Trek Collector's eBay War Stories Thread

[wayoung]

So, I’ll get us started to set the tone…

CAVEAT EMPTOR

About 14 years ago or so, I was eyeballing a Star Trek- The Motion Picture theatrical poster (27x40) signed by the entire cast, and Roddenberry. The seller claimed to have a collection of them acquired at some event, and would post them for auction regularly. I almost always got out-bid at the last second. They would generally go for around $200.

Anyway, after several weeks of relentlessly hunting this sucker down, I finally won one for about that amount. In anticipation of its arrival, I went out and bought a nice frame, and was really looking forward to displaying it in my apartment (pre-wife days hahaha).

The poster arrived and I gladly opened it up, carefully examining its beauty. It was exactly as described, and the signatures all looked legit and written in nice marker. Unfortunately, then my inspection turned up the horrifying reveal: In the bottom right corner of the poster was the text "www.zipzapposters.com"

Needless to say, this tipped me off to what I should have otherwise guessed if I hadn’t been drunk with desire on getting this item: IT’S A FAAAAAAAKE!

I mean, Roddenberry passed away in 1991, which was LONG before the existence of anything even remotely resembling “zipzapposters” would have been in existence. There's no way he could have signed this poster.

So, lesson learned- I never EVER buy “autographed merchandise” off eBay now. Ever.

I've been collecting in person autographs for four years now. I have no intention of selling but in case anything ever happened to me I had the had the first 25 autographs authenticated so that the inheritors could sell it much easier. The internet, and even most of the stores, are full of fakes/autopens. Authentication isn't 100%, fakes still get through, but it does add some piece of mind.

 

[NCC-73515]

Here are the pictures related to my "Eureka" post above.

Absolutely priceless

Hilarious tagline considering how they really did go too far XD

 

[Daddy Todd]

A couple years ago I bought copies of the original fanzine versions of “The Star Trek Concordance” and “Third Season Supplement” in “like new” condition for, like, $60 from an eBay dealer who claimed they were “originals”. They arrived in due time. One glance at them and I knew they were just run off said dealer’s laser printer. She did refund my money, and in due time I found genuine copies for less than half the price.

Last summer, I got them autographed by Bjo and John Trimble, and Ctein (who has a piece of fan art in the first one) at NASFIC/Westercon. Bjo looked them over and confirmed they were genuine 1970’s originals, collated on her dining room table.

I an happy to have them in my collection.

 

[Vger23]

Hilarious tagline considering how they really did go too far XD

I love Star Trek V. I actually find it more entertaining than the standard fan-favorites IV and VI.

A couple years ago I bought copies of the original fanzine versions of “The Star Trek Concordance” and “Third Season Supplement” in “like new” condition for, like, $60 from an eBay dealer who claimed they were “originals”. They arrived in due time. One glance at them and I knew they were just run off said dealer’s laser printer. She did refund my money, and in due time I found genuine copies for less than half the price.

Last summer, I got them autographed by Bjo and John Trimble, and Ctein (who has a piece of fan art in the first one) at NASFIC/Westercon. Bjo looked them over and confirmed they were genuine 1970’s originals, collated on her dining room table.

I an happy to have them in my collection.

EXCELENT RECOVERY!!

I am always very leery of things like scripts and Fanzines that claim to be original. Seems like more often than not it's a scam like what you experienced

 

[Daddy Todd]

I am always very leery of things like scripts and Fanzines that claim to be original. Seems like more often than not it's a scam like what you experienced

Other than a few items (like the Concordance) the demand for fanzines from the era I care about (basically, the 1970’s) is actually pretty low, and with the way the cost of photocopy materials has skyrocketed over the last couple decades, it’s not cost effective to run up a copy. The real items can be had for as little as a couple bucks. Photocopying the ‘zine would cost you more than that!

A couple years ago, a Trek BBS regular, a fan film stalwart (who has since stopped posting here, alas!) made me a copy of a ‘zine for which he had permission to sell copies. It was a long one, published in the early ‘90’s, a fix-up novel combining several lengthy fan novellas from the ‘70’s, with added material. Anyway, having Kinkos/FedEx make a copy and spiral-bind it was in the $60-$70 range. I was happy to pay it, because I’d not seen it on eBay in several years of watching.

