Collecting preference question

[Tom L]

I just bought a loose figure where the seller openly stated that the outfit was cleaned. When I compare this outfit to another one I have, the cleaned outfit is nicer. The figure I was comparing it to was never cleaned and got me thinking. With the only difference between them being the outfit, I was trying to decide which figure I would prefer. Something about a figure originally how it was back in the 1970's without any cleaning appeals to me.

Figure A: Complete with all original accessories. Outfit never cleaned with a slight bit of surface dirt from age with no cleaning.

Figure B: Complete with all original accessories. Outfit super clean, but has been cleaned.

Which one would you prefer?

Tom L.

[gummi]

I haven't been involved in Mego collecting for very long, but I prefer a clean outfit. In fact, the first thing I do when I get a new one in is give it a good inspection for any defects and make any repairs needed, followed by a good wash if need be. If it was an ultra-rare figure I'd probably leave well enough alone, but for all the others I'm a clean freak.

[warlock664]

Preferrence

As long as there have been no alterations to anything, I'd prefer the "cleaned" outfit. I own many loose mint Megos, and I'd be willing to bet at least a few of them had been "professionally cleaned" before my purchase. I know there are ebay seller(s) who buy distressed lots of figures, clean them up, add repro parts where necessary (a practice I dislike), take some really nice pictures, and rake in a lot more money than the average guy would. As long as the colors on the outfits remain true and no re-painting of heads has occurred (and in my case no repro parts are used), I don't have a problem with the cleaning per se. It would be nice to know about it up front, though.

[M3G0M4V3R1CK]

Option b all day long just cause it is cleaned does not mean that it is any less of a mego ... Josh

[kryptosmaster]

I know there are ebay seller(s) who buy distressed lots of figures, clean them up, add repro parts where necessary (a practice I dislike), take some really nice pictures, and rake in a lot more money than the average guy would.

Nobody here would do such a thing.

Rich

[warlock664]

re:

Nobody here would do such a thing.

Rich

Of course not ! But if they did, I wouldn't have a problem with a cleaning . To me cleaning doesn't affect the authenticity at all. Use even one repro part, though, and I'm gone.

[Jason73]

I kind of enjoy cleaning the figures myself. I'd take A, but B is ok with me too.

[Megospidey]

To me, dirt and dust hurts the value of a figure. They smell and look unsightly.

I think washing/cleaning clothing, heads, bodies, accessories, etc. helps spruce a figure up and brings it back to original condition without any restoration...

Cleaning removes contaminants that were not there in the beginning when the figure was new.

[toys2cool]

I'd go with A, all original never cleaned

[clemso]

As long as the cleaning has not taken any of the color out of the outfit in anyway, and the fabric knit is still in its original state, i would be happy to take a nice clean outfit, as someone has already said, the dirt did not come with the outfit originally.

[English Paul]

Clean all the way for me.

I clean figures to sell and usually when I receive them and would have no problem with receiving a cleaned figure as long as it hasn't suffered due to been cleaned. I also see no reason to state that it has been cleaned.

[boynightwing]

When I got my current Mego Batman, his cape smelled like cigarettes. There was no way I was going to leave him like that (I'm pretty sure Batman doesn't endorse smoking) so I washed it.

[Orion]

To me, dirt and dust hurts the value of a figure. They smell and look unsightly.

I think washing/cleaning clothing, heads, bodies, accessories, etc. helps spruce a figure up and brings it back to original condition without any restoration...

Cleaning removes contaminants that were not there in the beginning when the figure was new.

I agree completely.

[Wee67]

Cleaning the outfit, to me, is no different than wiping off dust or removing ink stains from a face- as long as it does not alter the original figure, I not only think its fine, I prefer it.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I also prefer mine cleaned...very carefully.