HK Market Watch - Luck Draw Gold MP-01 Convoy, another C-114 and some acquisitions!

Due to my work schedule, I cannot go toy hunting as often as I used to.

Nevertheless, I managed to take 1 hour 'off' today to journey down to the toys shops in YMT.

Once more, Wai Gu Kok (懷古角) blew me away with what they had.

Another C-114 Fortress Maximus MIB, complete (used stickers applied). Wow. This must be the 10th one or more that they have sold in the past 6 months.

And then, something I have never seen or heard before - a gold luck draw MP-01 Convoy from 2004 MIB. Price? A cool HKD$40,000. Oh, and someone has already put a hold on it. I understand there may be 2 people bidding for it, so the 'final' price is still up in the air according to the shop-owner.

Close up of the special slip that came with this luck draw - I was told there are only 20 pieces in the world. Pretty rare.

Want to know how to get to this shop? Check out my maps here.

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Acquisitions

At the shop, I saw something I have wished existed (not knowing it did exist!) and wanted since the early1990s when I was into the Palladium Books' Robotech role playing games - an Alpha Fighter!

To be honest, I have known now for some years that Alpha Fighters were produced by Gakken in the 80s and have seen 1 or 2 around, but they have always been horrendously expensive and incomplete or yellowed. This one I saw at the shop was pristine, a strong C9 and complete with unapplied stickers.

So I dared thread outside the Transformers envelop and bravely bought it. I am very happy and pulled it out to play the moment I got home.

I kept telling E, 'look at my Alpha Fighter, look at my Alpha Fighter...'

Very happy bunny, me.

Oh, also got the FansProject "Sharpnel"...

Some more shots of 'my Alpha Fighter' (sorry, I couldn't keep it in the box long enough to take pictures of it in the box... some other time perhaps).

Gerwalk mode

Deluxe Insecticon Venom MIB

So, here are my most 2 recent acquisitions, both from good buddies at opposite ends of the globe. Artfire MISB was from a friend in Australia and Venom MIB is from a friend in Italy.

Artfire MISB, I have featured here. So now, it's Venom's turn!

I do actually have all 4 Deluxe Insecticons MIB. However, among them, Venom was the most unsatisfactory because the current piece I have comes in a sun-faded box. Since Venom is my favourite Deluxe Insecticon, I have been on the look out for an upgrade, and naturally jumped at the chance when my buddy from Italy offered his MIB Venom up for sale.

This is my existing Venom

This is my "new" Venom!

Some more shots of my awesome "new" Venom MIB...

Box art still very crisp and bright

Back of box. A pity the robots points has been cut... but I'll live.

The "AM" stamping on the box. Strange that its stamped on the box, usually, its just a sticker on the front of the box.

The contents

Close up of Venom in bubble

Autobot sniper, C-108: Artfire MISB

Artfire is one of the last Headmaster series toys to be released in 1987 and one of the very rare and expensive Japanese exclusives. They seem to have a lot of the 'rare and expensive' stuff in the '87 line, huh?

6 Headmaster heads (Loafer, Rodney, Kaku, Lione, Trizor and Shuffler), white versions of each Headmaster head, 4 dino-cassettes, the 'previously' rare pieces (Stepper, Soundblaster, Twincast) and then Artfire.

Arguably, the above 1987 pieces are more difficult to find and obtain on the secondary market than pieces from Masterforce or Victory, arguably.

I recently acquired Artfire from a friend in Australia, Robwin1974 of OZ Formers, through a trade (specifics of which are confidential for the purposes of this article!).

At first, I didn't think too much about Artfire. I thought that he was just a recolour of Inferno with mismatched colours! It was a 'get if I can' piece, which I passed up when I was previously in HK in April 2010. Today, I kept staring at it. The more I look, the more I like it. There is something about the red, white, grey and black colour scheme that just works. I'm really liking Artfire more and more...

Here he is in his very buffered mailer box.

Out he comes, but still wrapped in bubbles

Bubbles removed...

Before more photos, some details about Artfire, from TF Wiki:

"Artfire (アートファイアー Ātofaiā) is a Targetmaster sniper. He is patient, and thinks of his friends first, but there are times when he ignores orders because of that. His body can withstand temperatures of up to 8,000 degrees Celsius. His Targetmaster companion is Nightstick, who transforms into a 'space beam gun'."

Close up of box front

"Hi, I am Fracas in US continuity, but am Nightstick here. Hey, isn't that the name of Cyclonus' TM partner in US continuity? I'm getting confused..."

Close up of Artfire

Production dates

The awesome box art

MISB-ness

Back of box

Close up of tech specs and Targetmaster function

C-121 and C-122 MIB and complete dino-cassettes on eBay!

