The last year or so, following that sh*t awful Last Jedi, I lost a lot of interest in my vintage collecting. I'd get the odd thing but nothing like I used to. Just felt blah towards eBay and it's "joys" and flat with Star Wars. I boxed my loose collection up and it's still in store ! I sold all my card backs and most of my MoCs. That's how much I lost my joy.
However, recently, after my brother gifted me his childhood Han Small Head. i have begun to look at having some fun completing some loose figures my daughter used to have, but no longer cares for. Essentially,putting those figures back together with their weapons. Even Lobot deserves a Bespin blaster is my view.
Easy one would think ? Not so I am finding.
For example I also wanted a staff / pike for an Emperors Royal Guard. This has never been easy to find, but now it's near on impossible now. There is one for €19.99 from Germany via eBay and that's it, world wide !
Another example, a grey bespin blaster for Squid Head - nada ! It's Squid Head ! And it's a grey Bespin. It used to be easy to get ( I think) good luck now.
Looking @ eBay the last few weeks has me observing that rise of Repro is quite shocking. It's everywhere and it's more underhand than ever. So many sellers using the get out "I don't know if they are vintage or repro..." along with a with a **** picture to add confusion. The "traditional" sellers, even they seem low on stock of vintage weapons and trusted sellers are starting to add repro to their figures. It's sad.
And hunting here on the forum - a traditional safe place - is worrying. I am finding the "for sale" thread nowhere near as active as it used to be.
It feels like years since Ian listed any of those US MoC's I used to love ( such good times logging on and seeing another drop from him ) you don't see any of Punk Pats factory stock here anymore. And Put a "most wanted" up and the silence is palpable, even with a basic request - it was never brilliant but now, it's worrying - I wanted a loose Fett. A Fett ! And nope......
So what's happened ? Where did everyone go to sell and buy and why what changed your approach ? And where do people best buy from these days that has any value and trust ? Did Facebook really take our hobby along with our Data ?
However, recently, after my brother gifted me his childhood Han Small Head. i have begun to look at having some fun completing some loose figures my daughter used to have, but no longer cares for. Essentially,putting those figures back together with their weapons. Even Lobot deserves a Bespin blaster is my view.
Easy one would think ? Not so I am finding.
For example I also wanted a staff / pike for an Emperors Royal Guard. This has never been easy to find, but now it's near on impossible now. There is one for €19.99 from Germany via eBay and that's it, world wide !
Another example, a grey bespin blaster for Squid Head - nada ! It's Squid Head ! And it's a grey Bespin. It used to be easy to get ( I think) good luck now.
Looking @ eBay the last few weeks has me observing that rise of Repro is quite shocking. It's everywhere and it's more underhand than ever. So many sellers using the get out "I don't know if they are vintage or repro..." along with a with a **** picture to add confusion. The "traditional" sellers, even they seem low on stock of vintage weapons and trusted sellers are starting to add repro to their figures. It's sad.
And hunting here on the forum - a traditional safe place - is worrying. I am finding the "for sale" thread nowhere near as active as it used to be.
It feels like years since Ian listed any of those US MoC's I used to love ( such good times logging on and seeing another drop from him ) you don't see any of Punk Pats factory stock here anymore. And Put a "most wanted" up and the silence is palpable, even with a basic request - it was never brilliant but now, it's worrying - I wanted a loose Fett. A Fett ! And nope......
So what's happened ? Where did everyone go to sell and buy and why what changed your approach ? And where do people best buy from these days that has any value and trust ? Did Facebook really take our hobby along with our Data ?