The Energon Pub

It seems that whenever a box is included with a figure, it is considered "MIB". It's rare when you see someone list a figure as "mildly damaged, but in box", or "completely shot to hell, but in box".

I was considering purchasing a box for my G1 Onslaught, as it would be nice to have something from G1 MIB, but he wouldn't be MIB. He would be FWIB, or fairly worn in box.

Didn't you learn anything from the previous mib discussion. There are some things you just shouldn't ask.




Although, i do agree with you.

Cause ebay is the closest incarnation to the 'devil' that the modern world has?

Redimus wrote:Cause ebay is the closest incarnation to the 'devil' that the modern world has?

That and Dick Cheney. I agree MIB is grossly overused most of the time when you get the thing it has all kinds of suttle dents or weird stains and then your pissed because it's not mint.

Would it be ethically questionable for you to sell you FWIB as MIB?

Leonardo wrote:Would it be ethically questionable for you to sell you FWIB as MIB?

Yeah if its FWIB and your selling it at a overly priced MIB.

There are those that decide to say that to make people go and look at their auctions. When I look for MIB, it's about the box being next to a figure that looks great and has everything intact.

It isn't. MIB is now used by anyone wanting to make a buck, or by people too stupid to realize that the first word in the acronym is "mint".

"Mint" means "brand new, never or rarely touched" "Near-mint" may be used to describe a toy that has been taken out, lightly played with or displayed, with no damage or wear. Anything not falling under those descriptions should be should be considered "used", and given a rough description of condition, (C8, C7, Complete, incomplete, etc.), or "complete in box". What alot of them don't seem to realize, is that a loose/mint/complete figure is worth more than a used/incomplete/with box figure.

Due to the explosion of TF popularity, we now have a very large amount of people trying to sell toys that they know absolutely nothing about. They figure "Well, it was played with and beaten up, but it has been in my attic for 20yrs now, so I'll classify it as MIB."

Of course, collectors should always pay close attention to what they are buying, and never assume that MIB means that you don't have to look any further. Caveat emptor.

WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.

I'd only buy a figure after checking out the pictures. A seller may not know (or case) of the differences but if you're about to buy something you should do your best to be satisfied that the figure is exactly what you're looking for.

I don't have access to a digital camera so my written explanations are usually quite long. I'd rather point out little nicks and dings in a box to someone.

Ultimately it's a case of buyer beware.

JetfireUK wrote:WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.

I'd only buy a figure after checking out the pictures. A seller may not know (or case) of the differences but if you're about to buy something you should do your best to be satisfied that the figure is exactly what you're looking for.

I don't have access to a digital camera so my written explanations are usually quite long. I'd rather point out little nicks and dings in a box to someone.

Ultimately it's a case of buyer beware.

True, true, ever so true.

I see a lot of figures on eBay that are obviously 20 years old and played with but come with the back of the card on which they were originally sold on being called MIB. I bought Dead End two years ago and he came with the cardback but was not called MIB, as it should be.
Perhaps what's happening is that people are finding boxes in the attic or whathaveyou and since the cardbacks or boxes or whatever are present and the finder knows little/nothing about them they are called MIB. I find it slightly tough to believe and very disheartening that people are trying to scam the collecting world. "Tough" only because if a parent found a box of toys from 1986 and tried to dump them off on eBay they probably wouldn't know that much about them as toys or items of value. So, like ignorance of the value or more valuable conditions. How many times does a box of "80s tranforming robot toys" sell on eBay for lots more than the seller, unaware of actual value, anticipate? Like 5 Dinobots in a box with a plastic baggie of guns and swords is worth unknown to grandparents, just that it's a box in the attic full of so and sos toys from when they were kids.

JetfireUK wrote:WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.

I'd only buy a figure after checking out the pictures. A seller may not know (or case) of the differences but if you're about to buy something you should do your best to be satisfied that the figure is exactly what you're looking for.

I don't have access to a digital camera so my written explanations are usually quite long. I'd rather point out little nicks and dings in a box to someone.

Ultimately it's a case of buyer beware.

Hammer+nail=bingo!

My friend sent me a link to an ebay auction several months ago for MIB Transformers lot. What did MIB stand for in that auction? Mint in Basement of course!

JetfireUK wrote:WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.

I'd only buy a figure after checking out the pictures. A seller may not know (or case) of the differences but if you're about to buy something you should do your best to be satisfied that the figure is exactly what you're looking for.

I don't have access to a digital camera so my written explanations are usually quite long. I'd rather point out little nicks and dings in a box to someone.

Ultimately it's a case of buyer beware.

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Well Said.