I'm new to collecting the vintage toys, well the non cheap ones. I always find it difficult yo gauge whether its a good deal or not, especially with the "Grail toys" like the Action Master Elites for Example. at Botcon all four were mint on card for $2000 so thats $500 each. but loose? do you half that? how much to subtract for wear? or damage? I'm sure this has been asked and answered before I know there isn't an exact mathematical formula to it, and only experience will teach you. Has anyone got any general pointers to set me in the right direction?
there is no real formula. The best way is to look at completed E bay auctions. Stores and dealers are usually over priced a lot of times.
Also, you have to consider how uncommon a toy is to find MOSC or MISB. There are plenty of "common" older transformers that go for 10x more if they are new/sealed just b/c of the sheer rarity of a sealed sample, and also b/c you can potentially grade the sealed toy.
Another thing you should go by is how much the toy is worth to you as a collector. Someone might think a price is good for one character, but another person, who doesn't really have an interest in the same character, may think the price it a bit high.
How much something is worth goes down to these two simple rules. How much somebody is willing to sell that particular figure, and two How much somebody is willing to PAY for that particular figure. Basic supply and demand...........................
Also do your homework as there are also phony Transformers products on the market. You wouldn't pay thousands of dollars for a fake Rolex; you shouldn't do the same for cheap Transformers knockoffs.