans sounds and accessories, and market it to children, simply so it could sit on someone's shelf, unopened. All that work designing it goes to waste if all you do is keep it in the box.

That's my two cents, really. A toy is meant to be played with, not kept pristine so it could be resold.

I'm also a collector of loose figures (I was going to say 'loose collector' but that sounded weird) so that's where I'm coming from--factor that into how you weigh the value of my response.

As soon as I get a figure I feel a compelling need to free it from its cardboard prison.

But then again, I don't own anything super ridiculously rare, so I can intellectually totally see your dilemma.

I remember the whole Beanie Babies thing (which I witnessed but did not get involved in) where people would freak out if the freakin' ear tag got bent, or even worse, if it was *missing*. These people had somehow convinced themselves that these bits of fun fur would be worth millions. That's not how it works. The reason G1 stuff is so pricey is *Because* no one knew they'd ever be that hugely popular. If anyone had an inkling, everyone would have saved their MISB G1s or Star Wars figures (my addiction at the time). And if everyone had, they wouldn't be worth nearly as much now, because they wouldn't be rare.

You have something legitimately rare which is different than a lot of TFs and a lot of stuff that collectors collect these days (my collection isn't very rare).

Were I in your situation, one thing I'd consider is how much I really paid for the item. My 'rarest' figure was $100. And I can find him on eBay for more than that, but not scads more, on a regular basis. To me, I opened the box. If this toy is what you rate as *pricey* (to me $100 was) AND the likelihood of seeing this in this condition at around that price is pretty rare (which in my case it wasn't), I'd keep it in the box. If no to both, open away.

Don't know if that helped, but that's how I think of it in my pitiful collection.

HK, yeah, it's pretty tiny.

Yeah, as some people have said, it depends on whether you want to re-sell and get as much out of it as you can.

Me? I don't give a rat's arse about re-sale, and when I buy something I don't buy thinking "i'll sell this in 20 years and make a killing of some nostaglic schmuck".

I also tend to view it as such: if there was a nuclear war tomorrow and I survived, would I be pissed off if I hadn't played with said toy because i kept it MIB? (Of course I"d probably have other worries then toys).