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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Nov 4, 2017 23:29:59 GMT -5
I can offer some thoughts as I bit the bullet and purchased one MIB unused with a slightly worn box in the four figure range exactly four years ago last month. I had to pay fees and fight someone over it though, so I almost overpaid a bit at the time.
I can give you a price range, but you need to give me some more info. Near mint how? Loose, MIB, etc.?
Where is the wear, on the toy/box/insert?
Is it complete? (Parts are expensive and hard to come by.) Does it have the nose? Does it have any of the typical darkening/discoloration that plagues these? (It may look normal to you, but most likely has some.)
Are there scratches on the back of the robot where the rocket pack attaches? Do the backs of the legs where the toy attaches to the body have any cracks or stress marks?
Godaikin versions suffer from "Holy Grail" syndrome, like Fortress Maximus does for G1 Transformers. The ask is always very high (i.e. too high) and he generally is one of the toys where "you have to pay if you want to play".
The bottom line is they are quite common and available regularly, especially if you just want an ok one. While they will almost always sell, even when broken, I can tell you that regardless of if you are buying or selling, this toy has to be true C10 case fresh/deadstock unused to even be able to ask top market price, and even under those conditions I have seen them sell for less because they sat. And sat. And sat.
A lot of people have them, and those that can easily afford them are probably buying something even more expensive instead.
It's not the same draw as a yellow elbow volt in box, DX popy combine box combattra, or something hardcore like a black daltanias. It's basically a box variant of a widely available (albeit slightly expensive) Japanese toy that many collectors around the world pick up at a cheaper rate than its Japanese boxed brother.
Also, now with the discovery of the euro and the French export box variants, those are more niche but higher demand in my opinion.
Additionally I can offer some words of warning: I had dreamed about this toy for years (pictures, reviews) and I had never seen one in person until mine arrived from the auction house.
I can tell you that I am immensely disappointed by it - not in the quality or the sculpt or the play value (though the play value is a bit underwhelming at times even with the gimmicks) - but I was sorely disappointed with the sheer amount of plastic and the overall fit of the steel panels and looseness of the plastic pressure joints for the magnetic hinges on the body.
The toy is a lot more fragile than most people think it is, again the plastic is thin and the only metal is in the removable panels. The redeeming factor for me is that I love the 80s tetsujin more than the original pot belly or the 90s FX version. This chokinzoku version is still the ultimate toy version (I think it's better than the jumbo machinder and the vintage vinyls/talkers) and nothing has topped it because it was a crazy idea to make it in the first place.
For me, since my toy is unused, the sheer value of every dollar I spent on this thing comes from looking at it standing up on display with all panels attached and hatchets in hands. The lines of this toy, looking like a giant guardian/knight with the flowing head crest and clean lines are honestly the pinnacle that a lot of toys wish they could reach, and for me that's enough to keep me from selling it.
There's a lot of variance, in who wants to buy or sell one in the first place, thankfully it's not too niche of a toy even here in America. Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited by your inquiry as we haven't had a good thread about this toy in a long time.
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Post by shogunkid on Nov 5, 2017 15:08:59 GMT -5
I enjoyed reading your post, especially since I don't have the Tetsujin 28. I'm curious, what would you list as your top 5 favorite chogokin? I don't mean value, just favorite (any maybe mention why).
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Post by dooquie on Nov 7, 2017 10:35:37 GMT -5
I have been wanting a T28 for a long while myself and watch them often on Ebay. My collecting has definitely been trending towards mint, brand new in box. As I have been spoiled by being able to purchase some amazing pieces from one of the original distributors for these in Northern California. But I do watch them on Ebay often. I have seen great condition (box in tact not mint but all pieces accounted for with no cracks) go for $4000. Rough box and missing pieces go for $1500 to $2000. Toy by itself missing parts for $400. Toy by itself not missing any parts $1000. The thing I hate about Ebay is when sellers do not let the market dictate the price and they assume they have a rare gem. There are a few T28s now on there for $6000 and up that are not worth that. I have been seeing so many price variations, high ones at that on Ebay for Godaikin Tetsujin 28. What does everyone think is top price right now? Thanks |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Nov 7, 2017 12:51:30 GMT -5
I enjoyed reading your post, especially since I don't have the Tetsujin 28. I'm curious, what would you list as your top 5 favorite chogokin? I don't mean value, just favorite (any maybe mention why). I think you'd be very surprised at my top list. I assume you mean combiners? I don't count T28 as a chogokin. |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Nov 7, 2017 12:54:59 GMT -5
Hatchets will be tough to get for the incomplete one. Expect to pay 50-100 per hatchet depending on condition.
