so, I'm getting into an argument with someone over at TFW. The original topic started as "price check on a G1 MISB Grimlock"?
I posted a recently ended auction on eBay. $898.
Someone else says they've seen them for $950. Then this guy chimes in.
Originally Posted by cappeca
It doesn't actually mean its normal - just that some greedy dealer found the right sucker at the right time. There are a *lot* of similar high priced auctions and sells going on right now, and they've been going for months, because those prices simply are not real. G1 american MISB toys shouldn't go over $300, and IMO anyone who pays more for them is doing a disservice to the fandom in general.
Originally Posted by e3NiNe
In my opinion anyone who pays over $300 has the money to do so, more power to them. It gets to the point where money isn't an issue and getting the figure is most important. Although expensive, whoever bought that will appreciate the toy just like all of us would.
Those figures are 21 years old. For it to remain intact like that, quite rare indeed. In today's collecting world, there are always 2 groups ... openers and MISB'ers. Back then, everyone opened toys.
Originally Posted by cappeca
Yes, more power to them, less to us. Thanks to one or two being able to pay for ridiculous prices, we have to put up with a wave of scalpers and dealers who think they can profit out of anything. Whoever bought that toy surely will appreciate it just like all of us would, but also doesn't give a shit if they're feeding a scalper or if prices for similar products go high and screw everyone else up. If that's beyond one's responsability, I'll leave for anyone who hasn't being able to get their holy grails to decide.
My point is that it's not "normal". It's a very inflated price, and the buyer should have that in mind, even if he's able to pay for it.
Originally Posted by e3NiNe
I see scaplers as anyone who camps out at a Wal-Mart waiting for Marvel Legends variants to appear ... then unloads on eBay. Scalpers try to turn a profit on something purchased new in 2006 and sold off almost instantly.
Something like an MISB G1 Grimlock can't be easily found. The average person can't get one of these.
If we can't add value to something that's truly rare, then 1969 Mustangs and 1950 Cadillacs should still be $1,000.
couple of notes on this ...
1. why set the bar at a magical $300? If your argument is about scalping, why not say ... let's keep it at the original price of $12.99. $300 sounds more like a personal limit to me.
2. stuff goes up in price. DUH.
3. what he's suggesting is a collecting world where everything has equal value so all are on the same collecting class. He's suggesting ... communist transformers. :lmao: