Collector's Edition Box contents question

[LS2000]

Hello everyone!

I just got Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter 4 collector's edition from Ebay. The wrapping on both looks heavy duty and seems factory, but there are a few things that worry me slightly.

1)The SFIV box is noticeably, but not too badly, sunk in toward the front. I know this can happen just from the shrink wrap, but wondered if that lowers value or if it may have been opened and re-wrapped?

2)Both SFIV and RE5 collector's edition, when shaken a little, sounds like everything is loose and just floating around in the box. I wanted to know if anyone out there bought one from the store and still has it to tell me if this is normal or not.

My Gran Turismo 5 CE has little spaces for everything so nothing moves around whatsoever. (I bought another CE just to keep one sealed) I did buy SFIV CE a while back and opened it so I can't remember how it was set up inside.

Anyway, thank you to any of those who can help me. (I know it may not be the best to buy from ebay sometimes, but it can help to get things for a lower price. Sometimes not the best quality though.)

[twistedsymphony]

it might help if you stated specifically which region these are from and which version of the CE it is... I know the US version of these CEs is very different from the European version of these CEs, not to mention that there are more than one version of them in each region.

[LS2000]

they are both US retail versions. I will post pics of them too, which should help. Not at home now, but will put them up tonight.

[gurpswoo1]

Any bowing in the game case usually means a re-seal as the person resealing it may have shrunk it down to much.

This is not a case all the time, it depends on the level of bowing. Wait on the pictures to judge.

[twistedsymphony]

Here is my original SEALED RE5 CE

http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/re5_ce_360_ntsc00.jpg

you will hear a little bit of movement from this box:
http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/re5_ce_360_ntsc6.jpg

Here is a original SEALED SFIV:
http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/sfiv_ce_360_ntsc00.jpg

you should hear almost no movement from this box:
http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/sfiv_ce_360_ntsc5.jpg

The only way you'd hear movement from SFIV is if one of the discs came off the spindle and was moving around the case.

[LS2000]

That definitely helps. I actually should have specified that I got the PS3 versions, but I highly doubt that they would be that different on the inside. I am pretty sure there is a good amount of movement in the SSIV box. I haven't opened it yet, but when I get home I may have to. I got it for a total of 30 bucks (SSIV CE PS3) so it wouldn't be that big of a loss. Thank you for your help. If anyone can confirm that PS3 has the same type of packaging then that would be great, but if not then I can go off of the info given above. Thanks again for the pics!!

[twistedsymphony]

PS3 SFIV sealed:
http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/sfiv_ce_ps3_brd100.jpg

contents:
http://collectorsedition.org/uploads/2008/09/sfiv_ce_ps3_brd15.jpg

[LS2000]

I just made a photobucket account so I will get the pics of the bowing of the SSIV up, but I think just by shifting it upside down then right side up should give enough audible information for me to figure it out. I will throw some pics of the RE CE up too. That one seems like it may be legit given the current info. Thanks again

[twistedsymphony]

do the seals crinkle at the top and bottom with the seam mid-way along the sides the same way they do in the pictures I posted? I think that is key.

They're both Capcom games and it looks like they're were both put together in the same factory.

[LS2000]

Here are some pics. Now after looking at them I think the SSIV had something sitting on it which caused some bowing at the back and the top lid on the side.
http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/FronttoprightSSIV.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/FronttopleftSSIV.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/BacktopleftSSIV.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/BackrightbottomSSIV.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/BackbottomSSIV.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/FronttoprightRE5.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/FronttopleftRE5.jpghttp://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/l2thousand/CE%20pics%20of%20games/BackrightbottomRE5.jpg There they are. Tell me what you guys think. Thanks

[twistedsymphony]

Here are some pics. Now after looking at them I think the SSIV had something sitting on it which caused some bowing at the back and the top lid on the side.... There they are. Tell me what you guys think. Thanks

Those look like the original factory seals to me

[gurpswoo1]

What store did you buy it from?

Bowing has been known to happen but not that often.

The Resi one looks ok, but the Street fighter one has major pressure, look for small vent holes that are in line around the game. Also known as h-seam.

Is there any damage under the seal such as dents, rips, scratches, etc.

[LS2000]

I looked for the vent holes and both do have the very small vent holes in a uniform pattern. I think the guy I bought from on ebay might have had something heavier resting on the back of it at some point. How much would the value go down for the box, SSIV, having the bowing and the lid bend in it?

[gurpswoo1]

If it has the vent holes then it factory sealed.

With regards to the value, there will always be those collector's that want the ultimate perfect condition. At the same time there will be plenty that see the bowing as very little.

It depends on the rarity of the item, if it's highly desirable then I would guess that it could effect the ultimate price but not to the degree of a unsealed copy. A sealed copy especially in the condition you have is going to be worth far more than a unsealed copy.

I would say 10% less value max, given time to sell to the right buyer than no difference at all.

[LS2000]

Thank you for all the wonderful help and advice. I should be getting more CE games and will post them up!

[Mandingo]

Good luck.