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Post by shogunkid on Nov 8, 2017 3:03:55 GMT -5
I enjoyed reading your post, especially since I don't have the Tetsujin 28. I'm curious, what would you list as your top 5 favorite chogokin? I don't mean value, just favorite (any maybe mention why). I think you'd be very surprised at my top list. I assume you mean combiners? I don't count T28 as a chogokin. Well it can be Standard versions or DX combiners -- I just mean metal "chogokin" from Popy, Bullmark, Clover, Takatoku, etc. just curious since you have been at this a long time and probably seen more pieces in reality than most of us. |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Nov 9, 2017 16:04:03 GMT -5
I can tell you that you've had a few more pieces than I have had based on your sales.
I do acknowledge that I have been collecting and very knowledgeable for a long time, as I started when I was still a child. Before, I tended to have everything, now I just focus on what I like as well as some very rare, obscure or charming items when I can get them.
I lost one or two grail piece auctions in the past 6 months. I was disappointed but I honestly it would have been a significant dent in my toy funds on hand, though I was prepared for it. I went to what I felt was top market on both and lost, but there will be other chances.
Would it surprise you if I told you that I was younger than the majority of people here? Probably younger than most of you, not sure who exactly as far as specifics go.
I'll be 34 one month from today.
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Post by robonutter on Nov 13, 2017 21:22:43 GMT -5
I think T-28 and Voltes V are worth millions. But I will sell mine at a slightly lower price.
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Post by shogunkid on Nov 17, 2017 14:50:39 GMT -5
Hi Mr. Ginrai, I don't know... even at 34 you seem to know more about this hobby than most... my excuse is that I'm old enough to have owned and played with a Mattel Combattra DX when I was a kid (along with most of the Shogun Warrior toys I and my friends had). I started collecting because at first I was fascinated with rediscovering some of my childhood toys that were now "collectors items"... then I got hooked because I guess I've always had this "mecha fetish"! lol or whatever we want to call it. Then I wound up grabbing more of the DX Takatoku chogokin because I felt they were undervalued compared to the Popy DXs. And I have a habit of buying stuff and then deciding I don't want to keep it... or I bought a loose or not so mint version and then decided to upgrade etc. And while I really like DX robots sometimes the ST version looks better... Danguard A is a good example of that as well as GodSigma. ST Versions have better proportionality... though obviously less gimmicks. At this point I'm less into buying than selling because I've got too much to store and display properly... less is more!  I would love to get some of the "Holy Grails" like a complete boxed Mekander DX but man they are pricey. But I really love Bullmark. Recently almost finished my Arklon list... just have the King Joe left to get. So, my favorite top 5 that I own - OK I started with 5 and then made it 10 because I got conflicted : 1) Boxed Mattel/Popy Version Combattra DX -- my childhood nostalgia - missing instructions BTW if anyone wants to scan it for me much appreciated 2) Big Dai X DX -- just a great combiner/transformer that is undervalued in my opinion 3) Mint Bullmark "Rainbow" Ghidora -- again my childhood Godzilla fetish -- and it looks amazing 4) Takatoku GoShogun DX -- just awesome looking on a shelf even though its not as heavy as other DXs due to the hollow mothership design "true to the anime". 5) mint Clover "Bird Attack" Tryder (and the rare mini Korean knock-off) - really cool looking pieces and only one my wife likes 6) mint Clover Gundam DX Set -- not the big one with the ships -- just really like the look of this early Gundam -- bazookas are always good! 7) Battle Fever J Robo and Battle Shark -- more weapons and gimmicks than you can count plus Samurai awesomeness! 8) Takatoku Ippatsuman ST Sankan-Oh and Black version "Deluxe" Gyakutenoh - Both are just masterpieces of mecha design but the smaller versions look the best IMO 9) Popy Full Armor Laserion - with the armor Laserion really is an impressive piece and merits more value than its given by collectors 10) mint complete Arklon King Kong -- had to hunt a while to get this one -- even has the airplane card - best Arklon IMO 11) (Tribute to Nigel Tufnel) Popy DX Sun Vulcan with Jaguar Vulcan Mothership -- OMG its an "over the top" Japanese "awesomeness combo" Top 5 wish list: 1) Takatoku Daikengo DX "Combat Ship" - have the other 2 sections in boxed near mint condition -- need the head/combat ship to complete it 2) Bullmark Mekander DX Set -- if you are going to wish... might was well go for the Holy Grail 3) Clover Zanbot 3 DX -- another "Holy Grail"... 4) Boxed Complete Popy Voltes 5 -- I have a mostly complete loose version... its a great DX Chogokin but really unstable! Same w Combattra 5) Bullmark Daibaron DX Set -- another "Holy Grail" |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Nov 17, 2017 15:59:30 GMT -5
This will mainly be a quick ramble overall, but I do concede that I know as much as other well seasoned/older collectors, sometimes even more than they do. My younger brother is the same way with modern toys. I guess we just like toys, a lot.
