MIB and MISB, big difference?

[Vector Prime]

Do you think there's a big difference between toys that are kept MIB (mint in box, so it means you have opened and played with it, but kept the toy and box in good condition) vs MISB/MOSC (mint in sealed box/mint on sealed card) in terms of value?

Yes. It's the same as the price difference between anything that is new vs used.

I personally would pay a premium to have that extra piece of sticky tape, but that's just me.

MIB and loose (with the exception of vintage stuff like G1) should have no price difference and are the same in my eyes (provided both figures are of equal condition).

[Omega Supreme]

I personally would pay a premium to have that extra piece of sticky tape, but that's just me.

Sticky tape rocks!

MIB and loose (with the exception of vintage stuff like G1) should have no price difference and are the same in my eyes (provided both figures are of equal condition).

I do agree however I think that things like instructions/tech specs/backing cards/etc are worth a few bucks extra when selling a loose figure.

[GoktimusPrime]

I personally would pay a premium to have that extra piece of sticky tape, but that's just me.

lawl

MIB and loose (with the exception of vintage stuff like G1) should have no price difference and are the same in my eyes (provided both figures are of equal condition).

Okay, but it depends on the context of the MIB doesn't it? For example, if a toy has been opened, and someone took it out to inspect the condition of the toy, say to make sure there's no paint defects or missing parts etc, then puts it back in - but has never transformed it or played with it, then surely that toy is in Mint Condition. Imagine say if you bought a piece of jewellery or a collectable Swarovski crystal statue; they're displayed loose, and when you buy them they let you inspect it - and often staff members will handle it with gloves on, but you can touch it... then they pack it carefully in the box and sell it. Now before purchasing that item of jewellery or crystal, you have no idea how many times other people have asked to look at that piece, handled it, then decided not to buy it. But it's never been used before - the jewellery may have been briefly worn, but not extensively, and the crystal would never have been displayed outside of a store.

Or let's say you buy a brand new car... you're not the first one to drive it, unless you purchase it straight off the assembly line. Odds are a lot of people have already taken it for a test drive before you. But until that car is sold and leaves the car yard, it's still considered new; the moment you pay for it and drive it out, it's a used car.

So surely if a Transformer toy that has never really been used, but has been handled - and is still in the same condition as it was before it was taken out of packaging - then it is still in mint condition. The term "mint" was coined (sic) by money collectors because of course, coins are minted; and a coin that is still in the same condition as it was after minting is said to be in mint condition. Thus a toy that is still in the same condition as it was at manufacture is said to be in mint condition. If you haven't worn the toy out, damaged it, scratched it etc, then it's in mint condition. If you transform it reeeaaally carefully back and forth, it could still be in mint condition; this is up to the person inspecting the toy.

Remember that collectors also use the term Loose Mint (LM) and we have LMIB (Loose Mint In Box). So it is absolutely possible for a toy to be loose and mint. We also have a different term called NM (Near Mint) or even NMIB (Near Mint In Box); and that would be if the toy has some minor flaw that degrades it from being considered to be Mint.

As I said before, I guess a lot of collectors are willing to pay extra for a MISB toy because being sealed is like a "guarantee" that the toy is in Mint Condition. But I think it's mostly a psychological thing (maybe a male thing?) - we like to be the first to climb that mountain.

And tbh, I have that mentality to some degree too. I like to be the first to open my toy. It's like a collector's privilege. For me, collecting toys MISB or MOSC isn't much of a problem, because I pretty much collect toys while they're current in stores. I like buying minty sealed toys, then enjoy the feeling of liberating them with my "Transformers Liberation Kit" (some of you have seen it - it's my little metal case with a box cutter and pair of tin snips ). When I buy a toy that's already been opened I'm like... oh... it's pre-liberated. Right. I don't mind buying loose toys, but I much prefer the feeling of buying new ones.

