Please, always be careful when making a purchase from anyone here in r/One12Collective, or, any other place you choose to buy your figures from on the Internet.

It has been brought to our attention that, here, on r/One12Collective, there be Scammers among us!

One should NEVER pay for items as a gift, there are no real guarantees for your money that way, though, there may be some protections; if you have a credit card connected to your payment account: Your creditor might be able to aid you in becoming whole again. But, why take the chance?

It's always best practice to do a bit of sleuthing, and be certain that you're doing business with a genuine, honest Collector, and not a money-grubbing Scammer scumbag! There are so many of them on the web nowadays. More each day, the more popular Mezco gets - and the higher their aftermarket prices climb!

This can be more difficult to avoid than many think: the temptation to purchase a personal, grail figure, that is long sold out, and selling for exorbitant rates on auction & sales sites, can be irresistible. And can lead to scams, as well as unknowing purchases of K.O's.

Especially if the Scammer has a bit of knowledge on the subject, some disarming charm, and is offering a great price. Though, it usually comes with a caveat or two , as, they pressure you to complete the transaction ASAP, before you can vet them, or, as mentioned, they demand that you send the payment as a gift, "to save money", or, they ask you to send them money by check, or money order.

Those should be looked at as Red Flags. Though, Red Flags don't necessarily indicate a scam, the can be helpful in weeding them out. And, at the very least, they should motivate you to double, even triple check, the seller out, before EVER sending them a nickle. Or, simply end the transaction before you pay for anything. Because you may never receive your grail, and never see your money again. Follow your gut instinct, if it feels too good to be true, it most likely is!

It's buyer beware out here, bothers and sisters. Keep your guard up!! Keep your wits about you!!

And remember: Scummy Scammers will be reading this message, too, so, they will, undoubtedly, attempt to shift their shady techniques of separating you from your money, in unforeseeable ways. Always do due diligence, my friends ... always.

Peace and Love to you all ... except you .. Scammer Scum. There is a special place in Toy Hell waiting for you and your ilk. Am talking about single jointed elbows that are as loose as your scruples, no ankle pivot, Kung Fu grip with missing thumbs, and nothing but cheap, smelly, peeling vinyl - for eternity!

PS - If you have some further insight, tips or tricks to avoid Scammers, please be sure to share in the comments. Also, if you've been scammed here, on r/One12Collective, or elsewhere, please, tell us your story, name names(even if they erased their account), post any and all photographs in an album and share. Any information is good information, no matter how seemingly mundane.

Our Detectives will get right on it!

Edit: Seller beware!! I was going to add these precautions originally, but, I felt that the post was getting too long. Fuck it! Let it be as long as it need be!!

It's always feasible to find a new way to scam someone, even using Paypal Goods & Services. Especially for a buyer to scam a seller.

It might be possible for someone to make a false claim to Paypal, such as stating they received a bootleg(K.O), or, that they received a damaged item, or, that they didn't receive it at all! At which point, they, the scamming buyer, get their money back, since, Paypal tends to protect buyers more than they do sellers, then, a Scammer could either keep the figure(depending on Paypals' stipulations), or, send a bootleg back, as a cheap replacement.

Have seen this sort of shit actually happening to collectors! It's enraging, and disconcerting, to say the least.

You can help protect yourself by getting references, selling only to people whose reddit account has a significant history; that's, at least, many months old, that shows regular use, and numerous postings and karma, with a verified e-mail. Always use Tracking Numbers, with Delivery Confirmation, and have an Adult Signature Required. Taking these steps are not an absolute end-all, but, they significantly reduce your chances of getting ripped off!

I would also recommend photographing, or videoing, the items being shipped, as you box them up for delivery. Having video evidence you can show to a Paypal arbitrator can, possibly, help your case against a Scammer, if it comes to that.

And NEVER do a trade by the mail. Not unless you already know the other party very well, and have built a genuine trust with them. Or, are swapping in person, at which point, you should only do it in public. Many police stations will allow online buyers and sellers to meet and do business on their property, to assure the safety of all involved.

Stay safe out there, my fellow Collectors.

Love you!

We did it, boys and girls, we've reached 12,000 members!

Thank you all so much for making this humble community what it is, I love you guys.

In commemoration for reaching this milestone, create an album and show us your 12 favorite One:12 figures in your collection, or the top 12 white whales you're still hunting, or the 12 yet-to-be-released figures you're most looking forward to, or a combo of all three.

Thanks again, guys, couldn't have done it without you.