How reliable are the colors from a Pantone 2004 Swatch Book

[macaddict23]

I'm looking into buying a set for myself. I was wondering if buying used is a good idea. Do the colors really fade significantly over time? I'm currently watching this item on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pantone-Survival-Kit-set-of-6-Swatch-Books_W0QQitemZ170297142069QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item170297142069&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

What's a reasonable offer for this item? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250341486941&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm38.l1313%26_nkw%3D250341486941%26_s acat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1

[covisio]

If they're little used and have been kept zippered up then they should be okay (at least, they will be vastly better than those kept by the majority of printers!).
It's worth noting though that Pantone do change their formulas over time due to technology and material developments, however as a general rule I would say they are probably okay. I am using exactly the same set which I got in 2005.
That second set sounds a bit expensive to me. Try some of the major online graphic equipment suppliers.
Pantone are trying to flog a new wider set called 'Goe'. I don't know how many printers are up to speed on that though.

[AlexisV]

2004 is fine colour wise.

They don't need replacing every year - Pantone would just prefer you hand over more money. You can get a decade out of them easy.

[rt_brained]

2004 is fine colour wise.

They don't need replacing every year - Pantone would just prefer you hand over more money. You can get a decade out of them easy.

Agreed. The biggest advantage of keeping current with your swatch books or fan guides is gaining the new colors Pantone releases as color trends migrate.

[covisio]

2004 is fine colour wise.

They don't need replacing every year - Pantone would just prefer you hand over more money. You can get a decade out of them easy.

I would qualify that by saying that in a very heavy-use environment they do 'wear', i.e. the colour gets scuffed and dirty. I have seen very dog-eared Pantone books being used and they really shouldn't be.

[a cat *miaow*]

As long as they haven't been on a sunny window ledge 2004 will be fine. There will no doubt be a slight difference but even if it's a little out you can't really beat having a swatch book