Star Wars Vintage Action Figure Buy Guide : eBay Guides

Hello everyone, thanks for stopping by and for your interest in this guide.

Objective: With this Guide I wish to provide help to avoid scams while buying Star Wars 1977-1985 Kenner action figures (3 3/4).

PRICE

Let's say your looking for a Bib Fortuna Original Action Figure Released in 1983, so you decided to search the market. Search is done and listings ranging from $1 USD to $1,400 USD are available. Why? What makes the difference? Are the cheap ones fakes? How much should  you pay?.

Ok... First of all what you need to know is most of the items available are either overpriced or underpriced.

1) Overpriced: I would try to avoid buying these, all items will appear in time in a better price range.

Ok, obviously you want me to give you a hint on how to determine how to find out if items are overpriced. Well, go  to Google, search REBELSCUM, open the page and click on Wedge Engine, get yourself registered, login.

Once logged click on the View Toys Menu>Action Figures>Vintage I'm going to use the "Search By  Name" Menu for this example, type in Bib Fortuna...  In a matter of seconds the price ranges will be available.

At this moment You'll see that Kenner Loose action Figure is worth no more than $10 USD and New  in box can be up to $35 USD.  There is a Rare Bib Fortuna item available out there "Red Cape" manufactured in Mexico by Lili Ledy, at this moment not worth more than $250 Loose.

2) Underpriced: It may look like an item is underpriced when the seller states it's a rare piece and bidding starts at 5 USD... Let me spare you the trouble... most of the time action figures are not rare or difficult to find, and if they're loose and have no accessories or severe damage... they're not worth more than $5.00 USD.

To determine if this action figure you're looking into is a real opportunity:

Well, go to Google, search REBELSCUM, open the page and click on Wedge Engine, get yourself registered, login.

Once logged click on the View Toys Menu>Action Figures>Vintage I'm going to use the "Search By Name" Menu  for this example, type in Bib Fortuna...  In a matter of seconds the price ranges will be available.

Now you know how much it's worth loose, but you do not know yet how much its worth incomplete... these are not the same prices!!! So click on the I+ Button a side from the Collect Button, this will allow you to add a loose figure to your collection.

Go to left frame menu and click on the My Collections Menu>Action Figures>All Figures Find Your Bib Fortuna, and click on Collect. Type in "1" on the Loose Incomplete Box, and Click on the save button. Click Again on the All Figures Menu, so you're new data reflects the new price and discover this loose action Figure is only worth $3.00 USD Loose Incomplete. Anything lower than that is a bargain!!!

At this moment You'll see that Kenner Loose action Figure is worth no more than $10 USD and New  in box can be up to $35 USD.  There is a Rare Bib Fortuna item available out there "Red Cape" manufactured in Mexico by Lili Ledy, at this moment not worth more than $250 Loose.

CONDITION

1) Typically this is how items are graded:

C10 (Mint)  Flawless, represents perfection, is very rare!
C9 (Near Mint)  Minimal defects, Hard to see flaws.  Excellent collectors quality.
C8.5  (Excellent)  Minor defects.  Good collectors quality.
C8  (Very Good)  Lowest collectors grade.  Has visible flaws.  But does not look worn.
C6-7 (Good)  Not collectors grade.  Has visible flaws.  May be worn, loose, etc
C1-5 (Poor-Very poor)  Definitely not collectors grade!  Often missing limbs, broken and well worn.
Honestly I never trust these because they're subjective. The only grading I trust is the AFA’s. I will talk about those in a few moments.

So let's say you found a Bib Fortuna Loose Incomplete at $2 USD C9 + Buy It Now... It sounds good doesn't it? Well like everything on eBay... It depends.

2) Chek the item description first

These are very important points to check for loose figures:

Status: Loose? Used? Clean? Soiled?
1. Used items are played with so they can have some damages, keep reading for more details. If none presented, ask seller questions.
2. Soiled: Very important!! Some soiled action figures hide scratches and other unwanted features.
Joints: Tight?  Can it stay upright with arms extended? If so a picture should be able to confirm this for you.
Visible Scratches: Where? How many? What size? Are pictures available?
Paint Loss: Where? Moderate? Minimum? Severe?
Damage to fingers or  nose? Careful this one is a big one, ask if not stated or pictures aren't clear enough.
Plastic Discoloration? Important one too!
Ink Stains? Important too!

3) Pictures
A real honest seller will provide more than one picture that is clear and large, so you can appreciate the action figure's real condition.

AUTHENTICITY

1) Colors
 If something looks off it's either retouched or a fake. You would be amazed by the amount available on the market. Many people think retouching their items will make them more valuable... not always true, and sometimes they forget to mention this, can be because they didn't find it relevant, but it is.

2) Accessories
Repro's = Reproduction
Replacement = Reproduction
Be ware of those two.

3) Water test for Weapons
I have my own collection of star wars complete action figures, all of those weapons float. If you want to check if your weapons are really authentic put them in a bowl of water and they all will stay at the very top of the bowl. No sinking what so ever. You can ask the seller for a pic doing this with the weapons.

AFA Grading

Many people think if it's AFA graded my figure is worth 1000% more. NOT TRUE. AFA Graded figures only state the figure is authentic and in certain condition. NOTHING MORE. To learn more about AFA Grading go to Google and Search AFA Action Figures.

AFA grading costs for these type of action figures costs around 16 USD, pretty cheap. They won't accept grading incomplete figures.

Well I think we have covered pretty much the important aspects on buying Star Wars Loose Action Figures on eBay today. Hope I have been helpful, and feel free to ask me any questions through my blog.

Toodles!!