Official "Looking For This" Thread

[Legion1979]

Here's where my disconnect comes in: How do you know what is a good price, overpriced, or the BEST price?

Like I said, you network. You ask other collectors and dealers. Like I said earlier, there are two really good FB groups right now that would take seconds to join and I guarantee there are members on both who would be able to tell you what's out there and what it should cost.

[Captain Aktion]

^But I can't join CTforums, why? Because they have an archaic practice/underhanded way of keeping new people from ever joining.

Oh, I'm sure that it's because I use a GMail account that I can't join/am banned? If so, that's stupid.

And you've got to admit, it IS a convenient way of keeping newbies out, right? I mean, if I wasn't told here why I couldn't join, I would never know. All it tells me is that I'm banned, and I've never even been a member. Again, convenient.

But, if I did some research and some networking and took, say, Steve Agin's prices at face value (I mean, he writes and article for G-Fan all about figures, right?), would I be getting the correct info? Would you agree with his pricing? If so, then that MH Orga's price from What_A_Day isn't that far off. Sure, it is higher than it should be, but it's the first one I've seen go up on EBay, so...premiums?

[Legion1979]

^But I can't join CTforums, why? Because they have an archaic practice/underhanded way of keeping new people from ever joining.

Oh, I'm sure that it's because I use a GMail account that I can't join/am banned? If so, that's stupid.

And you've got to admit, it IS a convenient way of keeping newbies out, right? I mean, if I wasn't told here why I couldn't join, I would never know. All it tells me is that I'm banned, and I've never even been a member. Again, convenient.

Why exactly are you whining about CT? I didn't even mention them. I gave you two other options on a social network that's incredibly easy to sign up and use. And if anything, these FB groups are even more active than CT.

But, if I did some research and some networking and took, say, Steve Agin's prices at face value (I mean, he writes and article for G-Fan all about figures, right?), would I be getting the correct info? Would you agree with his pricing? If so, then that MH Orga's price from What_A_Day isn't that far off. Sure, it is higher than it should be, but it's the first one I've seen go up on EBay, so...premiums?

I think right now you're being stubborn just to be stubborn. Like I said, join one of those FB groups and ask questions. I'm sure you'll get responses from multiple people (including a dealer or two) who would be more than happy to help you. Right now it does just seem like you want to sit here and grumble about prices and lack of availability. I'm telling you what you can do to help yourself. If you do enough networking you'll no doubt be turned away from Steve Agin (no one I know likes the guy) and instead towards someone better.

[RedZillaKing]

I gave you two other options on a social network that's incredibly easy to sign up and use. And if anything, these FB groups are even more active than CT.

Thank you.

[Captain Aktion]

^Legion, honestly, I think we're both being pedantic.

I didn't mention CT because you did, I mentioned it because you mentioned networking. Also, because it has a pretty high profile and I'm sure you're a member there, so who else can I tell my feelings on it's system, especially when we're talking about networking. That's also why I mentioned Steve Agin, another high-profile source of "networking" and how that opinion can differ.

I truly, sincerely appreciate and respect your "professional" opinion, Legion. That's why it gets frustrating digging through all of your "personal" opinions that really do seem to contradict other things you say.

I don't want you to ever stop talking about the things you and we all enjoy, just try to temper some of it. You are a major resource for new comers to this hobby, but remember, you were new to this once upon a time too. You didn't gain all this knowledge in a day and it certainly didn't come to you by having the elitists telling you your collection/opinions aren't valid. Foster the youth, don't warp it from the get-go.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

I totally agree with you, Dragon. What I meant was, like the 6" Bandai Memorial Box Godzilla 84; it's not so much that it's designed to be a collectors item, but the fact is, there's only so many of them in existence and it's a really desirable figure. IF I really, really want that one then I've got to recognize there's only so many chances for me to pick one up and it won't necessarily get easier to find them.

Okay, I get what you're saying. I thought that you were suddenly disregarding the "legacy", or whatever one calls it, of a toy as being a worthwhile factor when gauging value. I think we're on the same page, now.

