An average condition, incomplete and dirty forty year old Kenner ALIEN toy is now available for sale on eBay for the low price of US$3.7995! Wait. Did I get that wrong? Sorry, the decimal placing is incorrect. That price should read US$379.95.This is definitely a rough condition figure for the high asking price. Covered in dust, missing multiple parts and in generally average condition at best, these toys are often found in the wild in this degraded state. Usually, samples in this state are discovered in estate sales, garage finds, under houses and inside dog kennels. Yeah. I know of one such instance where a Kenner ALIEN in similar condition was discovered in a dog kennel. It was fine – just covered in loose fur and leached with dog odor. Nonetheless, this particular sample possesses so many issues it’s going to be hard to justify the price on this item. Lets take a closer look. Let’s commence with the missing parts. All the common pieces are absent. Gone is the head dome and the crest mounted between its shoulders.  Also missing are both pieces of the tongue that should be visible inside the mouth, behind the teeth. The loss of such parts diminish the figure dramatically. That’s not good and it’s common.

There’s some scuffing along with some yellowing of the glow in the dark paint on the head and the vac metal chrome coating on the teeth is chipped. There’s also a broken, jagged edge in the back of the torso between the shoulders where the dorsal crest should be mounted. Once again, all these issues are common conditions with these old toys. So far, very average – and tipping to the “this aint so good” side of the scale.

Fortunately, the rest of the figure is in an acceptable state with all remaining limbs and features intact. Both arms are attached albeit loose. The legs don’t appear to be damaged at the hips and the tail still terminates as it should with a blunt tip. All four of the appendages on its back are straight and parallel meaning there’s no internal damage and the figure stands up without support so we know its legs are attached without looseness. Generally what you would expect to find on one of these old toys.

There’s minor wear and abrasions on some places like the wrists but overall the balance of the figure is in a decent state. A good wash is all it really needs to bring it up to being a very presentable average figure. There’s still a nice piece hiding under the dust, but missing critical parts will prevent elevating it to the lofty asking being made by the vendor. Figures in this state usually sell on eBay for between US$100 to US$150. Asking more than US$200 and buyers will expect a more complete figure. Much more.

On the other hand, there aren’t very many samples of the toy listed on eBay at the moment so choice is currently at its lowest it’s been for years. There’s about half a dozen for sale right now. Usually, the number of Kenner ALIEN toys available on eBay is double that. I am guessing that people aren’t prioritising selling and buying expensive vintage toys during a global health crisis like they did this time last year.

On the other hand, you can never tell. One thing is certain, though; this item will eventually sell.

-Windebieste.