Does anyone else just not care anymore?

[davieanix]

This might be a silly topic to post, especially because if you are here on this forum, you are obviously a Transfan. But ever since Dark of the Moon hit, I have really lost my passion for Transformers. Like, in every way, but mostly with collecting.

Even going into like a K-Mart or something, and heading into the toy section, it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Nothing even moves off the shelves either. I remember the rush of finding all the new waves of figures for ROTF, and they were always getting restocked, etc. But DOTM? Not even close! That's why I'm asking I guess, does anyone else feel the same? Has some of the spark gone?

Personally, I'm pretty sure I am done (I'll probably even sell most of my stuff), but does anyone else feel similar, to a degree?

[Arcee]

Definitely NOT me. I jumped onto this forum and flung myself (together with my savings) into the bottomless abyss of TF collection right after DOTM.

That said, I'm done with the movie collection for sure. Now I'm all about classics.

[Decepticon]

Funny enough, Ive been thinking about my loss of passion for TFs of late. I think its a temporary thing as Ive bought heaps of TFs in the past few months and just need a break. Plus I cant fit a single TF in my display cabinet now so the 300ish Autobots and Decepticons that are packed in like sardines in a can have no room to spread their bits:)

[KillinSpoon]

I think it's more to do with the fact that the DOTM toy line is just crap.
I'm digging the FP Insecticons and TFC Hercules right now and nothing else lives up to that standard.

I think the whole generations line may have added to this, seeing as we had toys with a good aesthetic and brilliance on our shelves suddenly appear out of nowhere and now we're back to the bayformer junk.

[Paulbot]

It's not silly. People go through these sorts of phases very often. Sometimes they leave, sometimes they find a new passion.

The shelfwarming DOTM figures do make the toy hunt less interesting, which I think is partly responsible for the huge interest in the Kre-o toys.

Maybe think about waiting until the Prime figures or the next Generations type line appears and see if the spark comes back?

[Bartrim]

I think it's more to do with the fact that the DOTM toy line is just crap.
I'm digging the FP Insecticons and TFC Hercules right now and nothing else lives up to that standard.

I think the whole generations line may have added to this, seeing as we had toys with a good aesthetic and brilliance on our shelves suddenly appear out of nowhere and now we're back to the bayformer junk.

I think this is true. I really enjoyed DOTM but the toy line really sucked the enthusiasm out of me. I'm hoping when classics resurfaces under whatever name the flame will be reignited.

[liegeprime]

aaah the case of Tf fan collection disillusion. Ive gone through such highs and lows myself over the years of collecting TFs - happened when Beast wars came out, happened when Armada was the prevalent line, happened when Ive completed G1 and it's happening now that DOTM ugly toys are the ones in the market. But with each hiatusesessess:p.... Ive learned ways of dealing with such disillusionment than sell off my collection (not that I have done that in the past), or stop collecting entirely. Ive also looked now on the positive side and focus on that, than dwell on feeling dejected.

Now, Ive looked at each stop in the TF collecting as like taking a breath after a plunge. Im not recommending these "techniques" if you will, just stating what I've put my mind into now...

Firstly, I welcome the break for my wallet :D, nuff said

Secondly, it's given me time to look at the figures Ive got closely and play with them more, discover each figure more and believe me, even after years of having these figures you find little gimmicks and parts you overlook the first times you got the figure and find such little quips very amusing:p rather... refreshing. It's like easter eggs Ive missed - e.g. for years now I didnt know that G1 swoop can extend it's forearms, Ive always, always, just pulled the arms out when transforming it in bot mode, and then just 3 days ago I saw a pic of it and noted the longer arms so I played with my Swoop and true enough he's got longer arms after all :p....makes me appreciate more the figures Ive invested in ;)

Thirdly, since Im feeling kinda low an sick about the current figures now (I think most of DOTM figs are butt ugly) so I concentrate instead on getting figures from other lines which Ive put off getting (G1 reissues - encore - backup figs mostly, minicons, e-hobby stuff) or other toylines altogether - e.g. DCUC;) - it does pay to have other toy collection or if Im really out of monies coz I tend to buy other stuff than toys (furniture and stuff for the house) I ...

Rearrange/clean the collection room/shelves which feeds #2 more and in a way gives me my excitement back about the line, Transformers in general, okay mostly G1s and the modern counterpart (Classicverse basically)... Ive taken some shots as well and post it in the picture taking related threads here and facebook.

So there it is... so to answer the question - yes, at the moment I just dont care anymore... for now. BUT, to completely not care about TF's nuh uh..... it's ok to loose the mojo to collect from time to time, keep em in the cabinet and it may take months or years but hey, it'll come back one way or another , be it just getting one figure out, or an entire shelf. Once a collector I say, always a collector :) Don't loose heart davieanix. just take this opportunity to relax and do other stuff:D

[Quickstrike]

Nah, I think Transformers are pretty cool. There's not a lot of stuff out on the shelves at the moment that interests me but that's not going to make me suddenly hate everything I already own.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I love Tramsformers. Always have and always will. So I do care. But the thrill of the hunt has gone. In recent years I've done more online shopping then store shopping and it has taken some of the fun out of it. With the decline in new stock arriving on the shelves getting worse over time I find it a waste of time to even go shopping.

I first lost the spark halfway through Cybertron. I didn't even look at what was on the shelves so when I came back to collecting it was a whole rediscovery. Also packing them all away in boxes then revisiting them some time later is another way to put the spark back into them.

[Jay-Tron]

I focus on the G1 reissues and Classics/Generations lines so I don't buy too many Transformers throughout the year. I just check occassionally online for the reissues and have a bit of fun when the new line of Classics/Generations comes out.

So for me, I go through lots of periods where Transformers is not at the top of my interest levels, but, they're always in the back of my mind and I know as soon as a new bunch of toys comes out my interest will be back up and I'll be checking out which new toys I'll get.

I've loved Transformers for the past 25 years and been re-collecting for the past 7 years so when the interest fades a bit I know it won't be too long before it's back again :)

[GoktimusPrime]

I've never ever lost interest in Transformers. I started collecting Transformers in 1984 and I haven't stopped since. Sure, there were times when my collecting reached low points - particularly during G2 and in 2002... but it didn't mean that I lost interest in Transformers. It just meant that my collecting slowed down.

But for me, being a Transfan isn't just about constantly buying new toys, it's also about playing and enjoying with the toys I have and not just "I'm done with you now," then shelving the older toys away and waiting for new ones to rock along. I know that getting new toys is really exciting and all, but so is enjoying what I have. :)

For the past 27 years I've never stopped caring about Transformers, and I don't intend to start any time soon!

[SkyWarp91]

At first I loved collecting and I still do, but it's getting to the point where I'm running out of room and spending is just getting ridiculous. I too might start selling off some of the TFs I don't want in my collection.

[kristofferrer]

I think most of DOTM figs are butt ugly

to call the DOTM butt ugly would be a compliment to toys. I never cared much for the toys. I try and keep my collection relevant to my experiences (i.e i only collect, the classics and animated (and bit of titanium).

I think Transformers Prime is doing a great job with story and animation (i'm not sure if i'll collect the toys (but then again i'm always a late bloomer). I'd recommend you check it out as it might "spark" things up again.

I dont think the fandom is constrained to collecting ... The hobby is equally as fun when you watch the series, Draw, read etc ... :)
So in short. DOTM and movie line is OUT! Transformers all together? ... i still love it.

[Paul Agnew]

Never really lost my passion for Transformers overall (aside from the odd sidestep into other franchises involving yellow electric mice, golden-haired monkeys, and buildable bionics, most of the above occuring only when Beast Machines was around. Go fig.), but I really would appreciate going to a store and finding a DOTM toy that isn't either something I already own, or Bumblebee.

[GoktimusPrime]

Never really lost my passion for Transformers overall (aside from the odd sidestep into other franchises involving yellow electric mice, golden-haired monkeys, and buildable bionics, most of the above occuring only when Beast Machines was around. Go fig.),

I "sidestepped" into Car Robot when BM was around. :p Although the Aussie Dollar dropped below 50USc at the time which made importing toys from overseas prohibitively expensive. :( Thankfully Hasbro released RiD a year later... even if they weren't as good as CR. Ah well.


but I really would appreciate going to a store and finding a DOTM toy that isn't either something I already own, or Bumblebee.

Don't forget the endless repaints of toys you already own! :)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Meh, it's a hobby. I have quite a few of them and besides politics they tend to come and go in intensity.
But yeah, DotM is singularly uninspiring.:(

[kaiden]

yeah DOTM is pretty terrible especially in case of this being Australia and our Hasbro screwing us over.

They're taking too long to bring out new stuff (like HA Roadbuster, Leadfoot) and the 1st wave shelfwarms like crazy.

Then there's the TT exclusives that we have to import and its all really just tedious collecting the DOTM line.

[5FDP]

I've never lost interest in Transformers, only collecting the toys on occassion. During these times I find myself revisiting toys in my collection, reading the old Marvel series, or watching the cartoons.

Transformers has been far too important throughout my life and I can't ever see myself loosing the passion for the brand. I'll be buried with them ;)

[VERT]

Im a lifer I have not stopped since 1984 and still going strong :D

[UltraMarginal]

PREAMBLE: now that I've finished this, it's kind of long. sorry it it goes on a bit or is a bit boring. I guess I needed to get it off my chest.


I can kind of see where you're going. on occasion, your expectations of a toy line just aren't met, and it's disappointing.

I started collecting in the Early 80's with G1, and didn't mind when the vehicles got a bit unrealistic towards target masters and headmasters, as I was at the age when it was still cool.

But then G2 came around, and the dinobots were green and red and prime had a black trailer and there wasn't much on the shelves. where I was, it just slowed down in availability, (country Victoria). I had no internet, as far as I knew it was all over. I was disappointed, I felt it had died before it's time and most other toys just didn't do it for me like transformers had.

then in 97 I went to Uni in Sydney, I spend a bit of time looking around toy isles here and there, all I could see was Beast Wars and Beast machines etc, and I couldn't figure it out, why was optimus prime a monkey? I don't think I was even aware of the show. I was very uninterested in figures where you could clearly see arms and legs of the robot mode in the beast mode, I figured it was cheating going from four legged mode to four legged mode. I just didn't get Beast Wars. ( I have since seen the entire series on DVD and I really enjoyed it but I'm not going back to collect the toys).

My interest sparked back up when I found a re-issue Hot Rod at parra TRU for $25, I didn't even consider not buying it, I'd always wanted a hot rod and for that price it was a steal. Alternators came out !!! I got back into collecting but I was being selective, I only went after new alternators molds and the occasional re-issue that wasn't way overpriced.

Even during the era of alternators though I was often disappointed with toy isles as all that was generally in them was hound and some Unicron Trilogy stuff which I just didn't get. Who announces their weapon as they fire it and why are these vehicle modes so unrealistic when there is gold like Alternators out in other parts of the world. I was totally unaware of RID as well.

My collecting since the dawn of the classics line though has reached a fever pitch, I have most if not all of the classics deluxes and Voyagers, I have all my preferred incarnations of the so far released movie characters and I can't wait for Prime to come out.

I have had mixed feelings about the movies and related toys, and I have just like most people been rather uninspired by the DOTM toy line but I think most of the reson for that is I already have a great version of most of the characters, so far I've picked up Leader Ironhide and Sentinel, voyager megs and shockwave, deluxe jolt because I never wanted the one from ROTF, a couple human alliance figures and that's about it.

I don't mind that there is a bit of a lull though. I think it is easy to reach a point of saturation in a franchise where it either needs to rest for a while or change enough that it becomes fresh but risks becoming unrecognizable.

Star Trek had a period where there were 2 new series for almost 7 years. It was time for a break before they started Enterprise and if they had left it a couple years before starting Enterprise I think it would have been received a lot better and would have been much more successful.

Transformers has had some very big changes over the last 6 years, and while there are aspects of the movies that grind, more good has come of them than bad. Without that popularity we probably wouldn't have had anywhere near as many Classics figures in the last couple years. And the Engineering of Transformers has only been getting better in strides. just look at the differences between the first movie toys and the third movie toys. Don't forget the incredible Aesthetic design in Animated!

We have been living in a golden age of transformers, and to maintain that, we need to slow the pace a little I think.

I have been collecting so hard over the last 2 years that I have not been able to un-box figures as fast as I've been buying them, if I didn't buy another figure I could probably open a new one every week for the next year. Once we move to our new home I'm going to have a bit more time for that hopefully and time to enjoy and savour the moments as well.

Like the others have been suggesting, perhaps you need a rest, or you might find more enjoyment out of your current collection a bit more if you take this spare collecting time to appreciate it. Use the time to save your dollars for the next big purchase, perhaps Amazon Unicron, MP10 or MP9.1. In my eyes being a collector doesn't mean you have to buy something every week, it means you buy what appeals to you and fits into your space, the one in your head and the one you live in. or just wait for what comes next, you might find in six months that something comes out that you just can't get enough of and you'll need all the money you don't spend now on stuff you only sort of want to buy something really cool that you would have otherwise had to pass up.



PHEW, rant over, can anyone tell that I've had down moments about Transformers in the past.:o

[i_amtrunks]

I understand your thoughts, I've had a major decline in interest in TF over the past few months as well.

I think the central part is the lack of media behind the brand at the moment. The stores are currently filled with figures from a movie that only had (as all movies do) a short run in cinemas, and is yet to get a home release. The stores overbought (and it would seem hasbro AU over-imported) wave 1 figures in numbers that they could never have sold unless every child bought one of each figure! :rolleyes:

For the past couple of years, we have had supplementry lines of figures and media to help support the main movie stuff, we've had Universe/Generations as well as Animated, which had an excellent television series that was actually aired in Australia. Right now there is Prime, which has not been seen on television screens in Australia yet, and a complete lack of any figures non-movie related (other than occassional restocks of generations). Kreo has helped a little to give us something aesthetically different (and not just from the movie designs!)

For a while, we also had a great little monthly comic release that really made some of the G1 and generations figures extra interesting, but of late the comic has returned to a core cast of already well known and released figures, so again interest from the media or story aspects of transformers is not being converted into toy sales.

In a way its good, it means I (and the general fandom) can focus on catching up with other older lines that pique our interest, or save or hard earned for future figures from lines we hope will interest us.

