Grab Bag Commentary for First Time Buyers

[Thestarwarskid1997]

Where can I get access to the list of most common hilts received for grab bag orders? I just ordered 4 grab bags and wonder what the odds are of getting sabers slightly better than the basic cheaper hilts.

[Grey Owl]

Right now? Not good. A lot of the better hilts are out of stock right now.

[Stone37]

Right now? Not good. A lot of the better hilts are out of stock right now.

And as a potential customer thinking about buying his first Saber, it's causing further hesitation on my part.  I don't want to settle and I don't want to wait 5 months for my purchase.

[Karmack]

Where can I get access to the list of most common hilts received for grab bag orders? I just ordered 4 grab bags and wonder what the odds are of getting sabers slightly better than the basic cheaper hilts.

Normally I'd say you have about a 1/10 chance of getting something other than an Apprentice or Initiate variant.  On the up-side, a lot of the Apprentice and Initiates that go out are LEs, and nearly all are V4s, so they're very NICE ones.  :-) 

I've ordered three grab bags in the last three years.  One was an Aeon V2 LE in GB that came with a covertec wheel installed.  One was a Liberator V3 in Violet Amethyst.  The last (and most recent) was a Dark Apprentice V4 LE in CG.

Now, the odds of landing something like a Guardian or Scorpion?  Very very low.  But something like an Aeon or Dominix?  Pretty good.

[scifidude79]

Grab bags are a lot of fun, just don't expect a $200 lightsaber for $70 (including a blade.)  Does it happen?  Sure, I've seen pics of some people who have gotten really expensive sabers in grab bags.  However, if you look at the topic where people post pics of their grab bags, you'll see a lot of Aeons, Dominixes, Sentinels, Initiates, Apprentices, etc.  So, you have to be prepared for that possibility.  Honestly, if you're hoping for a specific hilt, you're probably better off just ordering it.  $70 or less will get you a number of the sabers people pull out of grab bags.

I got an Initiate LE V4 in my first grab bag.  It has windows and a silver AV switch.  Since I got a 36-inch heavy grade blade with it, I would have paid over $100 for that hilt if I'd bought it.  I consider myself lucky because I've seen pics and videos where people have gotten standard Aeon/Dominix and Sentinel style hilts without any options that would make them any more expensive than the grab bag.  Does that mean I personally think grab bags are a bad deal?  Not at all.  My second one is on order, waiting for the raffle winners to be decided before the order it's in ships because I'm in the raffle.  Though, I also have a saber I picked out in that order.

[Sparky_D]

My Sentinel V4 (no window in Consular Green) came with the silver AV switch as well. Not at all displeased with the result of my random grab bag.
So much so that I added another completely random grab bag (but with a heavy ultraedge blade) to my last order.

[scifidude79]

I went a bit less cheap with my current grab bag and ordered a Consular Green LED and a covertec wheel.  As with my first one, I ordered a heavy grade blade.  All said, it was $89.  It will be fun to see what they send me. 

[ithekro]

And as a potential customer thinking about buying his first Saber, it's causing further hesitation on my part.  I don't want to settle and I don't want to wait 5 months for my purchase.

For a grab bag you will likely get it within two weeks, assuming nothing is going weird with Ultrasaber or the mail services.

A Prophecy on the other hand might take a while depending on what they have manufacturing right now.  I have one on order since the 29th of May and I don't expect to see it soon as it was on backorder.

I have noticed that nearly all the v3 hilts are out of stock at present.

[zuka213]

And as a potential customer thinking about buying his first Saber, it's causing further hesitation on my part.  I don't want to settle and I don't want to wait 5 months for my purchase.

But don't you see, A grab bag IS settling!
Get the saber your heart desires most!

[Stone37]

But don't you see, A grab bag IS settling!
Get the saber your heart desires most!

And I agree!  I don't think a grab bag is right for me.  I want to pick out my own saber.  Currently, everything I really like is on back order.  I think I'm just going to hang tight and see what they release next.  I want something that looks like it came from Star Wars.  I love the Prophesy and hope they are working on a just as affordable V4.

[Sparky_D]

I couldn't decide on what I wanted at first, so I chose a Grab Bag for my first saber, just to get a feel for US and the product.

5 days later (along with a very profitable eBay selling run  ), I decided to specify a saber with sound. I chose a Dominex V4 with windows and Obsidian Lite. Very happy and now I have two sabers so I can duel with someone who doesn't yet own one.

Pretty sure my next Saber order will be a Scorpion or Consular with Obsidian V4 sound. Or maybe the Manticore... or the Malice, or a Guardian, or a Menace, or a Dark Mantis, or.....

(wow, I need help...  )

[scifidude79]

I couldn't decide on what I wanted at first, so I chose a Grab Bag for my first saber, just to get a feel for US and the product.

Same here.  Getting that first one prompted me to order a Sentinel a week later. 

That's how I view grab bags:  They're a great way to test the product without spending a lot of money.  You can get a saber that lights up and has a blade for less than other shops (that shall remain nameless, as per forum rules) charge for just a hilt with no electronics.  That's a heck of a deal.  After you've ordered one and seen how awesome Ultra Sabers are, it's time to get what you really want, unless you're lucky enough to pull it out of the grab bag on your first try. 

Aside from that, grab bags are a great way to get an inexpensive "bonus" in your order, or a gift for someone.  I may eventually give my first order to one of my friends.  It's a great saber and all, but blazing red isn't really my color as far as blades go.

[BadRuter]

I'm not sure if its because i made note of what i ordered last time while also ordering a spear conversion but suprisingly both of my sabers were in my dark color scheme one was even a Dark Apprentice V4 le (in Consular green random) to match my dominix v4 le (Emerald) and the other was a Dominix V2. with an unusal blue av switch. (in guardian blue random) i was hoping to get a modular hilt but wasn't expecting it to be one on my wish list.  Now i can practice double saber, and spar with my friends. either extremely ironic or someone was nice to consider me ^_^ thanks

[Deep]

Guys, I'm going to re-iterate what is made clear in the original posting here and has been made clear many times over the years on these forums.  Grab Bags are completely RANDOM.  They can be any hilt in any condition.  Sometimes they are new.  Sometimes they are used.  Sometimes they are higher in value.  Sometimes they are lower in value.

There are NO EXPECTATIONS to be met or that we look to meet when fulfilling a Grab Bag order other than it being a fully functional Ultrasaber.  That is it.  Period.

I highly advise that if you have any expectations whatsoever you take the time to pick the hilt model that will meet those expectations instead of playing the saber lottery.

When I listed the Grab Bag on the website years ago I never expected it to be this popular.  I didn't even expect to keep it listed this long.  But it has taken a life of its on.  And that's fine.  But keep in mind exactly WHAT a Grab Bag is when making a purchase.  Don't set yourself up to be disappointed if there are any expectations.  Just take the time to pick out your hilt model.  

[Force Metal]

The choice of hilts is incredible, some I love, some not so much but I'm fine with a grab bag first time round. No expectations here, just excited to finally be part of the US family.