Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Sorry if this isn't where I should be posting this, so mods feel free to move if you'd like to appropriate location.

Felt the need to post this, instead of calling the individuals out, so its a little more generic. I don't like drawing attention to members specifically in case its a one off situation.

I understand that we all love this hobby and have different levels of involvement, and I understand that some people are a little more anal in regard to the condition of their figures. That being said... I was a little disappointed this weekend with a few of the figures I picked up and their "cleanliness". I know there are some other members from this board who had similar issues.

My gripe is this..... if you are claiming a figure to be mint... having caked on dust or a thick layer of dust a) is disgusting and shame on you for treating your figure that way b) isn't really mint.... now I get it everyone has their own interpretation, and I'm not saying I'm perfect but I do wipe down all the figures I sell before meeting the other member (I give figures how I would want to receive them) and in the past I know I have sold a figure that was a little dusty, but apologized to the buyer in advance as I didn't have a chance to wipe it down as it was a spur of the moment sell/meet. I did still have the courtesy to apologize and let them know up front that the figure was dusty and would need to be wiped off.

I get it... I am one of those anal people who cleans his figures before I put them back in box, and have my loose stuff stored in ziploc baggies, but some of the condition of stuff that was sold this weekend was just nuts. Again I don't want to call the individuals out cuz I don't think that's fair. The products were great once they were cleaned. But having to clean a figure for 2.5 hrs to get it nice.. just doesn't seem fair. Granted I could have backed out of the deal, but I have been looking for said figure for a while, and didn't realize it was that bad till I got it home to have a good look at it. I'm also a man of my word so won't back out of a deal on the spot, I know I could have but that's not fair either, especially as people are carrying these figures around at the con... again won't mention any names but feedback thread will bring up time wasters.

I guess I just don't understand the lack of pride in peoples figures. The one figure I got I would be embarrassed to sell to someone in the condition I received it. Anyways just my 2 cents....

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

If it takes 2 and a half hours to clean a figure, I can see why a bit of dust would be a gripe. Also makes sense why you didn't have time to clean the one you sold.
I clean mine when I get them. Regardless if it's dusty or not. But it usually only takes a couple minutes.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

If I had to spend 2.5 hours cleaning a figure I'd be upset so definitely hear ya on that one and since pennies are "gone" that's just my nickel ;)

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I once bought a figure from a boardie, and when I started transforming it, there was a giant dead earwig inside :\

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

custom minicon?

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Now that's messed up

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I understand where you're coming from, but to look at it from another perspective, if you own hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of figures, you just don't have the time to keep each and every figure on display clean. First world problems, am I right?

But I do think a figure should pass the blow test, as in someone took the ten seconds to quickly blow the surface layer of dust off the figure before selling it. Depending on how many figures being sold, a quick wipe with a rag couldn't hurt.

If the figure is dusty, it should be stated as part of the deal, because dust can cause discoloration.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Some people need to get lives.
If the price is right who cares if it's dusty??
And on that note.
Spend the time to get as clean as you would like it.
Keeping in mind what you want to pay.

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Not much is worse than cigarette tar residue buildup on a white TF...

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i always have to fight tunnel vision on important pieces or i never see the flaws at the point of purchase which is probably where issues ought to be raised (not to suggest healthy civilized complaint is not appopriate here).

dust though is the real life equivalent of cosmic rust when it comes to TFs. fades paint, weakens plastic, hoses joints. a far cry from MIB

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

BigWillay, I agree with your sentiments. What has happened to honour and humanity? Not happy with a fellow "well known" boardie myself 😉

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

@ BigWillay, I concur with your disappointment. It's disgusting when people try to sell unkempt items and take absolutely no time to make them presentable for sale and still have the audacity to advertise them as "mint". Scrapmaker's earwig incident is particularly gross.

Mint, even in the loosest sense, should be as good as new, meaning clean and not broken. Being covered in dust, tar stains, pet fur, pubes, ink or paint markings from kids playing with them, or being scratched, dented, or broken does not constitute mint whatsoever.

We have a feedback section on these forums for a reason, and it's not just so everyone can be applauded for being a good seller or buyer. It's only fair, and in every board members interest to communicate negative feedback where warranted. If we're not acting on this due diligence, why even have a feedback section? I make it a point to take some time to comment on the condition of an item when I buy from another boardie, and when they truly are above average condition, I stress that importance in the feedback I give them.