[1orion2many]

I've been a collector of Micronauts in the mid 70's(I was a kid:o) which was siphoned from Microman which was the precursour to Transformers I believe (Showing my age now:D) and have never really lost my passion, I did dissappear off the board for about 6 months at one stage but I was going through life issues as we all do on occassion;):)

[Verno]

I consider myself something of an outsider in the world of Transformers.

I haven't subscribed to a series since Beast Wars, and the main reason for that, I believe, as many have touched on, is accessibility.

Beast Wars was on Southern Cross TV Monday to Thursday at 3:30pm. Prime Time viewing as a kid in 1996.

It then got re-runs on Cheez TV in the morning, also Prime Time kids viewing.

I don't think a Transformers series has been on Tasmanian television on free-to-air since, even Beast Machines wasn't on.

My love of (addiction to) Beast Wars hasn't died in the 15 years since my 1st introduction, and not likely to do so any time soon.

But. In regards to Transformers at large...

I've not been re-captured by a series since. Beast Machines, RID, Armada, Energon, Cybertron... All had tv shows but none came down here and thus I missed the initial connection and then didn't like what I saw when I watched them anyway.

And the movies were... entertaining I guess... but didn't make me rush out and buy the toys.

For G1 fans it may be easier, as you constantly see the same characters getting rehashed over and over and over and over again... Prime, Megs, Starscream, Ironhide, Jazz, Soundwave... There is already a relatable essence to these characters. As someone who didn't grow up with Prime and Megs, there is no pre-conditioning towards these characters.

Transformers: Prime has the makings of being a good show from what I've seen, though they need to do away with the humans. But again, it's the same thing over and over - pandering to the older fans while trying to get in new ones who then become conditioned to Prime and his gang.

I don't care for Transformers as it stands at present, but am still a part of it all because Beast Wars will be there forever. My passion for Beast Wars won't go away, but the rest of the stuff is of no consequence to me.

[LordCyrusOmega]

Others have already said it and they're right. It's not all about collecting.
My interest in collecting is waning but not my interest in TF. I've recently, due to circumstance, Been focusing more on collecting media such as Comics and shows. This, in some ways, is much better then toys because you can see them interact, get in deep with who they are.
Always love for TF, not so much love when it comes to collecting.

[sideswipes brother]

Yes, my passion is fading. I thought all the Bay movies were crap and the only positive thing we got out of him was Buster Optimus Prime. I am slowly selling all of my doubles and when their done i will probably really thin out my collection to the point that i only keep my most treasured ones.

[Verno]

Yes, my passion is fading. I thought all the Bay movies were crap and the only positive thing we got out of him was Buster Optimus Prime. I am slowly selling all of my doubles and when their done i will probably really thin out my collection to the point that i only keep my most treasured ones.

I think this is becoming the common practice. When a new line comes out fans go nuts and get everything they can. After the dust settles, that which has left it's mark, like Buster Prime, stay in the collection, but the rest gets offloaded.

I trawl through the seemingly endless threads on TFW2005's Sales section, and so much of it is current stuff - people who have bought all the DOTM and such and now are trying to offload it.

Collecting is changing it seems: Collect, try, sell.

[Prowl]

I won't say I am jaded or anything but I am being far more selective with what I am buying these days & have not bought any for a month or so.

That said I have built up a lot of credit thanks to a certain someones shopping habits & last weekend after another "expidition" I stated that I now have free reign to buy whatever TF's I want without judgement from said someone.

Sometimes it is just fun to transform a toy & enjoy it's mechanics.

[klystron]

I've always been a selective collector, carefully choosing which figures make it into my collection. As a result, sometimes there are quiet periods where there isn't much out or on the horizon that interests me.
But like others have pointed out, that give me time to save some money, or look at other items on ebay, rediscover some of your current figures... the options go on.
Having said that, DOTM is a low point and for a long time I was not paying any attention to what was on the shelves or going to be on the shelves.
Slowly starting to see non-movieverse toys reappear in shops.
And I agree with most others: theres more to collecting that just buying whatever new stuff comes out.

[Slag]

This might be a silly topic to post, especially because if you are here on this forum, you are obviously a Transfan. But ever since Dark of the Moon hit, I have really lost my passion for Transformers. Like, in every way, but mostly with collecting.

Even going into like a K-Mart or something, and heading into the toy section, it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Nothing even moves off the shelves either. I remember the rush of finding all the new waves of figures for ROTF, and they were always getting restocked, etc. But DOTM? Not even close! That's why I'm asking I guess, does anyone else feel the same? Has some of the spark gone?

Personally, I'm pretty sure I am done (I'll probably even sell most of my stuff), but does anyone else feel similar, to a degree?

What you got and how much you want!:D

[Verno]

I won't say I am jaded or anything but I am being far more selective with what I am buying these days & have not bought any for a month or so.


And I agree with most others: theres more to collecting that just buying whatever new stuff comes out.

I think this is in direct response to Hasbro's marketing strategy of fleshing out lines and the duration of them being seen on shelves by the use of repaints. It's had the opposite effect from what they would have hoped, and collectors who were die-hard 'must have all' collectors, are now tighter with their money and expect a bit more from Hasbro.

[Sam]

I'm not a collector, so I don't feel very strongly about this.

Personally, I never liked the look of the live movie character designs. I like TFs blocky, so mainly look out for Classics / Generations figures.

On top of this, I'm more interested in the artwork than the actual toys.

[SofaMan]

I went through a similar thing during G2, not because G2 was fundamentally awful (though some of it was), but I was just at a time in my life when I had other priorities - I was in my late teens/early 20s. For about 5-6 years I had very little to do with TFs, and then my enthusiasm was reignited with Beast Wars.

Your enthusiasm for any hobby naturally goes through peaks and troughs, and can sometimes result in suspending the hobby altogether. I'll freely confess to going through a bit of a lull myself with the DotM toys, partly due to toy/character quality, party due to a terrible release schedule through Hasbro Australia. I'm quite looking forward to the TF:Prime toys though.

[jena]

For me, the hunt is more of an online thing than a a real life shopping experience thing. A lot of my collection, and indeed my favorites, have all been bought online via eBay, Amazon or members here. One of my favorite things is being one of the first to click on a member's sale thread to see if I'm the first to snag something cool that someone may be selling. That's just me. :D

[UltraMarginal]

For me, the hunt is more of an online thing than a a real life shopping experience thing. A lot of my collection, and indeed my favorites, have all been bought online via eBay, Amazon or members here. One of my favorite things is being one of the first to click on a member's sale thread to see if I'm the first to snag something cool that someone may be selling. That's just me. :D

There is definitely an excitement to being the first to see a new sale thread.:cool:

[Doubledealer]

I think it's important to realise that you're not always going to like what the Transformers franchise brings to the table, but that's not to say that's always going to be the case. So you are sick of the DotM toys...So am I! Doesn't mean I care less about G1, TFA or the Classics. Just ride the wave, spend time on another hobby and come back to it when it becomes interesting to you again. The recent Unicron and a G1 Slugslinger are the only Transformers I've bought in months and months. I kinda enojy the breaks as it means I can spend money on other areas like music production, gigs, videogames, holidays or whatever. It all balances out in the end. :)

[Reflector]

Over the past 10 years ive been an on and off collector, but my love for Transformers can never fade. I can see where your coming from and maybe the best thing you can do right now is distance yourself and focus on something else. I think selling some/all of your collection would be a mistake. Who knows, you might regret it one day.

Just have a break and if the spark isnt reignited in 6 months or so, maybe you are done with it :(

[Vector Prime]

Does anyone else just not care anymore?

Yep, me.

I couldn't give a rats about collecting TFs anymore to be honest - I will still hang onto single copies of what I have but I plan on selling off all the doubles/triples/quadruples that I have sitting in storage.

I just don't find collecting them 'rewarding' or as 'fun' anymore - so much so that I have reduced my display to only about 10% of my collection and have put everything else into storage.

Unless something comes along that's revolutionary and sparks my interest again, it's all 'meh' for me at the moment.

[SharkyMcShark]

Yep, me.

I couldn't give a rats about collecting TFs anymore to be honest - I will still hang onto single copies of what I have but I plan on selling off all the doubles/triples/quadruples that I have sitting in storage.

I just don't find collecting them 'rewarding' or as 'fun' anymore - so much so that I have reduced my display to only about 10% of my collection and have put everything else into storage.

Unless something comes along that's revolutionary and sparks my interest again, it's all 'meh' for me at the moment.

Exactly this.

Have gone from whole collection on display to small shelf with just my favourites on it in the last few months, and have bought about three Transformers since May.

I'm sure I'll get into it again at some point.

[SkyWarp91]

We need something to light our darkest hour in tf collecting!

[kurdt_the_goat]

You can't really expect anything to hold your interest 100% of the time.
Like music, you might have a favourite band but they only put out an album every 3 years or something... so you just listen to the old stuff, forget about them until it comes out, or find new bands while you're bored.
Not a particularly unusual or bad thing for me.

[Decepticon]

Im a Hotwheels collector also. And over the years I find myself switching from HW to TFs and back again. Right now Im in my HW phase. TFs are not interesting me one bit at the moment. It will change though:o

[liegeprime]

Thank goodness for other toy collections hehehe:D really helps to "ride" away during these lull momnents in collecting - as I mentioned before I have quite a few others - MOTU, DCUC, GiJoe(Cobra's only actually) and comics;), oh and Ghostbusters ( the old 80s ghosts only), MLs and when I come accross a figure iI might find cheap and want another - another G1 character figure (Ive completed mine US released, except for Overlord):p... but then I army build as well - Insecticons to make a swarm :):) SO as everyone has said, keep the collection, sit on it for a while you never know when the urge will come back and you might feel sorry later that you'd have to repurchase the stuff you sold but now at a higher price ( though I doubt with the newer stuff) than what you previously paid for it. But honestly the newer stuff (Bayverse toys) aren't worth for me huh, I got them packed up in a 94 liter plastic box ini my toyroom closet - I was thinking of reselling em but thought... hmm best to hang on for now, I might later on feel that they should be "on display" once again and well you never know.

Interesting though, through all the heaps of response I haven't seen a reply from daveanix:p:p hope he's mulling it still over and has read all the reply as well before he makes a decision he might regret later...

[GoktimusPrime]

I think this whole thing about this year being Transformers collecting's "Darkest Hour" is highly exaggerated. Atm the Transformers franchise is enjoying the most popularity it's had since the 1980s - possibly even moreso because the children of the 80s are now adults with more spending power compared to when we just begged our parents.

I understand that we're in quite a lull atm with bugger all new products hitting shelves, no new TV series being aired here and a sporadic toy line for the movie (WHERE are Soundwave, Mirage and Wheeljack, dammmmnnnnnit?!?!?) etc. - but on the whole, while it's not great, it's not that bad. Certainly nowhere near as bad as previous seriously bad years we've had like...

+ 2002: we had next to NO new moulds hitting shelves in both Hasbro and Takara markets. In 2000-2001 we enjoyed all kinds of new toys with Beast Machines and Car Robot/Robots In Disguise -- then suddenly it all kinda stopped. The only new moulds we got were Megatron Megabolt and Air Attack Optimus Primal -- and the last two were "carry ons" that were initially intended to be released for BM but ended up being released in RiD (so they were never purpose-designed for RiD). Takara gave us lots of reissues... but still nothing new (and Japanese fans did complain about this a lot). It wasn't really until Armada came along at the end of that year (which meant that in most other places like Australia it didn't come out until 2003 - so I consider Armada to be a 2003-commencing line) that we finally got new toys. So we spent almost that entire year with bugger all new moulds! You know how frustrating that was?? I bought Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime even though I already had Super Fire Convoy... because I had nothing else to get! I skipped Devil Gigatron previously because it was too similar to Gigatron -- but I got RiD Galvatron which was still shelf-warming, cos again... wanted to get something! Tell me that wasn't a bloody frustrating year for TF collecting... but it gets way worse...

+ 1996: <tumbleweed> Much like 2002 there was BUGGER ALL new TFs out this year. And unlike 2002 where we'd come off the success of the Beast Era and Car Robot/RiD franchises, in 1996 we had just come off the failure of Generation 2. We desperately needed something! Beast Wars came out later that year, I didn't start seeing most stores carry them until 1997. So again, for a long time that year we had sweet bugger all.

So while I understand that we're in a bit of a downturn atm, I don't see the need to "give up" on Transformers. Especially considering that we've remained faithful in MUCH tougher times than this... why give up now?

I just use times like this to take a "breather" from constantly hunting and collecting new toys and just thoroughly enjoy the toys I have. I spent yesterday playing with Animated Leader Megatron and today I'm taking Legends Movie 1 Brawl out for dinner. :) I've spent a lot of time and money building my collection -- it's nice to have time like this toy enjoy it! :D

[liegeprime]

oh noes Gok, Brawl eats like a tank;) :p:p find someone else to bring to dinner heheheh

[SkyWarp91]

oh noes Gok, Brawl eats like a tank;) :p:p find someone else to bring to dinner heheheh

bring leader class bulkhead

[Decepticon]

Oh, and for the record, I am glad there are so called 'Bayverse' TFs. I love the majority of them. Im not a G1 collector as Ive been there, done back in the 80s and feel that todays TFs are alot better engineered than the blocky TFs from the 80s........just thought Id add that cos am noticing alot of Bayverse toy knockers in this thread.

[Skullcruncher]

Yep, me.

I couldn't give a rats about collecting TFs anymore to be honest - I will still hang onto single copies of what I have but I plan on selling off all the doubles/triples/quadruples that I have sitting in storage.

I just don't find collecting them 'rewarding' or as 'fun' anymore - so much so that I have reduced my display to only about 10% of my collection and have put everything else into storage.

Unless something comes along that's revolutionary and sparks my interest again, it's all 'meh' for me at the moment.

Same here, I have purchased several over the last couple of months but really just to complete groups or individual transformers but have kind of lost my interest... heck a friend brought her kid over and I let it (the kid whos 4 not the friend) play with my G1 decoys! Only 1 got some goobers on it. :rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh, and for the record, I am glad there are so called 'Bayverse' TFs. I love the majority of them. Im not a G1 collector as Ive been there, done back in the 80s and feel that todays TFs are alot better engineered than the blocky TFs from the 80s........just thought Id add that cos am noticing alot of Bayverse toy knockers in this thread.
I don't actively collect G1 either - did most of that in the 1980s and 90s (remember that G1 didn't end until 1993) -- I mostly just collect whatever's in shops (been doin' so since '84) ... but in defence of G1, you gotta look at it in context.

