The Value of Cardboard

Okay, folks, I've got to know: is my collection of TransFormers worth more if I still have the boxes?

To better explain: just as many of you have, I've been collecting TransFormers for some time now. And while the size of my collection is relatively meager compared to what I have seen on these boards, it would probably still be considered a decent size.

And one thing I do is keep the boxes. Of course, I happen to love actually transforming and assembling them, so naturally, I don't actually keep them in the boxes. I try to open them carefully and keep most everything intact, but the fact remains, the boxes have been opened and their contents played with.

A lot.

Now, I personally have no plans of ever selling my collection for as long as I draw breath. But when the time comes that is no longer the case, I want the option to be there for my family to sell off my collection as needed, and I figure they should get as much as they can for them... even if lovingly used.

I've seen people sell mere boxes alone on eBay, I know a TransFormer in mint condition can go for a pretty penny, to say nothing of tech specs, instructions, etc. But I'm wondering about a case such as mine, where I'm basically putting the boxes wherever they will fit, be it a closet or basement or whatever.

To sum up what I am asking: is this a useless gesture? More hassle than it's worth? Supposing they were to go through and match each TransFormer to each package and sell it off, would they really get anything substantial out of it?

I'm not at a point yet where space is at a premium or anything, but more space for other stuff would not be unwelcome, and I'm not really sure what to do. A lot of space would probably be regained by getting rid of the blisters/inserts/ties while keeping the backing cards, though.

Advice?

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

Revoltech Hot Rodimus from HLJ...

As the topic title indicates, I just received my Revoltech Hot Rodimus from HLJ on Friday afternoon, and got to check him out that night. And... I think something is wrong. Whereas all of his other hands have black pegs to plug into his arm, the right hand which would hold a gun does not. In fact, it's quite different; there seems to be some silver paint there, and rather than a peg, there is a square hole.

Given that I cannot find any way to make this attach to the wrist, and thus nullifying my ability to give him any cool double-pistol wielding poses, I'm assuming that this is not how it should be.

So, before I go firing off e-mails or anything to HLJ, I just wanted to know if there was any recommended course of action or cautions that I should take? I've only dealt with them once before, to get reissue Metroplex, and that went splendidly. Thus, this is new territory for me.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

Go, Green Ranger, Go Go!

I'm surprised that this hasn't been covered, but it looks like we might get the opportunity to see Jason David Frank, the former Green/White/Red/Black Power Ranger in action again soon.

Except this time, it's for real.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

TransFormers: The Complete Series DVD Set...

Ok, so we've all heard about Shout! Factory's TransFormers G1 DVD sets, including the season 1 set recently released, and the upcoming Complete Series Matrix Box Set.

Unfortunately, I have a friend who is hard of hearing, and relies on subtitles/captioning to know what's going on. And regrettably, Shout! Factory has failed to provide any solution for the hearing-impaired, stating:



One would think that perhaps Hasbro would be able to help foot the bill or something; for that matter, I thought they had captions done back when they originally aired? But anyway, that's a battle for another day. In the meantime, someone referred her to this.

Interestingly, it features removable subtitles and bears the Paramount logo, but I'm highly suspicious of this set, as I've never heard of it before-- and it's region-free.

The whole thing seems fishy to me, but I don't want to jump the gun and tell her not to get it, denying her a way to enjoy the old eps for as long as the Shout! productions remain unsubbed. So, can anyone shed some light on this? It's not legit and I just missed a memo or something, did I? Seems I'd have heard something between Rhino and now, given my own interest in owning the eps.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

Dinobot Won't Stop Firing His Missile Prematurely

Sigh, why can't I seem to have problems with my TransFormers that don't sound like double entendres? First there was my Bumblebee who couldn't keep his legs together (he learned, btw), and now this.

Just got Universe Dinobot earlier, and was familiarizing myself with him. First thing I did was stow the missile and fix the tail, and my wife decided to play with the cat with him a little first. She accidentally triggers the missile launcher, and now the damn thing won't stay locked in when I try to do it. As a result, the tail doesn't quite close all the way, either.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what's the best fix?

(Or should that be "what's the beast fix?")

--LBD "Nytetrayn"