BigWillay, you may not want to call them out for the sake of being "polite", but I would encourage you to do so for the sake of being fair. This would help another buyer from having the same disappointing experience as you did if they carry that similar level of expectation.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I need to raise a point here- For the people who are knowledgeable enough to have a clear concept of what mint even means (many don't), that should also include the ability to realize that unless it's MISB, chances are it's been on a shelf and transformed ect. Not everyone is a meticulous person and it's crazy to assume that.
If you aren't buying a MISB collectible- don't expect a mint figure. Even if it's advertised as mint. If it isn't graded, and you complain it isn't mint as advertised, all you are doing is admitting that you talk smarter than you are. There's no such thing as a mint figure unless it's graded or handed to you right from the opened package.
Don't expect a mint figure. Period.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

^^ so what you're saying is assume everyone isn't telling the truth, even if it's unintentional. So if you buy anything that isn't as advertised, and expect it to be as advertised, it's your own fault for expecting what was promised to you.

Makes sense to me.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

2.5 hours cleaning one figure?

I don't spend half that time cleaning my car...

That said, if it was advertised as clean, should be reasonably clean.

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No, what I'm saying is that one should assume anything advertised is probably exaggerated to some degree be it intentionally or from a different understanding of definitions. And once a buyer gets that, ask questions. Be specific. And if it's not as advertised when you see it, then use that inspection to either renegotiate or decline to buy the damn thing.
Handing over cash then playing the victim is just lame imo.
And I say "playing the victim" because 2.5 hours to clean a toy is just as big an embellishment as saying a figure is mint, if it's already opened and displayed

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I disagree. There is such a thing as MLC vs MISB. An item doesn't have to still be sealed to be considered mint. There are a few other boardies who I've purchased from here who maintain a collection of great condition despite having been opened, displayed, transformed, etc. MISB is more like "mint +".

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I think there's already enough discrepancy in this thread alone, for potential buyers to recognize that assuming MINT is worth asking questions to the seller about before handing over cash. Some sellers definitely do earn a reputation as a meticulous and up front person in regards to accurately describing grade. But for all intents and purposes of this thread, buyers need to be the proactive ones, given that not everyone is (evidently) on the same page regarding what things mean.

I don't own one transformer that I have transformed that doesn't have a stress mark. Sometimes they're there right out of the box. And most transformers these days are already flaking paint just because you breathed on it. I could see a Spawn statue being mint once opened but a transformer? Not very likely

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Literally never spent 2.5 hrs cleaning anything

In my opinion, OP is, in his own admission, overly anal.

As far as "mint" goes, I wouldn't say dust affects the condition, as it easily blows or wipes off. The figure isn't permanently altered. I've bought dusty figures from boardies before and never gave it a second thought

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

The thought of stress marks didn't even come up once in my previous posts in this thread but now that you bring it up, I can see why I may not have considered them as an indication of being mint or not. You're right, some toys can come with stress marks brand new right out of the box due to design deficiencies from the manufacturer or production errors. But that's exactly why I don't think the presence of stress marks (or lack there of) is a metric of "mintyness". On the other hand, overly numerous stress marks could be a sign of heavy use or rough play in itself.

Lightly dusted figures you could blow off, sure. Heavily dusted figures that have been on display out in the open for a few years or in an environment that's heavily dusty due to pollen, pets, or an occupation that has you coming home covered in debris would definitely be harder to clean. That heavier caked on dust doesn't easily blow out or even washes out from tiny crevices from joints or smaller moulded details. You need to poke at it with something tiny and small enough to get into those corners, but not sharp enough to scratch the figure. It's really hard to find an appropriate tool get that done right and often forces a person to accept an incomplete cleaning job.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Q-tips and water are the way I clean mine. But that's maybe once a year if that. I take mine down and pose them for pics all the time and just handling them seems to be enough to keep em looking ok. They live in detolfs though so not as much dust gets in there as a shelf would get. My Legends and Black Series I just run them under the tap. They all at one point or another come with me to the river and swamps ect for photos so when they get home are usually covered in mud.
For me, that's what makes me feel like I'm getting my moneys worth out of them. And they all seem to be holding up quite well. The worst one is Krennic with his floppy legs but that's how he was when I opened it.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

