JoeCanuck
General Section => General Joe Talk => Topic started by: Torpedo Rob on February 14, 2012, 02:12:17 AM
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I want one but don't want to over pay. I've been seeing them on Ebay but they look overpriced.
Anyone know?
Thanks
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it all depends on how white the drome is. the price could range from 250.00 up to 800.00
i know the one i have if i was to sell it, i would be in the higher end since mine has not seen day light
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Your best bet is probably to avoid the "complete" ones and look for a good shell that might be missing some common parts. Mine needed new fuel pumps, upper level computer chairs, and a new jail cell door. All told by the time I was done I probably invested $160 in mine. You just have to be patient.
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incomplete is the way to go, Ive seen lots of people get their shells in good condition but missing the small stuff inbetween 100-160ish. The thing is with these big ticket items is they dont show up often and if they do have a good price they will be gone before you even have seen the ad.
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I paid $500 for mine complete and pretty white.
plus shipping which was about $75
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I paid $75 for mine. It has some discolouration on the gray parts, and one pin on the fold up door was broken. Other than that it was 100% complete.
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I paid $75 for mine. It has some discolouration on the gray parts, and one pin on the fold up door was broken. Other than that it was 100% complete.
Snowhawk, that's an awesome bum deal you found there, but for the sakes of providing my own experience with finding a Terrordrome, I'd say that a Terrordrome in such a complete state and shape as yours would already be considered reasonably priced at least 200$, if one considers that they'd need to buy replacements parts and that a loose near mint undamaged specimen can start fetching 500+ on the secondary market.
I found mine almost 10 years ago now. In order to get it, I had to buy a big lot with other vehicles that I also wanted. If I break apart everything that I bought, the Terrordrome came down to 250$ which is better than paying 400$ for a complete loose one which was the popular minimum going price at the time. It came with the box (in beat up shape), the blueprint, the playset which was in good played with shape but had two broken doors and was missing a seat for the tower canon. I later found them on Ebay for about 30$.
The higher the grade you are aiming for, the more you're likely going to invest. No point in spending too much in one that is too incomplete or in poor shape to continue what Olyeller said, if you don't care much about item completeness or you are patient enough to find the missing parts.
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I paid $75 for mine. It has some discolouration on the gray parts, and one pin on the fold up door was broken. Other than that it was 100% complete.
Snowhawk, that's an awesome bum deal you found there, but for the sakes of providing my own experience with finding a Terrordrome, I'd say that a Terrordrome in such a complete state and shape as yours would already be considered reasonably priced at least 200$, if one considers that they'd need to buy replacements parts and that a loose near mint undamaged specimen can start fetching 500+ on the secondary market.
I found mine almost 10 years ago now. In order to get it, I had to buy a big lot with other vehicles that I also wanted. If I break apart everything that I bought, the Terrordrome came down to 250$ which is better than paying 400$ for a complete loose one which was the popular minimum going price at the time. It came with the box (in beat up shape), the blueprint, the playset which was in good played with shape but had two broken doors and was missing a seat for the tower canon. I later found them on Ebay for about 30$.
The higher the grade you are aiming for, the more you're likely going to invest. No point in spending too much in one that is too incomplete or in poor shape to continue what Olyeller said, if you don't care much about item completeness or you are patient enough to find the missing parts.
I was very happy with my deal for my Terror Drome. I ended up paying the guy $150 for the Flagg and the Terrordrome. Then on top of it I paid $90 for all the 1997/98 15th anniversary stuff still in their box.
My Flagg and Terror Drome do have some age to them, but I am very happy with them. I would like to find a Defiant, but I know I'll need to fork out the cash for it.
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I was very happy with my deal for my Terror Drome. I ended up paying the guy $150 for the Flagg and the Terrordrome. Then on top of it I paid $90 for all the 1997/98 15th anniversary stuff still in their box.
My Flagg and Terror Drome do have some age to them, but I am very happy with them. I would like to find a Defiant, but I know I'll need to fork out the cash for it.
Only a fool would say that he wasn't happy with that deal, and I know very well that you're no fool :) . I am also looking now for a Defiant. I once sold mine because I was moving out and I thought I would have no space where I was going, but I know that I now regret that. I sold it for 180$ in complete unbroken shape with Payload (with helmet only) which I believe now was a too good deal considering what a complete one will cost me ( at least 350$). Anyway, that's in the past now and I am looking forward to getting one in the next years to come at the Canjoecon.
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Sounds like an incomplete drome that isn't missing too much and in fair condition is the way to go if I want to spend less than $250. Is Ebay best or should I be looking other places?
Thanks for replying everyone.
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depending on shipping with eBay but if you are in the local GTA (Toronto area) I have an incomplete one that i would let go for 250 to 300
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If the Terrordrome is something that you want in really good shape, then I'd say know this when you buy it from Ebay or anywhere online, especially when the item must be shipped to you:
- there is always the disappointment of finding out that it differs from the pictures showing the actual item (cause: damage during transport, dishonest seller who ommitted to describe accurately the item, stock or generic pictures, etc);
- If the item is outside of Canada and if the value exceeds 60CAD, chances are good that you will pay duty fees, import taxes, and especially a brokerage fee if you're using a courrier company such as Fedex;
- Shipping cost in some cases could exceed the price of the item, which makes it a less attractive perspective depending on the actual value of the item;
- And last but not the least there is always a chance that the item could never show up (gets lost in the mail, fraudulent seller, act of God, etc).
