Toy-fare report. Grrr...!

[MegoNinja]

Hulk Mad!

I went to a toy fare today, thinking of course "Mego Mego Mego". Luckily enough, I did get a 70's bendy hulk and a bendy Mego Batman (yay!). However I met up with the guy that was meant to have vinyl caped Jawas for $20 each. If any one remembers I was ranting about the same man who I met at a market and he promised if I met him at this toy fare he would bring a big bag of the VC Jawas for $20 each.

So I approach him, I knew it was him because he had the same junk, including a Darth Vader carry case that he had very poorly made labels for. I said to him "Oh hey, your the guy from the market at Karingal (a place near my house)" he just looks at his son and they both shrug their shoulders. There was awkward silence then he said "so what". I then explained who I was and said "so yeah, you said you were bringing those VC Jawas for me". He and his son looked at each other and giggled. There was awkward silence again and he goes "aint no such thing here mate" and acted all confused.
I just walked off all enraged because he obviously led me on so he could sell me more of his broken over priced crap. I wish I said some really smart mouth comment but unfortunately I was overcome with rage

The rest of the toy fare was looking at peoples filth and crap people bought from thrift stores and labeled with thing like "rare $200!".

grrrr!!!
Sorry to go on so much but seriously, I am never going to that toy fare again, and I am seriously considering not going to any more.

[Bo8a_Fett]

It's a shame that this sort of person has upset you...especially as both you and him knew exactly what jawa's you were going on about. Most places now sell things at a highly inflated price with no prior knowledge of something other than "they had one as a kid" therefore it must a) be rare and b) be expensive. I too am fed up with market stalls or boot fare sellers trying to push this crap for that reason...we all look for a bargin but most of us are willing to pay a fair price for what we want...the trouble is there are more than quitw a few numptys out there who will pay the prices asked...just look at e-bay!!!
Just be happy in the fact that you DID get a bendy hulk and bendy batman and try and put the experience out of mind...you never know you may miss out on a "grail" object 'cos you're put off by this a**hole.

[MegoNinja]

well said Bo8a_Fett.
I did not leave the place until I had checked all the stalls even when I was mad for that exact reason, I did not want to walk out and miss out on some one who might have been selling RM Robins or some thing to that effect.
I am pretty sure my market going days are over though, I am annoyed I was charged $5 to get in as well, but you know, that's life aint it?

[Bo8a_Fett]

yeah what's worse is when they still charge you for a market or fare that's been declining for ages...There's a film fair in Camden that I used to go to every month where I could pick up region 1s and Asian collectors editions (the Battle Royale 3 disc Japanese set is wonderful) which used to be packed out with buyers and sellers. It used to cost £1 to get in. Then it went downhill due to the amount of pirated stuff being sold on the streets around Camden and sellers started dropping out as there was no money in it anymore. The fair is now bi-monthly with only about 10-12 sellers regularly turning up YET they now charge £2 to get in.
....go figure....needless to say all my foriegn region discs are now bought online...I hate it 'cos I love the feeling of hugging that purchase all the way home but hey ho what can you do.

[MegoSteve]

My attitude about toy shows has changed with the ascendance of eBay... now I look at the $5 admission as more of a "museum entrance fee" and start with the assumption I'm probably not going to find something. I still get to gawk at toys for a while, and if I find something I want to buy, it's a bonus.

[MegoNinja]

yeah eBay is the mack daddy of collectibles, especially Star Wars. I can pick up a boxed Ranco for $40 on ebay and at markets people charge up to $200 because "it's super rare and has its original box!".
Ebay has set the prices for me, whatever eBay sells things for is what they are worth, not what the sweaty over weight guy with the baseball hat at the fare says it is.

[Marvelmania]

When I get to go to a show I look at it as chance to look at toys and meet and talk with other collectors rather than looking to buy. If I find something then that's just extra. I never go expecting to find anything. You did good to come away with something that made you happy. As for the jerk you encountered, you did the right thing by walking away. If there would have been a scene not only would it have probably ruined your day but others visiting the show as well. Congrats on the Hulk and Batman.