G1 toys, particularly early G1 toys, were exceptionally well engineered for their time. If you take a lot of toys from the 1984 line like Soundwave, the jets, Jazz, the cassettes, Bluestreak, Mirage, Sideswipe etc. -- by the standards of the day they were bloody impressive toys, especially Optimus Prime who was the biggest and most articulated figure and was also a freakin' playset that interacted with other Transformer figures by either holding cars in his trailer or as part of his combat deck which could also shoot out the Mini-Cars (and Roller of course). Not even DOTM Ultimate Optimus Prime's trailer can boast that level of play versatility -- it just transforms from a trailer into Optimus Prime's butterfly wingalings with a ridiculously oversized MechTech weapon which awkwardly stows below the trailer in truck mode. Without the trailer the cab robot has no weapon. 1984 Optimus Prime had his own rifle which he could use to fight independently of his other two components and of course, the trailer was a fully armed combat deck with missile launchers, radar and a clamping arm (da clamps!!). Okay, Roller just had a fuel hose, but I used to detach it and pretend the mount was a gun. :)

Now you could argue that Ultimate Optimus Prime's trailer does merge with Optimus Prime, unlike 1984 G1 Prime, but then look at 1988 Powermaster Optimus Prime. The trailer not only combines with the cab robot - but it creates a more proper looking "super robot" mode, whereas let's face it, Ultimate OP's butterfly mode is essentially a Mega Pretender Shell (and the Pretenders are considered by some to be the downpoint of G1). Not only that, but PM Prime's trailer can still open up to hold small vehicles and it can transform into a battle platform! Oh, and both the cab robot and the trailer are suitable armed - with Prime having two rifles and the trailer having two dual-barrelled cannons. And in Japan the equivalent toy (albeit different character) could combine with a second trailer (Godbomber) to form a super-super-combined robot with wingalings and missile bazooka. Yeah sure, it's a brick, but by 1988 standards this didn't really count against it... remember that it wasn't until mid to late G2 that articulated robot modes started really coming in -- and even then, it wasn't until Beast Wars that it became a more standard feature.

And Optimus Prime is one of the better engineered movie toys -- arguably among the best. As I said, G1 toys were generally considered to be exceptionally good for the standards of their day... what about movie toys? Do you think they're exceptionally good for today's standards? Compare the average "Bayformer" to say the average "Classicsverse" Transformer (being of similar vintage).
e.g.
+ Voyager Movie 1 Optimus Prime vs. Voyager Classics Optimus Prime
+ Movieverse Deluxe Jazz vs. RTS Jazz
+ ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe vs. Universe/Henkei Sideswipe
+ DOTM Deluxe Starscream vs. Classics/Universe/Henkei Starscream
+ ROTF Ravage vs Universe/Henkei Ravage -- while the latter may be a small "accessory" figure that came with Hound, I'd say it was relative to its size/cost, it could be seen as a better toy. For one thing, it transforms into a proper alt mode (cassette tape) whereas ROTF Ravage just folds up his robot mode into a "Huh?!" -- so-called "Re-Entry" mode

Now I know there are lots of really nice movieverse toys which are well made by today's standards, like Deluxe Movie 1 Bumblebees, the Leader Optimus Primes, Bludgeon, Powerglide, Wreckage... and heck, I think Fast Action Battler Decepticon Frenzy doesn't get enough love. And sure, there are plenty of G1 Transformers which were poorly executed even by the standards of their days, e.g. Battlechargers (the Jumpstarters which came before them were better designed), Firecons, 1988 Pretenders (what epically fail alt mode designs), Action masters (<shudder>) etc. - and to be fair to some movie toys, they have the additional challenge of being based on screen models (highly complex ones at that) which are difficult to translate into toys - whereas the majority of G1 toys were designed as toys first (thus HasTak had more creative freedom)... but even then that only covers the toys that appear in the film. We have had some movieverse toys which didn't appear in the film and were designed as toys first which are still sub-par by contemporary standards, e.g. Breakaway (I like this toy cos I got it for free as a bday gift, but I probably wouldn't be so fond of it if I'd paid money for it - esp. full retail). And I'll give credit to HasTak that they are - in general - getting gooderer at designing movie toys.

But on the whole, I don't think movieverse toys are generally as well designed by today's standards compared to early G1 toys by the standards of their day. There are exceptions on either end, but generally speaking when examining both lines on the whole, that's how I feel.

Put it this way, when I first saw 1984 Jazz my first reaction was like "Wwwhhhooooaaaaa! This toy is AWESOME!" -- when I first saw 2007 Movie Deluxe Jazz I thought this toy was mediocre at best by the standards of the day.

[SkyWarp91]

And just what exactly do you expect in today's standard of toy engineering Gok?

[TypeTnT]

During the quiet times of Transformer collecting, I aim my sights towards another love of my childhood: LEGO.
Lots of LOTS of Lego!

[5FDP]

All I can say is - I look forward to seeing more sale threads on the forum :D

[GoktimusPrime]

heh. :)

And just what exactly do you expect in today's standard of toy engineering Gok?
Beast Wars set the standard of giving us highly detailed and articulated Transformer toys, and standards have improved since then. Car Robot/RiD took the engineering developed during BW and applied it with licensed vehicles. Armada/Energon kinda went wonky because they were so heavily gimmick-laden, but then Cybertron showed great improvement - even with the Cyber Planet Key gimmick, it didn't overwhelmingly compromise the toy - we still had a lot of great figures even with the gimmick (e.g. Downshift).

Then HasTak further developed the engineering with G1-inspiration giving us Classicsverse which ran parallel with the movieverse toys, so I tend to look at the standard in Classicsverse in terms of which can be achieved in TF toys by current standards - hence the movieverse/Classicsverse comparison in my previous post.

[SkyWarp91]

I actually think that the movie toys did considerably well for today's standards because you had real life vehicles that transformed into such alien like robots. Sure the classics verse toys had vehicles as well but they were generic vehicles and the robot modes were blocky as - nothing wrong with that but admittedly it does not require the complex engineering as needed for the movie toys. Despite my name being of decepticon cause i am in this situation the optimus :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Yes, hence my comment:

and to be fair to some movie toys, they have the additional challenge of being based on screen models (highly complex ones at that) which are difficult to translate into toys - whereas the majority of G1 toys were designed as toys first (thus HasTak had more creative freedom)... but even then that only covers the toys that appear in the film. We have had some movieverse toys which didn't appear in the film and were designed as toys first which are still sub-par by contemporary standards, e.g. Breakaway (I like this toy cos I got it for free as a bday gift, but I probably wouldn't be so fond of it if I'd paid money for it - esp. full retail). And I'll give credit to HasTak that they are - in general - getting gooderer at designing movie toys.

But on the whole, I don't think movieverse toys are generally as well designed by today's standards compared to early G1 toys by the standards of their day. There are exceptions on either end, but generally speaking when examining both lines on the whole, that's how I feel.

[jimoinj]

I agree with Gok on this, but I am biased as I absolutely loathe the Bay movies. Particularly the last 2. The standard for today's Transformers has been set I think by the Binaltech line and of course the Masterpieces. Whereas back in the 1980s G1 was the standard! There was nothing else. Well, Machine Men. Little more than glorified minibots!

[GoktimusPrime]

I wouldn't use Masterpiece as a standard... I like the MP Convoy mould, but some people criticise the truck mode for not looking very realistic -- although I like it and I think it's a marvel of engineering. Other MPs on the other hand...

+ Megatron: far too fiddly for its own good. I've only transformed it _once_ (and a small tab snapped off)... and that's it. Then there's the issue of rust. The shoulder panels pop out way too easily too. Craphouse action figure to play with.
+ Seekers: maybe nice display pieces but craphouse action figures. The original Takara Starscream was especially bad, although HasTak did improve the plastic quality with subsequent uses of that mould.
+ Grimlock: A nice toy, but way overpriced for what is essentially a "quasi" Masterpiece toy; i.e. half the toy features fairly MP-esque complex engineering, but the other half is too much like the G1 toy (too simple). This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but not worth the asking price IMO. I find Grimlock offers the best play value alongside Optimus Prime... but just doesn't justify the price.
+ Rodimus: The original Japanese version is plagued with various flaws -- it can't slot into the trailer without scratching the spoiler and forget about getting it to hold its own guns. The trailer is essentially just an oversized version of the G1 trailer/deck - nice, but not worth the price tag. The Hasbro version improved some of the issues, but there are still some problems with it -- some of the tabs on mine has stress marks on it, indicative of poor quality plastic. Offshoot's pretty neat though. I find Rodimus has the 3rd best play value other than Optimus and Grimlock... but let's face it, there's not much competition here. (-_-)

Masterpiece TFs seem more like articulated statues rather than playable action figures. :( :mad: :( Binaltechs are better in this regard, but I still don't find them as fun to pay with as regular TF figures... mostly because they're kinda clunky, and let's face it, who wants to play with a toy that takes half an hour to transform?? Kinda kills the thrill of an intense battle... Some movieverse toys are guilty of this too (e.g. Leader Class Optimus Prime).

So I find Classicsverse to be an arguably more suitable comparison because:
+ Similar price points
+ Both designed with similar play patterns (and not as overglorified display pieces)

[UltraMarginal]

I always thought of Masterpiece as articulated statues, squarely aimed at the display collector market.:cool:

[Hursticon]

I always thought of Masterpiece as articulated statues, squarely aimed at the display collector market.:cool:

As did I, playing with them is the very last thing I've considered - They're too bloody expensive! :o:p

[heroic_decepticon]

Hmmm... I just read this. So will go back and answer the original question / issue.

On the issue of Bay-formers - I've had enough since after the first wave of Movie toys in 2007.

Classics, MPs, BTs are great and I am a big G1 fan.

Like liegeprime said earlier, there are other ways deals with the lull and best of all give your wallet a rest.

Maybe set yourself a new aim like collect all the BTs MIB or better yet, collect G1 MIB/MOC. That'd keep one entertained for years I'd imagine. :D

[Prowl]

Maybe set yourself a new aim like collect all the BTs MIB or better yet, collect G1 MIB/MOC. That'd keep one broke for years I'd imagine. :D

Fixed.

[Geminii]

I wouldn't worry about it too much - if this year's product doesn't appeal to you, then it doesn't appeal to you, and that's the extent of it. There aren't many collectors, completests aside, who bought the majority of every single year's releases back to G1. Just take a break, maybe look at filling in some older holes in your collection, and take a look back over the last five years of releases to see if there's anything you wanted but missed.

Before you know it, there will be another reboot, another cartoon, another toyline, and the aesthetic will have changed yet again - maybe to something that appeals more.

I've found it can also be fun wandering through the kitbash threads on a lot of forums. Almost all of them deal with older characters and designs, and it can be a fun nostalgia kick. Occasionally you might even find one that really showcases one of the newer toys in a great light, and have second thoughts about picking it up.

[liegeprime]

Fixed.


cup noodles for eternity anyone? :D:p;)

[kup]

Although Transfomers as a franchise has become very popular I can't say that the line from a toy perspective is doing too well right. A lot of the current toys seem to be shelfwarming and a huge majority of the stuff being sold is barely transformers and more like merchendise.

With a lot of stuff to buy like Kreo Transformers and lots of other stuff, there is a much to choose from but not much that would appeal the 'traditional' Transformers collector. At least with Armada, Energon and Cybertron despite their flaws, those were dedicated TF lines and not as 'merchandise instensive' or 'play set intensive' like the current movie line. For lack of better word, to me it feels like the line is somewhat 'diluted' with it's current wave of popularity.

Anyways, as mentioned, this phase will eventually pass and the new thing will come around that may be more appealing like the first wave of TF:Prime toys that don't look half bad or other collector lines.

For me, the 3rd party stuff is keeping my interest in Transformers collecting as otherwise I would seriously be reconsidering if I wanted to continue. The current official stuff is very uninteresting to me with good appealing stuff too few and far between to keep me interested.

There is also other lines to collect like MOTUC and I am slowly getting into GI Joe.

[Jinto]

I think that once TFP figures hit the shelves things will pick up again. I agree that the movie line has been getting tedious and the DOTM figures have been pretty unexciting, but since I've been watching Prime I'm itching to get my hands on some new figures

[Robzy]

I've lost a lot of interest in TFs in the past year. I think the movies are what started the decline for me, but I agree with others here that the toys have been lacking in some aspects. There have been some highlights (for me, they were in the CHUG and Masterpiece lines), but I find myself not particularly inspired or excited by any current/upcoming figures except MP-10, MP-11. Thank goodness I collect other lines!! I also think Hasbro Aus and their terrible release schedule are partly to blame for my loss in enthusiasm... I've actually purchased most of my newer TF figures online as a result.



The standard for today's Transformers has been set I think by the Binaltech line and of course the Masterpieces. Whereas back in the 1980s G1 was the standard! There was nothing else. Well, Machine Men. Little more than glorified minibots! I agree with your sentiment, but I just have to say... Machine Men are much better than that! I have a huge collection (as do many other members on these forums), and while the cartoon was not great, many of the toys were brilliant... much, much better than many similarly sized Transformers. Minibots are terrible by comparison to Machine Robo/Men/Gobots for the most part, and are well below their standards in terms of engineering.

[valkyrie_76]

Maybe set yourself a new aim like collect all the BTs MIB or better yet, collect the Japanese Takara G1 MIB/MOC. That'd keep one broke for years I'd imagine. :D

Fixed x2 :D

[bowspearer]

It's definitely lost its luster for me for some time. I used to be heavily into it - heck, I even defended Beast Machines, but with the exception of IDW, the media just doesn't do it for me anymore.

Then there are the toys. The more time goes on; the more I see TF ripping off its own past gimmicks in the form of some pitiful rehash- be it the minicons being essentially Powermaster Micromasters, Energon essentialy milking half a toyline out of the Multiforce toys from Victory, or Cybertron ripping off Magneman from the Microchange line. Don't even get me started on the Power Core Combiners being a rehash of a rehash.

Then there's Classics that seem to have as many hits as misses, while the movie toys look like they should be a part of a Super Gobots redux while ripping off the Machine Wars toy gimmick (yes technicaly BW came before MW, but the small MW toys were unreleased G2 prototypes IIRC).

I definitely agree about BT although the line was let down by so many changes to it over time due to licensing.

