The Energon Pub

I'm planning on selling some G1 transformers to a friend but I came across an issue. This friend is a member so I'd rather not identify the figures you see. The first TF has a break and it's so clean a break that gluing it would be perfect and simple almost not worth mentioning. Should I fix it and tell him or not tell him and fix it? If I don't fix it and give him the chance to be the one to fix it I'm hoping that don't affect the price I'm asking due to condition.

I appreciate everyone's comments and assistance, thanks.

You're asking us if you should intentionally deceive a fellow collector for your own selfish benefit? *shakes head in disbelief*

Whether you fix it or not, you have an obligation to be honest about the condition of the figure you're selling.

Just the fact that you would even CONSIDER this is troubling.

Tell your friend the truth and lower the price accordingly. There's no grey here, it's a matter of telling the truth or lying. I had to work with someone for a while who pulled this thing all the time. Just think if it happened to you.

Communication, and honesty is the best policy in this case.

You will have to settle for a lower price either way because of the defect, because he will find out about it sooner or later. Be clear and open about it, ask him if he still wants it despite the defect, and above all, offer to fix it, emphasis on "offer". That shows that you recognise the defect and that you're willing to remedy it for him which will earn you brownie points for future sales.

Here are some personal experiences of mine:

+ I once bought a PCC Salvage from a fellow member, with a very loose elbow joint. He told me that in advance, so I knew what I was getting into, and I was perfectly fine with it as I can easily fix it.
- In the very beginning of my collecting days, I bought a second-hand G1 Rocket Base with Countdown. Noticed it was incomplete (white robotic claw was missing), so we punched the original selling price down. Much later on, I noticed that the blue scout vehicle had one of its pegs broken off and glued back on. Not something I wanted to see, but to be expected with a toy that old.
- I traded a figure (I believe it was United Scrap Iron?) for a TakaraTomy Camaro Concept Bumblebee and a loose Classics Cliffjumper years back. He's a kitbasher and didn't have any real plans for ol'Cliffy despite having taken him apart. Fine, he was put back together, trading was done, all fine and dandy. A few months later, his hitch broke off, and it wasn't the first time as I saw glue residue on the break. I'll have to hunt for a junker and pray I can learn how to knock out pins, even then it's a doozy consider how integrated the backpack is.

This must be a wind-up. The answer is simple, you even refer to the buyer as a friend. Even if he was a stranger, this -

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Be clear and open about it, ask him if he still wants it despite the defect, and above all, offer to fix it, emphasis on "offer".

Do the decent thing.

Honesty is always the best policy, especially if there's the potentially to sour a friendship.

I once purchased a near mint loose G1 Wheeljack pre rub figure from ebay. Didn't have the missiles nor the wings.The vendor is from the US of A.

Trouble is, the vendor only posted 1 side of him and didn't show the paint chip of the right side.

Aside from this it was near perfect. I did not shame the vendor with a 1 star rating because there was a bit of misrepresentation but I did make contact and gave him a piece of my mind. I'd have bought the fig just the same, maybe ask for a lower price due to its condition.

If I'd have returned it back, I'd be on the losing end 'cause I'd still pay for the S/H back correct?

Same thing too when I got from ebay a loose G1 complete, fairly mint Countdown from the Netherlands. Won it via bidding in ebay but the vendor didn't present the rocket as it should. An almost perfect half of the rocket had the expected discoloration.

Again I deferred putting a 1 star to the vendor. Again a bit of misrepresentation and if I was an @ss hole, had reported him to the world and killed his name. I didn't but made contact to him not to do so again as the item was in a real great condition aside from Countdown having worn decals (that was pictured and expected). If I'd have sent it back, again, I'd be losing in S/H.

Moral? Vendors.............PLEASE be honest! Don't scalp if you know the figure has "defects". Profit is good but not too high if your item isn't perfect.

Honesty when selling figures will get you more sales then being shiesty. It builds trust to state what is wrong with the figure that way the buyer is informed and if he buys it there is no love loss.

Just be upfront and honest. I

I want to thank all of you for your comments on this, it is what I asked for and that is what I got. I stand by my statement and I will say that my intentions were good despite my thoughts. Regardless everyone is entitled to their own POV and opinion.

The way I see it if a person found a large amount of money in a bag the majority would do what is moral. I don't see anything wrong if that person who found it had thoughts or ideas on what they could do with it, while still doing what is right. I think it is only natural and no one should think less of that person who found it for having such thoughts. I'm not a human behavior expert by any means but that's how I see it, thanks again everybody.