Lucky Draw Tracks. Pictures included

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by maz25, Jul 23, 2016.

?

To open or not to open?

Poll closed Aug 22, 2016.
  1. MISB

    50 vote(s)
    62.5%
  2. Open

    30 vote(s)
    37.5%
  1. maz25

    maz25 Well-Known Member

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    I wanted this figure forever and finally added this to the collection. I love G1Tracks, and I am split on whether the open and display or leave sealed.
    I have vintage original MIB sealed to card and loose (complete unused accessories), along with a MIB Ehobby Road Rage with stickers applied.

    Opinions/feedback is appreciated!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Fenrir Zero

    Fenrir Zero Permanently Retired (1984-2020)

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    I have to say that you should have it graded by AFA for preservation. Even do the Archival, even if you have to do the slowest turn-around.

    And I say this because you have a piece of history there, and we do not know how many are still MISB. That, you can use photos from those who had opened theirs if you want to add a photo or two. :) 

    Just a suggestion.
     
  3. marvel b

    marvel b Bearer of the Matrix of Smash

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    seconded
     
  4. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    Yep. If we were talking about another specimen, I think the opinions would differ. This isn't a figure that there are many of though. It's truly "rare" in the fullest sense of the word.
     
  5. shiftypenguin

    shiftypenguin Fancy-Pantsless Dancer

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    Normally I'm an "open it!" kinda person, but it being a lucky draw, I have to go with leaving it MISB, if not even going the AFA route as previously mentioned.
     
  6. LSyd

    LSyd Well-Known Member

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    i voted open but i'm really on the fence; depends if you want it archived or seen-displayed. me personally i'd open it to see and admire but i understand the rational of getting it graded.

    -
     
  7. cobra zartan

    cobra zartan Think's He's a Detective.

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    I opened at least 25 sealed luckydraws when I was collecting them including tracks so I vote to open it!
     
  8. GiganGoji

    GiganGoji Well-Known Member

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    Because it's so rare, I was ready to say keep it sealed, but...that box. Not a window box, not even any art. Just a white box.
    I'd rethink my entire hobby if I shelled out any sort of money for a plain white box. Open it and get your money's worth.
     
  9. Grimlock_13

    Grimlock_13 Currently facepalming at your post

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    I'm also a open 'em all kind of guy, even cracking open low end AFA stuff and sealed G1....but that thing is a class all its own. Keep it sealed and AFA that sumbitch!
     
  10. GiganGoji

    GiganGoji Well-Known Member

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    I've definitely warmed up to the idea of AFA grading. Some of these figures make great display pieces in their packaging, some even better IN their boxes than out! But WHY AFA grade a plain white box? Take the figure out, put the box on the shelf, and you'd (the general public) never know.

    That's where it stops making sense to me - owning rare things for the sake of owning rare things.

    Hear me out:
    Sure, you have other sealed Tracks (maybe even AFA graded? Hard to tell from the pictures), but the figures themselves are still visible in the packaging. You can see all three Tracks, and can see the differences, part of what makes them worth owning. If it was another blue Tracks, then sure, keep it in the box, because you can already see two and play with one. But a black Tracks would add a new variation to the display.

    In your first post, you mention wanting the "figure forever". Did you want it so you can have every version of the tracks mold? Did you want it forever because it was simply hard to track down because of its rareness? Did you want it because it's a pretty sweet looking figure?


    Now, I have no right to tell you how to collect. Do what makes you happy. But since you asked for advice, and others are saying to AFA grade it, I'm saying to not lock up a white box (that you spent who knows what on) in another sealed plastic box, because that sounds like a crazy person.
     
  11. Fenrir Zero

    Fenrir Zero Permanently Retired (1984-2020)

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    Here is the reason why.

    In the past 30 years, it is becoming increasingly harder to find certain pieces MISB. This is because people do not think about the road ahead and what it could mean for the next person to own that piece. Because of that, the historical significance of the Transformers, or even just the Japanese portion, will become a thing of the past.

    Meaning that if we open everything just because we disagree on how it is packaged, then what is the next generation of fans going to be see, seek out, etc.? And what about those after them? And so on, and so forth? All they will get to see are photos. They will probably also see replicated copies that do not look anything like the originals. Which is why I have suggested that he have this one graded.

    And also...

    Along with of him passing on both the figure and its history to his future children, grandchildren, or even a museum that specializes in cultural history... Who is dictating that he may never find a MIB or loose specimen? If you think he should have this loose, then why not suggest that he have it preserved before finding a loose specimen? Because I, for one, prefer Arkvander's approach. Which is have one set graded and an extra displayed next to it.

    But that is me. And I am also saying this because if we just focus on the here and now... We might as well leave nothing for the future generation of fans to see, learn about, and enjoy.
     
  12. maz25

    maz25 Well-Known Member

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    Your opinions pretty much sum up exactly why I am split. I understand both sides. My collection includes sealed and loose G1/G2 and MP (Although the only MP I have left sealed is my autographed MP Grimlock)
    Every G1/G2 piece I have obtained MISB I display MISB...I do not want to open them since I can keep it sealed and appreciate that while still seeing the figure. That white box is fabulous.... because it houses a limited version of an amazing figure that I cannot see.