Honestly, the last series I find working in any way shape or form was Robots in Disguise. Prime seems ok, but it's no Beast Wars.

Also like Gok said, the 1984 TFs were ahead of their time, not to mention that there was a version of Prime which could combine with his trailer, released in the Diaclone line in in the early 1980s anyway.

They, the 1992 Euro G1 TFs, Beast Wars and Car Robots, were the last milestones when there was a toyline for TFs that had a wow factor that really grabbed me.

That's not even going into distribution issues in this country.

I have my doubts that we'll see another milestone like those ever again. The older I get, the more nostalgic I find I get.....

[loophole]

i have lost some interest in transformers in the past couple of months or so i think botcon may have burned me out a little to be honest but as some others have stated it cycles around.

I usually go from buying Transformers then i concentrate on my Amazing Spiderman comic collection and then onto my classic cars and then back to Transformers again all three of these addictions have highs and lows and im okay with that.

Also i have found that the customising side helps alot it gives me a creative outlet for a franchise that i adore and something extra than just buying a toy and taking it out of the package.

[Verno]

Do you know what I miss? When buying a Transformer didn't actually mean anything.

I had random figures from whatever line was out at the time: Drag Strip, a Classic Snarl, some purple Actionmaster Base...

There was no pressure to get all of them, to get only one line.

I miss being naive.

I can't enjoy them anymore.

[Quickstrike]

There's not a lot of stuff out on the shelves at the moment that interests me but that's not going to make me suddenly hate everything I already own.

When I posted that I was like "Haha! Because that would be silly!". But people actually act like this? Daaaaaaaamn.

[GoktimusPrime]

When I posted that I was like "Haha! Because that would be silly!". But people actually act like this? Daaaaaaaamn.

+1. If I felt like giving up on Transformers at the first sign of the franchise losing steam, I probably would've stopped collecting around 1990-91 when Action Masters came out! :p Thankfully I didn't. ;)

We've stuck with this franchise for 27 years now... I hardly see the current lull as any reason to abandon it now. We've faced MUCH tougher times than this. I don't even consider this time to be even remotely tough at all really. Sure it's not fantastic, but "tough"? Nah. To suggest that this may be the end of the franchise? Things have to get a LOT worse than this before I'll even entertain that thought. 1995-96 and 2002 were tough and frustrating years. Compared to those years 2011's really not that bad (not great, but not bad IMO). :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Transfan%20Meets/melbmeet.jpg
Above: Melbourne fan meet, December 2001. (Look at all those peg-warming Beast Machines toys!) Little did we know that we were in store for a year of massive frustrating disappointment... :(

[bowspearer]

I have to disagree. Things are starting to get stale, Hasbro Aust hasn't been the same in years, the Aaron Archer is more GIJOE fan than TF fan as I understand it, Walmart rather than toy designers dictate lines and Hasbro has simply gotten so large that much like the Cybertronian Empire as Grimlock put it in G2 Issue 1, they see too large a picture- to the point where they can't see the cracks in things.

Theoretically, Hasbro could come up with some way to come back from this as they did with Euro G1, BW and RiD. I just can't see them being in a position to initiate what is required to make it happen.

[LordCyrusOmega]

Well with the toy sale on at Target and new things advertised in their cataloge I'm going to head on over and see what I see.

I'll always love Transformers. Always have. It felt like this between the Animated and RotF lines, also between Cybertron and Classics. Something new will come and there will be stuff to buy again. It just sucks that we are missing out on things, eg Human Alliance, that we may never see. I tend to avoid online buying as I'm impatiant but it looks like that's what I'm going to have to do.

Makes it worse that I tried to buy some comics to experience other media but recieved an email saying they were out of stock and shouldn't have been available.

[theheretic]

I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean the franchise is stail or that it might be the end of it? Didn't the latest TF movie bring massive profits for Hasbro? With WFC and FOC they've remained a new universe that I think a lot of fans love. TF Prime isn't too bad, could have been much much worse (it could have been in the Bayverse). There's an abundance of toys out at the moment (unfortunately they are basically the same as TF2007). The MP line is looking great. What's not to like at the moment?

[griffin]

Beast Machines was stale, with about 30 toys released in the year, and shelfwarming for years afterward. The last 4 years of the new Movies is definitely the opposite of stale. It might be the same main characters and forms for the last few years, boring many fans, but Hasbro profits (and Transformers being their largest earner for the last 5 years) would give them no reason to change anything.
Beast Machines was not a (money) winning formula, so they changed their direction, axing the line and cancelling Transtech... bringing in Vehicles from the JP Car Robots line.
Movie Universe on the other hand, is a (money) winning formula... and what business that wants to stay in business is going to change, or walk away from a winning formula.
We certainly aren't their meal ticket, so they're just gonna keep producing product for the kiddies and parents who are, no matter how repetitious it is.

[SkyWarp91]

Despite not many new toys coming out or not coming out fast enough, perhaps it's time to cherish all the toys we already have? :o

[theheretic]

I think that although the collectors aren't their main money maker they haven't forgotten us with new reissues coming out and new MP's on they way. I don't think they should have made a new starscream but the new optimus was great (good size, great alt mode and poseability) and the ultra Magnus prototype looked fantastic. So I think we are in for some treats next year. I'm hoping for some Fall of Cybertron toys and continued Generations releases.

[GoktimusPrime]

One good thing about now new TF purchases atm... I can put money aside for when Encore Devastator comes out (supposedly end of this month). ;)

[bowspearer]

One good thing about now new TF purchases atm... I can put money aside for when Encore Devastator comes out (supposedly end of this month). ;)

Or scoring MIB pre-tfs for the price of an ultra :p

[bowspearer]

It might be the same main characters and forms for the last few years, boring many fans, but Hasbro profits (and Transformers being their largest earner for the last 5 years) would give them no reason to change anything.

More like they milked an angle dry (as the shelfwarming of the DOTM line proves). Fans make up a large minority of their total market globally, yet the only people who are going to buy upteen dosen variants of a single character are completists.

Most parents are going to take a look at the latest version of Bumblebee and decide that their child already has that toy and pass it over.

It's amazing that they didn't have those main characters shelfwarming with ROTF.

I honestly can't see this Hasbro being able to declare pumping out more versions of the same character at this point or later on, a victory.

[5FDP]

One good thing about now new TF purchases atm... I can put money aside for when Encore Devastator comes out (supposedly end of this month). ;)

Ahh... good to see you're on board with Encore Devastator :D Couldn't resist those big, black, muscular forearms eh ;) Gotta love cartoon accuracy :cool:

[GoktimusPrime]

Ahh... good to see you're on board with Encore Devastator :D Couldn't resist those big, black, muscular forearms eh ;) Gotta love cartoon accuracy :cool:
Well, prototype toy accuracy (http://www.botchthecrab.com/gallery/catalog_1985_large_b.jpg) really, but it works as show likeness too (as obviously the cartoon colours were based on the prototype colours :)) -- same deal as eHobby Astrotrain, only this time prototype/show colour Devastator is gonna be a regular retail release and not a limited exclusive. :D Another advantage is that it ought to help differentiate it from KOs with purple arms (at least until some schmuck decides to counterfeit this reissue with black arms *sigh* :().

My 1985 G1 Constructicons are pretty well worn out after 26 years of being well loved. :) Getting reissues will let me 'retire' them as display pieces, and I get a minty new set of Constructicons to play with! I also get all those little guns and stuff which I've lost... and at a cheaper price than hunting down the originals. And of course I'd be showing my support to TakaraTOMY in giving us more new reissues (i.e. reissues of G1 toys that haven't been reissued in the past decade or so). :) I got Encore Bruticus for the same reason (shame about the QA issues on that set - but of course that mould had been overused by HasTak in G2 and CR/RiD -- Devastator shouldn't have that problem/excuse <knock.on.wood>).

I'd happily get any other G1 gestalt reissue for that same reason really. :) Hopefully Devvie will sell well and encourage TOMY to consider reissuing more; Defensor, Superion, Menasor (sure would make loophole happy :D), Computron, Abominus, LIOKAISER, Road Caesar etc etc. Monstructor needs to be reissued too - like without that stupid brittle gold plastic. Then mebbe they could do an eHobby exclusive DinoKing (although having to manufacture different shells for each set might be a disincentive -- maybe TOMY could reissue Dinoking for their market and later Hasbro could reissue Monstructor for their market... although knowing Hasbro, they'd release Monstructor with the dino shells instead of reissuing the Monster shells :rolleyes:)

They also need to reissue Sixwing again... but in G1 colours. I still can't believe they only reissued this toy in Decepticon colours and unpainted white^Verserker colours. Lame.

[kup]

Beast Machines was stale, with about 30 toys released in the year, and shelfwarming for years afterward. The last 4 years of the new Movies is definitely the opposite of stale. It might be the same main characters and forms for the last few years, boring many fans, but Hasbro profits (and Transformers being their largest earner for the last 5 years) would give them no reason to change anything.
Beast Machines was not a (money) winning formula, so they changed their direction, axing the line and cancelling Transtech... bringing in Vehicles from the JP Car Robots line.
Movie Universe on the other hand, is a (money) winning formula... and what business that wants to stay in business is going to change, or walk away from a winning formula.
We certainly aren't their meal ticket, so they're just gonna keep producing product for the kiddies and parents who are, no matter how repetitious it is.

I guess that a better term for 'it' would be boring and uninspired.

[GoktimusPrime]

And to think that Beast Wars was - IMO - prematurely axed to make way for Beast Machines. :rolleyes: One of many great decisions from the then newly appointed head honcho (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aaron_Archer).

[Hursticon]

One of many great decisions from the then newly appointed head honcho (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aaron_Archer).

I don't like that person; that person should run, run away and never return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbEAl214KA8)! :mad:

[Quickstrike]

And to think that Beast Wars was - IMO - prematurely axed to make way for Beast Machines. :rolleyes: One of many great decisions from the then newly appointed head honcho (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aaron_Archer).

Is that true? I don't know if that's true. He was in charge from 2000 which would've been well after they started planning Beast Machines.

[kup]

Is that true? I don't know if that's true. He was in charge from 2000 which would've been well after they started planning Beast Machines.

I am not sure about when Archer was promoted to his current title but a lot of the BM toy designs (and latter BW TM2 designs) do share several of his 'design style' queues.

It is possible that during that era he was already in a position of influence in the line.

[kristofferrer]

My opinion: The movie and its toy lines definitely cut me. I talk with passion about transformers but the movie just makes me cringe. After seeing TF Animated and the TF Prime series it was evident to me that Hasbro has brilliant writers as much as they do artists and designers.

The movie was definitely a money making scheme. If you read enough articles you may notice critics saying that the TF movies are deemed as one of the worst movies to make the most money. I'm inclined to sit on the same side of the fence as they are.

That said, I'm glad they made the movie because at least i saw TF in movie form. I'm glad they made money because at least they can continue to develop other TF lines. and I'm glad the movie was crap because my wallet thanked me whilst i saved up for the subsequent line :)

To quit transformers all together? I dont think i can. There are too many good things the line has produced (and are currently developing) . There's too much og a good feeling that they give me when i hold a figure or re-watch the series.

I didnt care much for the movie ... but i still care about TFs :)

[griffin]

And to think that Beast Wars was - IMO - prematurely axed to make way for Beast Machines. :rolleyes: One of many great decisions from the then newly appointed head honcho (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aaron_Archer).

Beast Machines was already underway (so had been at least 18 months in development before that) before Archer took on the lead role of Hasbro Transformers Design. And even still, that wouldn't high enough to make a management/corporate decision to move from one style/series (Beast Wars) to another (Beast Machines). He was obviously able to convince the higher ups to take on the Unicron trilogy idea of his, but only his more recent position would be able to dictate what series starts and ends... and even external forces (the creation of the HUB) forced an end to Animated so that the new channel had a new TF series.
According the the tfwiki article link, and from my own recollections of his Hasbro title at the last 6 or 7 BotCons, he's been promoted through several management levels just about every second year... and I think it was the tail end of the Unicron Trilogy that he was high enough to have some say or power in the direction of future TFs series/toylines (outside of the Movie & the HUB decision).
The creation of Beast Machines as a series would not have been one of them, as he was just one of the team of regular toy designers at that stage.

[SMHFConvoy]

So just to get back on topic: Does anyone care about collecting TF's any more? I've been very picky with the DOTM figures, preferring the cybverse line over the main line but I haven't looked at any of those in awhile.

I'm actually getting into the whole customising a bit more. I was looking around last night and found a whole tub of figures that I wanted to customise but I might just sell them off. This is supposed to be hobby but man it's becoming more of a chore :/

[LordCyrusOmega]

I still care about collecting. Just not retail shopping. Every time I go there they have nothing I want. I see great upcoming releases that never make it to stores. So I have to hunt online for them. The majority of toys I now buy come from this board.

So yes, I still love collecting. I just hate wasting time at the shops.

[theheretic]

I still care about collecting. Just not retail shopping. Every time I go there they have nothing I want. I see great upcoming releases that never make it to stores. So I have to hunt online for them. The majority of toys I now buy come from this board.

So yes, I still love collecting. I just hate wasting time at the shops.

I feel the exact same way. I only go retail shopping when I wanna look at toys I'm not gonna buy.

And I'm feeling a little disheartened at the moment because I've preordered or pile of looted everything I want until march next year... Now I find myself trolling boards in the hope I'll find some release I'll want.

[Vector Sigma 13]

Picked up my first toy in what seems like an eternity. The way DOTM toys have been distributed has really annoyed me. There has been nothing worth buying for months. I really thought my collecting days were over but I must admit I have gone back to my toys and my interest has increased somewhat again.

[Bartrim]

I watched the G1 movie the other day and I really enjoyed it and now have the parience to wait for figures I want:)

[kup]

Well there is still a couple of things to look forward to so it isn't as if we have been completely left out in the cold by Hasbro if you aren't into Movie figures or Kreo.

We have the Universe Repaints (although just two) and the TF Prime toys which some have a bit of 're-purposing' appeal even if you are not into the cartoon.

[GoktimusPrime]

We have the Universe Repaints (although just two) and the TF Prime toys which some have a bit of 're-purposing' appeal even if you are not into the cartoon.

Awesome toys will sell well even if the cartoon isn't the best thing ever. Look at RiD. ;)

[AJ_Prime]

When there are "droughts" I find myself buying figures that I may otherwise have not even considered, almost as a way just to get that "hit".

