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Selling special edition Power Rangers toys is a painful experience.

Sometimes I wish I was 'just' a collector.  Then I would be able to relish carefully cutting the tape which seals the box and then gently opening the box ~ WOW!  The first whiff of fresh polythene and plastic hits your nostrils as you ease the snow white polystyrene packing out of the box.  The box cavitates slightly as the close fitting poly packing fits so snugly in its crisp outer container.

You try not to look at the contents before you have very carefully placed the empty box to one side.  Now, the moment of revelation!  You gaze at the gleaming, pristine, untouched, jet BLACK Special Edition Power Ranger Megazord nestling in its individually sculpted compartments. Your view is partly obscured by the sealed polythene bag containing gleaming gold stickers and freshly creased white instructions sheet!  You peel back the tape holding one side of the bag and fold it back to reveal all the megazord pieces concealed behind it.

Steady yourself and just take in the view!  After a few minutes of quiet contemplation you reach for the first piece.  The polystyrene resists and you have to tug a little to ease the precious black cargo from its white cocoon.  It's delivered into your hands but there is still a barrier between you and your goal ~ each piece is protected inside its own polythene bag and sealed with one small piece of tape.  Ease off the tape - careful not to snag the bag - and at last the first piece of your Special Edition BLACK Megazord is in your hands!  Repeat the process s-l-o-w-l-y until you have freed all the pieces.

Decision time:  To assemble the megazord in all its nakedness or to embellish it with the gleaming gold stickers prior to assembly?  What if it doesn't show off at its best without the stickers?  But applying the stickers will take so long!  Then, again, if you assemble it first the fine grease from your fingers may compromise the adhesion of the stickers!

Some time later, after applying all the stickers with the minutest attention to detail - tweezers in hand - the moment has finally arrived when assembly can begin.  Each piece c-l-i-c-k-s perfectly into place.  Pause a while between each item to review progress and to admire your creation.  Then the final piece, your hands are starting to shake!

You set the megazord's jaws slightly open and its weapons at the ready, menacing.  There it sits, softly-glowing jet black plastic and contrasting metallic gold stickers . . . . . you sit and stare, emotionally drained, yet thrilled!

I can only dream of such exquisite pleasures.  I am the guardian of the sealed tape, the unapplied sticker, the never opened box.  I am a re-seller, and I am sad!

The-Dragon-Talisman