Speaking as a guy who gets a lot of comics graded, I’d suggest AFA for anything valuable. Their case should add protection and having a grade protects you as a seller because then any disputes a buyer has about authenticity or condition can be handwavef by saying, “I’m not an expert and I listed what AFA told me the item and condition were.”

With a grail item like this, if the condition isn’t enough to more than make up for grading costs now, it will be eventually. Key comics from the 40s have individual pages go for thousands or tens of thousands. Getting it archivally encased will slow any damage over time you incur and, as long as the item is noteworthy (and this is), value will rise above the rate of inflation over time as other copies wear out. The only risk there is demand might go down (Ie. If Transformers become obscure) or if the western economy collapses into ruin. But those might INCREASE the value too eventually.

 

Thank you for your thoughts! You definitely make some good points. I'm now finding my decisions on how to proceed more difficult and complex than I initially expected   Guidance from you and others is extremely helpful and eye opening.

 

I've had a number of sealed ungraded Optimus Primes over the years. I'd say this one would likely grade a 70. As is I'd say it's worth 800-900. Graded at a 70 maybe 12-1300. Of course then there'd be grading fees and it would have to survive the trip from afa and back.

 

As somebody who fumbled a bit with his first CGC comics orders, I’d suggest seeking out packaging advice from people who routinely get stuff AFA graded.

My gut says bubble wrap, cardboard taped to the flat edges, touching the wrap (not the toy package itself) but keeping the card straight, and air pouches all around. Priority mail ideally to reduce time in transit. But somebody who’s done this will have good advice. There are also probably plastic protectors you could place this in during shipping that are basically like Tupperware shaped like the box itself.

If you spend $300 between grading and packaging but sell for $400-500 more, it’s worthwhile if you can afford it.

 

I'm not into collecting AFA graded toys, but the value of collectibles largely depends on the supply, and the willingness for people to pay for the toy in question. Given that they are not likely to uncover a trove of G1 OP MISB AFA >80, you can assume that the supply is fixed. Over time, the value will likely increase as those who want one will pay the price that is requested. Will the prices spike? Who knows? If there is a sudden demand for G1 OP, because it somehow becomes popular in the collecting culture, then perhaps. Will the price move suddenly by an order of magnitude? Probably not. I can't reasonable see someone wanting pay 20 large for a boxed plastic toy.

A better marker of whether the price will move is where the collecting trend moves to. You can still get G1 OP from the numerous releases, and the KO market apparently. MP and 3P have moved in to fill the need for those that want a little more, oh, I don't know, sophistication and modern toy engineering. Just collect what you have for your own reasons.

 

When I got home from work late last night, I found a very large unexpected bill related to hail damage repairs on my little house (long story). This is relevant because it may be a catalyst for my decision to sell this OP. I'll probably give it a week or so to think about it and to figure out how to proceed. Thanks everyone for your helpful advise!

 

Hi again everyone! I was excited when I was initially told I would be receiving this, so I was going off pics from the person I got the OP from when first posting. Now that it is in my possession there are some further issues on the box that I didn't intially know about such as the cut on the top right corner of the back of the box. Instead of holding onto it like I hoped, I need to sell it due to the aforementioned bills  ... even so, I feel very privileged to have had a sealed OP for a short time, and moreso to be able to have some extra help with bills during the holidays.   What are your thoughts on the value after looking at the updated pictures I just took? After some further feedback and after I think on the details for a bit, I will list it for sale. Thanks everyone!

 

Unless someone also decided to fake a Zayre sticker, it's legit. That chain went out of business in 1990.

On an unrelated note, I remember going there just to play Ghouls 'n Ghosts and Blasteroids.

 

Honestly, the additional pics kill the idea you have an AFA 75. You now have a 70 at best. Might be less.

I think your sold listings on EBay give you a pretty good comp for this. $1200-$1250 graded for a 75. Back off $250
For grading leaves you at $950 to $1000. Baring in mind this isn’t a sure 75, and I’d back $100 off of that. I think the best you’re looking at on EBay is $900, and if you want to sell here, I’d back 10% off that and start at $800. Be prepared for someone to offer $700 to $750 and know that’s a fair offer.

 

Thank you for your advise! I figured it might be something like that. Have a great night!

 

One last note, please remember that you need to be a member here for 30 days or provide your feedback on eBay or another forum to sell in our BST forum. Thanks and good luck!

 

Great to know since I hadn't started looking into how to sell it yet   Thanks!

 

(quoting for clarity, not specifically to talk back to you, tiberius)

OP: if you want the best price and can wait a little bit, put it up on eBay in March/april, starting at $1 with LOTS of pictures and a proper shipping cost (like weigh it in a shipping box). You'll want to start it on a Sunday at like 3pm and do a 7 day auction. This gives you a full week of views.

March/april is when most people that have disposable income have done their taxes, and people typically blow that money on something they don't really need, like a new phone, a new TV, or a rare TF. Starting it at $1 will lure in more bidders, and at that time of year you'll get your best price.

You'll want to take a TON of pictures though, I thikn eBay allows 12, you'll want to take 12 really great pics. One showing everything and then 11 other showing box condition, so one pic from each angle and a few more showing corners and stuff.

If you do this, it'll likely go up to $200 in the first 24 hours then not go up much till the last day, perhaps even the last 10 mins. Don't worry, it'll hit a good price.

 

Thank you for your thoughts/details on using Ebay. Good advise on timing as well! Definitely something for me to consider!

 

I agree in general with a $.99 starting auction, but disagree with a sealed OP specifically that time of year. Every G1 collector who is looking to add a vintage, sealed OP will have the funds 365, cash or credit available for a fair purchase.

 

I've been selling semi-professionally on eBay for almost 20 years (since October of 1999). The two biggest sales times that get the highest prices are Tax time and Christmas. Of the two, obviously Christmas is more for gifts, and not too many people will spend $1k+ on a vintage TF for their collector friend/family member. Many more people will spend their tax refunds on their own.

Beyond that, its a well known time to sell electronics and gadgets, and anyone working in a company that sells those things will tell you that too. Smartphones sell in higher numbers at Tax time than they do at Christmas.

That said, feel free to list your valuable vintage toys in January and see what happens.

 

If a sealed vintage OP is listed in January, I'd think it will sell for fair market value based on the condition. People do receive cash for Christmas.

I'll give you 1 specific example I was involved with. Last December I bid on a Diaclone blue Fairlady. Complete, unused. The seller provided about 15 pictures to me via pm. Started the auction at $.99. My max was $2500 and I lost.

For certain figures, OP included, the market and buyers are always there, regardless of time of year.

 

Hi everyone! Just wanted to update this thread and let you know that I pulled the trigger and posted it for sale only on this site. (I hope this is OK to say in this thread...feel free to edit if it is not within the accepted practices.)

Link to the listing is:

G1 Factory Sealed Optimus Prime (Original from the 80's not Reissue)

I realize it may serve me better to post it for sale on multitudes of sites and to wait until after tax returns, but I figured I'd give it a shot solely on this site first to see what happens since I received such great feedback on here from my initial post.  

Thanks everyone for your help! Have a great night!