Page 4 of 5

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:31 pm
by Sabrblade
I never did give an update here on my step-brother's status, did I.

He was released from jail about two months after his arrest (so, about a month after I started this thread last year). He pleaded guilty and is currently paying me monthly restitution. Both my mother and I have restraining orders on him, so he is never allowed back in our home or our presence again.

Though, knowing him, I sincerely doubt he regrets any of his actions. If anything, he probably only regrets having been caught.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:20 pm
by Sabrblade
New update.

I recently found a complete, mint in box BotCon 2012 "Invasion" boxed set on eBay, one that even included the Soundwave headband accessory that was sold separately at the convention's Club Store.

The price was a little steep, but not too unreasonable. Even had free shipping. Though, what stings a bit is, on the night that I had committed to buying the set, another seller had a boxed set for sale at a much better price, but did not have the headband. It instead had a third party headband (in the wrong color), and a few other extras from the con that I either already have or didn't want. So, as much as my wallet may have disagreed, the more expensive set was more in line with what I was after, so I went for it.

The set arrived today and, after inspecting its contents, everything seems up to standard, with only the most minute of quibbles. Gigatron has a tiny bit of paint missing from a corner of his right eye, but it's only noticeable if you really look at it up close. And there's a tiny nick in the paint on SG Tracks's chest roof, but it's in just the right spot to look like a bit of battle damage, so it's not an unsightly issue.

On the upside, Gigatron's rubber treads have none of the melting issues that have been recently reported by people to have turned up on several versions of the ROTF Bludgeon and ROTF Demolishor molds. And Soundwave's forehead crest is fully painted, whereas my original had some tiny scratches on due to how far out the forehead crest is molded to jut out from from the headsculpt's helmet, which causes it to rub up against the top of the altmode's rear windshield if one isn't real careful. So now I just gotta remember to be real careful when transforming the figure to make sure no scratching occurs.

And best of all for me, the Metalhawk in this set has much better eye paint than my original did, which had a more goofy-looking expression than this one has. Though, it's still not perfect, but is an improvement over my old one.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:36 am
by Sjeng
I'd love to see pictrures of all that ;) glad you found another piece.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 11:52 am
by Sabrblade
Quick update since my last one.

Thanks to the Club Store's clearance sale this year, I was able to finally get replacements for both the BotCon 2006 boxed set and the SG Drift figure... but with some issues.

The boxed set figures are all in good condition, with the sole exception of Optimus Primal missing some noticeable paint apps, particularly on his face. Since all sales are final for the remaining club store stock, I didn't bother trying to get a replacement for it, so I'll have to hunt eBay for a fully-painted Primal.

And I wasn't able to get a version of SG Drift that came with his guns before that version sold out, so I ended up having to settle for a gunless version. I already have a Generations Blurr so I just ended up giving his guns to SG Drift, but the guns' handles don't fit that well into SG Drift fists since the guns' handles are a little smaller than 5mm. There is a loose yet complete United Blurr on eBay that I've been eyeing, so I may go for that figure to see if that toy's guns fit better (and, well, United Blurr looks gorgeous, so I've kinda wanted one of those for a while anyway).

But with this, I've finished acquiring replacements for all of the Fun Pub Transformers figures that were stolen from me. :D

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:48 pm
by Sjeng
Awesome! Good news. Why don't you try painting the face yourself?

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:52 pm
by Sabrblade
Sjeng wrote:Awesome! Good news. Why don't you try painting the face yourself?
I lack the skills to sufficiently do so.

Notably, I don't have a steady enough hand.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:49 pm
by Sjeng
No friends with a miniature painting hobby?

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:35 am
by Sabrblade
Sjeng wrote:No friends with a miniature painting hobby?
Negative.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 10:57 am
by Sabrblade
Merry Christmas, everybody!

After about a year-long hiatus, I've finally received another replacement.

As a Christmas gift this morning, I received a loose and complete SDCC 2015 Combiner Hunters Windblade.

That's the last convention exclusive I was needing to replace. Only seven more figures to go.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 am
by Sabrblade
New update:

I just received another replacement in the mail, and this time it was one I wasn't expecting to replace anytime soon.

I found a MISB set of the Universe 2008 Commemorative Edition Insecticons 3-pack on TFSource in their Vintage department, sold at the original retail price. Compared to all the hiked prices of either this set or the Platinum Edition that are being sold elsewhere, this was a more doable option.

And coupled with TFSource's free shipping policy on orders of $150, I added it to other Vintage figure purchases I had sitting in my Stack (none of which were other replacements, unfortunately), allowing me to reach the quota for free shipping.

The reason I wasn't expecting to get this set back is because it had become less of a priority for me, especially after having since gotten all three of the Generations Insecticons in Thrilling 30, Combiner Wars, and Titans Return.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2019 3:13 pm
by Sjeng
Nice! Glad you got them again :)

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 4:35 pm
by Sabrblade
Back from RoboCon with a new update.

I managed to buy another replacement figure at the con, and this time it was one of the first ones I noticed to be missing back when this all started, so this has been a long time coming.

While my original copy was loose, broken, and a figure that many expressed difficulty in finding in stores back in 1999, this new one I got is MIB, complete, and one that was only a little cheaper than the current prices on the aftermarket.

Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Blackarachnia.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:34 pm
by Jelze Bunnycat
Sabrblade wrote:Back from RoboCon with a new update.

I managed to buy another replacement figure at the con, and this time it was one of the first ones I noticed to be missing back when this all started, so this has been a long time coming.

While my original copy was loose, broken, and a figure that many expressed difficulty in finding in stores back in 1999, this new one I got is MIB, complete, and one that was only a little cheaper than the current prices on the aftermarket.

Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Blackarachnia.


Which variant? :)

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:35 pm
by Sabrblade
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Back from RoboCon with a new update.

I managed to buy another replacement figure at the con, and this time it was one of the first ones I noticed to be missing back when this all started, so this has been a long time coming.

While my original copy was loose, broken, and a figure that many expressed difficulty in finding in stores back in 1999, this new one I got is MIB, complete, and one that was only a little cheaper than the current prices on the aftermarket.

Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Blackarachnia.


Which variant? :)
Variant?

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:40 pm
by Jelze Bunnycat
Sabrblade wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Back from RoboCon with a new update.

I managed to buy another replacement figure at the con, and this time it was one of the first ones I noticed to be missing back when this all started, so this has been a long time coming.

While my original copy was loose, broken, and a figure that many expressed difficulty in finding in stores back in 1999, this new one I got is MIB, complete, and one that was only a little cheaper than the current prices on the aftermarket.

Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Blackarachnia.


Which variant? :)
Variant?


Yeah, it's whether the "bra" piece can be removed (easily or not). I believe the later, more common one has that piece glued in.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:51 pm
by Sabrblade
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Back from RoboCon with a new update.

I managed to buy another replacement figure at the con, and this time it was one of the first ones I noticed to be missing back when this all started, so this has been a long time coming.

While my original copy was loose, broken, and a figure that many expressed difficulty in finding in stores back in 1999, this new one I got is MIB, complete, and one that was only a little cheaper than the current prices on the aftermarket.

Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Blackarachnia.


Which variant? :)
Variant?


Yeah, it's whether the "bra" piece can be removed (easily or not). I believe the later, more common one has that piece glued in.
It was a bit tricky but I got it off. No glue visible on the piece or the chest holes, though.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:58 pm
by Jelze Bunnycat
Then you may have the earlier variant, cool beans :) Plus, she's more show-accurate without that piece. Though, I hope the chrome didn't get damaged in the process.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 4:22 pm
by notsoalex
How are things doing with your collection?