First off... you've made some interesting points... however I take offence to the statement of "embellishment" for those who do know me on the boards, I am self admittedly anal about my figures I am spending hard earned money on higher end items. If I am buying Tr figures or CW figures I'm not really bothered (lower cost figure). Granted I do tend to clean most figures I buy, because I do understand that they are on display and can be dirty. But when I am buying an MP figure and spending a fair amount on it, there is some responsibility on the buyer to provide a product in said condition as was described. I understand the the term "buyer beware" (LMAO Primecron) comes into play and you are right most of the responsibility falls on the buyer. But that being said where is the sense of honor between fellow collectors.

I also don't quite understand how I'm "playing the victim".... at no point did I say I got played or made a fool of or am I whining that I got ripped off... the op and title is "what grinds my gears" so all I am doing is talking to the community about what bothers me within our circle. Last time I checked complaining or discussing doesn't automatically make me a victim... nor am I trying to be one. Was just trying to get feedback from the community. Not trying to get Flamed. My friends on this forum can attest that I am hardly a victim, I am however vocal in regards to issues I see.

I agree some figures come right out of the box with issues, but that being said an educated collector already knows about given issues. I don't agree with your statement of not mint... I know for myself I have figures that have been removed from box, pix are taken it's on display for a few days wiped down and put back in box not even transformed. How is that not mint in box? Again my reputation speaks for itself. It's the honesty that I don't understand. If I am selling a figure and there is an issue I let people know upfront then I can't be told I wasn't honest... that's my integrity and up to me as a responsible seller. Let's call a spade a spade, in this community reputation is everything, selling figures in great shape that are clean can make or break a sales thread. A while back I traded a figure that had issues with the paint right out of the box, I made sure I took multiple pictures of it and sent to the buyer so they understood. I could have played it off like there was no issue but that's not who I am.

I understand a dusty figure doesn't seem like a major issue, but when it's caked on in panels that are folded in... it tells you it's not maintained. When it's a figure that's hard to come by and doesn't usually come in a completed status it makes it harder to turn the figure down as I've been searching for a while. I'm not expecting perfection, that being said I have dealt with multiple board members, who's figures you could eat off of they are so clean..... you guys know who you are!!!

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I already spend 2.5 hours to clean a single and dirty figure myself (Powermaster Prime)!
I purchased a lot (pack) of G1 figures recently and must have spent more than 4 hours to clean them all!
Surprisingly, dust (heavy stick dust) won't show on pictures.
-Only facts, no opinions.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

As long as the figure is complete and the price is right who cares if it is a little dirty and smelly. I picked up a Piranacon a couple of weeks ago for $40. It was thrown loose in a very used old grocery bag with 2 cigarette butts as a bonus. I had to keep it outside for a couple of days after and only took about 10 minutes to clean up.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Hmmm I would really... I mean REALLY care if I received a figure 2 cigarette butts in old a$$ grocery bags.

If I saw that in person I would not buy it.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Anything you can't get with 20 minutes, rubbing alcohol a q-tip and a toothpick, I've never encountered. Even that was for value village toys, not from boardies, regardless... if it's that gross and unacceptable, OP could, you know, not accept it, not buy the figure, go home with his money, and avoid this problem altogether

Don't buy toys from filthy hoarders, you wouldn't buy anything else from their home, would you?

Just opinions

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

First off... you've made some interesting points... however I take offence to the statement of "embellishment"
Well I'm sorry. I didn't realize you cleaned things with 70 lb weights strapped to your arms.

I also don't quite understand how I'm "playing the victim"
Because in order to make your complaints valid, you have to exaggerate how bad it was. Otherwise, you would have made a post explaining why you didn't buy it.

You can't bullshart a bullsharter ;)

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I say to each their own. Some of us dislike the products we buy looking like complete crap when we do....some of us don't care.

No need to get heated about it o.o

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Confused how taking my time and doing a great job on a figure requires me having a 70lb weight on my arm... making my complaints valid.... this post was to start up a conversation in regards to the condition of figures, at TFcon a few of my buddies also picked up figures, that were extremely dusty... also being well known members, who can vouch that the Rodimus did not appear to be that bad until I got it home and had a good look at it. Again... if you go back I am self admittedly anal in regards to my figures and take pride in my collection. That's not to say other's don't I just take really good care of my stuff.

