Prototype hunting tips?

[Msian0_0]

Hi All,

I've recently started seriously collecting all the original Kanohi, and have been fascinated with some of the rarer prototypes that I see pop up sometimes on facebook groups and BZP forums - especially things like the white Huna, brown Komau, PG Avohkii, etc. I currently only have a 5 hole Kraakhan, but thats more of a mis-mold and not prototype.

I see certain members often mention how they used to be very dedicated to hunting prototypes, and I'm not quite sure where to start. Hunting regular masks already seems to be quite aggressive and competitive on your average used marketplaces / auction sites. Does anyone have any good advice or tips on where one would start their journey for this particular hunt? I feel super over my head about it, but the community has me chasing that dragon!

Thanks,

MM

[Aiden]

Absolutely scouring the internet, and actively keeping an eye out in various communities will always be your best bet. Sometimes they pop up, sometimes a person posted about having something a decade ago and they still have it.

And if you do find somebody who has one, and decide to message them, be tasteful. Be polite, express your interest in the item, but don’t bother them further than asking once. Additionally, anybody with one of a kind items (like the gold g2 masks) are best left alone. They in particular have most likely been massaged hundreds of times about their items, and you’d more than likely be wasting their time and yours.

Good luck! Prototype hunting was an absolute blast for me and I got to meet so many wonderful people along the way.

[Msian0_0]

4 minutes ago, Aiden said:

Absolutely scouring the internet, and actively keeping an eye out in various communities will always be your best bet. Sometimes they pop up, sometimes a person posted about having something a decade ago and they still have it.

And if you do find somebody who has one, and decide to message them, be tasteful. Be polite, express your interest in the item, but don’t bother them further than asking once. Additionally, anybody with one of a kind items (like the gold g2 masks) are best left alone. They in particular have most likely been massaged hundreds of times about their items, and you’d more than likely be wasting their time and yours.

Good luck! Prototype hunting was an absolute blast for me and I got to meet so many wonderful people along the way.

This is great advice, thank you Aiden!

:)

[NateMakesMOCs]

Pretty much everything Aiden said. Another thing I would do is set up alerts on Bricklink, ebay, and any other market places they may pop up. Sometimes stuff pops up overpriced, and other times things pop up for decent amounts. Scouring lots from European countries where Lego factories were at the time is another thing people have done, but that's a lot easier when you live in that part of the world.

Like Aiden said, don't feel ashamed to reach out to people, especially if they're actively selling. You're gonna also have to be willing to spend some money in these cases. With the collecting market the way it is, along with all the information on the internet, a lot of people are more informed these days one what they have. Making a fair offer is sometimes all you can do. The Official Rare & Promotional Collectibles topic has some decent info on prices that have been documented in the past, but I believe a lot of the info is a couple years dated at this point. Search through some of the more recent posts in the topic though and you'll find some info on more recent prices.

Side note, I believe a White Huna is up for sale on Facebook, and a Brown Komau has been sitting on Bricklink for a while at a price that's far above what others have paid for recently. Could be your chance to reach out and make an offer!

[MjolnirThunder]

23 hours ago, Darknut said:

Side note, I believe a White Huna is up for sale on Facebook

Is this on a specific page or just the general FB marketplace somewhere?

[NateMakesMOCs]

7 minutes ago, MjolnirThunder said:

Is this on a specific page or just the general FB marketplace somewhere?

Looks like it sold, it was in The Bionicle Marketplace.

[MjolnirThunder]

On 7/26/2024 at 7:45 PM, Darknut said:

Looks like it sold, it was in The Bionicle Marketplace.

That's a shame; probably couldn't have afforded it anyway but was curious.

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of that group though! 😀

EDIT: For anyone curious, the seller stated they received $2350 for the white Huna.

Edited July 31, 2024 by MjolnirThunder

[Msian0_0]

On 7/25/2024 at 8:39 PM, Darknut said:

Pretty much everything Aiden said. Another thing I would do is set up alerts on Bricklink, ebay, and any other market places they may pop up. Sometimes stuff pops up overpriced, and other times things pop up for decent amounts. Scouring lots from European countries where Lego factories were at the time is another thing people have done, but that's a lot easier when you live in that part of the world.

Like Aiden said, don't feel ashamed to reach out to people, especially if they're actively selling. You're gonna also have to be willing to spend some money in these cases. With the collecting market the way it is, along with all the information on the internet, a lot of people are more informed these days one what they have. Making a fair offer is sometimes all you can do. The Official Rare & Promotional Collectibles topic has some decent info on prices that have been documented in the past, but I believe a lot of the info is a couple years dated at this point. Search through some of the more recent posts in the topic though and you'll find some info on more recent prices.

Side note, I believe a White Huna is up for sale on Facebook, and a Brown Komau has been sitting on Bricklink for a while at a price that's far above what others have paid for recently. Could be your chance to reach out and make an offer!

Thank you so much!

[Turaga onewa]

Reaching out to people from Facebook and Instagram also works.