Here’s something you need to spend your hard earned cash in the midst of a pandemic. A forty year old Kenner ALIEN toy with bits missing going for top dollar on eBay. It’s old and a little messed up, missing a few parts – but at least it has the all important dome on its head. Excellent! It’s also only US$449.99. You know you really want this in your life, right? 
While the presence of the dome is welcome, even that comes with a caveat. It’s a little blemished and scratched. Imperfect, to say the least. Much like the rest of the figure. It will raise the value of the toy but US$445.99 really is top dollar. For that kind of money you can purchase one in perfect condition and if you are lucky, one in a box. This figure unfortunately falls well short of that lofty price tag. Let’s make a closer inspection of this old toy. He’s still a wonder to behold, after all.
This really is an average condition figure, at best. You’ll find samples in a similar state to this frequently appearing on eBay. There is nothing particularly outstanding about this toy other than the fact it still has its dome in situ. It’s also missing other parts, though. Notably, the dorsal crest between the shoulders is missing, revealing damage in that location where it is normally attached to the back.
Also of worthy of attention is both pieces of the tongue as they’re completely absent. Of most concern is the upper teeth in the upper jaw. Aside from the chipped chrome finish, these teeth appear to only be partially seated in the mouth. They look like they may even fall out and be lost if you’re not careful. If they do fall out, this will leave you with a figure boasting a really nasty under-bite if the mouth becomes any more vacant when only the lower jaw remains populated with teeth. The chrome finished surface on the lower teeth also look equally chipped; but at least they don’t look like they’re threatening to drop out.
The rest of the figure is in OK condition. It’s dirty and needs a good wipe down to remove all the dust and mange. Some of the paint on the head is also a little chipped and the arms are loose and hang by its side. Other than these miscellaneous details, the figure is potentially very presentable. The tail is complete in its length with tip is present and undamaged. This toy appears to stand up OK; and it has that dome!
Very exciting stuff, that dome!
Mind you, its presence does not warrant a US$450 price tag. It’s not even pristine a pristine dome. An average figure like this without the dome will fetch around US$80-150, easily. The blemished dome loose and on its own, will fetch around $90, or at best add that much to the value of the figure just for being present. Realistically, this is an incomplete figure. While it does include a dome, it is worth around US$200. Easily half of what the seller is asking.
Now, here’s the big question. What if an original box – in any condition – was included with a figure in this state? Yeah. That’s a game changer. Then you’d get US$450 for this item. It won’t even last as a listing and sell very quickly as those six sides of vintage printed cardboard belonging to these old toys are very popular among collectors. An average figure – even with a dome – at this price, though?
Err… Not so much.
-Windebieste.