Just 11 hours away from ending, dino-cassettes C-121: Gurafi and C-122: Noizu, both MIB and complete for sale on eBay! (not my auctions).

Far as I can see it, the prices are still modestly reasonable.

Thinking about it, I'm of 2 minds whether these will end very high (as is usual) or they will end on the low end because of the impending KOs that will be released soon. 

Or, and its a big 'or', these may end very high because its most likely the final chance for a purist collector  to obtain genuine dino-cassettes without fear of KO contamination. Sleep with peace of mind and all that.

Or, they are going to end high anyway because anyone getting them needs to get both so that they can combine into Decibel!

Here are the auctions:

C-121: Gurafi, currently at US$255.00 (reserve not met). Good news is that seller has reduced the reserve, priced to sell anyone?

C-122: Noizu, currently at US$349.99 (reserve met).

My prediction?

I think they will each end at the US$550 to $650 mark, if the US$400 loose Zauru that ended this morning is any indication.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), I won't be bidding on these (*hint*).

Good luck to all!

~ HD

***

*update 6 Aug 2011*

The auctions have actually ended at the price shown above - ie: no one bid more. I thought that was strange, so I went and had another close look at the auctions again.

As it is, I discovered I was incorrect - the toys were NOT complete. Both C-121 and C-122 were missing (1) their weapons; and (2) their bio-cards.

If I were to consider bidding, that'd be fatal. I wouldn't even bid at all because as Jon has commented below, it'd be near impossible to find the weapons and biocards loose.

I guess their incompleteness was the reason for them not hitting as high an ending price as I thought.

Come to think of it, the seller is smart and got quite good money for them too. Once the KOs hit retail, incomplete vintage dino-cassettes would be worth a lot less and the demand would plunge. I think complete and mint originals would keep their value quite well, but incomplete ones are going to suffer for sure.

That's what I think anyway.

~ HD

Venomous preview pic...

Bought from a buddy in Italy...

More later...

~ HD

Preliminary pic of an AWESOME TF I received today... Artfire

I am just over the moon.

This piece shipped in today from a very good buddy from Australia...

Jaw-droppingly gorgeous...

Ultimate Custom Transformers Seeker Plane Jet WOW!!! (auction #160625261277)

I showed this auction to E yesterday night while we were having dinner with her sister, because I thought it was a fascinating concept (but also very funny!).

E loved it and said we should support the seller by bidding. Her sister eyed us suspiciously and thought we were crazy.

I bidded on behalf of E.

We bid $11 first and lost out to the previous bidder right-away. E said, 'let's bid again!'.

We bid $11.50 and was the high-bidder. E was satisfied.

We went to watch Kung-Fu Panda 2 (very nice popcorn) and then returned home to check that we were still the high-bidder.

With 5 hours to go, we couldn't stay up to 'prevent' people from sniping us and decided to leave it to fate. We went to bed hoping that we'd win the auction for Mr Awesome!

Woke up this morning to find that we did win Mr Awesome! Yum (okay, not dog compatible).

So, what is Mr Awesome?

This is the seller's eBay description (I tried to match his/her text colour):

"Ultimate Custom Transformers!!!

Look at this serious custom work! This amazing guy can change into a jet and back into robot! But that's not all. THE PLANE FLY FOR REAL!!! Make sure you transfrom him properly then, gently launch it in the air. THIS WILL KNOCK YOU SOCK OFF! Mr Awesome will conquer both the Autobots AND Decepticons just because he's so AWESOME! Made entirely of the cellulose of real LIVING TREES! First time you heard of a Transformers that is close to nature. even if he transform into a effing JET?! Hey, not even Beast Wars can make such a claim! This custom took hours and HOURS of making. The following result will be the most perfect and ULTIMATE piece in your collection!

CAPSLOCK LIKE THE FIST OF THE NORTH STAR JUST TO POINT OUT THAT THIS TRANSFORMERS IS THE ULTIMATE IN AWESOME!

Paypal only. Serious bidders only. No bull, I'm warning you. No laughing when you bid. Bidding on this awesome TF is like, the most serious and critical thing you will do in your whole life! And because I'm so nice, SHIPPING IS FREE WORLDWIDE."

This is Mr Awesome!

E loved all the Q&A too, which I will record here for posterity's sake...

***

Q: Great Custom Man. I hope you can do a review of this awesome custom on YouTube as well as the transformation. Jul-29-11

A: Unfortunately, five years ago, I hade the brilliant idea of posting multiple soft porn clips on Youtube. I was banned-- "FOREVEEEEEER!!!" Pinkie Pie! I hate it when you do that! As I was saying, I would totally have done a Review. Not only of the awesomest TF ever, but also of the rest of my collection. Unfortunately, Youtube is not forgiving like 4chan. I'm really banned-- "FOREVEEEEEER!!!" Eeeeek!