[SteveRGR]

Okay, so, I'm not looking for these figures, because I have them already, but I'm looking for the price rather. Here they are on eBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/GODZILLA-GHIDORA ... 003wt_1347
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/GODZILLA-GHIDORA ... 528wt_1347
Now note the prices there, but I got these for $15-20. I'm curious as to whether or not I got a deal. Mine are brand new and still in wrapping. Anyone know?

[ebirahsmeg1]

While not a *huge* priority, I am looking for the Bandai 8 inch Mothra Leo/Rainbow Mothra...released back in 1996-98 time frame...

[RedZillaKing]

You referring to this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MINT-NEW-1 ... 3f0e9c9635

[PopInPicsPresents]

While not a *huge* priority, I am looking for the Bandai 8 inch Mothra Leo/Rainbow Mothra...released back in 1996-98 time frame...

http://myworld.ebay.com/dadzilla1&ssPag ... 1543.l2533

This seller get's some really nice stuff from time to time. He tends to get a Rainbow Mothra every few months. I got my Momma Mothra and Showa Mothra from him in December. Be prepared to pay around $70+ though.

[Captain Aktion]

^Yeah, Dadzilla had a GMK Hyper Hobby Glitter Goji up for sale a few months ago for, like, $69.95. Still kicking myself for not picking it up.

Still looking for that Illustrated Encyclopedia of Godzilla. I hate how, since it wasn't released to stores it doesn't have an ISBN number, so I don't think it can even be listed on Amazon, Abebooks, etc. I've ran into this kind of thing before with other books, but usually luck out with EBay. This has just been a brick wall...

[Destroyer]

So tempted to buy Kaiser Ghidorah and Monster X for $95 each, but....must....hold...off.

[wataru]

So tempted to buy Kaiser Ghidorah and Monster X for $95 each, but....must....hold...off.

Unless youre just a completest, I wouldnt even get those. is saw them in 04 when they came out. neither impressed me.

[Destroyer]

Unless youre just a completest, I wouldnt even get those. is saw them in 04 when they came out. neither impressed me.

Yeah I hear they aren't that great, but I really like the two monsters and want to have them next to the other figures I have.

[wataru]

Ok but if it were me, Id wait til someone stupidly puts them on eBay for a reasonable BIN! price. It DOES happen.

[Destroyer]

Exactly why I haven't bought them yet, I'm waiting for something below $50.

[Kaiju no Mura]

Wow this topic went off the subject. Anyways as for Legion1979 assessment of What_A_Day ebayer sells his Marmits for it is on the overpriced side of what a dealer should be selling. Mike's experience as a collector of Marmits over the decade and half would have given him general idea of prices over the years as what is fair and what is overpriced. And I also speak from experience since I started collecting Marmits in the mid-90s and to this day that he gave sound information. I also have provided original Japanese retail cost for Marmits to help make that assessment for you collectors. You can take the information as you will and pay what you think it is valued and fair.

[Rody]

Out of curiosity, what WOULD be a reasonable price for the MH Manda?

[Captain Aktion]

Reasonable? I dunno. Retail, was what, $60-$75...after mark-ups you're looking at, oh, $100 probably. Getting up to $125 would probably still be within the reasonable range, but that's on the high end of what you probably should pay for it.

However, and this is where more knowledgeable people could step in, I don't know what the quantity of produced figures would be. 50? 100? 2000?

That's going to play a big part in it, as at this point, all of these figures have been purchased. This is now more a question of how much one of those owners will now let it go for. If it's a desirable figure that's not released anymore or there are no variants of said figure, you now have to more or less tempt the figure out of owners hands. With money.

[Kaiju no Mura]

Out of curiosity, what WOULD be a reasonable price for the MH Manda?

When it was first released most sellers were asking $89-$100 + S&H. The last auction I saw for this item went for around $150 with the shipping around Oct 2011. This figure is in demand and Marmit has not reissued it as of yet. Production run was made to order and sold thru specialty hobby shops.