The Energon Pub

I want to ask a question about something I don't really understand. Looking through all my vintage Transformers, and I have quite a few from 1985 through to the Action Masters, the one with the highest price tag based on what I've seen for sale over the years, is Monstructor. I have the cards the toys originally came on, and the original prices were very cheap (which is why my mum bought me all six). He's tiny, doesn't really fit in with any other figures, was never a toy I cared about, but I've seen him go complete for over $600.

Can anyone explain where Monstructor's perceived value comes from? Because of my lack of caring about him, if ever I start selling my collection, he'll probably be the first to go.

what your refering to is not the TMP monstructor that goes for over 600 dollars vi think you have the MPH monstructor v worth maybe 10 or 20 dollars vif you want I can take it of your hands.

Arucard wrote:Can anyone explain where Monstructor's perceived value comes from? Because of my lack of caring about him, if ever I start selling my collection, he'll probably be the first to go.

Gold plastic syndrome hit some of his components making complete intact versions all the more valuable.

I personally think he's a great little combiner definitely has more articulation than the other combiners of the era!

Fanboy wrote:what your refering to is not the TMP monstructor that goes for over 600 dollars vi think you have the MPH monstructor v worth maybe 10 or 20 dollars vif you want I can take it of your hands.

Excuse me? I have no idea what you're talking about, and that's saying a lot.

Burn is right on the mark. Gold Plastic Syndrome is what we call the "ailment" that makes the gold plastic used in some toys very brittle. Especially Bristleback (arm) and Slog (upper torso) are problematic. Here's a link that'll provide you with more information:

Gold Plastic Syndrome on TFWiki.

Monstructor did have a repaint in Japan called Dinoking, that was mainly white, black, blue and green in color. No gold plastic, (just gold paint) so he's safe.

However, another problem that plagues Monstructor (and Dinoking for that matter) is the malleable material of his Pretender Shells. They develop odd spots and a sticky film, possibly the plasticizer escaping the PVC.

In short, these problems make finding a completely mint one a daunting task, which bumps up the price considerably.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:In short, these problems make finding a completely mint one a daunting task, which bumps up the price considerably.

Ahhhh, so if I examine mine closely, I may find he's not nearly as valuable as he could be. Thanks for clearing up that the high value ones are the really mint ones, not just ones with all their parts included. I thought it was just finding a complete one that people thought was valuable.

Arucard wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:In short, these problems make finding a completely mint one a daunting task, which bumps up the price considerably.

Ahhhh, so if I examine mine closely, I may find he's not nearly as valuable as he could be. Thanks for clearing up that the high value ones are the really mint ones, not just ones with all their parts included. I thought it was just finding a complete one that people thought was valuable.

Well, finding the figures intact to begin with is challenging.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Arucard wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:In short, these problems make finding a completely mint one a daunting task, which bumps up the price considerably.

Ahhhh, so if I examine mine closely, I may find he's not nearly as valuable as he could be. Thanks for clearing up that the high value ones are the really mint ones, not just ones with all their parts included. I thought it was just finding a complete one that people thought was valuable.

Well, finding the figures intact to begin with is challenging.

I know none of mine have obvious GPS, but they've been static in their combined form for nigh-on 20 years now, so that could change if I try to transform them. I've also never checked for any weirdness with their pretender shells.

I think $350-$400 is a more accurate price for a complete unbroken Monstructor.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:I think $350-$400 is a more accurate price for a complete unbroken Monstructor.

With or without their shells?

LOST Cybertronian wrote:I think $350-$400 is a more accurate price for a complete unbroken Monstructor.

I'd say this is the more accurate ballpark figure.
I bought a complete set of loose Pretender Monsters (including extremely nice shells and all weapons and accessories) last year: it set me back 160 GBP, which come to about $250 USD. Truth be told the lot did contain a slightly cracked Slog and Bristleback. I did actually buy another unbroken Slog and another unbroken Bristleback (for about $40 each) more recently, to be left untouched so I would have both a complete unbroken set AND a set which I can actually combine. The cracks on the first Slog and Bristleback actually makes it possible to transform them, considering the transformation process puts a lot of stress on the GPS parts.

Arucard wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Arucard wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:In short, these problems make finding a completely mint one a daunting task, which bumps up the price considerably.

Ahhhh, so if I examine mine closely, I may find he's not nearly as valuable as he could be. Thanks for clearing up that the high value ones are the really mint ones, not just ones with all their parts included. I thought it was just finding a complete one that people thought was valuable.

Well, finding the figures intact to begin with is challenging.

I know none of mine have obvious GPS, but they've been static in their combined form for nigh-on 20 years now, so that could change if I try to transform them. I've also never checked for any weirdness with their pretender shells.

Like I said... Don't attempt to transform your Slog or Bristleback from the mode they are in now. Transforming them from alt mode to robot or back puts large amounts of stress on the plastic: no problem for four out of the six Pretender Monsters, but a huge problem for the two GPS afflicted members.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:I think $350-$400 is a more accurate price for a complete unbroken Monstructor.

With or without their shells?

That would be with. I've been watching Monstructor auctions a lot (even have a saved search for them) and rarely see them go much above $400.

I should clarify where my dollar figure comes from. I was thinking in Australian dollars, back when there were about US$0.60 to AU$1.00, so you're right about them being US$350-$400 max. There was a second hand Transformers store in my city which bought a couple for around AU$600 in that time.

It still makes them potentially the most valuable thing in my collection, though.