Whilst I don't regret any of my purchases so far I do sometimes wonder if I'm just doing it now for the sake of it. Having said that I still get excited unboxing them then playing with all of them on a regular basis.

I am wondering what will come after the TF Prime series runs its course and the subsequent toyline is discontinued. No doubt Hasbro has some other plans in store for it's fans but I do find myself wondering if I'll still be interested at that point. Part of me hopes I will, the other part hopes I won't, but only because of the dimishing space in our study not to mention the amount I'm spending on these things.

I am hoping that a toy line is released for the WFC game as well as TF Universe games next year.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've done that during drought years (I still don't consider 2011 to be a drought year by ANY stretch)... like in 2002 I got RiD Optimus Prime and Galvatron purely for the sake of getting something. Gah.

[5FDP]

The biggest drought for me was when the cartoon and then the comic ended. I thought that was it for Transformers. I remember reading the editors letter in issue 80 thinking to myself that my childhood was officially over :( Now I'm just a big child :D

[jimoinj]

I care, but not enough to get the toys anymore. Some of the new ones are really good, I mean like the Generations series, Masterpiece and so on. It's just a money issue. I'm getting on, and have to save up for the future. If I was rich, I'd get into them, and I'll surely get my future kids into them if I can. :D

[Lord_Zed]

It comes and it goes,

I guess there is a feeling of ennui for me with the main TF toylines and media, I did enjoy getting the odd few movie toys and the last of Generations, but now the momentum is lost with Soundwave being the only interesting new one being announced, the Generations repaints are good ideas but they are still just repaints/retools, I don't really dig the Prime style and the recent MP's while cool are remakes of characters I already own.

Still it's all cyclical so I'm sure it will all come around again, so I wouldn't say I don't care, it's just a quiet period, which is fine because my TF collection is smaller than most because I have a few different collections, and something is always going on somewhere.

[Doubledealer]

You know what I don't care about anymore (or who I should say rather)? Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron & Starscream. I understand from a business perspective it's good to maintain a degree of familiarity but surely there's going to come a point where it becomes a bit ridiculous to just keep reinventing these characters for every new cartoon series?

It's a comic, but look at Wreckers. Part of the reason why it's so fresh and memorable is because it's not dealing with the same bunch of losers as everything else! The big boys need to shove over and give someone else the spotlight.

[Autocon]

I don't. Think Iv'e just grown out of it. :rolleyes: Still haven't opened leader starscream and others

[5FDP]

Not meaning to revive this old thread (even if it was one of the more interesting topics) but I just had an epiphany which I wanted to share.

As mentioned, I haven't lost interest in Transformers - how could I when it has been such a big part of my life, I think it's more a case of changing priorities.

Devastator was my final grail item and this was fulfilled when TakTom released the Encore version (flaws aside). Since then, I have found it increasingly difficult to even considering buying anymore Transformers. In my mind, what could be better than owning Devastator? And that's just it - if I were to buy anything, it would have to surpass my last purchase otherwise what's the point. You kind of just get to a point when you hit the ceiling.

I'm completely over DOTM, I'm completely over repaints and retools, I have no interest in PRiDE, and I refuse to handover anymore money until Hasbro step-up to the plate and produce the goods. MP Sideswipe is a good start but until then, I'll just enjoy what I've got.

[UltraMarginal]

Not meaning to revive this old thread (even if it was one of the more interesting topics) but I just had an epiphany which I wanted to share.

As mentioned, I haven't lost interest in Transformers - how could I when it has been such a big part of my life, I think it's more a case of changing priorities.

Devastator was my final grail item and this was fulfilled when TakTom released the Encore version (flaws aside). Since then, I have found it increasingly difficult to even considering buying anymore Transformers. In my mind, what could be better than owning Devastator? And that's just it - if I were to buy anything, it would have to surpass my last purchase otherwise what's the point. You kind of just get to a point when you hit the ceiling.

I'm completely over DOTM, I'm completely over repaints and retools, I have no interest in PRiDE, and I refuse to handover anymore money until Hasbro step-up to the plate and produce the goods. MP Sideswipe is a good start but until then, I'll just enjoy what I've got.

Totally fair enough, but have you seen the FOC Bruticus!!:D

[GoktimusPrime]

In my mind, what could be better than owning Devastator?
Owning Time Warrior. :p ;)


I'm completely over DOTM, I'm completely over repaints and retools, I have no interest in PRiDE, and I refuse to handover anymore money until Hasbro step-up to the plate and produce the goods. MP Sideswipe is a good start but until then, I'll just enjoy what I've got.
Would a continuation of Classicsverse interest you?

[Slag]

Owning Time Warrior. :p ;)




Is that a figure or do you mean the watch

[Decepticon]

I'll just enjoy what I've got.

Those 6 words above pretty much describes what I have to say!:)

[SkyWarp91]

Who says still caring for Transformers is equal to whether or not you intend to purchase new Transformer toys? So long as you're thinking about TFs that's all that should really matter, eh?

[heroic_decepticon]

Hey 5 FDP good to hear from you!

Gotta do what makes you happy, if buying new stuff no longer entices you and playing with new stuff no longer interests you, then I agree it's time to take a break.

At the end of the day, very few collectors, if any, can "collect 'em all", so you gotta just buy what delights you. Sadly, for old school ppl like us, the recent releases will always feel sub par underwhelming compared with G1. And so if you G1 grail is Devy and you've reached it, then it's gotta be good enough.

Personally, I've written off almost every post G1 line back in 2007 and sold off non-G1 stuff because they really don't excite me. My only current lines are MPs, BTs and classics, and even many of these are questionable.

Cheers,
HD

[UltraMarginal]

Who says still caring for Transformers is equal to whether or not you intend to purchase new Transformer toys? So long as you're thinking about TFs that's all that should really matter, eh?

So true, I was just following up with the question of whether 5FDP considered FOC Bruticus as "stepping up to the plate".

[valkyrie_76]

Hey 5 FDP good to hear from you!

Gotta do what makes you happy, if buying new stuff no longer entices you and playing with new stuff no longer interests you, then I agree it's time to take a break.

At the end of the day, very few collectors, if any, can "collect 'em all", so you gotta just buy what delights you. Sadly, for old school ppl like us, the recent releases will always feel sub par underwhelming compared with G1. And so if you G1 grail is Devy and you've reached it, then it's gotta be good enough.

Personally, I've written off almost every post G1 line back in 2007 and sold off non-G1 stuff because they really don't excite me. My only current lines are MPs, BTs and classics, and even many of these are questionable.

Cheers,
HD


Sounds like what I am doing atm.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Heh, I had the horrifying realisation the other day that I'm rapidly acquiring all the Japan exclusives I'm after, and quite a few of the non-Japan-exclusives too.
Grail-wise there's only really a Classics Ultra Magnus to go, and now that I've got a living wage the non-grails are accruing rapidly.
Half the fun of this hobby for me is the hunt, so while it's cool to have most of my big-want items out of the way it kinda takes a lot of the fun from the hobby too.

[griffin]

Is that a figure or do you mean the watch

Yes, that'd be Time Warrior the watch (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Time_Warrior)... a pet obsession of his.

[Bartrim]

Yes, that'd be Time Warrior the watch (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Time_Warrior)... a pet obsession of his.

Paul needs a new category for the next ozformer awards. Understatement of the year... and we have our first nomination:p

[Sky Shadow]

What I most certainly do care about for the first time in years is Transformers comics. More Than Meets The Eye; Autocracy; Regeneration 1; Robots In Disguise; the bonus material in the UK Classics and Last Stand of the Wreckers hardcover... as of the past few months we have entered the best era for Transformers comics since the eighties.

[kup]

What I most certainly do care about for the first time in years is Transformers comics. More Than Meets The Eye; Autocracy; Regeneration 1; Robots In Disguise; the bonus material in the UK Classics and Last Stand of the Wreckers hardcover... as of the past few months we have entered the best era for Transformers comics since the eighties.

Although I think it's too early to say that we are in some 'comics renaissance', I will agree that if quality like this continues, we will be reaching one.

[5FDP]

Totally fair enough, but have you seen the FOC Bruticus!!:D

Yeah, it's about the only thing that has sparked my interest (see my sig). Fingers crossed though that it doesn't come out in those horrid G2 colours.


Would a continuation of Classicsverse interest you?

Hard to say unless I've seen what they're planning on releasing. Since the live action movies, Classis and Animated have been shining lights in an otherwise dull 4 years.

[Paulbot]

Having just moved my collection I am a bit overwhelmed by it all and am getting ready to reduce it. And I'm being more selective on new purchases than I was a year ago, and much more than I was three years ago.

So while my interest in "collecting" may have reduced, it hasn't affected my interest in the vast history and future of Transformers.

I'd hope that nobody felt that they needed to be active toy collectors to interact here. I joined this community because I was a Transformers fan not because I was a toy collector (although the board has been a bad influence in that regard ;) ).

[UltraMarginal]

I'd hope that nobody felt that they needed to be active toy collectors to interact here. I joined this community because I was a Transformers fan not because I was a toy collector (although the board has been a bad influence in that regard ;) ).

all too true.

[Lint]

I'd hope that nobody felt that they needed to be active toy collectors to interact here. I joined this community because I was a Transformers fan not because I was a toy collector (although the board has been a bad influence in that regard ;) ).

+2 :)

[Paulbot]

With every TF I take out of storage, the more I feel that my 'toy collecting' days are over. I keep pulling things out and thinking "Do I really want this?" and the answer is usually "No".

I think having had most of my TFs out of my sight for so long kept me blind to the reality of how many I actually have, and how greatly out of proportion that number is to how many I actually needwant.

I have wondered if this feeling is caused by my general unhappiness, but I don't think so. I think instead I bought so many TFs over the recent years as a reaction to and distraction from unhappiness. I've just ended up with a lot of TF figures that just take up space and that I don't have any desire to play with or look at.

A smaller collection of toys that I really like is better than a large collection full of toys I have just for the sake of having them.

[Prowl]

With every TF I take out of storage, the more I feel that my 'toy collecting' days are over. I keep pulling things out and thinking "Do I really want this?" and the answer is usually "No".

I think having had most of my TFs out of my sight for so long kept me blind to the reality of how many I actually have, and how greatly out of proportion that number is to how many I actually needwant.

I have wondered if this feeling is caused by my general unhappiness, but I don't think so. I think instead I bought so many TFs over the recent years as a reaction to and distraction from unhappiness. I've just ended up with a lot of TF figures that just take up space and that I don't have any desire to play with or look at.

A smaller collection of toys that I really like is better than a large collection full of toys I have just for the sake of having them.


I can completely understand that Paul. I have suffered with various addictions over the years & starting to collect TF's was almost a part of therapy/recovery for me.

Maybe sit down with your collection & make a genuine list of what you do want & what you don't want to keep. Not sure what your favourite series is but start to narrow it down to what will make you happy.

I know I feel a rush when I buy a new Transformer & I have been known to binge buy with self justification every bit as ridiculous as I have used for other addictions I have suffered from. You seem like a pretty nice guy & I don't know if you have a partner but if you do talk about it with them. If you don't have a partner then someone you trust but talk about how you are feeling.

Maybe set a goal of reducing your collection to a more realistic level (I don't know how many TF's you own though & our definition of realistic may differ greatly). Once you do that then sell the rest & put some of that money towards a reward like a holiday or weekend away where you can just focus on you & your relaxation.

[5FDP]

A smaller collection of toys that I really like is better than a large collection full of toys I have just for the sake of having them.

I just googled 'the truth' and it came up with the above statement. Well said Paul.

[SkyWarp91]

With every TF I take out of storage, the more I feel that my 'toy collecting' days are over. I keep pulling things out and thinking "Do I really want this?" and the answer is usually "No".

I think having had most of my TFs out of my sight for so long kept me blind to the reality of how many I actually have, and how greatly out of proportion that number is to how many I actually needwant.

I have wondered if this feeling is caused by my general unhappiness, but I don't think so. I think instead I bought so many TFs over the recent years as a reaction to and distraction from unhappiness. I've just ended up with a lot of TF figures that just take up space and that I don't have any desire to play with or look at.

A smaller collection of toys that I really like is better than a large collection full of toys I have just for the sake of having them.

But Paulbot, you've been working on those new banners for our site recently. Doesn't that say that you still got a passion for TFs? :)

[GoktimusPrime]

IMO possession > acquisition.

If acquiring toys becomes more fun than actually having the toys, then you could be looking at a kind of shopping addiction (compulsive buying) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oniomania) rather than actually enjoying having what you've purchased. Everybody gets a buzz from buying stuff - but does that buzz still last well after the purchase?

I still feel excited and enjoy most of the Transformers I've purchased throughout the years and I still actively enjoy playing with many of my toys; Prime, Animated, movieverse, Classicsverse, Beast Wars, G1 etc. If I'm not going to use a toy, I won't buy it. Keeping stuff that I don't use feels more like hoarding rather than collecting to me.

------------------------------------------------------
My definition of "use" for a toy is play - or at very least display. If I stop doing either with a toy then I consider them to be out of use and I will consider selling them. If you look at a lot of my sales threads, they're often non-TF toys that I've stopped playing with and have tried to offload.

[kup]

Although I have been very quick in collecting my G1 collection, I am very selective in what I get. I judge what to collect based on how much I care about the character and the universe the toy belongs to. Proper representation of the character to my own likings is also very important as I would normally not get a repaint that I believe not to do the intended character justice.

As a result most of my collection is G1, Beast Wars (which is complete to my satisfaction) and Classics plus related (music label, exclusives, etc). Some may think that I have lots of 3rd party stuff given my positive attitude towards it but they make a tiny fraction of my overall collection.

I have very few movie toys from the last few years and don't care about the next Prime line up which pretty much causes me to skip much of what Hasbro has to offer. I know that if I had continued to buy movie and even Animated toys, I would have strongly regretted it.

So now since my TF collecting has pretty much stalled due to a lack of avaliable toys that are to my liking, I am only really waiting for 3rd party releases. To satisfy my collecting habits, I have moved towards GI Joe (which are much easier to manage when it comes to space if you don't get too many vehicles) and collecting MOTUC figures which I am reaching what I would call 'complete to satisfaction'.

If you buy because you want it rather than just snapping up figures because they are avaliable, it is far more satisfying with little to no regret involved.

