An idea that might make me very unpopular . . .

[Yuixe]

it's hard to tell from the picture, but... did they give her a transparent orange horn? ;;

I think it's just painted like that. XD

 

[TwilightStarshine]

wingers

re: wingers

Yes, I have a beautiful bald TAF Yum Yum who is waiting for a professional rerooting job. I want to reroot her as professional as possible, but first I need to practise. It is my dream to reroot her with red hair instead of the regular pink.

There are also couple of unicorns, but 9 in 10 ponies is a common earthling like Peachy, Lemondrop, Applejack, Lickety Split and Cherries Jubilee- all non-So Soft, btw. I do have some slight variations in this herd though, and even a couple of other rares.

 

[Pink Sunsparkle]

I kinda see what you mean. :? Though some people restore bait G1s. And when I get a baity G1, if I don't have her/him, I try to restore them to make them look nice again.

 

[Far Dreamer]

A quick note: I would prefer it if people don't include images of other people's customs within this debate. I'm afraid that this might come too close to "bashing" a customizer. There's no gurantee that a customizer might not see their pony up as an example of a bad custom and get their feelings hurt. If you want to post images of your own customs I have no issue with that. Just know that images of other peoples customs will not be put onto my site once I get it up.

That's an interesting point about the G3's, I see so many around that I thought they were all very common. I also agree about customizing hopeless ponies, I think my issue is more with the fact that everyone has different opinions of what hopeless means. Also, my goal is not to set up a site where people will be selling restored ponies. I would like to do more of a swap, where you can "adpot" a baity or common pony from someone who doesn't need her. I think it will probably include a small fee, shipping for sure, and the seller can charge what they paid for the pony, and if they've done any work on it that expense also. I haven't fully made up my mind about this yet.

I'm thinking of calling this "The Great Bait Debate".

- Far Dreamer

 

[diet otaku]

That's an interesting point about the G3's, I see so many around that I thought they were all very common.

some are, but not all. it depends on when they were released, how they were packed in a case, and whether they're a reissue or not. reissues (especially the ones up to III and IV, like sunny daze) are much safer to customize than a brand new character, and some (like fluttershy III) are not only a reissue but also came packed 3-to-1 with a new pony - so everyone buys up the new pony leaving PIIIIIILES of fluttershy III around. but exclusives (like the first winters, and snippity snap) tend to be much rarer.

I'm thinking of calling this "The Great Bait Debate".

LOL! i like that!

 

[Angelberries]

This is all very fine and well, but its been up to 20 years since these ponies were released, and the rate they are succumbing to cancer, regind, and other pony 'diseases' it won't be long until they have all disintrigated into nothing and *nobody* will have any G1 ponies.

I think ponies should be customized. People can and will make money from turning a crappy bait into a work of art, and nothing will stop them. Its 'their' pony. If someone wanted to open up a MOC Mimic and chop her into tiny pieces then thats their perogative, and no-one could stop them. Sure, they just would have wasted a lot of money.... but heck, some have money to burn.

 

[nickeline]

This is all very fine and well, but its been up to 20 years since these ponies were released, and the rate they are succumbing to cancer, regind, and other pony 'diseases' it won't be long until they have all disintrigated into nothing and *nobody* will have any G1 ponies.

I think that is an EXCELLENT point.

Also, I really enjoy customs, especially G1 ones. I think you have to remember that we do not all have the same goal of collecting every pony that was ever produced. I have never had that goal, and since it's not a priority for me, I am FAR more interested in seeing customs than having people hold off customizing g1s so that potential future collectors who don't even exist yet (and may never exist given the rate at which g3 popularity is growing at the expense of g1s) might have the chance to collect certain g1s.

So I would probably strongly support the opposite campaign-- customize as much as you want! I'm more interested in creativity than an abstract notion that we're saving ponies for potential future collectors.

Anyway, I'll finish off this post with a pic of my first G1 custom ever from a few years ago, "Tatts" (can you guess who she used to be?):

N.

 

[DazzleSurprise]

I have mixed feelings on this. Yes, it's the person's right to do what they want with their ponies. But, if people keep customizing and take MOC ponies out of the box, it means there are little left for new collectors. One nice thing it does is increase the value of the originals, I suppose.

If a pony is really, really gross and unfixeable, I say customize it. My standards for picking a custom bait pony are pretty high. What some people feel is custom bait, I feel is a good pony.

 

[adrilahan]

I love the original G1s... but I also don't want a bunch of hate mail from readers getting the wrong idea from your 'stop the customising' campaign. I have only customised two G2s, both common. I prefer customising G3s, because I like their shape more, but occasionally, a baity G1 or G2 begs me to customise her or restore her.

I've rescued 1 G1, an ex-So Soft Paradise with so little flocking on her she looked like a NSS, and finished off her deflock, now she looks resplendant and beautiful in my herd. I'm in the process of restoring Chief. He was stained, and had a hair cut mane and tail, now the stains are gone, I'm just working on getting a colour match for his hair. Likewise, I have two more G1s, one a deflocked Twist, the other a Rocket with no mane or tail and a faded body. I'm also in the process of restoring them, as well, though this is taking a little longer.