    I appreciate each and every opinion provided here. The link above to Arkvander's display of a sealed along with loose figures would be ideal for a figure like this I suppose, and I have not ruled that out.
     
  13. GiganGoji

    GiganGoji Well-Known Member

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    What's the possibility of getting another one, to open?
    I'm not well versed on the Lucky Draw figures - how limited/expensive is this guy?
     
  14. Fenrir Zero

    Fenrir Zero Permanently Retired (1984-2020)

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    Lucky Draw figures tend to average out at 10. But there are cases where there is just 1, as well as cases where 50 were made.

    Black Tracks, in this case, had 300 made. But this was way back in 2002. Which means that after 14 years, give or take a few months, it is not known how many are left MISB. And those that are still MIB are also an unknown factor.

    Thanks to Maz, there is an article about this figure.

    And besides, if he cannot get another, he could always buy a Loud Pedal and use Reprolabels to make him look like "Masterpiece" Black Tracks. But that, and what Arkvander did are just suggestions.
     
  15. JaZzPrImE74

    JaZzPrImE74 Sub to my YT Supreme J

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    No reason of spended the large amount of money I'm sure you did just to have a white box. Open him.
     
  16. Fenrir Zero

    Fenrir Zero Permanently Retired (1984-2020)

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    And what should he do if he decides to open it, and later decides that it was a mistake?

    He cannot just simply buy another one out of the blue, much less hope the MISB replacement is in equal or better condition. Because the probability of that happening for a 14 year old product that only had 300 units produced are slim.

    Which is why I am saying that if he wants a loose specimen, there are sellers that might have this both MIB and for less than a MISB replacement.
     
  17. Hot Shot.

    Hot Shot. Well-Known Member

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    If he gets it AFAed it won't be MISB anymore.

    I'm not sure why people still have a hardon for AFA anyway. They've graded bootlegs as originals before, so it's not like they completely know what they're doing. Videotaping yourself in 1080p doing the exact same thing would be a better testament to the quality of the piece.


    Op, you can either leave it MISB, open it yourself, or pay a few hundred for some random self-credentialed guy to open it for you, slap a number on it, and glue it into a box without you ever seeing the contents.

    Pfft, what? No. This isn't a vintage photograph or George Washington's wooden teeth. It's a special deco of a reissue of a toy. It's valuable, sure, but anyone who doesn't know what it is will just nod their head and focus their attention on something more identifiable, like Ultimate Bumblebee.

    Cutting the tape and sliding the tray out isn't going to harm the value on something as rare as this as long as he doesn't leave fingerprints, wash it, apply labels, let it collect dust, or damage it in any way. It might actually increase the value since it could be confirmed flaw-free, which happens with statues. I would assume handling/transforming it with soft gloves would be fine as long as he repacks it or puts it in an airtight case.
     
  18. Fenrir Zero

    Fenrir Zero Permanently Retired (1984-2020)

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    Sorry to do this, but his claims do not coincide with what AFA and others had to say.

    False.

    AFA policy in regards to cutting tape is based on two factors:

    1) The product in question has signs of being "double-taped", which means that the contents in question have been tampered with.

    2) The owner of the product agrees to the cutting of the tape, and pays an additional $25 (which I object to) fee to have it receive a "Qualified" grade.

    Based on your track record... You were too busy slandering AFA to ask people why they choose to have their items graded. And if you had the courage to do so, you would realize that there are reasons why it is fine... And other reasons that it is objectionable.

    Oh, and the word is "harden" and not "hardon".

    As stated by an expert on the subject... 2005 was when the issue happened. So your argument is 11 years too late. And using said claim without regard to its timing should also be used against flying, driving, buying food, seeing the dentist, receiving blood, and more.

    Any proof? Because I have talked to AFA representatives on the handling of tape cutting, their price chart for his item, and talked to both collectors and sellers before deciding that an AFA graded collection best fits my style.

    Or should I listen to you instead of these people just because you said that?

    False.

    Tier code "A-C2-A" with the "Archival" grading, which both offers the highest end of acrylic and the fastest turn-around costs, is $105. Shipping costs will be $23.40. Insurance for the item would be around $3.00 to $6.00.

    So how does $134.40 turn into several hundred dollars?

    False.

    Rarity is only a factor that helps the seller determine if they can make a profit off said item. However, experts have stated that a MISB/MOSC specimen demands more money because none of its content has been tampered with since it was factory sealed.

    In other words... MISB/AFA > MIB/AFA > MISB > Loose/AFA > MIB/complete > MIB/incomplete > loose/complete > loose/incomplete > Spare parts. Which does not coincide with my suggestion: That he should have this one graded and later buy a MIB specimen for the exact reason why people are saying he should open it up.

    Oh, and I always suggest that doing MISB/loose or AFA/loose is the best way to go for those who can do that.
     
  19. tikgnat

    tikgnat Baweepgranaweepninnybong.

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    How do you know it's an actual Lucky Draw Tracks? Trust?

    Serious question.
     
  20. Cybertronman

    Cybertronman Well-Known Member

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    Schroedinger's Tracks?