[SharkyMcShark]

My collection has been put away in boxes, and I've bought about 5 tfs in the last 6 months (Prime 1st ed Starscream and Cliffjumper, RiD Wheeljack, HA Soundwave and DotM Powerglide). The only one of those I've bought on a whim in a brick and mortar store was Wheeljack, which I almost instantly regretted paying $25 for.

The design direction that TFs are headed in doesn't interest me at all (smaller figures, more intrusive gimmicks). Combine that with the prices we pay, which are getting increasingly ridiculous when you consider the downsizing and simplifying going on and I'm just not that keen anymore.

Compare First Edition Prime toys with their RiD counterparts - the FE toys were developed originally for the Generations and the RiD toys were developed with the same brief as DotM.

[Paulbot]

But Paulbot, you've been working on those new banners for our site recently. Doesn't that say that you still got a passion for TFs? :)

As I said on the previous page, I haven't lost my passion for TFs. I still want to read the comics, watch the shows, see the movies, play the games, discuss the new toys, be creative with TF ideas etc. After 25+ years of doing this I don't think that could ever go away :) I just don't have a need for so many toys.


Maybe sit down with your collection & make a genuine list of what you do want & what you don't want to keep. Not sure what your favourite series is but start to narrow it down to what will make you happy.

Maybe set a goal of reducing your collection to a more realistic level (I don't know how many TF's you own though & our definition of realistic may differ greatly).

I'm working on a list like that at the moment, but getting overwhelmed with how many are on the "don't want to keep" list. It could easily be 50%. Actually its probably more accurate to say I'm overwhelmed with the idea of trying to sell so many.


You seem like a pretty nice guy & I don't know if you have a partner but if you do talk about it with them.

If I had a partner I wouldn't be unhappy but that's a whole other, non-TF related, issue for me :(


My definition of "use" for a toy is play - or at very least display. If I stop doing either with a toy then I consider them to be out of use and I will consider selling them.

I spent too long not using them (for fiddle play or display), just stockpiling them after a couple of transforms. So it's only now as I start to display them, I realise that I have no "use" for many and am not interested in possessing so many.


If you buy because you want it rather than just snapping up figures because they are avaliable, it is far more satisfying with little to no regret involved.

I think that's good advice, and for the time being, for me that means I'm not getting any Cyberverse Prime figures (I'll shift the two I already got :o), only a few of the most unique Deluxe Prime figures, and holding out mostly for the Generations toys later this year... It's a start.

I remember a while ago thinking it would be one out, one in. For every new TF purchased one needed to be sold. I need to revisit that strategy.

[Prowl]

I'm working on a list like that at the moment, but getting overwhelmed with how many are on the "don't want to keep" list. It could easily be 50%. Actually its probably more accurate to say I'm overwhelmed with the idea of trying to sell so many.


Start small & sell off your least desirable (to you) lines of figures one line at a time. That will hurt less & you will be making steady progress at reducing your collection.





If I had a partner I wouldn't be unhappy but that's a whole other, non-TF related, issue for me :(



Having a partner is not the be all & end all. Sometimes you can be just as unhappy in a relationship as out of one. That said it is nice to have someone to share things with be it a meal, a laugh or a bitch about what a crap day we have had.

What you need to remember is that there is someone out there for you & you will find that person one day, it could be tomorrow. No BS dude but you will have to put yourself in situations that will bring that about. There are just as many women looking for a genuine nice guy as guys looking for a nice girl. Hell my brother met the love of his life online dating & they are now married with a kid. IT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN.

[Paulbot]

Having a partner is not the be all & end all. Sometimes you can be just as unhappy in a relationship as out of one. That said it is nice to have someone to share things with be it a meal, a laugh or a bitch about what a crap day we have had.

I do appreciate the comments and advice, but it's a non-TF issue that I don't want to derail this thread with. I've done enough "venting" on this topic in the past anyway :0

[Prowl]

I do appreciate the comments and advice, but it's a non-TF issue that I don't want to derail this thread with. I've done enough "venting" on this topic in the past anyway :0

No worries mate. We are a community here & it is not all TF based stuff :). Keep your chin up & a positive attitude will being positive people into your life.

[GoktimusPrime]

Unless you're in urgent need for cash and/or living space, I'd say just take your time in selling the TFs you don't want. As you said, you don't want to overwhelm yourself as a seller... sort out what you don't want -- go for the stuff you definitely know you won't miss first; leave the stuff that you're undecided about for later. :)

Also, well said about the passion. :D Money can buy toys, books, comics, DVDs etc., but it can't buy passion. ;)

[Paulbot]

No worries mate. We are a community here & it is not all TF based stuff :). Keep your chin up & a positive attitude will being positive people into your life.

That's true, and people have tried to be helpful in the past, but only a couple of guys here would potentially understand my position. That is if they were chronically single too.


Unless you're in urgent need for cash and/or living space, I'd say just take your time in selling the TFs you don't want. As you said, you don't want to overwhelm yourself as a seller... sort out what you don't want -- go for the stuff you definitely know you won't miss first; leave the stuff that you're undecided about for later. :)

Many mini-sales to come. In fact maybe I'll start with the small things. Legends, mini-cons, Spychangers... I'm looking at you!

[Doubledealer]

This thread is rather depressing. :(

[SkyWarp91]

This thread is rather depressing. :(

Did you read my posts? :D

[Paulbot]

This thread is rather depressing. :(

If you look at it this way it's not so bad: most of the people posting some lack of interest are still here and still finding some elements of being a Transfan that they enjoy. Except davieanix who started the thread.

[Vector Sigma 13]

I can certain relate to some of the comments being discussed in this thread. I have a lot of unopened toys in boxes that I've had since ROTF. Although I quiet enjoyed DOTM I was pretty dissapointed with the toys that came out for that movie. There hasn't been a transformer produced that I've been really excited about owning for ages. Many who have been around this forum for a few years would know that life took a bit of a wrong turn for me for a bit but I'm on the tail end of that. The plus side of this is that I'm starting to get a bit enthusiastic about the franchise again. G1 will alway be special to me and I think that's where I will pick up from again. I've had a good look at what I have in my collection and I think the only thing that might get the chop is my TF Animated gear. They really don't interest me much at all. So I guess this is a positive story in that yeah one might want to take a break from the hobby for awhile but you can always come back to it!

[Doubledealer]

I think the only thing that might get the chop is my TF Animated gear.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

*falls over*

[Hursticon]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

*falls over*

*As Hursty stands over him laughing at his lack of equilibrium*. :p:D

[Vector Sigma 13]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

*falls over*

LOL

[Paulbot]

Last night I sorted out some more tubs of TFs I want to sell. Then later that night at about 2am when I couldn't sleep I thought those three tubs weren't enough and I should consider selling pretty much everything.

Then I woke up and I still feel that way. Too many toys sitting in storage and not being appreciated. G1, some BW, RID, Classics and Animated would be the lines I'd keep, but the other lines? I could probably be just as happy with just my few faves from each other line and sell the rest to good homes.

Both DOTM and TF:Prime have been disappointing, and the new Generations haven't won me over yet (thinking about cancelling my Bruticus preorder, but will try to get Grimlock). If my only TF purchases for the rest of the year were issues of the MTMTE comic, I think I'd be fine with that.

[Prowl]

It has been months since I purchased a TF due to the rest of my life falling apart. I am more settled now & when I unpacked my TF's I looked at each one as I put them away remembering how & why I bought them. Luckily most I still like as I have been selective in my purchasing. I am not over Transformers by any stretch but I will be far more selective in what I purchase from now on.

[Yukitora]

I didn't touch a tf in 2 years. We passed the toy lines, went on hunts and did all that stuff, but never walked out with a tf ever. One day we were passing the sad lot when we found an Arcee. that Prime one. Being the only chick in the line i decided on getting it purely cause i knew she don't show often. I picked up Battle Ops Bumblebee cause i finally found the danm thing and that was that. Its been what, 4 months now and still not a single tf has come home with us again. Except a random Tracks of ebay cause i went through a blue faze!? But kinda not counting that. The only other thing i pre ordered was a Sideswipe, and thats a month away still. Of course this is mostly me. I managed to gain enough spark to grab my partner a paranacon reissue set thing and that took me 3 weeks to push the buy button.
I guess thats why i made Sunny- and bumblebee. To fill in the time and give myself a transformer i could enjoy.
So hey, I held out for 2 years. All you have to do is pack the suckers away so you can't see them any more. Bring them back out next year and see how you feel. Don't go selling things just cause its a bad couple of months where life just sucks.

[Bidoofdude]

I go through hobbies really quickly, as I have stated in various threads. I find it hard at times to keep going. I'm a kind of-ish sort of Genwunner though, I'm kind of accepting of other lines. I pretty much only buy G1/reissues and Classicsverse, because that (apart from cybertron) is the only series I ever liked, or watched as a matter of fact. Sure, the lines today aren't great and I find myself going online for all my TFs. (I was a little late to the party) I believe that if I keep getting the toys I like, I can be consistent and stay focused. I am trying very, very hard to play pokemon at a minimum (gone in and out of it 5 times) and don't really buy anything else ATM. Like you, I find it really hard, but as of yet, my collection is fairly small and there's like 36 (i counted:D:p) that I would like to add to my collection at a minimum. Just keep consistent on what you like and don't get toys for the heck of it, or you'll disappoint yourself a lot.

[5FDP]

Collectors will come and go as everyone's interest peaks and wanes, but the one thing that I have noticed on this forum is that very few new members seem to stick. A common theme seems to be to come out blazing in the acquisitions thread, spending 100's of dollars in a short space of time, then they disappear from the forums for a bit only to return by posting their newly acquired collection in the sales topics.

My advice to new members would be to enjoy what you have, not to try and compete with senior members, and grow your collection by acquiring toys that actually interest you.

[Megatron]

Interesting thread. Here's my 2 c. I started collecting moderately (and getting into TF) when the Cybertron show was on, but at the time wasn't that much into the toys, plus finances were more restrictive. I kept them all MISB (they still are), then stopped collecting anything for the next... 5 odd years. Mainly it was financial but also at the time I hated the Bay movies and refused to buy anything related to it. Now, although a little late to the party, I've really changed my outlook, both as a fan and a collector. I can now spend a little more, so am collecting more seriously now - and it's a heck of a lot more fun than it ever was before.

I love my collection, I love Transformers, I love the toys (not too fussed, only some things I refuse to buy now but I would love to have most toys even from DotM, which ironically I liked the best for certain character designs). Is this a passing interest for me? I can say that most definitely it is not. I'm a TFs collector that is here to stay. Will I ever sell my collection? HECK NO! :cool:

So, SFDP, I'll be the exception!

[rocman12]

I've been coming and going for at least 10 years now. It's not that lose interest, but I work a lot and also have had a million things on. I find it hard to set aside the time to sometimes even think about tfs! I moved at the beginning of the year and it took me 9 months to put the toys back on display! Not because I didn't want to, but there were other important things I had to do.

I've never been one to compete with others, I just buy what I like, mainly G1 and masterpieces. I made the mistake a few years ago to buy armada toys and released I had no passion for them, now their just sitting in a box doing nothing. I won't be doing that again.

My other issue was that I tried to participate on too many boards! So I'm sticking to one!

As I'm getting older, I am spending less on tf's, but I have reached a cross road where I can't find any interest in newer toys and probably have all the tfs I want.

[Yukitora]

well for those that remember me, i disapered from ozformers entirely. I got Griff to totally delete my stuff here cause i lost interest and moving several times a year, i was worried that i would not return and didn't want to take up space on the boards. i truely thought i wouldn't return or remember any of my user details, for here and other sites. although some of my photos still remain! :D
I'm in no competition with anyone and i know even less about tfs. i'm sorry for all those random questions filling up Kups descusion newbies thread!, even though i've been collecting or using my brother collection rather since 1990-!
I've burned out my hobby so many times only to be picked back up by some random ozformer, mostly posting some random custom transformer in the Grapple art thread! @.@;
I think the one thing that keeps my spark sparkling is the handfull of G1 adventures I had when i was little, and every time i look at those toys i want to add to it. I don't think the newer collectors have this feeling. Newbies are so spoilt for choice, they can just pick a bot to put in the collection, never really get to know them, so they become just throw aways, a fad, cause there is a new line showing up next year. I recall having a no new transformer show up for years. You had to love the bots you had.

Love you Sunstreaker, brawn, Outback, dreadwing, dreadwind, landfill, slapdash, missfire, grapple, sandstorm, cyclonus, hun-gurr and a shit load of little guys! Who here can say the same?

[LordCyrusOmega]

I love Transformers, always have. I think the reason I buy so many now because I couldn't buy them when I was younger. I've always been picky about what I buy. When I first started collecting continuously I wouldn't buy repaints or even retools. Then when Animated came out I stopped placing restrictions on myself and brought toys based on character or mould. This generally means I buy everything but it also means I've missed out on toys such as Universe Sideswipe.
I lost in hope in finding toys due to lack of retail releases, I love the hunt but spent more time looking then finding. Now I buy online. If I don't find anything at retail then it doesn't matter as much.
Now I just have to work on my patience.

@ Yukitora: I love Sideswipe, Soundwave & Co, Swoop, Scourge, Thrust and Tracks

[Yukitora]

I love Transformers, always have. I think the reason I buy so many now because I couldn't buy them when I was younger. I've always been picky about what I buy. When I first started collecting continuously I wouldn't buy repaints or even retools. Then when Animated came out I stopped placing restrictions on myself and brought toys based on character or mould. This generally means I buy everything but it also means I've missed out on toys such as Universe Sideswipe.
I lost in hope in finding toys due to lack of retail releases, I love the hunt but spent more time looking then finding. Now I buy online. If I don't find anything at retail then it doesn't matter as much.
Now I just have to work on my patience.

@ Yukitora: I love Sideswipe, Soundwave & Co, Swoop, Scourge, Thrust and Tracks

Gutsman-Heavy is sending me a Sideswipe in the mail. Sunstreakers crying rainbows!
I have thrust. Well, its not mine -.-; but i remade him! ...So his mine now! :P

[Starscream77]

For me it's not a case of over it but frustration at funds to feed my wants. To collect older figures the prices are ridiculous. Eg Universe Sideswipe I am sure would have been 25 retail but is already over 60 on evil bay.
With a second kid on the way, 2 mortgages, 2 dogs, 2 cars etc it makes the flash cash get smaller.
For the first time in 2 years I find myself saying no which really kills me!

