I came across a listing for two 1980’s M.A.S.K. toys on Craigslist yesterday afternoon. The seller was asking $10 for a Rhino and Slingshot, which was a pretty good deal, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to get in the car and miss the Redskins/Dallas game, but then I read the next listing, which was by the same seller, for a bunch of G1 Transformers.
When I was a kid, I was G.I. Joe and Star Wars kid. True confession: I never owned a Transformer toy, so I know next to nothing about them, but I know a good deal when I see it. The seller was asking $100 for the Transformers, but accepted my offer of $100 for both the M.A.S.K. trucks and the Transformers.
One of these days, I am going to write a book about all my Craigslist transactions. I haven’t been knifed yet, but it’s probably coming. The young lady came to the door in her pajamas (it was late afternoon), and she thrusts the box at me through the half-open door, while looking over her shoulder. I handed her the cash and she shuts the door. No more than three words were spoken between the two of us. I got the sense that she was selling her husband’s toy collection without his knowledge, so if you’re reading this article and recognize the toys as your own, let me know and I’ll make you a great deal.
This Rhino truck is such a great toy, easily my favorite M.A.S.K. vehicle. Unfortunately the missile is missing from this one but it did come with the instructions and figures with their helmets, which are often missing. The Rhino truck is worth around $40-50 and the instructions and figures only add to the value.
I could probably get $25 for the Slingshot, another fantastic vehicle, so $10 for the M.A.S.K. items was a great deal.
There were a total of 28 Transformers in the lot, making the price less than $4 each.
Don’t you love it when kids take care of their toys? These Transformers are in excellent shape and the joints are still nice and tight.
I remember playing with my friend’s Soundwave figure when I was a kid and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. I still think it’s pretty sweet.
This Swoop figure could fetch $50 or more. It’s accessories and instructions were in the box.
I’m not even going to attempt to put this Devastator together. I’m pretty sure all the extra pieces are there too, so this batch alone could more than pay for the whole lot.
I have always wanted an original Optimus Prime, and this is the one item that I will be keeping for my own collection.
One of the “joys” of buying toys in bulk is the large pile of parts that is always at the bottom of the box. Now, I just need to figure out who gets what.
There was a large stack of file cards included with a red decoder plastic.
Another nice surprise was that all the Transformers in the box came with their instruction manual. A quick check on eBay shows that these manuals typically sell for $3-4 — there were 17 in the box, so that initial investment is looking even better. Of course, I’ll be selling the figures with the accessories and instruction manuals together.
I’m going to a big toy show this weekend and need to drum up some cash, so if you see anything you’d like to add to your collection, drop me an email and let’s make a deal!
Brian, I am so jealous! I don’t have any extra scratch, so I can’t even make an offer! I would love to get that Soundwave(been trying forever), and the Ultra Magnus. I would say that this trumps any finds that I have ever made. I may just have to start checking out Craigslist.
Now that the yard sale season has ended, I have to resort to whatever means I can to refill my stock, and Craigslist is one of the best. Give it a try and look in the “toys & games” and “collectibles” categories. Let me know if you find anything good!
Thanks for the tip! I will let you know if I am able to find anything, and actually going out to make the exchange. If you have an idea on what you would like for that Soundwave, please let me know. Shoot me an e-mail with your interests of what I may have(or cash amount). I do have some Legos(not many), that I would be willing to part with, as well as a bunch of other stuff. But, we can speak about that later.
I always make my Craigslist buyers meet me at the local mall (2 blocks away) so they don’t know where I live. :)Nice MASK stuff, never had any as a kid. Love the show though.
I’ve done my fair share of meeting in shopping center parking lots. 😉
I actually prefer to meet people at their homes since I always ask if they have anything else for sale, and a lot of the times they do. It works both ways — when I sell items, I usually sell more than just the listed item when I meet them at my home and they see all the other stuff I have available.
That is an amazing haul, Brian. That Soundwave is gorgeous and you totally hit pay dirt with the complete Devastator set. You are the man, my friend.
Pax
I think I might devote a few hours of my life to put together the Devastator tonight. Wish me luck.
Devastator pretty easy to knock together actually. It’s getting him to stay together that has traditionally been difficult. If the joints are tight though you can even get a bit of posability
Oh, and I was a big fan of MASK the series and the toys. Love those trucks. The original Matt Trakker with Thunderhawk was my own personal favorite.
I spent some time this afternoon taking some pictures of the Rhino truck. It really is a beautiful toy. I am fully onboard the M.A.S.K. bandwagon now.
Oh man what a sweet score and hell of a deal for $100 am so jealous.
Thanks Jboy!
Never owned Transformers or MASK but they look pretty sweet.
i can’t say enough about that Rhino truck. It’s pretty great.
Yeah that woman sold her significant others collection while he was at the bar. If you are looking to move some of those Transformers, I’d be interested in Jetfire.
I dropped you an email. Let me know if it didn’t make it.
You have four mail away Transformers. These were only obtainable by collecting points off the back of the boxes and then sending money to Hasbro. The mail away one’s are as follows. Sky Dasher – First photo of Transformers toys jet on far right with the silver beak. If you pull it back it is motorized. Second photo down 3 cars in the middle. Camshaft, Downshift, Overdrive. Some of the jets that you have are actually a combiner and form up together to make Superion. I would be interested in taking the Ultra Magnus off your hands. In the cartoon he was voiced by my friend / client Jack Angel. My Son absolutely loves playing with my Magnus and I’ve been looking for a spare.
Thanks, Russ! I was hoping you would drop by and share your transformers knowledge. 😉 I’ll send you an email later this morning about that Magnus.
PS I would estimate the total value of this collection at around $650 to $750 at full retail.
I always enjoy hearing from you Russ. 😉
i just inherited all these toys from m uncle who didnt want them and i got them for free
Lucky you! I’m always amazed at how people are willing to just give these things away, not realizing the value some of them can bring.
Dude, I have been web surfing, ebaying and garage sale-ing for years, and I have never in my entire life seen a bargain like you got. Well done!! I am specifically on the lookout for transformers, but to find that MASK stuff in such good nick would have thrilled me beyond words. That’s the kind of deal that makes collectors collect stuff. Soundwave by himslef is so vey hard to find, let alone one that is in any kind of good condition. Mate of mine kept all his mask and TF stuff mint in box. Then he moved to Japan. wonder if he’s still got it. This post has rekindled my dormant collectors bent… now if I only had some cash!