So I just got Cybertron Ultra Class Scourge (bought from an eBay seller from Singapore), and just looking at the toy inside the box, I see a weird greasy substance attached not only to one of Scourge's dragon heads, but also trapped inside one of the plastic trays.

The toy still appears to be MISB, the twist ties are still attached, and most importantly, the plastic trays are still glued to the cardboard tray. And yet the greasy substance has also somehow crept to the inside of one of the plastic trays that is still glued to the cardboard.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

 

Pics?

 

Looking at it more closely, I'm not even sure it's the same substance. On the dragon head, it looks more like mold flash that's starting to grow like weed, while the stuff trapped inside the plastic tray looks more like bread crumbs, except how did they end up inside the tray when it's glued to the cardboard?

 

Give that sucker a good wash. Frustrating to get a toy in this condition.

 

Singapore is very humid. I once had the rubber band on a MISB Takara Transformers Collection 0 Optimus Prime melted directly onto the chrome grill of the toy. It disintegrated the chrome to reveal the black paint below that I had to replace the toy.

 

Moisture = fungus and bacteria...even on plastic.

In terms of sanitizing, easier if on non-painted surfaces. Then you could use an (isopropyl) alcohol pad. Even a lens wipe pad has some isopropyl in it.

If painted or you're not sure if the plastic type may even melt from isopropyl (modern clear TF plastic does), you can do simple soap and water. Of course, this is easier if you can separate the affected piece or construct some type of hanging apparatus. Over sensitive areas, you can even put soapy water on a Q-tip and gently over it. Then rinse with water and let thoroughly dry.

 

Okay, I opened it and took more photos.

To me it looks like someone ate food while sitting or standing above the box, and some of the food crumbs poured into the box (which still had a gap with the top flap because it was only factory-sealed with a single piece of tape).

The figure appears to have never been removed from the packaging, even the safety tag for the electronics is still inside, but the packaging was not sealed airtight and a lot of nasty stuff ended up inside. And then the box was rattled around and a lot of the content made its way through the holes for the twist ties.


I'm still going to file a complaint. I don't want someone's food remnants on a supposedly MISB toy.

 

Maybe Scourge didn't have a chance to finish his meal before someone rudely packed him for sale.

 

Did the battery pop?

 

That looks like the rubber band used to tie the toy to the cardboard had dried up. I live in Singapore, and this happened to me a couple of times. It made me install an air-conditioner, and keep it running most of the time.

 

Case in point: There was a small plastic bag over one of the fins that might at one point have been held together by a rubber band.

In any regard, the seller has already offered me a partial refund, which I'm going to accept.

 

Also, the batteries have leaked. Because of course they have.

Ah well. Got a partial refund from the seller.

 

That's not a surprise at all. Any time batteries are stored for a length of time, they're going to leak almost every time.

 

So the seller responded quickly and sent me a partial refund. After a little cleaning, the toy is usable (and I have no need for the electronics).

Now how should I rate the transaction on eBay? Negative would be too harsh because the seller was fully cooperative, which leaves either positive or neutral. So on the one hand, I hesitate to give a positive rating because the seller definitely should have noticed the state the figure was in inside the packaging. On the other hand, the seller responded very quickly, apologized and didn't try to argue his way out.

Thoughts?

 

It is battery acid. It’s possible that the seller did not see it upon inspection if it was out of sight. It could’ve come loose and spread within the packing during shipping. I’d give him the benefit of the doubt, since he is offering compensation without complications.

 

Dude's been cordial and cooperative about the figure. He probably didn't realize the condition or saw the little flecks as insignificant to mention. I'd say he's a positive seller

 

You bought a MISB toy from 15 years ago with a battery in it, wtf did you expect OP? You were lucky to get a refund of any sort, the seller deserves full marks for putting up with your uneducated BS.

 

@Nevermore is many things.
Uneducated is not one of them.