Please pardon my ignorance. Can someone please explain to me why some of the LJN figures are more expensive than others?
I understand that if a figure which has very delicate parts (like “Stinger” with wings), would sell for a higher price if it was complete. No arguments there. I also understand that a bigger figure like the Astral Moat Monster would sell for a higher price than a smaller figure like Snarf. Agreed. I also agree that a MOC figure would sell for higher than a loose one.
But why does a Bengali figure sell for almost ten times more than Tygra when the two figures are very similar? Is it because there were very few Bengali figures produced? But I have seen a lot of them, on ebay, in collections. Same goes for Lynx-O, Pumyra, Jaga etc. When the toys first came out back in the 80’s, did these figures sell for a higher price than the other figures?
Is there really a logical explanation for the price difference that exists today or did just someone randomly decide that so and so figures will be considered expensive and then everyone kept on following that without ever stopping to think about it. Kind of like why the Mona Lisa is considered to be the greatest painting in the world yet no one can really give you a simple and short explanation as to why.
It was my understanding that the final series in 1987 did not produce as many figures (Lynxo, Bengali, Pumyra etc…) and therefore a case up supply/demand. I would be interested to hear others opinions.
Initially I thought so too and that does sound like the most logical explanation. But the final 1987 series also produced Mongor, Safari Joe and Capt. Shiner and they aren’t considered to be “rare”. :eek:
I guess there’s “more than meets the eye” to this price dilemma. (Oops. Wrong cartoon series!)
It’s a mixture of rarity and desirability. Figures like Bengali, Lynx-O, Jaga and Pumyra are more expensive because less were produced near the end of the line, therefore harder to find.
And although this is also true for others like Safari Joe and Capt. Shiner, they don’t go for quite as much because they aren’t as desired. But they do fetch a good amount in their own right on eBay from the looks of it.
Also, you asked if they were the same price in the 80’s - all the standard line of figures will all have each been the same price at the time they were released, which if you ever see old toy catalogues was incredibly cheap compared to todays prices!
The answer is indeed desirability (like has been stated) but not just now, but back in the 80’s too. The heroes always sell better than villians, so there were likely more of the villians sent to clearance stores etc… and those were probably kept carded. That explains why the heroes are more expensive carded today.
as for loose figures, I can only assume again with collectors today, the heroes are much more desirable than villians that only appeared 1-2 episodes.
I just saw someone selling a “MOC Lion-O with Thunderwings” for USD 6000! Now I’m no collector so I don’t know the value of such carded figures but 6 grand seems like a lot of dough to dish out for what is… well, essentially a toy.
Just came across that Thunderwings Lion-o. You’re right, it is indeed a lot of money for a toy. But it is also a very rare toy, that is still carded and graded, what makes it almost one of a kind. I don’t have that much money but i understand that people who can afford it are willing to pay that much. I think in time he has to lower his price comparing with the much rarer laser saber ben-gali which was sold at a much lower price a while ago.
My mistake, the price was actually USD 6999.99 so that’s 7 grand not 6! Also saw a “MOC Luna Lasher Mumm-ra” valued at 5 grand and a “MOC Bengali” going for 3 grand. WOWSERS!!! :eek:
But I think you are right “MADBUBBLER”. For a serious collector who is looking to complete his collection and has the money, he/she would probably buy these items. But that’s still a lot of moolah!!!
So would you say that the “MOC Laser Saber Bengali” is THE rarest of the rarest Thundercats toy? I’m just curious to know which are say the top 5 or top 10 rarest Thundercats toys in mint condition? I always used to think that the “MIB Tongue-a-saurus” would be the most expensive one.
That ben gali was an italian release and was given a AFA80 grade. It belonged to our fellow collector Robimusprime. It was the only one i have seen so far. i don’t know who’s the current owner. I think some proto’s like the feliner, quickjaws, madbubbler are to be considered as ultra rare. For the figs that were in production, the two packs ( luna lasher mumm-ra, thunderwings lion-o, laser sabers mumm-ra,…) are the rarest i think.
I have two MOC Bengalis. Canadian and US version. One is graded AFA80 and i dont believe it is worth $3000. Thunderwings lion o should not be more than 2000 or max 2500 same applies for mummra luna lasher. and jaga for 2000 thats a biggest joke.
Front facing snarf MOC - $70 + $80 (for grading)
Wily Kit MOC ($125-$150)
Jaga ($150-200) + $80 for grading.
Even if you get AFA80 or 85 i would even take AFA 65-75 then pay 2000 for jaga.
I picked up MINT Lion O with Thunderwings (not carded) for $60.
Oh, I had completely forgotten about the Prototypes. Thanks for mentioning those. I bet they must go for a small fortune. But since most prototype owners/sellers don’t post them on sites like EBay, it’s difficult to know how much they sell for.
Really? Wow! You sure got a great bargain on the Thunderwings Lion-O. The prices that you have mentioned for MOC figures are actually around what loose figures sell for on EBay. And not even mint condition figures, but those that have been played with and have substantial wear and tear. I guess Ebay sellers do tend to go a tad overboard with their pricing. Having said that, does anyone know of any alternative sites where LJN Thundercats figures are sold beides Ebay?
When you think about it, graded figures should go for a premium - an AFA graded figure is protected by a well made, high quality case and has been independently verified by a third party, that provides a professional, unbiased opinion on the piece. The seller has also taken the risk of sending the figure to the AFA - the piece could be damaged in transit or could back with a lower than wanted grade. Grading is also a costly process. All that said, when you’re going after a piece that is graded, you have to use common sense. I don’t think anyone will pay anywhere near $7,000 for an AFA 75 Thunderwings Lion-o - which is an okay grade. A more realistic price would be $1,500 - $2,000 depending on the buyer. The seller is (was?) a member on this forum - maybe he could provide some insight behind his pricing, but I honestly think it’s priced waaaay too high, as are most AFA graded pieces on eBay.
I have a loose blue laser saber, it seems to be really rare but cant really tell its desirability as there arent any in recent history on ebay, does anyone have an idea how much i could expect for it? its not graded but is undamaged and more importantly it WORKS lol
To my knowledge, the loose laser sabers aren’t considered “rare” and hence not worth that much. However, if they are Mint on Card (MOC) especially with a figure, then they are quite valuable.
Ok, I had a question for the collectors. It may sound a bit silly but I’ll ask it anyways
If someone is selling an item that they claim is MISB (Mint In Sealed Box) and never opened, how can a buyer verify that the box actually contains the item when there is no way to see inside the box and you aren’t supposed to open it either?