I am at the point of thinking of selling my medium size Star Wars collection to fund my TF wants.

[theheretic]

For me it's not a case of over it but frustration at funds to feed my wants. To collect older figures the prices are ridiculous. Eg Universe Sideswipe I am sure would have been 25 retail but is already over 60 on evil bay.
With a second kid on the way, 2 mortgages, 2 dogs, 2 cars etc it makes the flash cash get smaller.
For the first time in 2 years I find myself saying no which really kills me!

I am at the point of thinking of selling my medium size Star Wars collection to fund my TF wants.

Yeah the old fund tree is looking pretty bare here too. It makes me sad saying no, especially when it's to myself. Reading through some (i disnt read it all) of this thread makes me sad too but it does appear this board/forum has slowed down in the past 6 months. There's probably a number of factors contributing to this. DOTM toy line being very average, Prime RiD and Generations waves barely being stocked locally to name a few. It all sort of makes me feel lonely as a TF collector, especially because there seems to be no other TF collector in my area. Frowny face

[Magnus]

I started collecting as a way of getting the stuff I wanted as a kid but didn't get, but my collecting focus in terms of Transformers has largely shifted to the movieverse and the odd MP. I also collect figures from other franchises/lines, and I have a small diecast car collection, and my 'focus' has shifted towards these of late. I've now decided that for figures, I'll have a smaller number of larger/more detailed figures, so I've sold off figures to make room/fund these other purchases.

So, I suspect that in terms of new Transformers acquisitions, I'll be pretty quiet until the Transformers 4 toy line comes out.

[Jetfire in the sky]

I do not have one Bayformer in my collection, so have not bought much from the toyshops TF related for many years until I started watching TF Prime. OMG what an awesome show, and I think the figures while Bay-esque at times have also taken from the Animated and Generations lines and mixed their styling up nicely.
So now I find myself going into the toy shops and looking for any new waves of TF Prime figures, we are still only getting fist wave in Townsville :mad: So it's off to e-bay and overpriced items :(

[theheretic]

I do not have one Bayformer in my collection, so have not bought much from the toyshops TF related for many years until I started watching TF Prime. OMG what an awesome show, and I think the figures while Bay-esque at times have also taken from the Animated and Generations lines and mixed their styling up nicely.
So now I find myself going into the toy shops and looking for any new waves of TF Prime figures, we are still only getting fist wave in Townsville :mad: So it's off to e-bay and overpriced items :(

That really shreds my gears! I love the hunt of going through the toy isles and toy shops, but I realized very quickly that Australia's TF Prime line was stalling. So off to BBTS I went. It's still great getting that big pile of loot but it detracts from the individual figures. I'd much rather get one or two bots at a time but that seems impossible locally as we will most likely miss waves 3 through 5. Anger rising! Luckily FOC multiplayer has kept my mind off this. Nothing makes my TF anger subside like saving up that super strong last blast in the fusion/riot cannon, then unleashing it at point blank range and watching the parts of your target rain down on the surrounding area.

[Jetfire in the sky]

I'm hearing you. I dont have pay TV so don't know if TF Prime is on it or not, but downloading it has been the best. Seeing it on TV makes a toy line do so much better in the retail market than if you have to get it online. Yes old fashioned as it may be I think it is true.
Put it on toasted TV or something in the morning and the kids will flock to it. Although, I may be wrong here but most of TF Prime is PG not G in Oz. Just a thought. Very open to duscussion :)

[GoktimusPrime]

I agree -- should be on Free TV. It would also help if the toys were better made (well made toys can still sell well even without a show -- e.g. when Robots In Disguise first came out, the toys were selling like hot cakes and just flying off shelves for about a good 6 months before the cartoon aired on TV).

[Jetfire in the sky]

I agree -- should be on Free TV. It would also help if the toys were better made (well made toys can still sell well even without a show -- e.g. when Robots In Disguise first came out, the toys were selling like hot cakes and just flying off shelves for about a good 6 months before the cartoon aired on TV).

RID, the second time Transformers was saved. The first time was by Beast Wars of course. :cool:

[GoktimusPrime]

While Beast Machines certainly wasn't as popular as Beast Wars, I wouldn't go so far to say that it nearly killed the Transformers franchise like G2 did. It might have if it had continued for another year or two -- the Transformers franchise was still chugging along under BM, probably riding on the coat-tails of BW's success... and that steam would have eventually run out and been unable to continue pushing BM along. I think Hasbro canned BM just in time and replaced it with RiD that certainly did hit the nitro for the franchise after the speed hump that was BM. ;)

[The Scream Man]

Im into Transformers properly for the first time in years. In fact I just caved and bought the first Decepticons I have owned since I was a kid, so Im clearly falling deeper.

[Bidoofdude]

I've definetely falling into a void that I want to stay in.

[Doubledealer]

It's not that I don't care anymore, it's just that I'm pretty much content with what I've got. I only collect G1, Classics, Prime (show cast only) and Animated so whenever something from those lines come out, or if I've got a bit more dosh for a G1, I'll slap the cash down. Admittedly that doesn't happen too often but I'm cool with that, gives me a chance to save for other things while still enjoying the odd toy here and there (only ones I've purchased recently are Prime Voyager Dreadwing, Prime Unicron and United Ultra Magnus). When I have some spare cash I'd love to snag a nice G1 Broadside but there's no rush. :) Transformers forever!

[Jetfire in the sky]

It's not that I don't care anymore, it's just that I'm pretty much content with what I've got. I only collect G1, Classics, Prime (show cast only) and Animated so whenever something from those lines come out, or if I've got a bit more dosh for a G1, I'll slap the cash down. Admittedly that doesn't happen too often but I'm cool with that, gives me a chance to save for other things while still enjoying the odd toy here and there (only ones I've purchased recently are Prime Voyager Dreadwing, Prime Unicron and United Ultra Magnus). When I have some spare cash I'd love to snag a nice G1 Broadside but there's no rush. :) Transformers forever!

Being content with your collection is a great feeling, there isn't a ravenous urge to buy everything you see. When you can be at a stage where the odd thing to buy pops up every now and then and you can look at your collection many times a day and just smile then that is a great place to be :)

[GoktimusPrime]

That's how I felt during 1993-95/96... G2 didn't interest me all that much, but I still remained massively devoted/obsessed with Transformers and still actively played with my G1 toys, watched my eps on VHS, kept re-reading the comics etc. I did buy some G2 stuff -- I have a rather modest G2 collection... but on the whole it didn't engage me like G1 did. But yes, Transformers forever indeed! :D

[Trent]

I find myself in an amusing position. Having almost finished watching Beast Wars through for the first time, I find myself really getting into it. Thus I find myself starting to look at a few figures on ebay. Being the collector I am, 2 or 3 figures will suit me fine, but it's cool because it's like a new line for me as I previously had no interest in it, thus tended to pay it very little attention.

That is seemingly going to change.


I can see why Verno's so into it and uses it as inspiration. :)

[Doubledealer]

Being content with your collection is a great feeling, there isn't a ravenous urge to buy everything you see. When you can be at a stage where the odd thing to buy pops up every now and then and you can look at your collection many times a day and just smile then that is a great place to be :)

So true. I find I spend a lot more time these days playing around with/admiring what I've got, and far less time on eBay, RK etc. looking for the next purchase. My wallet is ever so grateful. :p

[Bartrim]

It's not that I don't care anymore, it's just that I'm pretty much content with what I've got.

Thats exactly how I am. I realised a long time ago that I'll never be a completist and as soon as I realised that I found I was able to enjoy my collecting alot more. Instead of hunting down figures like a mad man on ebay etc all night everytime a figure comes out I ask "Does it fit into my G1esque classicsverse or is it a new character I can retcon into it?(Eg: Lockdown from Animated)" or "Do I want it for my misc TF shelf?" If the answer to both these is no then I will give the figure a miss. This style of collecting allows me to save for G1 gestalts, encores and expensive botcon toys that suit my collection.

[Bidoofdude]

Uh oh. Its fading away. Someone please help me!!!!!! PLZ!! What should I do?! I also got the: You have enough, you're not spending another cent on tfs, lecture. grr. I need to buy a toy, watch an episode, do something tf related before it's too late!!!

[Kazza]

Uh oh. Its fading away. Someone please help me!!!!!! PLZ!! What should I do?! I also got the: You have enough, you're not spending another cent on tfs, lecture. grr. I need to buy a toy, watch an episode, do something tf related before it's too late!!!

Just watch TF Prime on a weekly basis... though s2 is coming to an end

[Jetfire in the sky]

Uh oh. Its fading away. Someone please help me!!!!!! PLZ!! What should I do?! I also got the: You have enough, you're not spending another cent on tfs, lecture. grr. I need to buy a toy, watch an episode, do something tf related before it's too late!!!

Maybe get a new wife/gf/partner/bf/husband :p:p TF Prime will inspire some buying for sure :D

[Bidoofdude]

Maybe get a new wife/gf/partner/bf/husband :p:p TF Prime will inspire some buying for sure :D

How old do you think I am? Yeah for the Prime. 'm mainly into G1 styled stuff. Maybe MP-10 will make it better.

[Kazza]

Maybe get a new wife/gf/partner/bf/husband :p:p TF Prime will inspire some buying for sure :D

Bahaha, oh if you knew how old he is...

[Jetfire in the sky]

:D:o:o

[Bidoofdude]

True that. I'm not that young though. I'm just short... :o

[Magnus]

Being content with your collection is a great feeling, there isn't a ravenous urge to buy everything you see. When you can be at a stage where the odd thing to buy pops up every now and then and you can look at your collection many times a day and just smile then that is a great place to be :)

+1. I find myself looking at stuff on eBay I might want to get, but I think in some instances I'd be getting it just for the sake of having something 'new', not because I really wanted it. Right now, Transformers-wise, I'm pretty content with my collection :)

[theheretic]

I'm really feeling this way lately. I had been collecting all deluxe and voyagers I can get my hands on from Generations and Prime (and before that HFTD, RTS, DOTM) while also tracking down a few G1's and getting the latest MP's and I have a whole bunch of preorders for upcoming toys from these lines along with a few expensive 3rd items (TFC not-Superion, FP Bruticus, WFC Omega Supreme) but lately I find myself wondering if I should keep these preorders or just cancel them. There's a few reasons I guess but the biggest let down for me was High Moon Studios statement that they will not be making any new DLC. It's really got me sour. I haven't opened half my last acquisition and just have no urge to. What to do.... :-(

[iamirondude]

i think every collector goes through it.keep ur pre-orders and ride it through as u know as i have before that u'll be kicking ur self when your love for collecting returns.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I had a similar feeling when I saw voyager class Starscream from Prime on sale at BBTS for $15. My initial reaction was 'woo-hoo' but then I thought, 'Do I really give a enough of a crap about this character to bother getting him posted over? I already have him in deluxe size in the 2-pack with BBee anyway'. 12 months ago I would have lept at the deal, now I just couldn't be bothered. And that is a very rare impulse for me when it comes to my beloved TF's.


That said, I did pre-order wave 3 of the FOC toys and a Masterrpiece Sideswipe ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

There's a few reasons I guess but the biggest let down for me was High Moon Studios statement that they will not be making any new DLC. It's really got me sour. I haven't opened half my last acquisition and just have no urge to. What to do.... :-(
I don't see how the game should affect the way you enjoy the toys. You can have a character who's awesome in the media, but craphouse as a toy (e.g. TF Prime Airachnid), or a character who's awesome as a toy but crappy (or almost non-existent) in the media (e.g. G1 Hubcap). I mean, it's not as if killing of Sludge in FoC has in _anyway_ changed my opinion about my G1 Sludge toy. :)

[SuspectimusPrime]

I'm really feeling this way lately. I had been collecting all deluxe and voyagers I can get my hands on from Generations and Prime (and before that HFTD, RTS, DOTM) while also tracking down a few G1's and getting the latest MP's and I have a whole bunch of preorders for upcoming toys from these lines along with a few expensive 3rd items (TFC not-Superion, FP Bruticus, WFC Omega Supreme) but lately I find myself wondering if I should keep these preorders or just cancel them. There's a few reasons I guess but the biggest let down for me was High Moon Studios statement that they will not be making any new DLC. It's really got me sour. I haven't opened half my last acquisition and just have no urge to. What to do.... :-(

That's part of the issue with pre-orders or online purchases, that you can't be rewarded with the thrill of busting open the package at the point of purchase. I've allowed packages sit for weeks/months at a time, because I didn't feel that I was in the best state of mind to enjoy them. Opened Movie Fracture recently and that was one sweet moment, but I had her sitting MISB next to my laptop for almost a year. Also got a bunch of the later Animated stuff from a very long time ago (Rodimus, Arcee, Cybertronian Ratchet+Ironhide, Freeway Jazz, Takara Blackout) that I'm waiting for the right time to open them all.

If whatever's letting you down on purchasing, just don't purchase anything more until those feelings are go away, and when you can make decisions that aren't emotionally charged.

[Megatron]

That's part of the issue with pre-orders or online purchases, that you can't be rewarded with the thrill of busting open the package at the point of purchase. I've allowed packages sit for weeks/months at a time, because I didn't feel that I was in the best state of mind to enjoy them. Opened Movie Fracture recently and that was one sweet moment, but I had her sitting MISB next to my laptop for almost a year. Also got a bunch of the later Animated stuff from a very long time ago (Rodimus, Arcee, Cybertronian Ratchet+Ironhide, Freeway Jazz, Takara Blackout) that I'm waiting for the right time to open them all.

If whatever's letting you down on purchasing, just don't purchase anything more until those feelings are go away, and when you can make decisions that aren't emotionally charged.
^Excellent advice.

So, you're kind of a unintentional MISB collector, Suspectimus? :p Seriously though, you have extreme patience. :eek:

[aaron2]

I am a great fan of transformers and DOTM.... In DOTM an invention capable of ending the war between the benevolent Autobots and the malevolent Decepticons, crash lands on the dark side of Earth's Moon.
So i care about this:cool:

[SuspectimusPrime]

^Excellent advice.

So, you're kind of a unintentional MISB collector, Suspectimus? :p Seriously though, you have extreme patience. :eek:

Quite unintentional :p Also, patience is a virtue that I am still working on, I would better describe the above mentioned thoughts as procrastination evolved :p

It just takes me a much longer amount of time to channel Goki's vigour in putting blade through plastic packaging :)

[Kazza]

I'm the same, i leave my ebay purchases sealed for like 3-4 months before i feel the need to open them.