As for can't bullshart a bullsharter... I'm still confused as to what I would gain by making it out to be worse than it really was? Im not looking for any of the boardies pity or empathy.... and I'm not looking to flame on the original owner.... or try and get my money back.... and I'm not trying to be a troll or a keyboard warrior. Hence the title.... "what grinds my gears" its just a rant.... nothing more nothing less. How this has turned into a conversation about questioning my character... and truthfulness. I have many friends on here who can vouch for my level of honesty.

If you feel you need to continue to Flame on... be my guest.... whatever makes your day pass faster :clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping:

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

If you are so anal, how could you not tell it needed 2 and a half hours of cleaning when you looked at it to begin with?
This makes about as much sense as a watermelon in a toilet on a starry night nestled upon a hilltop with singing monkeys gathered round.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Clearly you don't read... so I'll say it again... it didn't look that bad when I first got it.... I didn't have a chance to look at the rifles.. to see that the springs were seized due to the dust and crud in them.... and I didn't start unfolding all of the panels till I got the figure home.. I did a quick once over... when I met up with the seller, and when I got home had a chance to go over with a fine tooth comb. I'm not sure what your over the top interest is... or why you are finding this hard to believe..... hopefully.. this clears it up a bit for you.....

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Grrrriiiinnnndddsssss mmyyyyyy ggeeeaaarrrrssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

So the figure was clean on the outside, but a bunch of dust packed itself inside and froze up some springs? I've never had dust do that. It's always on the top of the figure. This is the strangest story evolution I've seen in a while.
It's almost as if the guy did clean it but he missed the stuff that was impossible to see. The magic dust that the fairy wind blows up inside of the guns to pack itself up in around the springs, way in there.
I totally see what you're saying now. Why didn't you just say it was the magic dust? I wouldn't have even questioned it.
My interest isn't even the dust or cleaning time anymore really. It's the bizarre nature of the threads evolution. I'm trying to read between the lines.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I'm not sure if you are reading things correctly.. or which little magic world you live in with your dust bunny buddies.... I'm not sure how much clearer I can make it... for you... so lets do everyone a favour.. you return to back under your bridge... and continue to troll the net as you normally do. :primelaugh:

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Well I'm just thinking that if the outside was clean but the inside was packed full of enough dust to freeze up springs in the barrel of the blaster, there has to be a scientific explanation.

It's possible when the guy cleaned it, he didn't know what to do with the dust and shoved it all in the blaster with a stick? Maybe there's a logical reason other than magic wind? I'm simply taking what you're saying and trying to make sense of it without saying I think you're embellishing.
No offence here but this topic is truly a bait topic. You didn't actually think you wouldn't be pressed with so many contradictions?

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

LMAO pressed with what contradictions... there are exposed springs... on Rodimus' rifles... the ratchets are exposed as well... for his shoulders... craaaaaazzzyyyyy thought... that dust might build up in these areas.... cuz i guess ratchets are a no dust zone? lol I didn't think I'd be pressed by a troll... flaming on a thread... but I guess we can't get what we expect.

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

I've had "normal dusty" figures, they're relatively easy to clean.

Then I've also had "WTF dusty" figures that are not. The difference seems to be what happened to the figure before the dust accumulated.

Food seems to be the culprit: specifically people eating and then handling figures thoroughly with greasy/sticky hands. If a figure is handled with greasy, gross hands, then transformed a few times, messed with, etc, then the dust settles into the layer of grease or sticky food. It is a devil to clean off, as it gets into joints, creases, moulding lines, etc.

Straight dry household dust is a fairly minor issue in my experience.

Thick, pet-riddled, rarely cleans dust - bonded to a grease/sticky layer - is the stuff that takes ages to clean.

Wash your hands before playing with your figures, people! Don't eat and transform!

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

So the crud and dust in the rifles was actually on the rifles, and the dust buldup in the flaps was actually in the ratchets. I was thinking when you said that the outside wasn't noticably bad, and it was all on the inside I must have been picturing things differently. Well, I've spend a good 2.5 hrs on this thread now, I guess I'll just take my fine tooth comb on out of here and call it clean. Cheers

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!
 

Guess you've dealt with the magic fairy dust as well??

Re: Grinds my gears!!!!!!