Variations have no real value

[Joshkj]

The varation for ROTS,blue sabre palp, has no real value. This is because people could so easily fake one. Just though I would through that out there:rolleyes:

[Sith Lord 0498]

Actually, it might not be as easy as you're thinking. The lightsaber is molded into Palpatine's hand.

[Ji'dai]

I agree that variants created by errors and mistakes have no value. At least to me personally. I prefer to get the most movie-accurate figures as possible. An error is actually worthless to me.

However, with the red/blue saber Palpatine I was thinking that I'll probably open and display both figures together, the blue saber Palp (w/ reg. head) standing next to the red saber Palp (w/ Sidious head). Nice way to show off both interchangeable heads at the same time.

I also did that with the OTC Dagobah Luke. I bought two so I could display one figure doing the handstand and the other standing with the Yoda backpack. I also had to buy two Yodas, one to put in the backpack and another to stand alone.

[decadentdave]

Perhaps the Purple/Blue cards will have no real value, same with the Glossy/Matte cardbacks on the Episode I figures, but a legitimate correction such as a lightsaber I would consider to be a signifigant variation that does have some value.

Take the differences between long and short sabers on the original POTF2 figures. Hasbro made a running change after they determined that the saber blades were too long. Now those figures fetch a higher price than the "proper" corrected length figures do.

There are numerous paint variations out there and the most discriminating collectors would differentiate between a black circle-gloved Boba Fett versus the striped-gloved. Point is, these subtle differences can and do change the value of the figure, especially if one version is less common than the other.

With Hasbro making a legitimate correction to the blue saber Palpatine, these will be produced in less numbers than the corrected version. It's a good bet this will hold its value in the long term. Now if they would only correct the hilt... it's still Anakin's.

[Darth Jax]

anything only has as much value as someone is willing to pay for it. variations/errors/the elusive hard-to-find figure are all just hunks of plastic that as geeks we place value on. and for a variation to have value one must be willing to part with it from their collection or willing to shell over the inflated prices that a scalper wants for it.

[decadentdave]

anything only has as much value as someone is willing to pay for it. variations/errors/the elusive hard-to-find figure are all just hunks of plastic that as geeks we place value on. and for a variation to have value one must be willing to part with it from their collection or willing to shell over the inflated prices that a scalper wants for it.


You said it Darth Jax... they are all just pieces of molded painted plastic. WE are the ones that place a value on it. So you just validated my point for me. Variations DO have legitimate value to the discriminating collector that values a specific variation. So, using the Red/Blue Palapatine saber variant as an example, a particular collector may VALUE the blue variant for reasons of error, availability, or that it just plain looks cool to have, while another collector may have a preference to the red saber variant because it resembles the color used in the actual film. SOMEONE is going to value the blue saber version and will no doubt pay more money for it once they are no longer available at retail (which should be just about now). How much more all depends on how much they are willing to shell out but seeing as how NONE of these figures are made out of gold, you are never going to get rich off of them. However, variations do make for part of the fun of collecting and the thrill of the hunt.

[Bobby Fett]

... However, variations do make for part of the fun of collecting and the thrill of the hunt.

My philosophy exactly.

[JediTricks]

I've been wondering how "easy" it would be to fake, or recard, a figure in the ROTS line. These cards do have that tape on the back which wouldn't be too hard to monkey with, but they have that easily-damaged upper curved bubble that's welded to the cards and shows tampering very easily, and the reversed/welded tab at the bottom of the bubble which could be difficult to get off the card at all since it doesn't have any external elements. Any thoughts on this? I mean, it'd be cake to fake a PHOTO of these, but in person I would think they'd be hard to fake without looking obviously tampered-with in several locations.

[decadentdave]

Been wondering that myself since the Anakin/Dooku saber variation pics have been floating around. I have never found that variation anywhere. Seems to me that could easily be faked, especially since it is just Dooku's saber and it isn't molded onto the removeable glove like Anakin's saber is. Also heard rumors of a red Palpatine variant with Sidious' head on, that could also be easily faked. The blisters could easily be seperated from the cards, the cards themselves could easily be repro'd as long as good scans were obtained of the front and back and then the blisters re-sealed. Customizers are very clever and amazing sometimes.

[BanthaPoodoo]

Actually faking is real easy in the ROTS line as evidenced here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2476&item=5967692435&rd=1

That guy took a lot of work to do it... waste of money IMHO...

[ronhudy]

Actually faking is real easy in the ROTS line as evidenced here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2476&item=5967692435&rd=1

That guy took a lot of work to do it... waste of money IMHO...

