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Post by shinobi03 on Jan 7, 2012 13:23:13 GMT -5
I'm having a problem between buying loose figures or mint in their boxes.
Mint in the box to me means it's unopened, brand new, and I guarantee that everything is included. However, they are more expensive. Especially for rare figures.
Loose figures are cheaper, and if the boxes are not for storage it goes to the trash can. But they are used, and may not come with everything it came originally.
The figures I specifically refer to are Transformers Classics Ultra Magnus and Skywarp. They are too pricey as mint in the box, but cheaper (yet still overpriced) as loose figures.
What do you guys think? Which one do you think it's better?
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Jan 7, 2012 14:07:20 GMT -5
Well, to me Mint in Box means never, ever opened, but not necessarily brand new. Brand new to me is just recently released (not older than a couple of months). Here's why; I could buy an SOC GX-01 Mazinger Z listed as Brand New Mint in Box, but upon opening it, I discover the dreaded "leg cracks" that are so common with them. Of course, the GX-01 was released in 1997, so the constant force of the spring housed inside the plastic thighs would have taken its toll over the years. A "Brand New", meaning recently manufactured GX-01 did not suffer from the leg cracks. The same applies to any vintage Popy or Godaikin that includes the "blue" plastic in its construction... and even some diescast (Albegas anyone?).
So, to me Mint in Box is just that, everything that comes with the figure should be inside the box. But Brand New would only guarantee that the item has not deteriorated due to Father Time...
}D
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Post by shinobi03 on Jan 7, 2012 14:50:57 GMT -5
I'm well aware that never opened doesn't really mean it's newly manufactured, I just meant it's unused.
But, do I really have to pay extra cash for a box that I may throw away? I know for vintage and adult collectibles, the boxes are necessary and part of the figures. But what about the packages that once opened you can't seal the toy in it again?
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Post by mojacko on Jan 7, 2012 17:08:27 GMT -5
im more of a loose collector...as long as its joints aint loose then its fine with me.....
im goin to display them anyway so boxes arent really important, but when i see a masterpiece that mint and brand new for a cheap price, might as well go with the new of course.
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Post by supergetterv on Jan 7, 2012 17:33:21 GMT -5
Since you are talking about the Ultra MAGNUS Skywarp two pack, I wouldn't buy a seal MIB one because it is just too high. Consider this, that two pack back in 2007 cost 20$. It is now hoveriing between 150-200$ range. And the only thing you really need is the Ultra Magnus figure for the City Commander add on right. Those can be won on Ebay for as low as 50$ to 80$. Why pay an additonal 90 to 150$ additional on a box and another figure. Unless you really want the Skywarp also. If you have plans to resell the figure in the future, you need the box. Otherwise, keep searching for loose.
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Post by shinobi03 on Jan 8, 2012 13:48:07 GMT -5
Well, if I wanted Ultra Magnus then I should have Skywarp as well since they were released together.
I did find some loose figures to buy, but they are still pricey. I also was able to find a site that sells KO loose Magnus and some boxed KO Henkei Seekers ((There's no way a legit Henkei is available at $23)). I heard a lot of issues with the KO releases, but all options are considered. I do like the blue torso of KO Magnus.
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Post by supergetterv on Jan 8, 2012 15:20:28 GMT -5
Having own some KO's, I can tell you that they aren't worth it at all. The price, @ 23$ for the seeker mold is already higher than regular released hasbro toys and they are made in very low quality. Unless you live near a placed where you can find these KO's at the true KO price, like 5$ for the seeker mold or 9$ for that voyager Magnus, it really isn't worth. Buddy of mines purchased the KO Classics Magnus with the blue chest, and the part on the arm which turn into the front side of the cab mode broke while he was tranforming the toy.
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Post by lurkerx on Jan 9, 2012 6:28:41 GMT -5
Actually to me Mint In Box (MIB) means that the item has been opened, but is good as new and come with its box.
Mint in Sealed Box (MISB) means that the item has never been taken out of the box and unused.
Nothing really means newly produced/ manufactured....there's just no way to gaurrantee that.
That being said, for Transformers MIB or Mint loose (no scratches/ tight joints/ unapplies stickers) for the higher end stuff such as MP, MPM, Binaltech, alternators
Just loose is more than sufficient for the rest of the lower end stuff.
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Post by TheMazingerZ on Jan 9, 2012 12:52:37 GMT -5
No... a new release is "New", even if it has been opened. The item itself has recently been manufactured. Look at it this way; it is common sense that something fresh of the msnufacturer should be as perfect as it could be, while something that has been sitting in a box for years has been deteriorating longer. Things like the rubber threads, certain plastics reacting with other materials, as well as humidity, cold, heat, shock, etc take their toll as time passes by, even when the article has remained factory sealed.
}D
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Post by lurkerx on Jan 9, 2012 13:38:26 GMT -5
No... a new release is "New", even if it has been opened. The item itself has recently been manufactured. Look at it this way; it is common sense that something fresh of the msnufacturer should be as perfect as it could be, while something that has been sitting in a box for years has been deteriorating longer. Things like the rubber threads, certain plastics reacting with other materials, as well as humidity, cold, heat, shock, etc take their toll as time passes by, even when the article has remained factory sealed. }D Agreed, but I'm talking more for instance: Both new MISB GX-01 (1997 vs 2008?) or GX-04S (2004 vs 2010?) etc. 1st issue batch vs concurrent reissue batches.....there really is no way to distiguish the 2 (which one is newer than the other) other than if they somewhat altered the figure's color or box most of the time they don't (but even then you can't really distiguish which one was more recently produced in-between the batches itself). I wouldn't be surprised if someday they start stamping actual "date of production" on boxes to satisfy the most anal of the anal of us. And my definition of "new" in my 1st post is more "untouched" as opposed to new fresh....there really is no way to keep anything newly produced fresh despite the ridiculous futile effort of air tight sealing in an acrylic case by the AFA grading service.
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Post by supergetterv on Jan 9, 2012 15:18:09 GMT -5
Back on topic to the item at hand that the first post on this thread refers to, I don't think it is necessary all that much cheaper to find a complete loose Ultra Magnus and a loose complete Skywarp vs the MiB one. If you are lucky, you maybe able to get a complete box set, be it completely new untouched or resealed for 150$. But loose version on average will cost around 70 to 100 for the Magnus alone and another 30 to 50 for the Skywarp. So if you do see a Box set at the 150 range and you really want it, then get it because you would have to be really lucky to find both of these loose and complete for under 100$.
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Post by locidm on Jan 9, 2012 18:58:41 GMT -5
I recently got Magnus and Skywarp complete loose and separately for ~$115 shipped ($70 and $45). I know few months back the MISB Magnus + Skywarp was going for $140.
Getting these two are very painful......as they definitely aren't worth it by itself. But if you want to have city commander or to complete the seeker trio that's the price you pay. Getting Bruticus is even more painful.....
Good luck.
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