Wendy and The Irony of It All

Funny how I said in my last post that I've never spent more than $50 including shipping on any single Precious Places set and then a couple of days later this set is posted on eBay for $49.99 plus shipping:

Photo courtesy of eBay seller kcaparso22

It is the ultra-rare Wendy with Aqua colored wheels ice cream cart, a set that I've never seen on eBay before.  Not only that but it is new in the package, never been played with!  

But the excitement doesn't stop there, not only is it Wendy with Aqua Wheels, and new in the package ta boot, it comes with Amanda's personality card, which is just weird enough to make me want it even more!!!!

I feel that my principles are being sorely tried at the moments.  Part of me says, anything that you see on eBay will come up again another time at a better price and besides, when have you ever seen a single figure go for $50?!?  That's sort of insane for a figure set.  I mean, you can sometimes get a nice Mansion for less than that!

But the other part of me really just wants it no matter how much it is.

To bid or not to bid, that is the question....

Precious Places Pricing

I recently got this question from Sarah and I thought I'd make a post out of it so that everyone would be sure to contribute their opinions on the topic.  Here's her question:

So this is a little off topic but I was wondering what you and other users though would be fair prices for some of the more hard to come by sets or even just not as common ones. I always want to find a bargain and dont want to overpay even though I love these so much. Thanks!
-Sarah 

This is sort of a tough question because the prices on eBay seem to fluctuate quite a bit, but I personally have never spent more than $50 (including shipping) on any single set.  My new in box Pretty Penny Wishing Well was less than that, and my complete (though not new in box) Sunshine Country Picnic was only about $30.  The only way I'd spend more than $50 to get a set would be if I could get a new in the box Magic Key Mansion, the Dining Room furniture or any of the County Fair Sets. 

If you really want deals, check the PP listings on eBay every day and be very patient (I've been working on my collection for almost four years now).  If you do those two things, you CAN get sets for a good price. 

What does everyone else think?  How much would you pay for rare sets?  What was your best Precious Places deal?

Dad's Personality Card

Just a couple more to go before I have posted a complete collection of personality card pictures on my blog!  Today I give you... Dad at Work.

Front of card:

Back of card:

And here's what the back of the card says:

Dad at Work

Meet Dad! He teaches fifth grade math. Many nights he brings home papers to correct. He puts stickers on all the papers that get A's. In the evenings dad coaches our soccer team. We don't always win, but we have a lot of fun. Dad often brings home a bunch of violets for Mom and fun books for us. Dad also like to take us out for ice cream. He always orders a large chocolate soda - that's his favorite flavor.

Birthday: March 28

Favorite Sport: Soccer

What a great Dad, huh?  Again, I'm not totally clear who the 'we' is who wrote this glowing description of Dad, but since I'm assuming Dad at Work is married to Mom at Work, the 'we' must be the same group who lovingly penned Mom's personality card.  Rollerskating Sara and Skateboarding Andy look like they could be siblings, maybe they're Mom and Dad's kids?  

I probably shouldn't work too hard at figuring out the genealogies of plastic playthings, but I do have just one more question... 

What is a chocolate soda anyway?

Instruction Sheets: The Magic Key Mansion - Page One

As I'm sure you already know, the website ThisOldToy.com is a fantastic resource for all things Precious Places.  There is no way I could ever have put together the database of parts that they have so kindly published for all of us collectors out there.  However, one thing they are lacking is pictures of all the different instruction sheets for PP sets, so I thought I'd start a  new series of posts and give you as much information as I can get a hold of regarding those instruction sheets.

I do not yet have all of the instruction sheets, but I have a couple, and most importantly, I recently acquired the instruction sheet for the Magic Key Mansion.  Because it is a large, four page document, I'm going to split up the instructions into a mini-series of four posts (one for each page).

So, without further ado, here is the Magic Key Mansion Instruction Sheet, page one:

And because I know it's hard to read such tiny print, I've taken close-ups of the top and bottom halves of the page.  Here's the top (click on the picture to view a larger image):

Since it's still hard to read, here's what the top of the page says:

Fisher-Price

Instructions                                                            Magic Key Mansion

ADULT ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

(2 "D" batteries are required, alkaline recommended.)

CAUTION: This product contains small parts which may pose a choking hazard to children who still put objects in their mouths.  Keep all plastic bags out of children's reach.

PARENTS, PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!

No tools are required for assembling the Magic Key Mansion; however, the assembly instructions are very specific and need to be read carefully and followed exactly.  Because there are many pieces we suggest using a large clear work surface.