[5FDP]

Remember that collectors also use the term Loose Mint (LM) and we have LMIB (Loose Mint In Box). So it is absolutely possible for a toy to be loose and mint. We also have a different term called NM (Near Mint) or even NMIB (Near Mint In Box); and that would be if the toy has some minor flaw that degrades it from being considered to be Mint.

It all comes down to the individual because there is no consistent and / or defined grading standard. I know quite a few valuers who would not grade loose as mint. The 'ultimate' definition of mint is 'uncirculated' e.g. straight from the manufacturer and never seen / touched a retail store shelf.

[GoktimusPrime]

Too true. That's why they say that "C10" or perfect mint, is really something that exists in theory rather than reality. And yeah, it's all highly subjective.

But when I buy a toy, I don't think about the grading scale. I just look at it and if it's not broken or anything, then I'll buy it an open it. If there's a defect after that, I'll return it to the store for an exchange or refund (depending on how serious the defect is; these days with minor QC issues abounding everywhere I don't bother to bring everything back if there's a smudge here or there...)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

MISB has a large difference to MIB. Personally I am not too fond of buying second hand toys, it's kind of an OCD cleanliness type thing for me.

Whenever I do buy a MIB/second hand toy I have to give it a wipe over. So, I would prefer MISB, but even then you risk the possibility of it missing a bit from the factory, which I had with a Revoltech I picked up. Luckily I managed to fix it myself, but unless you keep it MISB, that is a risk you can run I guess.

For example, I bought a MIB figma figure. The box and figure were both in excellent condition, however the figure reeked of cigarette smoke. I would not class that as MIB due to the smell, but from looking at the figure on the internets it looked fine and it no matter how many photos one looks at of it, it will always look MIB, but it certainly doesn't SMELL MIB.

So I ended up having another look around and found a MISB one, and it was a beautiful time for all (especially me). However, now it isn't MISB, but is is a closer MIB than the first one.

[SkyWarp91]

MISB has a large difference to MIB. Personally I am not too fond of buying second hand toys, it's kind of an OCD cleanliness type thing for me.

Whenever I do buy a MIB/second hand toy I have to give it a wipe over. So, I would prefer MISB, but even then you risk the possibility of it missing a bit from the factory, which I had with a Revoltech I picked up. Luckily I managed to fix it myself, but unless you keep it MISB, that is a risk you can run I guess.

For example, I bought a MIB figma figure. The box and figure were both in excellent condition, however the figure reeked of cigarette smoke. I would not class that as MIB due to the smell, but from looking at the figure on the internets it looked fine and it no matter how many photos one looks at of it, it will always look MIB, but it certainly doesn't SMELL MIB.

So I ended up having another look around and found a MISB one, and it was a beautiful time for all (especially me). However, now it isn't MISB, but is is a closer MIB than the first one.

Who knew smoking on your toys could stain them with the smell (but then again I don't smoke near my toys, don't want the ashes falling onto them in the first place...)

[Sky Shadow]

One of the most daft things about MISB toys are ones with no window. I'd much rather have a MIB Grand Maximus and actually know I have a Grand Max in there than have a MISB one that could just be a box with random crap inside that some dodgy bloke has subtly sealed with stickytape.

[GoktimusPrime]

Who knew smoking on your toys could stain them with the smell

Smoking stinks up everything - so naturally your toys would stink of tobacco too if the smoke touches them. Smokers may not be aware of them since... well let's face facts, their sense of smell isn't as acute. You might want to ask a non-smoker if they can smell any tobacco scent on your toys.

The worse thing about tobacco smell is that you can't see it. I've heard many stories from people who've seen photos of toys that look like they're in great condition, but when they get them they stink of ciggies, and the seller doesn't mention it because they think a smelly toy doesn't count as devaluing it. I once heard someone say, "If you bought something that smells like dog $#!+, would you say it was in mint condition?"

Apparently there's ways to get rid of the smell, like sticking in the fridge with an open box of bicarb soda for several hours or days. But what a hassle!

Again - you don't get this problem when you buy your toys sealed! And buying toys sealed is affordable when you buy them when they're current!