I won't get in to the specifics, seller info, etc., for now, but I recently saw a vintage figure I have been hunting for for a while. The photos were pretty terrible, as can often happen with these things, so I was trying to get more clarification from the seller on the condition. I always like to be as clear and knowledgeable as possible before making a purchase (and yes, it costs me more chances than I care to think of - just another part of the hobby, at least in vintage). Now, the toy might not have been all that expensive, but as I am broke student, every dollar means a great deal to me, and I don't spend my money on a whim.

Well, despite some warning signs such as I couldn't get precise answers to my simple questions, I really did want the figure, I decided to go ahead and try to work something out with the seller. Second issue was shipping to Canada was going to be 30$, which I was not too happy about. But, again, sometimes you have to make sacrifices, and I certainly can't control the postal system. As buyers you are at the mercy of the sellers demands in this department, so again, I relented. Next major issue, seller wanted to invoice me directly, which offers me no fallback for recourse if something goes wrong, outside of a simple PayPal payment. Now of course all this would turn normal, rational people away, but we are talking about toy buying here, and I am sure everyone reading this post knows how that goes. And of course it made be think twice and consider this for a long time before still going ahead.

I'll spare all the details, but I received the figure, and was not happy at all. Firstly, I always ask for my toys to be wrapped carefully and packaged well. This is even more important with vintage items. And if necessary, I will contribute extra to cover that; for 30$ I assumed that could cover it, but still asked specifically in this case. Well it arrives, and the figure was simply stuck inside a sheet of old bubble wrap (not wrapped up) and just put inside an envelope. Now, let me say here that this is a toy in the over 100$ range, so I think it is safe to say none of us would be happy about that, vintage or no. And, as a result of this shit packing job, the cost to ship it was 8$. Woohoo! more profit for seller at the expense of potentially breaking my toy. Hoourah!! But, carrying on, issue 2 - in spite of me requesting whether the limbs were very loose or not, and being told they weren't, it is incredibly so. To the point where this type of figure might not even stand on his own. Again, not completely detrimental and sometimes expected in vintage toys, but a very important aspect of its condition just the same, and one which ultimately affects the value I give to it (and will of course pay). Is that all you asK? Why no. The figure has also been repainted in a terrible, splotchy, and unmatching way. I presume everyone would see this as damaging to the figure as I do, not to mention completely changing its 'condition,' and how unappealing this makes a vinyl toy. BUT all of that pales in comparison to the final and backbreaking straw of my disappointment in the condition - the figure was actually broken and someone made attempts to glue it back together.

OKay, so I ranted, but where I am going with all of this? Who cares except me? Well the point I am trying to make is that, more so than the deceit (intentional or not), the blatant poor forethought on the seller, and the awful condition which this toy is in, my great sadness comes from the fact that now I am stuck with a pretty much 'junk' toy when what I really wanted was a vinyl figure I have been trying to add to my collection, and had to pay money I didn't really have to spend on him. Even if I could get a refund, it would cost me 20+$ to maybe get some of my money back, and I lose out on having the toy I wanted. So more than anything this is just about feeling the loss of a great toy and not being in a position to get satisfaction.