DO follow the steps in order.  Use the check-off boxes as you progress from step to step.  The pictures will help you recognize the various pieces.  DO take time to make sure all the snap-fits are secure.  When you have completed the mansion you should be able to lift it by the floors or by the base, but not by the roof!

IMPORTANT! FOLLOW STEPS IN ORDER!

Check off steps as you complete them.

IMPORTANT! APPLY LABELS BEFORE ASSEMBLY!

Labels are to be applied to the GREEN BASE (not bagged) and to the BEDROOM and BATHROOM FLOORS (found in Bag 5).

Step-By-Step Assembly Instructions

Find Label Sheets.
Find Green Base (Not Bagged).
Apply Labels To Base.
(Bedroom And Bathroom Floors Also Require Labels.)

To Apply Labels:
Refer to label diagrams to apply labels correctly.
Be sure the areas where labels will go are clean and dry.
Remove labels from sheet and apply as indicated.
Carefully position each label and press in the center, smoothing outward toward edges to get air bubbles out.

Okay, me here again.  This is what the diagram on the bottom of the page looks like closer up (click on the picture to view a larger image):

Besides the amusingly schizophrenic use of bold, CAPITALS, and even an occasional underline, the most interesting part of this first page to me is that there is no mention of a label (or litho) for the Magic Key.  You would have to assume that with these "very specific" instructions, they would have mentioned the litho if there was one.  I'd like to be wrong, but it seems to me that it is yet another strike against my hope of ever finding the Magic Key Mansion's Magic Key litho.

I really am disappointed that the instructions don't say anything about a litho, I was so hoping they would, but I am still excited to share more of these and other instruction sheets with you.  So, stay tuned for more posts in my Instruction Sheets series!

A Precious Places Love Affair

In honor of February, the month of love, I now give you my Precious Places love saga...

Do you know what I mean when I say that no one in my life understands how I can love Precious Places so much?  I find myself not wanting to admit to people that I collect them, that there are bins of toys in our storage room.  Why?  Because those who have found out almost always react the same way...

A good friend from childhood was helping us move a couple years ago.  As she carried a large bin of Precious Places into our new house, she asked me, "What's this?"  I told her it was my Precious Places collection, to which she responded, "I don't remember you having these when we were kids."  I replied, "I didn't.  I've been buying them on eBay lately."  She looked at me, eyebrows raised, and said, "Seriously?"

Yes, seriously...

She's not the only one who thinks I'm crazy.  My husband totally doesn't get it either.  He won't call my toys by their proper name.  He says 'Precious Places' sounds like a porno movie, so he prefers to refer to them as 'The Pink Village'.  Like, whenever a package comes in the mail from an address he doesn't recognize, he'll ask me, "Is this something else for the Pink Village?"

So now I find that my last and best hope for some support is my two year old daughter.  She thinks Precious Places are wonderful.  Like me, she is enchanted by the lights and the cute little animals, the pastel colors and most of all, the magic of watching the characters come alive with a flick of a key.  Perhaps you have to look through the eyes of a child to realize why Precious Places have captured my heart.  Maybe if everyone in my life could be seven years old again, they'd quit teasing me about my collection and discover what I already know, that Precious Places really truly are the best toys ever made.

Precious Places Village Tour Stop 3: The Pink Slippers Ballet Studio

As we move on from the Blue Ribbon Pony Stable in our Precious Places Village Tour, we come to set #5153, The Pink Slippers Ballet Studio.

Here is a picture of the set in my personal collection:

As far as I know, my set is complete.  I even have the box and instruction sheet.  (I'm planning on posting pictures of both in a different post at a later time.)

As a child I'm sure I wanted this set (what little girl doesn't dream about being a ballerina?) but as an adult, I think it's the least interesting of all the shops.  It is certainly cute, but it doesn't come with as many accessories or ways to interact with it as the other shop sets.

The Ballet Studio is probably the most common of the Precious Places shops and easiest to find with all its pieces.  However, I have noticed that the mirror is often scratched, even in sets that are otherwise intact, so that might be something to inquire about when purchasing this set online.

What do you think?  Is the Ballet Studio one of your favorite sets?  Did you have it as a child?  Please feel free to leave any questions, comments or further information about this set in the comments section of my post!

Introducing: Precious Places Market Square

I've just added a feature to my Precious Places Collector blog.  On the sidebar to the right you will notice the link to the new Precious Places Market Square.  This is a place for all of you other Precious Places collectors to post ads for sets or pieces that you have available for sale or trade.  Check back often so you can find the pieces you need for your collection.  And thanks to my reader Exousia for suggesting the page.  What a great idea!