The Energon Pub

Some of my old TFC G1 reissues don't have any tape whatsoever. So technically they are MIB even though they have never been opened. I guess I could technically "inspect the contents for damage", but I don't as it's against the rules, right?

Then there are the double sealed boxes which come directly for the factory which annoys and confuses me.

Also all 3 of my iGear coneheads didn't have the boxes sealed. At least PP03A and PP03E have the inside plastic shell sealed now.

The TFC, prefactory double tape, or anything alike are an exception to the rule because that were how they originally made. However, if you decide to put a tape on, then you have tampered it because you now have changed its original stage, LOL.

Nemesis Destron wrote:No need for clarification really, except for that bull part... . Just looking to get everyone's 2 cents.

Chaoslock wrote:S: SEALED

I know what MISB means guys, it was a joke. It came to mind once BeastProwl said "When the B is not S"

So what should you do if you receive something advertised as MISB, but it clearly wasn't?

I received an item that was retaped with Scotch tape and the figure was frakking dirty inside the box! So I complained to the seller. He said it was a mistake and to return it to him, which he would refund my purchase price back (I assumed that meant I ate the shipping).

So I kept it, but I was mad.

Decepticharger wrote:So what should you do if you receive something advertised as MISB, but it clearly wasn't?

I received an item that was retaped with Scotch tape and the figure was frakking dirty inside the box! So I complained to the seller. He said it was a mistake and to return it to him, which he would refund my purchase price back (I assumed that meant I ate the shipping).

So I kept it, but I was mad.

Since the seller admitted that it was a mistake, it's possible that the seller will agree to issue a partial refund. If the item was brought on eBay I believe you can still file a claim against the seller due to item not in the condition stated on the listing.

It's great to hear everyone's point of view in this issue. Did anyone ever receive their MISB item and closely notice that the tape/seal had been cut and the seller tried to put another piece over it?

See what pisses me off is the seller is still passing the item off as MISB when it no longer is and lied rather than just stating what the seller did. I noticed this when I could clearly see the second layer of tape not evenly over the first. I then contacted him and he stuck to his bulls*it story that it was new and unopened...my ass!

Nemesis Destron wrote:It's great to hear everyone's point of view in this issue. Did anyone ever receive their MISB item and closely notice that the tape/seal had been cut and the seller tried to put another piece over it?

See what pisses me off is the seller is still passing the item off as MISB when it no longer is and lied rather than just stating what the seller did. I noticed this when I could clearly see the second layer of tape not evenly over the first. I then contacted him and he stuck to his bulls*it story that it was new and unopened...my ass!

HATE TO DISAGREE HERE.....

But I've been a long time buyer of Japanese Takara imports for over 20+years.

Takara does for some strange reason sometimes more than often apply a second layer of tape of a previous layer of tape. sometimes both layers of tape are un-broken. sometimes the first layer is broken with the second layer on top is not broken.

WHY DOES takara do this?? My theory is Takara figures most of their TF japanese toys have big rides on the import boats from one country to the next.

other theories perhaps Takara does put 2 layers of tape to please the collectors market so the tape stays on longer & fans can call the items misb longer.

Why is their a broken layer of tape under a sealed layer of tape? perhaps takara does surprise inspections & opens up selective TF toys in the factory to make sure the factory workers & automated machines put ever accessory,toy,paper work & part inside the box.

deathy wrote:(...)
But I've been a long time buyer of Japanese Takara imports for over 20+years.

Takara does for some strange reason sometimes more than often apply a second layer of tape of a previous layer of tape. sometimes both layers of tape are un-broken. sometimes the first layer is broken with the second layer on top is not broken.

WHY DOES takara do this?? My theory is Takara figures most of their TF japanese toys have big rides on the import boats from one country to the next.

other theories perhaps Takara does put 2 layers of tape to please the collectors market so the tape stays on longer & fans can call the items misb longer.

Why is their a broken layer of tape under a sealed layer of tape? perhaps takara does surprise inspections & opens up selective TF toys in the factory to make sure the factory workers & automated machines put ever accessory,toy,paper work & part inside the box.

I always thought factory double-taping was indeed due to quality control after packaging, exactly as you describe it. I'm not sure about the other two theories, though...

Here's another example. I bought a new MP-8X Grimlock direct from a TF retailer. Upon close inspection, I found tape residue on BOTH sides of the box. They don't even line up with the existing tape.

So someone removed the existing tape on both sides, and then resealed the box.
On the top the residue extends beyond the tape.
On the bottom the tape residue is an inch away from the existing tape.
Under the right light, you can see how the area was scrubbed(there's a distortion) to clean off the residue.
The existing tape is ever so slightly wider than the residue of the original tape.
I can also see a finger print on the tape.
WTF!

Is it possible that this is normal and the folks at Toy Hobby Market did this?
Anybody else have an MP-8X box they can examine to see if their's is similar?
I paid a ton for this thing, and I would have preferred to keep it MISB. In this condition, there's no way I can advertise it as MISB. (if I was to ever sell it)

Here's something I always thought incredibly funny.

For toys like the Masterpieces, if you're selling MISB and a buyer wants to buy and keep MISB, either due to personal satisfaction or to resell later on to another MISB buyer ad infinitum...

... if you can't see and don't check, because there is no window cut-out display and you don't want to cut the tape, how the devil would you even know that the toy and not a suitably substituted paperweight was in it?

It gives me a chuckle to think of prices escalating and an essentially empty box being passed on from one collector to the next.

DING!!! a new money making scheme!! Weighted, counterfeit MISB boxes. Nice.

Ravage XK wrote:DING!!! a new money making scheme!! Weighted, counterfeit MISB boxes. Nice.

I think I already have a few of these in my collection!

To add insult to injury, why not get that box sealed in an AFA graded case?

I can picture some old and grey Transformer collector on his death bed, surround by all these toys. Finally he says f*** it, and opens up his sealed Masterpiece collection, only to find...