I think it was.. I picked up the box also for 15.00 TRANSFORMERS Original G1 1985 RED ALERT COMPLETE w/Case - eBay (item 140270206101 end time Sep-28-08 17:14:29 PDT) Let me know.. I am trying to get all of the g1's that I can. I am spending a ton though!
it says that it wasn't a reissue.. and it is stamped with the original stamp. I know that people can say that it isn't a reissue. I sent him a message and asked about the bubble.. he said that it was from a reissue that he was keeping this one in. the tru reissue isn't stamped with the 80's style stamp is it?
It's an average deal. You can't really expecting a killer deal from a Transformers seller right?(They sell TF to make money after all, and where do they get their toys, from ebay of course) If you want to know what a good deal is, just check their buying feedback Their main source of TF came from two ways on Ebay: 1. Cheap BIN 2. newly listed TF lots, which alot of the newbie sellers will be persuaded to end auction earlier to sell to the dealer at a fixed price.(Which of course, is usually much lower than the marketing value of the toys) It's always best to do research before buying(Search completed auction is the best way, but also beware shill bidders who boost the price of the auctions) About the reissue part, you just have to check their stamping, all recent reissues were made in China. Orignal G1 cars were made in japan, later ones were made in Macau/Taiwan. What you really have to watch out are the KO ones, which has the same stamping as the orignal one.
Auctiva Image Hosting here is a link with more pics. if you look at pic 7 it says takara japan and the case that comes with it is just a plastic tray they closes like a take out container.
One more thing I have to warn you, most tf sellers do repair their figures(especially on those high price tag figures). So if you don't like to buy a repaired figure, try to buy them from regular sellers(Some of them also repair figures, but much less degree comparing to dedicate tf sellers) If you can, try to buy from the orignal owner, because alot of tf parts have variations, and parts from different versions may not fit together very well.(And a TF dealer.. of course usually matches parts from different version together for a complete one)
For an incomplete Red Alert that seems a bit high on the usual price spectrum. Complete ones do sell for the same price and even cheaper. This one though does appear to be in particularly great condition and the instructions are a nice incentive. Trying to find that last missile won't be fun.
I don't mind repairable figures.. my bluestreak, jazz, and prowl are all 3 have to have repairs. my jazz and prowl are in great shape minus the driver door's and tops. my bluestreak is missing both doors and the top. but other than that is excellent. I will have to take your advice and check on these things. I have purchased alot of my figures from here. and have had good transactions except for one. which I am still waiting for the figure now over 3 weeks after payment
Not 'rare' just hard to find, but usually not too expensive. Several eBay store sellers have single missiles for about $5 shipped and there are 3 in this auction, TRANSFORMERS - RED ALERT MISSLIE Accessorie LOT L@@K! - eBay (item 140269614265 end time Sep-29-08 20:01:12 PDT), which - cross your fingers - might end near the starting price. They do function as good trade pieces too.
just a hint. some acc are a pain in the arse and cost alot. Mirages missiles for instant cost a bit. Prowl is a pain in the arse to find in decent hape without the roof brooken. just buy the reissue. a loose complete unbrokken Prowl C8 and up easalie goes over 70 these days.
I am in no hurry to get the parts.. I just keep my eyes open daily. I alredy got the prowl door I needed in excellent shape for 6.00 shipped. I like that I got them cheap and making them nice again. I like the reissues.. but I prefer vintage.
Ebay stores aren't generally the best stick to measure fair market value against... Tho' $5 shipped isn't that bad, considering the cost of shipping these days. I rarely see high demand or prices for the G1 Autobot missiles... They came with at least one extra and most collectors don't feel the need to pay much for any extra missle that's going to sit in a parts box somewhere. Parts dealers at Botcon rarely ask more than a dollar or two.
finding most the parts is actually not too hard. As long as you don't think like "I really have to have this one missile to complete my blahblahblah". If you think like that, it will cost you alot more in the long run. Part lots(Especially the broken lots) are a excellent way to get the missing accessories, sometimes you will also find gems in there(like jetfire's gunclip) You just need to do your research so you know what's the right price. I stopped completing individual figure long time ago. Chances are, while you collecting other figures you will most likely complete them on the way.(Especially if you don't care about duplicates)