I really enjoyed reading it! But then, maybe 9 months later, an original copy showed up on eBay for $25. D’OH!

 

[Vger23]

EUREKA

I rounded out my Star Trek movie poster collection a few years ago with an original print of the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan theatrical poster.

I found it as a "Buy It Now" for almost $30 less than it was going for typically. Pretty funny story. I shot the seller, who I believe was a vendor of many original movie posters, a note saying something like "Hey, I'm concerned that you've advertised this poster as an original but its significantly cheaper than other originals I've seen" and the response was priceless: "If you're really that concerned I can increase the price to a level that will make you feel better"

I thought that was pretty funny, so I bought it. She had actually also said that if it even appears not to be an original, she'd give a full refund for a return.

Needless to say, I was very satisfied with the poster and I now display it proudly in my man cave/home theater.

 

[Vger23]

So I got the USS Enterprise HD starship this weekend. Apparently, it's a re-issue that came out in 2018, so it was released fairly recently. I have to say that I'm really happy with it. There are some minor workmanship issues (the rear conduits/ fins on the warp nacelles are glued on kind of sloppy and one of the decals on the inside of a pylon is a little wonky) but nothing that is immediately noticeable. The paint apps are great...very sharp and accurate. The electronics are working perfectly, and the sound is extremely crisp and accurate. I love that, like the Romulan BOP, there are two "lights on" modes (one with bridge noises, the other silent). I also like that they eliminated the unpopular "rust ring" on the front top of the primary hull with this issue. I always thought that looked ridiculous.

Also, the stand is much better than the one that came with the 2006 "40th Anniversary" release. That one had a ball joint that was far too lose and didn't properly support the ship. It was also very brittle and it broke on me. While the design of this stand is identical, it seems to work far better. It is much sturdier, and the ball joint is nice and tight so you can position the ship however you like.

Overall, not a bad grab getting it on auction for 20-30 USD cheaper than it's generally retailing for.

Now, the search begins for a reasonably priced Enterprise-B and Klingon Bird of Prey.

I also saw a used Diamond Select TMP phaser going for about $90 in the UK (auction), but the shipping was like an additional $40. I thought about it, but figured "nah"

I have the patience of a saint, though...........

 

[Vger23]

Here's the TOS display I have, featuring the new purchase. Most of these items were "buy it now" acquisitions from eBay. The K-7 Station was a steal in an auction as well. The Tricorder is a Diamond Select Science Tricorder. The phaser and communicator are both Wand Company pieces (I got each as Christmas gifts in consecutive years)....and absolutely gorgeous.

I have a similar TMP display...was very proud to get the full collection of TMP action figures from Playmates, one at a time, in auctions off eBay.

 

[NCC-73515]

My DST 1701 said U.S.S. ENTEERPRISE (saw it when I unboxed it )
I tried to scratch off the additional E, but then I thought maybe I should've kept it there as a rare misprint version like those insanely valuable coin or stamp misprints

 

[Vger23]

My DST 1701 said U.S.S. ENTEERPRISE (saw it when I unboxed it )
I tried to scratch off the additional E, but then I thought maybe I should've kept it there as a rare misprint version like those insanely valuable coin or stamp misprints

Really, no kidding?? I'd love to see that. That's really interesting. And you're right, sometimes those rare foul-ups become valuable

 

[NCC-73515]

I'll try to remember to take a picture when I get back to my family's home

 

[CommanderTrip]

So I got the USS Enterprise HD starship this weekend. Apparently, it's a re-issue that came out in 2018, so it was released fairly recently. I have to say that I'm really happy with it. There are some minor workmanship issues (the rear conduits/ fins on the warp nacelles are glued on kind of sloppy and one of the decals on the inside of a pylon is a little wonky) but nothing that is immediately noticeable. The paint apps are great...very sharp and accurate. The electronics are working perfectly, and the sound is extremely crisp and accurate. I love that, like the Romulan BOP, there are two "lights on" modes (one with bridge noises, the other silent). I also like that they eliminated the unpopular "rust ring" on the front top of the primary hull with this issue. I always thought that looked ridiculous.