If I hadn't learned how to customise, I would not be capable of restoring old G1s. Just something to think about for all you people who feel customising is wrong. While yes, we customise, we can also restore, and that's something I try to do with the G1s, where posisble.

 

[mlpMerriweather]

I love your idea, but I don't think many people will agree to it. Most collectors sell off extras to the highest bidder, not the best home, and customizers good enough to restore G1s will not do it cheap. But I sincerely wish you all the luck in the world. I hope it works out.

(One thing that might work is starting a site where people could list half-finished or messed up customs for sale to be re-customized. More people would probably be open to that.)

 

[Far Dreamer]

Thanks everyone! I've got a ton of feedback here to work with, everyone has such neat suggestions! I really like the idea of running a pony rescue and adoption center. I also like the suggestion of having a place where messed up or partially finished customs can be posted. I think that "Stop the Customizing" is probably too strong of wording as even I don't necessarily think all customizing should be stopped. And I certainly have no desire to preach at anyone what they should or shouldn't customize, it's your pony after all. I think I will have a "Great Bait Debate" section where, unless you ask otherwise, I will post these message streams and will put up new opinions on the issue that I recieve. I would like this to be a little educational, how does everyone choose what or what not to customize? I'm on the fence about posting tips on fixing up ponies, there are tons of websites out there on this topic. I would like this to lean more on the educational side of how does everyone decide what they will or will not customize? And if you don't do it at all, why not? Maybe this could help those who are unsure of what to do decide what they think is best based on the advise of other collectors. I'm willing to post images of your own customs, and images of other customs, ONLY with the customizers permission. I really don't want any feelings getting hurt here, but I realize that someone might want to refer to a specific customizing instance to back up their opinions.

I definitely want to include a place where people can post ponies that they don't need, but don't want to go to customizers either (You just don't know WHAT happens to them once you put them up on Ebay). This would be an honor based site, I'm not going to try to guarantee what someone does after they buy a pony. I also think that this should be more of an adoption site where those posting aren't out to make money as much as they just need to give their duplicates homes. I think the rules would be that you can charge for shipping and what you paid for the pony. I would have each seller decide on their own personal rules, if you don't want your ponies to ever go to a customizer, then this is your place to say so. If at times you make exceptions, then this is your place to say so too.

I'm willing to consider a spot on the site where those of us who don't really like customizing can post ponies that we see as hopeless, that we are willing to give to customizers. I come across these very rarely, but for the really bad ones I do agree that if you can give them a new lease on life then it's better than letting them sit there and rot in their own pony cancer. This again, would be a non-profit based thing where the buyer basically just pays for shipping. However, this would not be the main point to the site, the main point would be the adoption aspect, and giving a home to those collectors who are either looking for homeless ponies, want to collect all ponies and don't care about a ponies condition, are out to gather all of the homeless ponies, are looking for inexpensive ponies, or are trying to insure that the ponies they sell don't get customized. (Similar goals, yet different) This would also give anyone who doesn't ever want a pony to be customized a chance to scoop them all up if they so choose.

And please let me stress: There are certain things in life that I believe are right or wrong, issues on which people should make a stand: Abortion, War, Religion, etc. But ponies are not one of these! I personally don't like customizing and don't do it myself. However, I don't think you're doing some morally wrong thing if you choose to customize. My goal is not to try to create fights between collectors or to hurt peoples feelings (and for pity sake not my own either, PLEASE don't send me hate mail). We all love My Little Ponies, and I want us all to be friends. If I ever get to live my dream of going to the pony meets I'm certainly not going to start lecturing customizers on why they shouldn't do it, and I don't want lectures on why I shouldn't disagree with the practice. I simply want to meet everyone, trade, sell, buy, and enjoy getting to know you. There are lots of customizing sites out there, I'm just providing a site that gives a different option.

Don't anyone be expecting anything for a few months, I'm still unpacking after getting married and working on my pony room, plus my ponies are all 14 hours away. I certainly do have TONS of great ideas now thanks to all of you! I'll keep checking everyone's posts, so again please let me know if you don't want me to put what you've said up on the site.

Thanks!

- Far Dreamer

 

[Desert_Rose]

There are lots of customizing sites out there, I'm just providing a site that gives a different option.

And I think that is a very good thing to do Even though I don't completely agree with not customizing I have always been fore the freedome of choise And your site could be that other choise for people who don't feel like me or any of our great customizers

 

[malinky]

Preserving Ponies for Posterity??

lol

Im sure I came across a site a number of years ago that attempted to do one of the things you are suggesting - it had ponies categorised by levels of 'baitieness' something like the pony hospital or infirmary or something? I found it on a webring... hmmm let me see..
cant seem to find it but I did find this Munchy's My Little Pony Sanctuary which may be the site I found but it looks a bit abandoned these days. Anyway, the idea was to put people in contact who wanted ponies for parts - tailes, horns, legs, heads etc in order to preserve other ponies from being 'slaughtered'. It wasn't much of a success as I can no longer find it and have never heard anyone here mention it (i have been lurking since 2000). Just so you know!!

