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Opinions on "new"

GrahamGraham
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Is a mini figure from a new sealed set, assembled for photograph then placed in a ziplok bag New?

Or does the act of assembly render it used?

Comments

  • 13 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • LawrenceLawrence
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    Personally I wouldn't consider an assembled figure to be used. It's common to assemble figures prior to shipment as this reduces the chance of items rubbing in transit.
  • GrahamGraham
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    OK thanks!
  • VosblokjesVosblokjes
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    But it's a good idea to put something in the public note regarding the 'build' status
  • Brick.GalaxyBrick.Galaxy
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    My opinion is that "built = used", but that's just an opinion.

    Would I object? If the fig looks new, no... but I want to build the fig! I would ship it in parts.

    My 2 cents...
  • White Horse BricksWhite Horse Bricks
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    I agree with @Brick.Galaxy personally. With figs, I'd want to build it myself if I was buying new.
  • Gracey1010Gracey1010
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    Agree totally (my personal view only) not to build new minifigures before shipment. If the parts are secure, they dont rub. Should be totally seperated from other elements when shipping. With extreme weather conditions: expanding and contracting, built new figures may have the tendancy to show very fine cracks at the contact areas. If a new figure is built and on display, it's considered used in my opinion. Also, all minifigures should be retained in a black box, away from any sort of light, to preserve and at room temp.
  • adjouradjour
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    I don't sell many new figs, but I always ship them disassembled after seeing how many complaints other sellers get for them being sent built.
  • Gracey1010Gracey1010
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    We do have the urge to build. Like the Eye of Sauron or Sauron, the rubber mask is cool. But...it's not MINE to Build. :p
  • mfavmfav
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    This deviates a bit from Graham's initial question, but I would like to point out that some "new" minifigures are sold assembled. Various BAM figures were sold preassembled in blister packs. Some of the very old figures in sets were preassembled. Minifigures that are sold with the "Visual Guide" books are preassembled.

    The argument could be made that disassembling the orange spaceman would make that figure "used" while leaving it assembled constitutes "new".

    The real "problem" if there is a "problem" lies in the language. New and used are inherently at odds. New is not the opposite of used. Things are not "new" if they are 30 years old. They may, however be "unused". New <-> old. Used <-> not used. New is relative and temporary at best. Used is specific and immutable. "New" on this site and elsewhere is conflated with "not used", unfortunately.

    Then we stumble on the tenuous qualification of "condition" as in: like new condition. And this is also subjective. I have had "new" minifigure parts from "new" sets that displayed severe cracks in several places which I did not initially see but were apparent upon assembly…where a similar part purchased later and "used" did not share the same defects. Theoretically I could sell my particular part in "like new condition" if I sold it with cracks although it had never been assembled...or the figure in "new" condition if it was assembled with all the cracks.

    I doubt I'm going to change any established conventions or personal opinions, but there ought to be some latitude and common sense as long as the advertisement isn't intentionally misleading. If the site needs to get involved, then it should define "acceptable practices".

    On a cranky old man note, sometimes the fevered hand-wringing over minutiae of things like this just drives me to => http://v4ei.com/comics/2024/08/used.php
  • HoddieHoddie
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    People have had differing opinions about this for as long as BL has existed. What it boils down to is this: If you build a figure that was supplied unbuilt, you risk upsetting some of your buyers. Others won't care. As a seller, that's the risk you have to weigh.
  • Gracey1010Gracey1010
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    @mfav Wonderful Cartoon!! you made me laugh, and thats important. Your take on the subject is so very true, but, it all comes down to the buyer - and what they want. And your not a grumpy old man..your set in your ways, and thats ok! Man, if we were all the same, what a dull world this would be.
  • mfavmfav
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    Yep. Damned if you do, damned if you don't on this one.
  • MacsBricksMacsBricks
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    @mfav good one and good to see you doing comics again.

    Language IS the issue. I try to mitigate the risks, as a seller, by over-communicating in the public note.
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