I also find that I care enough to remember a lot of very important things that a lot of big time collectors have forgotten about (either because they forgot or the next batch of slightly younger collectors doesn't care as much). I tend to have a very strong memory and like I said I started collecting when I was very young, so I definitely have several advantages. Detail is important to me and it's important to get information correct. If I don't know, I keep my mouth shut rather than give misinformation. I hate when people just assume because it screws things up, especially for new hobbyists on potential buys.
I understand if it is odd that I wasn't basically even born until just before G1 transformers even came out, yet I collect very very old stuff. My dad was a vintage collector (car model kits and slot cars, among other things like golf clubs and vintage cars) so it was more like an enjoyment/completion thing that I was raised around rather than future $ value. I will say that we had a pretty good idea that something unique or well engineered like TFs would be desirable down the road though (I had never seen a Diaclone or godaikin etc. and my parents probably didn't even know they existed either) and took care of our stuff.
I started to get heavy on Japanese toys a few years ago as I only had a few when I was a kid (godaikin daltanias that I got unused in 1990 or 1992 and theee diaclone car robots a few years later). Prior to that I always had G1 TF and robots and Godzilla and American toys but never knew that I could get Japanese toys in the US.
Mecha is unexpectedly a new love for me. Dougram/Votoms/dunbine and first Gundam (0079 only even though that's more under the super robot category) and a few others. I think it's the mature facet of my vintage anime/robot collecting habits showing themselves recently.
Use reviews to your advantage. Some stuff, I have had to do the same (buy it just to see if you like it) but really try to avoid that if you can. Obviously you can't do that on a DX zambot or certain high profile items.
I have had the opportunity to buy 5 DX mekanda robos way less than market and passed on them all. I've also lost out on a few four figure items that I want but I can deal with keeping the $ and being indifferent as to whether I have them or not, for now.
I favor popy stuff for its precision and paint quality, takara also, but there are Seven/Orion/Victora and other cheap toys I am in love with. Some KO too. Love takatoku plastic stuff and clover for me is the tough one/acquired taste that I wrestle with. I like bullmarks but haven't jumped into the high $ pieces yet, don't know if I will. Major decision factors for me to purchase something comes down to how anime accurate is it and how amazingly engineered was it for the time, or is it just charming in general.
I have spare godaikin combattra manuals I can photograph for you.
I'll make my list later but to comment on yours, I like voltes over combattra. I don't see him having issues staying together like combattra, what problems are you having? Big Dai X and goshogun are on my list, don't have them yet. Bullmark Godzilla is my absolute favorite from that small line. Tryder I am mixed on all versions.
The Gundam set you talk about - if it's the version that does the core fighter gimmick without the tanks and g-fighter from the giant set, yeah that's the one to get. Battle Fever is on my list also. Armored laserion I had and sold - better than the regular one but still an odd duck from the end of an era. Ark Kong I'll get someday, it is the best. Sun/jaguar Vulcan are great but there are others I like more. I'm not too keen on ippatsuman stuff, don't have any.
On your wish list: I'll get daikengo some day. Just for the buggy alone! Mekanda is a maybe as I could have bought many of them. DX Zanbot is on the list to get if one comes up and I feel like spending the cash. Voltes I already have 2 and daibaron I want the young version instead of the red one.
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Post by shogunkid on Nov 19, 2017 17:23:20 GMT -5
Hi I agree with you that Popy has the best finish but if you get the Sankan Oh ST and Gyakutenoh Deluxe Black Version I think you will like the quality and design. The other versions are more plastic. The finish on the Daikengos is also very good... very nice metallic blues.
Speaking of Battle Fever & Battle Shark, I'm auctioning a set today on ebay. They aren't mint but they are in good shape...
I agree with you on the Clover, I have mixed feelings on their chogokin but Zanbot 3 standard is cool looking and the Gundam I'm talking about is one you mention. No vehicles but with the core fighter.
About Combattra and Voltes V, both suffer from being easily tipped over as they are really top heavy and have wheels on the feet. Other than that I really like them.
In terms of finish, the best toys usually came from the 70's. Daikengo DX's finish is as good as Combattra and Voltes. I would compare Big Dai X to Popy Sun Vulcan, Google V, or Dynaman as they are from around 1980. I can totally recommend Big Dai X. Decent metal content and nice transformations for the 2 large ships.
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