***

Q: Yo this is amazing did Frenzy Rumble make it looks like his?! Jul-28-11

A: No, but I was really inspired. Fun fact: Check the list of bidders for a surprise! :)

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Q: If I'm lucky enough to win this pinnacle of auction awesomeness, I'm getting Mr. Awesome AFA graded! Jul-28-11

A: ((O_O)) If you do, please mail me the pics! This could be beyond epic!

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Q: Will future repaints of this item be offered in the near future? Jul-28-11

A: Maybe. But to keep the novelty up and the demand high, it could take a few weeks or a few months before the next unique and amazing desing... For I don't beleive in repaint. ONLY NEW MOLDS.

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Q: Do you have combine shipping??? Jul-28-11

A: Well, I can certainly ship Megatron and Optimus Prime together. They certainly in a love-hate relationship. Add Starscream into the mix, and we get one interesting love tri.... Whait... You mean, "postage services". The only other item I'm selling right now is a Street-Fighter Arcade Machine find it at: http://cgi.cafr.ebay.ca/Street-Fighter-Arcade-Machine-Cabinet-Canadian-vers-/160628291005?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item25663135bd Because it's local pick-up only for that one, I cannot combine any shipping as for now.

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Q: Your AWESOME item has inspired me to ask something that truly bothers me. Why are dogs' noses wet? Jul-27-11

A: They lick it, obviously. But be careful. Mr Awesome is not dog comatible.

***

Q: Yo bro is this drybrushed? Jul-27-11

A: Better than drybrush. It used the very ancient and arcane technique of aplying a very complex ink trough a felt medium. Before applying said ink, one must have his Ying and Yang in perfect equilibrium. Before each stroke, one must breath deeply ten time, achieving the state of mind required to pour the maximum awesomness such a piece deserves. Now that you know, you can call me: MASTER.

***

Q: If the item does not come completely mint, can I return the item for a full refund? Jul-27-11

A: NO RETURNS. Mr Awesome will come into a hard envelope. Remember that the envelope itself is his docking bay accessory. Just the fact of touching and looking at Mr Awesome, Mr Awesome will fall for you. If you return him, it will break his heart... You want to break Mr Awesome's heart? WHAT KIND OF MONSTER ARE YOU?!

***

Q: dude are you serious on selling this? ^_^ it's a joke right? coz' I kinda laugh at it especially on the description panel thumbs up :P Jul-27-11

A: I'm really serious for selling this. Hey, it started at ONE CENT. With FREE shipping. People will pay what they think this AWESOME TRANSFORMERS think it's worth. So far, I'm thanking everyone who play along. Also, My full congratulation for the one who will win the auction! I assure you, once paymkent is cleared, full positive feedback will be given. Thanks again everyone, you are all AWESOME! (...but not as awesome as Mr Awesome.)

***

Q: I am not sure ULTIMATE is a strong enough word for this... I think you just raised the bar to high for customs... Would it be easy for you to add LEDs? Again, I can't BELIEVE the ULTIMATE AWESOMENESS that is :SEEKER JET PLANE!! Thanks for the inspiration.. Jul-27-11

A: Oh, if I'd add LEDs, your face would MELT from an AWESOMNESS OVERDOSE. For security reasons I cannot. :(

***

Q: Do you ship CHINA?! Jul-27-11

A: YES! I'm shipping FREE and WORLDWIDE. By lettermail. And normally, you will not have any custom fees. But as for Italy and Spain... Their postage services are slow as hell... So be warned!

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Q: Is it complete with all accessories? I don't see any in the pics. Jul-27-11

A: It is complete. It will come with his awesome docking bay! In plane mode, it will snugly fit inside, wings folded. The docking bay might even come with some colorful pieces of art on the outside, upper right corner! You know, a homebase is not complete without some tasteful deco.

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Q: Are there any issues with paint rub? Jul-26-11

A: Never! The paint was MARKED PERMANENTLY. So, it will NEVER rub off. Guaranteed. Don't forget that this Transformers is the ultimate for any customs. EVER!!!

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Q: You say this item is new, I'm not so sure it is, has it been transformed? Jul-26-11

A: It have been transformed in factory, by the manifacturer: me.As long that my holy hands are the only ones that have touched this awesomest custom ever, the item is NEW! Bow before me.

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Q: LMAO!!!!! This is the greatest auction I have ever seen on ebay... Just AWESOME!!! Jul-26-11

A: The Geat and Powerful Jin and the mythical FR sell awesome customs. I had to emulate my heroes! @_@

***

You know what the scary thing is?

If E keeps this mint and together with his custom loading dock, it's going to be worth more than my entire G1 Transformers collection, beware! =)

~ HD