I've seen figures like that in stores on occasion. Maybe someone monkied with it and returned it, and this person bought it thinking it was off the production line that way. In any case, I wouldn't even pay retail for it.

[JediTricks]

Actually faking is real easy in the ROTS line as evidenced here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2476&item=5967692435&rd=1

That guy took a lot of work to do it... waste of money IMHO...
First off, those photos are really crummy, so it's very difficult to tell how good a fake it actually is. Second, even with the crap quality photos, you can see some wonkiness at the bottom of the welded curve of the bubble and the bottom of back looks scuffed/mangled/bent and the bubble flap on the left looks out of alignment. Finally, it's the original Saga Dooku from Ep 2 (you can tell by the plastic "chain" permanently connected to his neck, and the redder lightsaber blade) sitting in the ROTS Guard's tray, how good a fake could it be? ;)

It's not impossible that the seller is the initial chump here and bought it this way though, I've seen a rash of GI Joe returns lately with older figures done a lot like this, but either way it's a piece of crap.

[Slicker]

wonkinessThat one had me rollin', is that even a word.lol

After readin' yer post JT I looked at the pics and the back, particular the bottom of the card, looks particularly "wonky" and bent almost as if someone was putting a figure up through it. Hmmm....

[JediTricks]

Wonkiness doesn't come up in the dictionary listings yet, but some day.... some day. :cry: ;) It shows up 7,200 times on Google though, so it's a start. :D

When Thrawn was still working here, he and I would do a lot of discussion about the error/variation photos he'd get, I'm a rather paranoid person so I would assume everything was fake, we'd talk it out and eventually I started noticing more carefully what signs to look for even though I myself don't collect variations/errors. Now he's gone and we don't cover varrorations anymore for the most part, but I'm still stuck with this arcane knowledge. ;)

[Darth Cruel]

Now THIS is news!...Quick...whoever is closest, get down to Frank-n-Scalpers and tell all the crooks down there that variations have no real value! Then I'll be able to pick up all of them at the shelf price! :)

Sidiously, though, being a variation/error collector, I wish they had no extra value. I do hate not getting them because I refuse to pay premium money for them.

[sjd9299]

I love variations/errors becuase it gives me something to hunt for. There are not many collectors in my area and it is very easy to get everything I am looking for. The only time I can't get something is when the store never gets it. So for me collecting is quite boaring. I need the excitemnent of hunting for that hard to find variation. I don't care if it is worth more or less. To me variations and errors will always be worth more just because there are less of them out there.

[UKWildcat]

Hey guys, new here...

Not sure if this thread is still alive but that Dooku variant post got me laughing. And to think there is someone on ebay is doing the exact same thing with Darth Vader #11. I don't know if you all have seen this BS yet or not, but it is hilarious, although I feel sorry for the people bidding on it. Someone on ebay is selling MULTIPLE darth vaders with blue lightsabers. Obviously made them up himself.
Just search for "Darth vader blue" or something, can't miss them.

here is a direct quote from his/her post.

I obtained this figure from a retail store and when I saw it I had to buy it. Please keep in mind I DO NOT know any history behind this figure because I bought it right off the shelf at the store so please bid accordingly.

OK, and this person has managed to find at least 6 or more of these figures? Like I said, I feel real sorry for the people bidding on those. $40+ down the drain... Horrible!

[Hexagram520]

Errors don't interest me, but actual changes (Blue lightsaber Palpatine obviously isn't fake because they are popping up everywhere, and Hasbro admitted it) are fun!

Also, if you WANTED to fake the blue saber Palpatine...you could take the hand out of Anakin #1 (where the saber is also sculpted into the hand), file down any glove bumpies he has, paint the hand flesh colored, and pop it on Palpatine. Voila, blue saber palpatine w/ saber sculpted into the hand. (This alone is the downside of Palpatine having Anakin's saber hilt, besides accuracy of course). I have a bad feeling that I'm not the only one to realize this, and people will sell fakes of the blue saber Palpatine through this method.

[Bossk77]

The old varients were cool. Tan vest luke.... one peg gonk droid. ect Fett... but while valuble in the short term they devalue quickly over time. Sigh... some people will try to make their own or con people...but Obi said it best "Who is more Foolish, The fool or the fool who follows him?" Says it all.

[VaderhitsJarjar]

Sigh*

I remember the days ...
half circle Fett, full or half pic Ben, tan vest luke -
all prizes that once sat on my shelf in heavy acrylic cases....

Now in some olde taped box sitting
attic heat