More KOs to be careful of - G1 Sideswipe, Red Alert, Defensor

[1AZRAEL1]

I don't agree, There is ONE way. That's age wear. If there's a loose swoop that has a few paint dings, and lifting (if not removed stickers), or some chrome missing from the wings then it's gotta be real. However if you're after a mint condition one...then it gets a lot harder. Not impossible, but since you only got photos to go by, it makes it a lot harder

That's true in some respects. Whats to stop KOers from "creating" playwear on their figures? I can see some unscrupulous sellers going to those lengths, but I hope not. Besides, you could be really lucky and get a near mint figure with little to no playwear that could be legit. All I can say is you have to be careful when buying anything off ebay. Just my opinion.

[kup]

I don't agree, There is ONE way. That's age wear. If there's a loose swoop that has a few paint dings, and lifting (if not removed stickers), or some chrome missing from the wings then it's gotta be real. However if you're after a mint condition one...then it gets a lot harder. Not impossible, but since you only got photos to go by, it makes it a lot harder

It's not that easy to notice playwear in a photo. How many times have one of us bought a seemingly 'mint' toy from ebay only to find that it wasn't so mint in person?

[5FDP]

The moral of the story would be - when it doubt, ask for more photos (close-ups). If they're an honest seller, I'm sure they would be willing to oblige.

[Jetfire]

I don't agree, There is ONE way. That's age wear. If there's a loose swoop that has a few paint dings, and lifting (if not removed stickers), or some chrome missing from the wings then it's gotta be real. However if you're after a mint condition one...then it gets a lot harder. Not impossible, but since you only got photos to go by, it makes it a lot harder

Either real or purposely aged. You could probably simulate a couple of decades of wear on your lunch break. And bash that KO box around a bit for that authentic G1 look

[Skullcruncher]

Either real or purposely aged. You could probably simulate a couple of decades of wear on your lunch break. And bash that KO box around a bit for that authentic G1 look

Yeah but the seller has to be pretty desperate to do that - there are plently of guides out on the web - plus some buyers are totally unrealistic(and highly paranoid) - unless an item is MIB or MISB how many loose items are going to be mint(c9+)?, these are toys and they are over 20 years old, all are going to have some sticker wear or the odd scuff/scratch.

Be an informed buyer and if you are happy with KO's then so be it!

[Kranix]

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I will hold off and try and source a genuine G1 Sideswipe. He is one of my favourite transformers and worth the wait. I was surprised how hard it was to find him considering most people say he is common. I have already bought 5 G1 Transformers this month so probably should be good

[LordCyrusOmega]

Now i run a greater risk of buying ko's. It's bad enough to think i may have knock off cassettes without being paranoid i might buy others.
Not Good..

[VERT]

You know the KO Springer is so good it even has a Die Cast front end. That one is actually better than my 2 G1 Hasbro Springers

[Eruntalon]

Now i run a greater risk of buying ko's. It's bad enough to think i may have knock off cassettes without being paranoid i might buy others.
Not Good..

Just in case you have a Ravage that you may suspect is KO:
http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=2881

[LordCyrusOmega]

I'm confident that my rumble (red) and Ravage are real. It's my Frenzy and Ratbat i'm concerned about. I saw a review of a knock off one on TF arachive and it resembled mine. Ratbat was ok but Frenzy had terrible stickers that fell off and arm joints that were splitting. it was ages ago when i first started buying online. We live and learn