I guess the "happy ending" is that the figure went to a true collector. It's a drag that Lamour's gesture of appreciation was abused (been there, it's not a good feeling) but at least it now resides in a great collection rather than floating out there in flipper-land.

This Lion is the Ruler of everything Base He stands in the center as they bow down to him

LOL, well I've got a big Gappo ruling over the Garga-fights. Glad I'm not the only one keeping the pugilists humble.

It is amazing what Mandarake manages to turn up. You would have thought that yahoo would have netted him a higher price.

I would assume a leak in a Japanese factory is a lot less common than a leak in a Chinese factory. A lot.

Considering JP vinyl is hand-poured and pulled, I would certainly assume so. It's not like a Chinese factory making Transformers toys, where they just run the machines extra during lunch, and out come an extra dozen toys to pocket.

wow...way to insult Asians

Probably wanted it on the down low and didn't imagine a friend of the creator would happen to walk in and buy it.

That's exactly why this person probably did it that way and I know for a fact he frequents Mandarake all the time. Really disappointed this happened. I could see if he traded it with another collector but selling to Mandarake is pretty low handed.

Does this mean you have to sell to Mandarake, anything he gifted you?

haha, no but I could flip what some stuff he gave me. Actually one of the gifts was a Bemon shirt which I instantly gifted to Greg because he wanted it.

well, if I promise you I won't sell it (I can even sign a paper paper for it), would you agree to gift me any of the stuff you get or produce ??

I won't sell anything...oh come on !!!

No offense Bert.
Violations in Chinese and Taiwanese factories are well-documented whereas very few people even know Japanese vinyl production exists.
It was a fun mystery while it lasted.