Aethersprite Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 I recently acquired a brand-new, unopened Bionicle set from 2007. It was during my dark ages of Lego and I don't own any sets from that year. If you were in my position, would you open it? I'm not one of those collectors who like to keep their sets sealed, but I don't have a lot of old Bionicle sets. All my constraction sets on display are CCBS - if I opened this one, it'd look very out of place on display. Plus, I'm afraid that the sockets might break if I try assembling them because they're so old. What are your thoughts on this? Quote
Strakk Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Well, unless you want to sell it, open it. If you tell us the name of the set, we could tell you if it is worth opening it. Quote
Mutant Orc Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 I'm not one to keep things sealed, because I'm not a seller. Even if a few joints do crack, the set will get more appreciation out of its box than in it. Quote
DraikNova Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) 2007 is the year most famous for it's socket-breaking problems. But unless you want to sell it, there's no reason not to open it. If you do want to sell it, keep it closed. Completely new sets sell for slightly higher prices. Edited February 22, 2015 by DraikNova Quote
Mandate Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 2007 is the year most famous for it's socket-breaking problems. But unless you want to sell it, there's no reason not to open it. If you do want to sell it, keep it closed. Completely new sets sell for slightly higher prices. I thought it was 2008. After all, that was the year where everything broke, not just some lime-green sockets. And of course, LEGO had to be jerks and introduce every new part with a socket with the same issues Quote
VBBN Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 In my opinion, sealed Bionicle sets would be completely useless. I get that a "MISB vintage" set might be worth something to people who want to buy it and resell it at a higher price, but unlike most themes where people collect MISB toys (DC Universe classics, Transformers, Marvel legends, etc) you can't actually see the toy in it's packaging, and even you could it would be just a pile of pieces. The only reason I'd ever buy a sealed set is if I wanted to experience opening an old Bionicle set like it was new again.. I see people listing sealed Bionicle sets for pretty high prices on ebay, and they usually never sell unless it's like a really old Rahi or something. (200$ accessory tub anyone?) But maybe there's a bigger market for it than I realize... either way, if you never owned an 07 set and you really want to check it out, then I don't see why you shouldn't open it. Quote
DraikNova Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 On the other hand, a lot of 2007 was pretty horrible, and some of the ones that weren't horrible horrible in terms of the build, like Lesovikk, suffered the most from the socket problem. What's better, an out-of-place fragile set that is composed of pieces that are less than compatible with most of your current collection, or getting (part of) the money needed to buy newer sets? Quote
Darking Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Personally 2007 is my favourite BIONICLE G1 year, maybe in tie with 2006. However I'd say, unless it contains some very interesting pieces that you may wanna use, sell it. Though as someone pointed out earlier, don't expect to sell it at a high price... May I ask which sets are we talking about? Just for curiosity... Quote
TheGreatSpirit Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Depends on whether it has lime green joints or not. If not, then you don't have to be as worried about the socket breaking problems. Quote
Robin Creations Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Just open it ! Unless you plan on selling it. I mean, what use is Lego if it is just sitting in a box (or canister) unopened? But I too would like to know what set it is. Quote
MakutaOfWar Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) Open it! Open it! Agreed with the person above above me, sockets are fine as long as they aren't (cursed!)Lime Green like Mahri Halhi, RIP Hahli. I don't think pre-2008 sockets changed at all from the Slizer molds and five years ago I bought mint sealed Torch, Spark, and Blaster Slizers with Torch being eleven years old at the time, built them without the sockets being a problem. :P Edited February 22, 2015 by MakutaOfWar Quote
Mandate Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 In my opinion, sealed Bionicle sets would be completely useless. I get that a "MISB vintage" set might be worth something to people who want to buy it and resell it at a higher price, but unlike most themes where people collect MISB toys (DC Universe classics, Transformers, Marvel legends, etc) you can't actually see the toy in it's packaging, and even you could it would be just a pile of pieces. The only reason I'd ever buy a sealed set is if I wanted to experience opening an old Bionicle set like it was new again.. I see people listing sealed Bionicle sets for pretty high prices on ebay, and they usually never sell unless it's like a really old Rahi or something. (200$ accessory tub anyone?) But maybe there's a bigger market for it than I realize... either way, if you never owned an 07 set and you really want to check it out, then I don't see why you shouldn't open it. MISB pricing is ridiculous. You'll get Pohatu Mata for maybe $15-$40, and meanwhile EF sets and old Batman minifigures skyrocket to ridiculous levels. I think I spotted a NINJAGO spinner from 2012 on Amazon for nearly $50 once. Quote