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 4:23 pm
by Sabrblade
notirishman wrote:How are things doing with your collection?
See preceding posts.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 5:23 pm
by notsoalex
Sabrblade wrote:
notirishman wrote:How are things doing with your collection?
See preceding posts.

I meant in general, are you liking it right now, now that it's almost over? Having fun piecing things back together, or is it just crappy.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 9:49 pm
by Sabrblade
notirishman wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
notirishman wrote:How are things doing with your collection?
See preceding posts.

I meant in general, are you liking it right now, now that it's almost over? Having fun piecing things back together, or is it just crappy.
Oh. Well, my collection is quite enormous, actually. What was taken from me was but a small fraction of what I own, but also a very expensive fraction that has not been easy in recovering (especially all those Fun Pub exclusives, those were hard to replace).

I mentioned before that I got my new Blackarachnia at RoboCon last weekend. While that was the only replacement figure I got from that con (due to none of the other remaining ones being available there), it wasn't the only figure I bought. Indeed, I came out of that con with quite a sizable haul, which I may go into further over in the RoboCon thread if/when I write up a report on that convention. ;)

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 12:46 am
by Sjeng
I'd love to see a video or pictures of your collection and hauls!

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 8:50 am
by Sabrblade
Sjeng wrote:I'd love to see a video or pictures of your collection and hauls!
My collection right now is quite a mess, actually. Stuff in bins and boxes, loose piles on a desk, disorganized shelves (minus two shelves that actually are organized). It ain't pretty. :oops:

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:04 pm
by Sabrblade
New update.

I have received yet another replacement for one of my lost figures, and it is also another one that I thought would be extremely hard to find in good condition on the secondary market.

Last week, I was perusing eBay and came across a few sellers who actually had some vintage Car Robots Baldigus giftsets for sale. Though, all of them were pretty pricey, and some of which were the Korean version, which I did not want since Sonokong used the additional level of retooling that Hasbro had added to the figures for their Ruination version, so I wanted the original Takara version instead.

Of the few Takara versions for sale, the cheapest one was about $147, but was also incomplete. I really did not want to have to go through the hassle of hunting down additional parts for the set, so I passed on it. Then I came across a complete and mint in opened box version of the set, and which also just so happened to be located in my state. But, this set was priced at $200, way more than I was willing to pay. Still, it was the best option given the item's condition and location.

So, I put that $200 auction on my watchlist to keep an eye on it until I could save up so extra money later on. A few days later, I get an email from eBay telling me that the Baldigus seller is accept money offers for the item. I think to myself, "Okay, once I get a little more money, I'll make an offer and see if I can get it for a better price." I leave well enough alone for the time being.

Come this past Saturday and I wake up that morning to find another email from eBay. The seller himself/herself has made an offer to me (and possibly other potential buyers) that will expire in the next two days: For this offer, they lowered the price by a whopping 50%! My initial reaction is "Whoa, they must be really eager to get rid of this thing!" :lol: But then I start to give it some serious consideration. I think to myself, "With that discount, I do have the money right now. My next paycheck doesn't come until well after the offer's deadline ends, and I can recuperate my losses and then some when next I do get paid. And, it's now even cheaper than how much I paid Tony Preto for my first Baldigus back at BotCon..."

So I went for it.

And, four days later, it arrived earlier today. I opened this thing and it is in great condition, as though this Baldigus has rarely, if it all, ever been played with or even handled. Most of the 5mm holes and the smaller holes for each little gun feel super tight. Like, almost too tight in some cases, as though I feared that I might accidentally break any of the pegs that are supposed to go into any of those holes. I remained careful and tried not to force anything too much, but overall, this is a really good quality condition for a version of a G1 mold that was first released about 20 years ago in 2000.

I do still want the Unite Warriors version, too, but I am glad to have gotten a new one of the original.

Re: I Seek Help In Rebuilding My Dismembered Collection

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 3:28 am
by Sjeng
Congratz! (Still in need of pictures man! :P )