Searching For Ponies & Completing Sets...... Do you buy in any condition?

[Rachel-Eyes]

For me it really depends on the Pony and how I'm coming across it. If I'm buying online and paying more than $15 for it, I'd like it to look nice. I usually open up all of my G1s anyway just to make sure they are clean, and that's usually when I give them a conditioning if they need it. Stuff that can be fixed is fine, but I don't like complete baits. I'm even kind of okay with things like cancer and regrind, as long as they are priced fairly.

There are some I've bought online though that I do kind of wish I had waited to find in better shape.

If I'm finding Ponies on the second-hand market though, like a thrift store or a yard sale, I will pick them up in any condition- ESPECIALLY G1s, since they are becoming increasingly harder to find second-hand. (At least in my area! So far I've found 7 G1s, but three of them were not even in my city.) I regard those situations as lucky chances that I'm more than glad to take.

[TwilightOwl]

I'm not a mint collector, but when a buy a pony I like to make sure that I can live with or fix their existing flaws. I don't like the idea of upgrading because it feels like a betrayal of the existing pony ( yes, I know plastic toys don't have feelings.) If I'm ever lucky enough to find some G1s in the wild, I would be much less picky about condition, and would probably be attached to them because of the thrill of finding them. I'm not a completionist collector though, and I can totally understand how collectors who are driven to complete sets would upgrade place holders  It is so neat to see the differentaproaches people take to collecting! Great question.

[Squirrelypaws]

I pretty much have a "no pony left behind" policy when it comes to finding them at thrift shops or yard sales. I have McDonalds ones missing legs, a few that lost fights with cats, etc. As long as I can afford to buy it, I don't care what sort of condition they're in.

If I were buying online, or from another collector, I probably would be a little picky about condition, though.

[wizzer218]

I tend to go for mint to near mint ponies....unless the pony is really rare

[scarletjul]

It depends on how much I want the pony.  If it is one I really, really want, I'll aim for one in good condition.  If I'm just trying to complete the set and I find one in not great condition but a good price, I'll buy that one.   

[DazzleKitty]

I'm not a picky person. If it's one I don't have and want, I will take it in fair to good condition. I think what's 'fair' and 'good' varies from collector to collector. But I have looked at ponies for sale that are labeled as bait that i wouldn't even think of baiting. I'd see where they could use from restoring, but I wouldn't just toss them out as a lost cause.

Mint ponies are awesome, but they don't have to be mint for me to be satsified. Some of these ponies are now 30 years old. It's gonna be hard to find something that age that is mint, even on the card. The age affects ponies that haven't even been opened from some of the stories I've heard.

[ravengusty]

If I come across a mint pony I'll be happy to buy it but for the most part my ponies are in fair to good condition, some have the odd mark, the occasional little pen mark here and there but nothing to drastic.

I don't mind a few marks, a little ear nibble, haircuts or a bit of symbol fading. I dislike buzz cuts, a trim or a bob isn't bad but almost bald ponies are a nightmare as i'm a disaster at rehairing. I don't like massive splodges of highlighter and other huge marks. And I really dislike it when the head colour doesn't quite match the body colour. Especially when its really noticeable this is why I have yet to purchase a Sprinkles because when I have pony pennies the only ones I can find are the mismatched ones 

[cyberunicorn]

I take it on a case by case depending on the pony. Not really a picky collector I will not tolerate certain things... smooze or anything that involves me sculpting for example. It is normally a case of if I think I can do something for it I will get it or in the case if a couple of my g3s that had being around ebay at least 4 times I just felt sorry for them. Though they were mint so I don't know why no one wanted them 

To be fair I have got really lucky so far I think there was only one pony that I just had to sell on as her problem just bugged the hell out of me.

[zzzova]

I want my ponies to be in good condition, no cancer, haircuts, larger marks or plastic damage.
I dont mind a few small,small marks, frizzy hair (wich I can fix) or a scratch in symbol/eye/blush.   

[FluffleNuff]

I do prefer ponies who are acceptable to me. For example, Tail rust, dry hair, fading paint all are okay. These are things that I can fix or live with

But cancer, regrind, haircuts are a big NO-NO!

Cancer and regrind can't be treated, or need experience and patience(I have like none of these two qualities). Haircuts need new hair(if it's REALLY BAD), and I can't get doll hair anywhere. (Even though I'd love to try out a rehair).

I don't mind mold or faded bodies though. Those I can still fight. Yeap

[Englishgothgirl]

I too have a no G1 left behind, if I see one for sale I will buy it regardless of condition, someone will want it I'm sure, even if its not one I need myself

I also pick up G2's but G3 have to be good / minty for me to pick them up

[Rachel-Eyes]

I do not consider myself picky, but I will say that I draw the line at missing body parts. I just... no!

[Rhubarbpie]

I don't think I am too fussy, I don't mind popping off a head to clean out the crud, or a styling session at the spa, however, I cannot re-hair, I lack the patience, skills and tools to re-hair a pony.

[hathorcat]

I am fussy I will admit to having purchased ponies and then upgraded them in the past [and now] but I only do that because the one I purchased was perhaps not in as nice a condition as I would have hoped at the time. So I set out to purchase minty/near minty ponies only.