What to do with semi-pricey ponies in poor condition?

[Sunshine]

What do you guys do with semi-pricey ponies (let's say, ponies that fall between $30-50 in value in near mint condition) that are in poor shape... and not just hair cuts, but permanent issues that they have?

Would you try and sell it original with it's flaws for a discounted rate?
Would you rehair it or customize it and just say forget trying to keep the pony as is?

I'm just wondering, I've had a handful of these value ponies who have some serious issues that can't be fixed... and I never know what to do with them...

[lunar_scythe]

Sell them as is for about half to 2/3's the price, depending on the issues: for example a mimic with a hair cut will still sell for $50-60. I also have a TAF buttons I got for less than $20, she has red ink all over her ears, and I have error bluebelles with all *kinds* of problems(no ear, 'saddle sores', and I was given the newest well loved Bluebelle at the fair: a big chunk missing from her face!)

There's a lot if collectors out there who will jump at the chance to get a pricey pony with major flaws, to might be the only way they can afford it!

Personally, I love well loved ponies lol, they've been through it all and what stories they'd have if they could talk!

[DancingPhoenix]

I'd restore them, then if I already own the ponies I would advertise them as restored and either sell or trade them

ETA: if the issues truly aren't fixable then I agree with lunar!

[Sunshine]

I'd restore them, then if I already own the ponies I would advertise them as restored and either sell or trade them

Non-restorable flaws.

Things that can't come out of a pony. Unless you straight up painted over it.

Not a bad idea Lunar, I didn't think of it that way... I was leaning towards rehairing her but, that's why I wanted to ask opinions because, I do -not- like to be "that person" who takes ponies that are sought after "away" from another collector who might REALLY enjoy having them in their collection, ya know?

[Whippycorn]

It depends on how much you like restoring. 

This girl arrived filthy, with haircuts, chews, age spots etc. I decided to fix her up a bit (deep clean, partial re-hair etc) and then re-homed her to a not-so-picky collector. I agree that for some people it's their only chance at a pricey pony.

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p.s. I'd never customise a HTF pony no matter how bad they were.

[Sunshine]

I've already done everything that can be done for this pony...

Perhaps I will sell her as is.



I am a restorer, btw.. I know all the tricks and such, but there are limits to what you can fade, cover, clean, etc...

[Whippycorn]

Exactly, Sunshine. I mean, even chew marks etc can be fixed, but as some people don't mind them and it makes a HTF pony more affordable, I only cleaned and re-haired etc before selling Munchy on. I'm sure someone will jump at the chance for a HTF pony at an affordable price. Who is it by the way, I'm curious! 

[PinkRosedust]

Sell them as-is to people like me! =P As mentioned, that's often how I end up with ponies I really want but can't afford, plus there are a lot of flaws I can easily overlook on a G1. I actually just bought a Blueberry Baskets with pink ink all over her face. I've wanted her FOREVER but could never afford one in good shape...I don't think there's anything I can do with her other than display her with her NDS out or try painting over her to see if she looks better with pink spots or off-color blue spots (I still need to double check but I don't think you can sunfade any of the Sweetberry ponies?) but I adore her nonetheless! I also like G1s with haircuts. =)

[mlp4me]

Honestly, I'm not a picky collector and no challenge is too much! I do understand where it can be difficult for figuring out pricing. Guess it depends on the grunt of the damage... I always have restores in the works, LOL (you should see the back legless dnw I'm working on)!
I second the who do got that you wanna get rid of? LOL

[Sunshine]

It's Diamond Dreams...

She's not the hardest to find but I know she's sought after...

I'm definitely not one to repair missing limbs or anything like that, I restore but not rebuild, haha but DD isn't missing anything, her plastic is just... badly stained. The best I could do would be lighten it with months of sunfading but I just... really don't feel like doing that with her...

[himmie]

I suggest selling her to someone that lives in Arizona.

[Sunshine]

How about along the equator?

[moonflower]

I'd sell as is, I wouldn't go spending any serious time/effort/money on restoring unless you plan to keep.

[Diamond]

Depends if was a present to you, I would keep her or gift her on to another person who can deal with her in the state she is in. 

Other wise I am not one for rehairing or restoring, past minor touch ups. 

[Sunshine]

Diamond - if you're mentioning that because I was gifted a Diamond Dreams a few months ago by SpottedSlug - this is not her. I just won this one off eBay.