[MegoNinja]

thanks Tim, I guess I should have that same out look on going to toy shows as well. I suppose I should be grateful, this is the first time that I have ever found Mego outside of the internet or an actual collectible store.
The Hulk is a huge bonus considering I just started collecting 70's Hulk stuff, so this is my first addition to my collection.

[Meule]

My attitude about toy shows has changed with the ascendance of eBay... now I look at the $5 admission as more of a "museum entrance fee" and start with the assumption I'm probably not going to find something. I still get to gawk at toys for a while, and if I find something I want to buy, it's a bonus.

Always assume you'll find nothing but crap. It'll make finding a hidden gem that more fun. Like me finding a RM Robin (no mask tho), I walked out that toy show smiling from ear to ear

[Sowth]

Hey Ninja,

If you're talking about the Mornington fair today, I can say that there was at least one good stall holder there

I had never been before as either a buyer or seller but thought I'd give it a go (I was in the upstairs hall, I only had diecast today - Mint boxed Corgi, Dinky & Matchbox) and was pretty disappointed. It wasn't so much a toy fair as a semi-rural swap-meet / market kind of thing. At least I kept people amused judging by the shocked looks when they saw the asking prices of vintage Dinky's. Not exactly my target market lol.

I did a sweep about 30 minutes before opening and didn't see a single Mego (or anything else remotely interesting) so yeah all in all a pretty crap toy day!

Cheers,
Will

[MegoNinja]

Hey Ninja,

If you're talking about the Mornington fair today, I can say that there was at least one good stall holder there

I had never been before as either a buyer or seller but thought I'd give it a go (I was in the upstairs hall, I only had diecast today - Mint boxed Corgi, Dinky & Matchbox) and was pretty disappointed. It wasn't so much a toy fair as a semi-rural swap-meet / market kind of thing. At least I kept people amused judging by the shocked looks when they saw the asking prices of vintage Dinky's. Not exactly my target market lol.

I did a sweep about 30 minutes before opening and didn't see a single Mego (or anything else remotely interesting) so yeah all in all a pretty crap toy day!

Cheers,
Will

lol!
That is funny! I walked right past you! But didn't know it was you, I can't begin to say how weird that was, I saw the boxed corgi and was going to ask how much you wanted for it. I was kind of scared that you were going to be the guy I was upset with when you said you were there.
Man I wish I knew what you looked like I would have said 'Hi' well now I can say Hi here.

[Sowth]

I was kind of scared that you were going to be the guy I was upset with when you said you were there.

Hah no need to worry there, I think I know who you are talking about though, was he outside in the covered area, a bearded guy? He's an individual that bloke

Yeah would have been great to say hi, I'll be at Sandown in April if you're going, that's usually a good proper toy fair.

Cheers mate,
Will

[MegoNinja]

Hah no need to worry there, I think I know who you are talking about though, was he outside in the covered area, a bearded guy? He's an individual that bloke

Yeah would have been great to say hi, I'll be at Sandown in April if you're going, that's usually a good proper toy fair.

Cheers mate,
Will

Hah!
Yes! That is exactly who I am talking about! He had heaps of smashed up loose star wars stuff. I might go to the sandown one, I probably will contrary to my ranting on how much I hate fare's, but we'll see, when the time comes I will be all revved to go again. It would be good to see you there.

[PCofmisfittoys]

it's funny how things have changed over the years. I use to attend and set up at toy/comic shows but these days thye are filled with the new toys or toys from all these direct companies. I agree on the museum entry fee for sure.
There seems to be a fine line of people that still think they can command high prices with ebay still around. Years ago before ebay it was like going to Disney world. you would save money and toys to trade, head out and spend the day talking ,trading and buying.
As much i love ebay i still enjoy the face to face interaction with trading and feeling the toy. Nothing is rare anymore and on eby any and everything will popp up again if you are willing to wait on it.
good job on the two figures..you got some great items along with your blood pressure up.

[Bo8a_Fett]

What's is as bad as over priced "rare" old toys is when they have new toys marked "collectors item" at marked up prices...