Also, the stand is much better than the one that came with the 2006 "40th Anniversary" release. That one had a ball joint that was far too lose and didn't properly support the ship. It was also very brittle and it broke on me. While the design of this stand is identical, it seems to work far better. It is much sturdier, and the ball joint is nice and tight so you can position the ship however you like.

Overall, not a bad grab getting it on auction for 20-30 USD cheaper than it's generally retailing for.

Now, the search begins for a reasonably priced Enterprise-B and Klingon Bird of Prey.

I also saw a used Diamond Select TMP phaser going for about $90 in the UK (auction), but the shipping was like an additional $40. I thought about it, but figured "nah"

I have the patience of a saint, though...........

Good luck with your search for the Klingon BOP and ENT B! Hopefully you won't have too hard of a time finding those (and for a decent price.)

The only Klingon BOP I opted to get was the DST Convention Exclusive with the HMS Bounty Landing gear battery cover. That was the first Non-federation ship I purchased, and I am so glad I did. It's worht it just to hear Kirk say "Everybody remember where we parked" and "Double dumbass on you!"

The HMS Bounty Variant is a little hard to come by, but I imagine TSFS/TUC variant will be easier to find. They had a green cloaked variant too IIRC.

The ENT B battle-damaged variant is also worth considering. I have the pristine B from DST, never got the battle damaged one but it does closely resemble the ENT B after she got battered in the Nexus and our hero JTK was sucked out into space/outside a log cabin chopping wood.

 

[Vger23]

Damn, I forgot to mention the Playmates TFF-TUC Phaser, as well as a resin metal prop of the same. I also have the Playmares TMP phaser.

I'd LOVE to find a bargain on the DS TMP phaser. I have the TWOK version, but the TMP version is more rare and the eBay prices are pretty obscene.

I finally found the DST TMP phaser for a reasonable price. It’s been increasing in average sale price for months now. I’ve seen several for ~$200 and there’s no way I’m dropping that on this.

I saw a used one for $125 this past week. I contacted the seller to see if the original packaging still available. Less than 24 hours later, I was offered a discount for $90 which I jumped on immediately. Pretty good deal, considering I was hours away from pulling the trigger in the $125 price.

So I’m pretty happy...I have a piece I’ve been looking for for about a year headed my way.

 

[NCC-73515]

I finally found the DST TMP phaser for a reasonable price. It’s been increasing in average sale price for months now. I’ve seen several for ~$200 and there’s no way I’m dropping that on this.

I saw a used one for $125 this past week. I contacted the seller to see if the original packaging still available. Less than 24 hours later, I was offered a discount for $90 which I jumped on immediately. Pretty good deal, considering I was hours away from pulling the trigger in the $125 price.

So I’m pretty happy...I have a piece I’ve been looking for for about a year headed my way.

I got that one on the last day of a con when they were about to start packing and were happy to give people discounts... 35 EUR, IIRC, in 2014

 

[1001001]

I've been to tons of conventions over the years, and haven't had to use eBay much for the stuff I want.

I did, however, track down the Talking Voyager Alarm Clock years ago.

Starting your day off with a scolding from Captain Janeway is a real treat.

 

[Vger23]

I've been to tons of conventions over the years, and haven't had to use eBay much for the stuff I want.

I did, however, track down the Talking Voyager Alarm Clock years ago.

Starting your day off with a scolding from Captain Janeway is a real treat.

Haha...wow that thing is legit! I’ve never seen that before....good find!

 

[NCC-73515]

I've been to tons of conventions over the years, and haven't had to use eBay much for the stuff I want.

I did, however, track down the Talking Voyager Alarm Clock years ago.

Starting your day off with a scolding from Captain Janeway is a real treat.

Does it threaten to torture you if you don't get up? XD

 

[Vger23]

Does it threaten to torture you if you don't get up? XD

It sentences you to death- just like Tuvix.