Let me first apologize - I'm quite new to the forum, and I am sure this has been addressed in the past!

But I wanted to ask the group here - so, if I've bought an item (say a module) that's in shrink, should I open it?

I'm thinking the answer is "yes", since it seems pretty clear that there is nothing intrinsically special or "mint" about
an item being in shrink. But wanted to get some sense from the experienced population on this forum.

Thanks in advance. And if I've blown-it, and there's an existing/past thread called "shrink-wrap for idiots", please just
direct me there...

- bc72

ExTSR wrote in Shrink-wrap/sealed items:It's worth about 10 times as much if you don't break the shrink.

Thanks for the response!

It certainly seems to me that in auctions, "in shrink" gets, as you say, a ~lot~ more.

But all the commentary here suggests that this is artificial or incorrect? I.e., that because most
anyone can re-wrap items, the "in shrink" may not mean that much?

I dunno - I feel a bit lost on this. Not that it's keeping me up at night - just love to hear the
community thoughts!

- bc72

Old shrinkwrap is often brittle, like it's settled into whatever shape it's been placed on. It is shiny & has an audible, crinkly quality. I'm not sure how much of this is from age, or from the differing composition of old shrink vs. new shrink, but I suspect the former. That is, I don't specifically have memories of stiff or crinkly shrinkwrap in the '70s or '80s, but the game table in those days was pretty wild & there was a lot going on in society. They say that if you remember the '80s, you weren't there. Or maybe I'm remembering the '60s. Or maybe someone describing the '60s, since I wasn't there. I do however own a '60s copy of Diplomacy with remaining bits of shrinkwrap, & it's real crinkly. Those must have been wild times...

If you have questions about a specific item, you could always post photos here and get some opinions. Of course, that will probably mean some people say, "yes, it appears original," and others will say, "looks like aftermarket shrink to me," and you won't necessarily have any more clarity.

I should say that my comment relates to olden TSR D&D stuff only.
A 1990s 2e item is worth only slightly more in shrink. A 1970s D&D item is 10-20x. A non-D&D item (say, MSH) may be only 2x. And a non-TSR item, often 1.1-2x.

The only time I gave in to the shrink-wrap hype was a sealed Moldvay/Cook Expert box set procured on eBay, that I still have to this day.

I read at the time that the way to tell "original TSR shrink wrap" was to look for a horizontal seam on the rear of the set, which my set has.

ExTSR wrote in Shrink-wrap/sealed items:A 1990s 2e item is worth only slightly more in shrink. A 1970s D&D item is 10-20x. A non-D&D item (say, MSH) may be only 2x. And a non-TSR item, often 1.1-2x.

'Super Mario 64' Breaks Video Game Auction Record With $1.56 Million - Rolling Stone

With sealed video games going for $870,000 & $1.56 million within the last couple of days, the shrink factor is rising.

bc72 wrote in Shrink-wrap/sealed items:Thanks for the response!

It certainly seems to me that in auctions, "in shrink" gets, as you say, a ~lot~ more.

But all the commentary here suggests that this is artificial or incorrect? I.e., that because most
anyone can re-wrap items, the "in shrink" may not mean that much?

I dunno - I feel a bit lost on this. Not that it's keeping me up at night - just love to hear the
community thoughts!

- bc72

Here's how to know whether or not shrinkwrap is adds value:

** expired/removed eBay auction **

"You can find the SHRINKIES with this"

Sir Kill Alot wrote in Shrink-wrap/sealed items:"Shrinkage" is something that happens in a cold pool right?  

-SKA

They don’t know about that??