Do you prefer NM ponies or ponies who need TLC?

[Amsel]

When it comes to buying ponies, what do you love more: Ponies who look amazing already, or ones who need a bit of love to truly shine?

I don't mean NM vs bait, mind you! Just NM vs ones who need some work to look nice.

As for me, I love ponies who need some care. Ponies who look awesome are wonderful, but receiving an "okay" pony in the mail, and then getting them all washed and cleaned and styled so they look gorgeous makes me feel like they're really "mine". (And they're less likely to break the budget. )

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I prefer....  PONIES!  I don't mind cleaning and restoring, I don't mind simply admiring and adoring !

[sundaygirl]

I ultimately prefer nm ponies, but I don't mind the ones who need tlc. I too like the feeling when you've recieved a manky pony, fix it, look at it and think "wow, never expected it to turn out this good".

[Lucky_Ladybug]

I prefer Near Mint and continually try to get it. But I keep having problems running into issues that weren't spotted by the seller (or by me, from the pictures) and/or not described to me before purchase. Sigh. I think one problem is that the sellers' definitions of Near Mint isn't always mine.

A couple of times I have deliberately purchased a Pony that had a little something off about her, but mainly only if I'm desperate or have gotten entranced by something else about that particular copy. But I will never deliberately set out to get a Pony that I think will require anything more than surface cleaning.

[TornadoTwist]

I dont mind, I like cleaning up the body, but for really frizzled hair. I pass. For me it depends on the condition of the hair.

[Spectrum]

Either! I love cleaning up a pony and just admiring the pony  Though I do admit, I get more attached to ponies who I've cleaned up.

[Greylady]

I love getting the baitiest of the bait ponies. Even if they don't clean up 100%, I adore them! Cleaning ponies is definitely like a bonding experience for me.

[PinkRosedust]

I love ponies who need TLC, and even those that are often considered bait by others. =)

[scarletjul]

I like either-or.  . Ponies that are in mint condition are lovely but I don't mind doing a little work, either.

A pony's a pony.  Either will make me happy. 

[ravengusty]

Nothing with cancer, mold, buzz cuts or horrible splodges of pink highlighter!!! I'm not fussed if it needs a bit of tlc like a wash and a proper brush of the mane and tail. It's nice to find NM though

[svleonard]

Oh near mint, definitely!  Nothing turns me off more than tail rust or age spots.

[ravengusty]

ewww I forgot tail rust...I hate that

[brightberry]

I don't like TLC ponies at NM prices.     I don't mind having more than one of a pony.  If I have one NM, its easier for me to have TLC versions of it for fun. 

[silverdragon54]

I would never say no to a near mint pony, but I really love my restoration projects. I love my thrift store rescue ponies, flaws and all. Damaged hair, ink stains, pen scribbles, eye/blush/symbol rubs, I don't care. I can touch up most paint flaws, I'm learning how to rehair, I'd even like to try sculpting missing limbs. Cleaning them up is a bonding process, and each one becomes a unique, personalized work of art.

[nollilols]

I generally collect near mint, or ones with minimal visible defects. I don't mind permenant marks and things once a pony displays well. My Italian Tootsie has some yellow highlighter under one foot that is completely invisible on display, but aside from that she's absolutely mint. That's the kind of pony I love - they never get too expensive!