 

[Bryndel]

Heh... well, being as I only have a very small "herd" right now, even though I want to customize I haven't yet run across one in awful enough condition to do so. I've got a Sky Flier I'm attempting to clean up and restore a little, in fact, 'cause even with her ground in dirt she's got such pretty glitter I cannot, will not murder her for customizing. X 0-D So I'm just going to clean her up as best I can (got most of the dirt off now! just those poor legs...) and touch up her face. It'd be cool to see a community willing to do similar "pony help."
Additionally, I'm never entirely sure which ponies are or aren't too rare, heh o.o;

I think the site's a unique and nice idea ^^ And cheap ponies are always good, lol... It's always nice to see multiple sides represented, and you seem to have thought this through. Besides which it's good to see that some people DO restore rather than customize G1's, too.

 

[WingedFantasy]

Since Im currently writing something up on Customtopia about Bait I think this is a great time for me to jump in. I'm looking at this more from the side of Bait being bait or not.
In other words I have in many many cases bought lots of ponies that were labeled as Bait as many others here have stated, only to find that a good number of them were most definatly NOT bait.

So while I think that saying NO G1 should be customized is definatly going to fall on deaf ears. Perhaps going along the lines of educating people more on what is really bait.

Im putting up a list of ponies that should really never be customized along with info on what bait is in general. The old site had a kind of simple description of this but the new one Im going into much more detail.

I have a mimic that I'm restoring. Obviously because shes Mimic shes worth the restore. If it was say Parasol she really would have been better off as bait.

Just my two or three cents

 

[Bryndel]

Im putting up a list of ponies that should really never be customized along with info on what bait is in general.

*hurrah* That'd be really helpful for us newbs, for sure! : 0-D My thought on whoever customized the Mimic was that maybe she didn't know what she had.? Who knows. It'd help avoid situations like that in the future, though.
Be sure to post links when you've got it up, please? : 0-) (Far Dreamer as well, of course, whether or not you were thinking of a similar list... it'd be even better to have a few to cross-check ; 0-) )

Along similar lines, I guess... (maybe it should be another topic/poll? o.o; ) what are people's thought on restoring? Not just on whether you'd do it, but on whether it'd bother you to have a pony that was restored (and to what extent). I know I'd be all for it : 0-)

 

[Slj84]

Isn't it

Isn't it funny that there are always two extremes? Some people list ponies that just need a good bath and hair styled as baits while others try to pass a pony who is covered with smooze, dirt, has a mowhawk and major symbol and eye rubs as mint and near mint.

I am also among the many who has bought lots off ebay marked "baits" only to have maybe 5 out of 20 ponies that really were. My friend and I went together last year and won a huge huge lot off ebay (I can't remember what we paid, it was alot though, but we got a ton of ponies too), and a few people told me I overpaid for a bunch of baits.

Turns out of the lot of (I want to say over 200 ) about 20-30 of them were true baits (which I ebayed off since I have tried customs and they usually turn out horribly). One of them was a lavendar woosie who had a really bad hair cut and her tail did not work, the rest of her was beautiful! I bought a baity regular woosie with great hair and working tail and very slowly and carefully restored her.

I did sell her on ebay beause she was the most valuable pony in the lot and my friend and I did not feel it fair for either of us to get her when we both wanted her. I made sure to clearly mark her as re-rooted and the new owner was very pleased with her.

I think you making a site where people can trade ponies that they don't think are true baits and not worthy of customization just yet to someone who may not be as picky of a collector and love the pony just as much as a minty one.

I know when I was still collecting G1's (money is too tight for me to collect them anymore) I always played the odds and bought the ponies that were dirty and nasty looking to help keep cost down, and I would say 90% of the time those ponies cleaned up wonderfully.

Slj84

 

[Merry Treats]

Re:

Nobody is going to CUSTOMIZE a baity Mimic. No no no. They'll sell her, because SO many people want to get her, they'll buy a chewed up one. Because it's HER.

Hmmm.. I must beg to differ.

LOL

She looks great Yuixe

WHAT IS THAT

 

[Beanie]

This is all very fine and well, but its been up to 20 years since these ponies were released, and the rate they are succumbing to cancer, regind, and other pony 'diseases' it won't be long until they have all disintrigated into nothing and *nobody* will have any G1 ponies.

I wanted to say something to this effect early on in this post but couldn't quite formulate the words - instead, I shall just agree 100% with Angelberries because I think she said it wonderfully. =>

I also have to agree that people can do whatever they want with their own property. At the end of the day, it's still a plastic pony, and it's not harming myself or anybody else. (Unless they burned a bunch of ponies and killed themselves or someone else from the fumes. That's different.)


Also, I think the idea of putting up a sell & trade site so people can, in effect, hoard ponies and "keep them away from customizers" is kind of... um. Ick. I can understand the idea of wanting people not to customize so everybody can enjoy ponies in the future, but to then specifically support excluding people from obtaining ponies is a little counter productive to 'everybody enjoying ponies.' It comes off as "I want everybody to enjoy ponies... but only on my terms!"
I'm not trying to start a fight and I hope you don't see that as attacking you or anything, I'm just a little put out by that. Sorry.