The Kumquat Alchemist Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) MISB pricing is ridiculous. You'll get Pohatu Mata for maybe $15-$40, and meanwhile EF sets and old Batman minifigures skyrocket to ridiculous levels. I think I spotted a NINJAGO spinner from 2012 on Amazon for nearly $50 once. That people expect them to sell, does not mean that they will. Non-FOLs tend to vastly overestimate the prices of MISB LEGO products, judging from many years of browsing Amazon and E-Bay. Inversely, you can get some incredible deals on E-Bay when it comes to bulk lots, if you are willing to risk the purchase of used parts. There's nothing more delicious than buying a Boxor, five Robo-Riders, and a few McToran and other misc parts for $25. To speak on the topic at hand, I would say open it if you do not plan to resell. Though not sporting the prettiest assortment of sets, 2007 saw the first departure from clone sets among the canister price class, making it quite a significant year. Edited February 23, 2015 by The Kumquat Alchemist Quote
Aethersprite Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 The set in question is Jaller Mahri. I'm not one to buy MISB sets but it was going for pretty cheap, so might as well. I think I'll most probably open it since I'm not one who likes to keep sets MISB; my main concern now is the joints cracking. Has anyone opened and assembled an old set recently? Quote
MakutaOfWar Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Like I said with the Slizers I got five years ago, joints are still good even after that ten to eleven years mint condition sleep they got. :P And Jaller Mahri is one of my most favorite Bonkle sets, the mask is beautiful in my opinion. Still have him assembled.. minus the crab... Quote
Mandate Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 That people expect them to sell, does not mean that they will. Non-FOLs tend to vastly overestimate the prices of MISB LEGO products, judging from many years of browsing Amazon and E-Bay. Inversely, you can get some incredible deals on E-Bay when it comes to bulk lots, if you are willing to risk the purchase of used parts. There's nothing more delicious than buying a Boxor, five Robo-Riders, and a few McToran and other misc parts for $25. Yeah, but when it comes to Gen 1 LEGO Batman gear the price is usually justified for the rarity. I prefer to buy MISB, because I have the guarantee that I'm not going to find old chewed up bricks, dog pee and a ball of boogers as freebies alongside it. Fortunately those cases are pretty rare, but I don't like to take the chance. The set in question is Jaller Mahri. I'm not one to buy MISB sets but it was going for pretty cheap, so might as well. I think I'll most probably open it since I'm not one who likes to keep sets MISB; my main concern now is the joints cracking. Has anyone opened and assembled an old set recently? I bought an MISB Tahu Nuva who now proudly sits atop my pile of trash (no correlation between him being there and the contents of that pile), your Jaller will be fine Quote
Alexander The Great Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 That autumn I bought a brand-new Vahki Vorzakh. I built it and put back into the canister. Quote
Leewan Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 If it's Jaller, open it and build it, it's a great set. And his joints are less fragile than lime ones (these are the worse), so I wouldn't worry about them cracking. Quote
Aethersprite Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks for the tips guys, looking forward to opening it! Quote
Robin Creations Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Yeah, I got Hahli Mahri at Goodwill for $2 a while ago and assembled her a few times. The joints weren't cracked to begin with, but 3 or 4 of them cracked. They still work well enough though. Quote
Mutant Orc Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I used to have that set in my old collection, and it was a great set. I think I still have one or two random bits of him somewhere...I never had any joint problems. Worth opening! Quote
Dorek Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 The only sets in 2007 to have joint crack problems were the lime ones, due to a new type of material they used. When they redesigned the joints in 2008, people started experiencing more cracking problems (which I think was vastly overrated anyway). So Jaller Mahri should be a-ok, and is a fantastic set to boot; 2007 was a great year. Quote
MakutaOfWar Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) The only sets in 2007 to have joint crack problems were the lime ones, due to a new type of material they used. When they redesigned the joints in 2008, people started experiencing more cracking problems (which I think was vastly overrated anyway). So Jaller Mahri should be a-ok, and is a fantastic set to boot; 2007 was a great year. Overated?! How?! Say that to my 50+ broken sockets. :'P Edited February 23, 2015 by MakutaOfWar Quote
TheDesuComplex Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I can also affirm. Nearly every socket I have from 2008-2010 is busted completely. That may be my fault, but from the beginning they were fragile. Certainly not a vastly overrated issue because the issue pretty much ruined every purchase I made past the Mahri. Quote
Blast Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 Honestly I'd never keep Lego sets sealed Quote
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