If you are the type of person who must absolutely see the item in person in order to decide if it's worth your attention, especially when a big piece like the Terrordrome is concerned, then I suggest you look up on classified ads, local collector stores, going to Gi joe conventions (like the canjoecon). I did see two terrordromes in my last 4 years of attending the Canjoecon, so I'd safely say that conventions are the best way to go. Not only do you increase the chances of finding the right stuff, but you'll also make new friends and....enemies. Just kidding! Just friends of course!
Also, there are many great sponsors who are cool members here that can help you out too and I can easily vouch for each and one of them, as they are all very professional and trustworthy.
Ebay could become one of the good places to look for one down the road if everything else fails, or if you find a too good deal you don't want to miss, especially if the Terrordrome that you're bidding on or purchasing with the "Buy-It-Now" option is:
- Near your area; and
- Seller accepts local pickup; or
- Seller's shipping cost is clearly stated;
Also, there is always the potential risk of landing on a scammer, so if you're buying something on Ebay, make sure:
- that you pay your winning with Paypal and;
- to verify that the item is listed with the paypal buyer protection program
Good luck!
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Sounds like an incomplete drome that isn't missing too much and in fair condition is the way to go if I want to spend less than $250. Is Ebay best or should I be looking other places?
Thanks for replying everyone.
I found mine through Kijiji. I just kept trolling the classified everyday, and I expanded my search range. I had to drive an hour to get it, but it was definately worth it. If you are patient you'll find one.... unless you want it now ;)
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Just posting on here that you want one is a good way to get started, but again patience is key. I got my USS Flagg thanks to a fellow member of this site who saw one for sale on another board and let me know. It took convoluted dealings that involved anxious IMs, phone calls, and the help of a Major League baseball player but now it's all mine, and all thanks to dodge822.
Oh yeah, and anyone on here will tell you that Hal, aka Condor Knight, is a great person to deal with. I've gotten a decent amount of parts and some vehicles from him before, and the deals were well worth getting the stuff shipped from Canada all the way to Texas.
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I am not sure where you live, but check out local toy shows/conventions. I haven't been to one in years, but they usually have them in the spring and fall in the Toronto area.
I picked up an incomplete one for $50 bucks years ago. I managed to find most of the parts over the years. Some of them will cost you a pretty penny.
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condor knight, did you get my pm?
I'm new to the site and may have sent it wrong.
Wondering if you know what is missing roughly and if you had pics?
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I got your pm will reply
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The whiteness of any toy shouldn't be an issue any longer with how cheap, easy and effective hydrogen peroxide whitening is. I've restored a Fortress Maximus to bone-white parts as well as removed yellowing from a USS Flagg's grey parts, and everything looks production-line new now. Save yourself a tonne of cash and buy a yellow one, and whiten it yourself.
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The whiteness of any toy shouldn't be an issue any longer with how cheap, easy and effective hydrogen peroxide whitening is. I've restored a Fortress Maximus to bone-white parts as well as removed yellowing from a USS Flagg's grey parts, and everything looks production-line new now. Save yourself a tonne of cash and buy a yellow one, and whiten it yourself.
I've tried it on a few things with some success as well, but whiteness should absolutely be a factor.
A) The hassle (especially big things)
B) It discolours other paint (covering parts is impractical and a hassle)
C) People have said it weakens the plastic, and I tend to believe that
D) Ruins stickers on vehicles and playsets (and if you get replacement stickers, cost is again a factor)
I will say that it's true that you can have success whitening things, and it feels great to restore something. That said, I wouldn't bother with a really yellow item, especially a big one, as this hobby has enough time-sinks!
(Sounds like a newsletter point-counterpoint! ;) )
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I don't consider it a hassle. It's actually quite fun restoring something to new-looking condition. I've always been able to disassemble things to the point where I'm only bleaching white parts and nothing else. I haven't seen it weaken any of my plastics, and surprisingly, it hasn't affected any stickers that have been on parts that I've bleached.
I've tried it on a few things with some success as well, but whiteness should absolutely be a factor.
A) The hassle (especially big things)
B) It discolours other paint (covering parts is impractical and a hassle)
C) People have said it weakens the plastic, and I tend to believe that
D) Ruins stickers on vehicles and playsets (and if you get replacement stickers, cost is again a factor)
I will say that it's true that you can have success whitening things, and it feels great to restore something. That said, I wouldn't bother with a really yellow item, especially a big one, as this hobby has enough time-sinks!
(Sounds like a newsletter point-counterpoint! ;) )
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I keep finding decent dromes on Ebay that could be completed but none that will ship to Canada yet.
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I don't consider it a hassle. It's actually quite fun restoring something to new-looking condition. I've always been able to disassemble things to the point where I'm only bleaching white parts and nothing else. I haven't seen it weaken any of my plastics, and surprisingly, it hasn't affected any stickers that have been on parts that I've bleached.
The real hassle for me would still be to dissassemble or reassemble a Terrordrome during a whitening process. Lots of tight tabs or pegs that can get damaged, especially if they are already worn out from someone previously swapping parts (from an attempted upgrade). This would require enough dexterity, the right tools in some cases, and some patience. Reassembling can also increase the wear, especially on the parts of the plastic that are already weakened. I do however share your enthusiasm that does help overcome the stresses related to the hobby, as this is also what drives me ahead into finishing a project. I just thought I'd give my too sides of the coin.