Buyers' Guide to Condition

A mint robot in a mint box is relatively easy to value. Unfortunately the vast majority of robots cannot be described as mint, and the boxes they come in are even less perfect. Many dealers prefer to use a condition scale between 1 and 10, and some of them refuse to rate anything as 10/10. This is an honest approach to the problem. Take an objective look at a brand spanking new robot, straight out of that crispy-clean box - and you'll almost certainly find faults: hairline scratches, rubs, irregularities. The box will have a few light marks, creases or dinks. I guarantee it.  And the closer you look, the more faults will emerge. Take a  look at many of the robots in great collections, and those pieces that are called "mint" will soon reveal blemishes that make the term difficult to sustain. If you collect coins or stamps, you can buy perfection, but robots are not in the same category and we have accepted a loosening of the term. I just love those dealers who tell me that the battered robot with missing parts is "mint, considering that it's 30 years old." So let's start by accepting that we're not going to find many perfect robots this side of eternity.
 

Is there any corrosion?

Nothing devalues a tin toy more than corrosion. No amount of repair can put right the damage done to metal and litho by rust and battery acid. The lightest peppering of rust can sometimes be improved with a gentle polish but the evidence rarely disappears. Anything worse than this just stares at you forever. Remember that minor surface rust can indicate an underlying problem that will deteriorate inexorably. You will have to check inside to assure yourself of the robot's true condition. Battery compartments are the usual victims of acid attack. This makes an unsightly mess and usually leaves the phosphor bronze contacts in a useless condition. Look on corroded robots as cheap interim pieces or sources of spares. A robot with any significant corrosion will command around 10% of mint value.

Are any parts missing?

Missing antennas arms etc should warn you off a robot, unless you are patient enough to wait umpteen years for the elusive part. Replacement parts are available but are usually distinguishable from the originals. I used to turn down incomplete robots, but my attitude changed after I was offered a Chief Smokey that lacked the side panels on the skirt. The price was tempting but I talked myself out of it, thinking I'd never find the parts. One hour later a man handed me a bag containing a dismantled robot, and guess what was staring at me.

 
Is there any sign of repainting?

Many toys are damaged or flawed during production and factory retouching is common. It's usually easy to spot because it's a fair paint match with no attempt at disguise. This does affect value, but is generally acceptable. Retouching at a later date usually spoils the look of a toy. If it's obvious, then the value is certainly lessened. A full repaint is the kiss of death to many collectors, though plenty are content with a cheap display piece. Bitter experience has taught me that if the paintwork doesn't look right, if it's disturbed, uneven, if it's not completely smooth then it's usually been repainted.

Is there a box?

Some box art is undeniably superb, far better than the toy inside. Europeans aren't quite so obsessed with boxes as their American counterparts. The cult of mint-in--box is a self-sustaining preoccupation. For many collectors the box is the icing on the cake but its absence is hardly a reason for rejecting a robot. If you've got the dough then you can increase the difficulty level of collecting by laying down higher standards for yourself. An unboxed robot is worth on average 60% of the value of a boxed example. Remember that when you see a robot advertised as "mint in box" it means no more than it says. The robot will  be mint, but the seller is making no claim for the box! It's a little piece of confusing word play that needs to be regarded with caution.

Does it work?

This bothers most collectors but many enjoy the challenge. The thought process goes something like this:
The problem might be simple but the toy has to be dismantled.... I don't like that idea.... But there's a very high probability that most robots on dealers' stalls have already been repaired........On the other hand, if he can't get it going then what are my chances?... But perhaps he couldn't be bothered fixing and is willing to let me have it at a knock down price.