What's With The Solids W/out Stones?

[luscious11@aol.com]

#123

HI EVERYONE!!!!

JUST TOOK A QUICK LOOK AT EBAY TO SEE WHAT SOLIDS WERE UP FOR AUCTION AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!!!!! /cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ /> /blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />

I AM , ONCE AGAIN, FLABBERGASTED!!!!! /tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ />

I WONDER IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR IT WITH INVISIBLE MONEY????? /tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ />

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW………………………..

I HAD TO COMMENT ON THIS ONE….COULDN'T RESIST! /wub.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wub.gif’ /> /rolleyes.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’rolleyes.gif’ />

PAMELA

[Petals]

#11271

Pamela no doubt you have read the postings under Prototype Rollercoaster.

Am very curious how the Harrods Palace got through the net. Now surely EL can have a trace on that (if they wanted) or am I being naieve?

One of our Collectors has asked me to explain Prototypes. Can anyone help or guide where to look on the site. Thanks!

[Michele]

#11272

To the best of my knowledge, a “Prototype” is simply a “pattern” or a “mold” of an item to be made. There is only ever one (1) prototype made of any given object. Prototypes are larger than the item being manufactured, as they are comprised of several layers of different materials (wood, plastic, rubber…plus lots of hardware) but when finally used as “molds,” they are exactly to scale. A “prototype” of just about anything can run from $15,000 on up. (One prototype for an “O” ring for the Space Shuttle cost $4,000,000…and it didn't work.) <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ />

Have to “edit” this to clarify something…once the “prototype” is complete and useable, all other items from that one prototype can cost anywhere from $.05 on up. In other words, your prototype is the most expensive part of the item to be manufactured. All others that follow are literally thousands of dollars cheaper.

So, given the above, I seriously doubt if what we are seeing are prototype's in their true form. These are either damaged solids that were tossed out, or unfinished ones that were grabbed before being completed. <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ />

I much prefer the finished product….

[Petals]

#11273

Thanks so much Michele. Truly informative and appreciated.

<img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[Michele]

#11274

You're very welcome, Jacky. This also explains why some of the solids appear to be “combinations” of more than one familiar solid. It's much less expensive to combine 2 pre-constructed prototypes to make one solid than to make a totally new prototype for a compact or solid. Saves literally hundreds of thousands of dollars. Remember, Estee Lauder is working with metals…much more expensive to develop than plastic.

That's it for now! Have to get to work…. <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />

[greyhound]

#11275

Maybe, the winner wants to have real diamonds instead of rhinestones -or- put different colored stones like purple. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

-OR- They can make it look like the original for less than retail. Hey, who am I kidding? I tried to bid on a sample (before I bought the Harrods Palace) and it went higher than it should have.

[mimi]

#11276

<img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

Thanks Michelle. I really appreciate your explaining this. I had no idea what all is involved.

Mimi

[Sandra]

#11277

I reckon an EL worker may have 'nicked' one of the unfinished solids . . . . ?

Is it always the same seller? Has anyone noticed? Is it one of the members here?? Come on, 'fess up!! <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[Lisa]

#11278

Not a member from this board, do note that this is a brand new seller to ebay with a vague location.
Also not that some of the solids say “mint condition” but are missing things, here is what I noticed:

the toy wagon large nicks on both wheels
cafe is missing sugar cube
teddy is missing enamel on sweater and scarf and the nose looks “off”
locomotive is missing the load of coal
lion cage is missing the lion!

Just want to point these things out in case of someone not noticing and then being suprised. <img src='style_emoticons//unsure.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’unsure.gif’ />

[Michele]

#11279

Lisa –

Now maybe I'm the one who needs new glasses, but from what I can see (or can't see), Teddy is also missing the date and “Harrod's” on his little paw. <img src='style_emoticons//unsure.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’unsure.gif’ />

Michele

Oh…none of the wheels on anything have rubber tires, either. Very unusual solids, to say the least!

MISSING THE LION??? I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE THAT!!! It should be called “Lion on the Loose!”

[Sandra]

#11280

Thanks “eagle eyes”, Lisa and Michele for pointing those things out . . . not that I am buying solids off Ebay anymore . . . . still, I occassionally look and see what's happening just to keep up to date!

Can't believe what's happening out there!! Am shocked at the gall of some people!

[Michele]

#11281

Sandra – I need some rest….zzzzzzzzz….anyway, by now NOTHING should shock you. We can only hope they get some stones in their gall. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

Now really…'nite all….

Michele

[Petals]

#11282

Have just been looking at the description of the Harrods Teddy Bear on Ebay.

My question is, how can they describe it as being in excellent condition when it is obviously lacking the enamel and colouring etc.

Isn't that considered mis-representation and fraudulent?

Someone who has not seen the finished solids will be buying these under false pretences?!

[Sandra]

#11283

Ha, yeah Jacky! <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />

I think the term “excellent” condition is becoming like the MIB thing – excessive overuse . . . . <!–emo&<_<img src='style_emoticons//dry.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’dry.gif’ />

One could take it as meaning the solid doesn't have a scratch on it, yet is incomplete or with the MIB thing, the perfume is discoloured (but it is untouched!!) . . . . <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />

Argh!! They're all shonksters. I've given up with them all. Haven't bought a solid for months!! Don't own or want any of the 2004 to date and only have a couple of the 2003. The best ones are pre 2002, I think.

Bah Humbug!! <img src='style_emoticons//mad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’mad.gif’ /> (That's my mood when I think about all this . . . it makes me cranky! I think I'll collect stamps instead!!)

[Petals]

#11284

Well Sandra, I am sure when you buy from this site MIB, it will be just that, MIB!

So forget the cranks and the stamps and on this site trust the Yanks! (and the rest of us) as we do unto you….Amen!

Seriously Sandra, I have not bought from Ebay. I have found everything here and in Antiques Markets. So Ebay's loss is our gain! Thank Lisa and Jack for that!

[Author]

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