[Crysteen]

DotM Line was crap, to some degree. But I was very lucky to snag a Rare Deluxe Soundwave from the guys at Hasbro, FREE!! It was a Preview Sample that they were going to throw away.

If Hasbro were to release Soundwave, Leadfoot and Que(Wheeljack) then the line would be complete.

But with PRIME and FoC releases, it's not Over yet.
And with Transformers 4 in the works, expect more figures to be released.

[UltraMarginal]

That's part of the issue with pre-orders or online purchases, that you can't be rewarded with the thrill of busting open the package at the point of purchase. I've allowed packages sit for weeks/months at a time, because I didn't feel that I was in the best state of mind to enjoy them. Opened Movie Fracture recently and that was one sweet moment, but I had her sitting MISB next to my laptop for almost a year. Also got a bunch of the later Animated stuff from a very long time ago (Rodimus, Arcee, Cybertronian Ratchet+Ironhide, Freeway Jazz, Takara Blackout) that I'm waiting for the right time to open them all.

If whatever's letting you down on purchasing, just don't purchase anything more until those feelings are go away, and when you can make decisions that aren't emotionally charged.


^Excellent advice.
I totally agree



So, you're kind of a unintentional MISB collector, Suspectimus? :p Seriously though, you have extreme patience. :eek:

Yea, I am the same also..


Quite unintentional :p Also, patience is a virtue that I am still working on, I would better describe the above mentioned thoughts as procrastination evolved :p

It just takes me a much longer amount of time to channel Goki's vigour in putting blade through plastic packaging :)

I'm more that I want to be awake and not rushed and able to enjoy opening it up and exploring the engineering, design and transformation. I've been collecting faster than I open for at least 5 years now. some things I wait to have the whole line so I can take a photo of them all MISB together ( I am currently trying to figure out how to get hold of a first edition prime at a reasonable price) then I'm cracking the lot:D

[SkyWarp91]

I'm still a fan of Transformers but I don't feel the need to collect any new figures as I did before, I'm pretty happy with my collection and for money and space's sake it is probably a good idea to not buy/pre-order EVERYTHING that Hasbro releases. Usually I'd racing or up in arms in getting the new big fig such as the MP-10 TRU exclusive Prime but I don't even care about that anymore, even if I've missed it because I already got my own MP-04 Prime which in itself was already one of those chasing down a rare toy experiences.

[Chinta63]

This might be a silly topic to post, especially because if you are here on this forum, you are obviously a Transfan. But ever since Dark of the Moon hit, I have really lost my passion for Transformers. Like, in every way, but mostly with collecting.

Even going into like a K-Mart or something, and heading into the toy section, it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Nothing even moves off the shelves either. I remember the rush of finding all the new waves of figures for ROTF, and they were always getting restocked, etc. But DOTM? Not even close! That's why I'm asking I guess, does anyone else feel the same? Has some of the spark gone?

Personally, I'm pretty sure I am done (I'll probably even sell most of my stuff), but does anyone else feel similar, to a degree?

Yes a little bit... I remember I used to travel to all the TRU, Kmarts, Targets during the weekends hunting for transformers.... But now I either buy online or overseas trips..

[Omega Metro]

I'm feeling this at the moment. I keep buying the things but won't open them 'in case I sell them' so just throw them on the shelf. I really can't be stuffed selling them 1 by 1 and posting them all (I have about 500). So the circle continues.:mad:

It's an addiction:(

[GoktimusPrime]

If I'm unsure about a toy, I won't buy it. I usually only buy a toy if I know I wanna keep it and play with it. That's why I have very few toys sealed (and the ones that I do have sealed are doubles), and also why I rarely sell anything.

[lancalot]

We all change from time to time...we get different hair style , different clothes , so we also get different hobbies and interest .... i just got back into transformer at the end of last year because i saw a few new masterpiece toy where releasing and from there got me hooked into it .... and i lose interest in my old hobby of games as there wasn't anything that hooking me back there anymore .. And with the news of the next gen console looks even worse :( For me i try to do customs and from there i actually learn alot about different character in the transformer universe that i didn't even know existed ...and plus with the beasthunter series still going it keeping me hooked also all the masterpiece that coming this year ... !!

[Ae-Evolution]

Kinda like what happened to me, I was dragged into collecting again. My last figure I bought at the store was ROTF Bruticus, kind of just lost hope after that. Then I got my debit card and explored the web and found some figures to complete my old collection and then actually checked stores and found Prime figures and thought they were neat. I had a Detolf in my room at the time and in my mind went, "Move over Gundam, make way for Optimus Prime." Now I see all these new figures I actually like, so I'm back in.

[kup]

I'm feeling this at the moment. I keep buying the things but won't open them 'in case I sell them' so just throw them on the shelf. I really can't be stuffed selling them 1 by 1 and posting them all (I have about 500). So the circle continues.:mad:

It's an addiction:(

It's not a good sign when you buy too many things and don't open with thoughts of selling. I rarely sell stuff so I guess I am still feeling good about buying toys although the BBTS voyager delays and the sudden 'gap' of 3rd party toy releases is getting very dull and frustrating with the dropping dollar.

[Zommael]

For a lot of fans Beast Hunters is kiddy and uninteresting, and I do respect that. But for me DOTM and Prime were just boring, nothing I hadn't seen before, so Beast Hunters - and the revived Generations line - has got me back into collecting. Yes, they're obviously kid-focused but I can't help but feel that makes them fun, as opposed to constant realistic vehicles which are all much of a muchness. The accusation that the transformation is always the same is often layered at the beasts, but if I see another car where the hood becomes the chest and the rear wheels the feet...

[GoktimusPrime]

We all change from time to time...we get different hair style , different clothes , so we also get different hobbies and interest ....
Not all of us. Some of us have never lost interest in Transformers. :)


For a lot of fans Beast Hunters is kiddy and uninteresting, and I do respect that. But for me DOTM and Prime were just boring, nothing I hadn't seen before, so Beast Hunters - and the revived Generations line - has got me back into collecting. Yes, they're obviously kid-focused but I can't help but feel that makes them fun, as opposed to constant realistic vehicles which are all much of a muchness. The accusation that the transformation is always the same is often layered at the beasts, but if I see another car where the hood becomes the chest and the rear wheels the feet...
Some vehicles have mundane transformations as do beasts. Both types of alt modes provide different design challenges. With vehicles, you're trying to transform solid looking vehicles into a humanoid shaped robot; so challenges lie in incorporating alt mode parts into the robot mode with minimal "panelforming." With beast modes you have the task of transforming an organic looking quadraped into a robotic biped. In recent times, designers just use robotic beast modes which isn't nearly as challenging (or interesting) as what we had in Beast Wars where they had to design/engineer organic looking beast modes that transform into mechanical looking robot modes. Naturally the robot modes would have a partially organic look because of the beast mode parts attached to the robot (just as a car Transformer would be covered in car parts). For the most part HasTak did an astounding job, and it's something that we just don't see with TF Prime (mind you their vehicle modes are also fantasy-based too... and wth do Megatron and Shockwave transform into?!? #rhetorical). The fun thing about realistic alt modes is that it helps to create that "robots in disguise" element. I look at Predaking and think, okay... that's a cool monster, but I ain't gonna see it IRL anytime soon. I look at something like K-9 (transforms into an Alsatian/German Shepherd dog; stupid name, I know :p) and think gee, I could easily see that animal walking down the road and it could be a robot in disguise! :D

The thing w/ animal/creature modes though is the temptation for designers to just use the forelegs as arms and the hind legs as legs in robot mode. The typical "standing quadraped" transformation, which is the sort of overused typical transformation type for quadrapeds. TM2 and BM Cheetor are notorious examples of this somewhat underwhelming type of transformation, and I believe Ultimate Predaking is the same (from what I've seen and read; I've yet to see this toy for myself loose IRL). But that's one thing I quite like about Voyager Predaking; the designers intentionally avoided doing just that. Well okay, the front legs do become the arms, but the hind legs actually tuck away into the robot legs and become concealed, and the robot legs themselves are formed from the hind section of the creature's body! I really wasn't expecting that when I first got the toy and I was quite pleasantly surprised by it. :)

[5FDP]

Not all of us. Some of us have never lost interest in Transformers. :)

QFT! :cool: Personally I can't imagine being able to switch off like that, but hey, if people wanna be bandwagoners who am I to complain. More product is bought in the shops increasing our chances as collectors to get waves that would otherwise be skipped ;)

[Zommael]

Not all of us. Some of us have never lost interest in Transformers. :)


Some vehicles have mundane transformations as do beasts. Both types of alt modes provide different design challenges. With vehicles, you're trying to transform solid looking vehicles into a humanoid shaped robot; so challenges lie in incorporating alt mode parts into the robot mode with minimal "panelforming." With beast modes you have the task of transforming an organic looking quadraped into a robotic biped. In recent times, designers just use robotic beast modes which isn't nearly as challenging (or interesting) as what we had in Beast Wars where they had to design/engineer organic looking beast modes that transform into mechanical looking robot modes. Naturally the robot modes would have a partially organic look because of the beast mode parts attached to the robot (just as a car Transformer would be covered in car parts). For the most part HasTak did an astounding job, and it's something that we just don't see with TF Prime (mind you their vehicle modes are also fantasy-based too... and wth do Megatron and Shockwave transform into?!? #rhetorical). The fun thing about realistic alt modes is that it helps to create that "robots in disguise" element. I look at Predaking and think, okay... that's a cool monster, but I ain't gonna see it IRL anytime soon. I look at something like K-9 (transforms into an Alsatian/German Shepherd dog; stupid name, I know :p) and think gee, I could easily see that animal walking down the road and it could be a robot in disguise! :D

The thing w/ animal/creature modes though is the temptation for designers to just use the forelegs as arms and the hind legs as legs in robot mode. The typical "standing quadraped" transformation, which is the sort of overused typical transformation type for quadrapeds. TM2 and BM Cheetor are notorious examples of this somewhat underwhelming type of transformation, and I believe Ultimate Predaking is the same (from what I've seen and read; I've yet to see this toy for myself loose IRL). But that's one thing I quite like about Voyager Predaking; the designers intentionally avoided doing just that. Well okay, the front legs do become the arms, but the hind legs actually tuck away into the robot legs and become concealed, and the robot legs themselves are formed from the hind section of the creature's body! I really wasn't expecting that when I first got the toy and I was quite pleasantly surprised by it. :)

I guess I just prefer More Than Meets The Eye to Robots In Disguise... ;)

[Omega Metro]

QFT! :cool: Personally I can't imagine being able to switch off like that, but hey, if people wanna be bandwagoners who am I to complain. More product is bought in the shops increasing our chances as collectors to get waves that would otherwise be skipped ;)

It's not a case of 'bandwagoning' (been a fan of TFs since the 80s). It's more the fact that I'm out growing my obsession with 'plastic toys' as I believe there's better things to spend my money on, such as investing money.

[GoktimusPrime]

It should be pointed out that just because someone is no longer an active collector of Transformers doesn't mean that they've necessarily lost interest in Transformers. They may have merely lost interest in that one aspect of Transformers. One can still remain highly passionate (and obsessed ;)) with Transformers in other ways, such as continuing to read the comics, watch the cartoons/movies, and play with the toys that you've already collected. It just means that you're not adding new toys to your collection so much.

I know that my collecting significantly slowed down during the G2 years. I still did collect a few toys during that time, but not nearly as much as I used to during the G1 years. To this day I still have a relatively modest G2 collection. But it never meant that I lost interest in Transformers though. I did collect the G2 comics and continued to read the G1 comics, watch the G1 cartoons (and TFTM ;)), drawing fan art and continued to actively play with my G1 Transformer toys.

I personally don't feel the need to 'quit' Transformers just because there's little current stuff to keep me engaged. If current TFs ever failed to adequately engage my interest (as with G2), then I wouldn't give up on Transformers, I would just enjoy everything that I'd already accumulated. Sure, G2 sucked (as a franchise), but it didn't make G1 any less great. :) I mean... it's not as if the Original Star Wars Trilogy (in its original form) has gotten any worse just because of the Prequels! You can hate Jar Jar Binks and Hayden Christensen's cardboard acting all you like, it doesn't suddenly make The Empire Strikes Back an inferior movie because of it. :D That's why I think cries like, "Michael Bay killed my childhood!" are stupid. No matter how much you might hate the Bay films, they do NOT affect or influence anything that came before it. Far out.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/trilogy_zps064b1113.jpg

[Sinnertwin]

Ive only recently begun to catch on the 90's-00's era with Armada toys, more specifically the Japanese/Korean versions. I won't be collecting them all, but it's something that i find enjoyable. Until the TRU G1/TFC collection came around my collecting was almost stagnate, with a few purchases here and there. I'd still be actively involved in folowing the franchise, but i can put it down to the G1 reissues that really reignited the interest in me. Finally, toys that i never had as a child, made readily available. Then the Classics followed and the rest is history.




http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/trilogy_zps064b1113.jpg

:D ive always preferred The Family Guy's version ;)

[Paulbot]

It's not a good sign when you buy too many things and don't open with thoughts of selling.

I've been like this for the last 8 months or so but I've also had a bunch of other stuff in my life getting me down in this time.

I've got a big backlog of TF:Prime, FOC and Masterpiece toys sitting on the shelf. And even though I've only bought the ones I thought looked the best, the fact they are just sitting MISB on the shelf does make me ask myself "why have them, why not sell them?".

I've not watched TF:Prime yet so I don't have any attachment to these characters (I've just bought show cast in case I end up loving it) and the FOC toys look plain disappointing compared to WFC. The only two TFs I've opened in the last 12 months have been FOC Jazz and BH Smokescreen and neither was all that hot.

I'm getting so much more TF enjoyment from the comics (just bought my third version of MTMTE) than toys like Jazz or Smokescreen gave me.

My toy collection is just going to keep getting smaller and smaller I think, and that's fine. Collecting Transformers comics was always much more of my focus than Transformers toy collecting and I think I swayed too far into the toy collecting mindset in 2007 and am just heading back to (for me) normal.

[5FDP]

It's not a case of 'bandwagoning' (been a fan of TFs since the 80s). It's more the fact that I'm out growing my obsession with 'plastic toys' as I believe there's better things to spend my money on, such as investing money.

Strange... I don't recall quoting you so I'm at a loss to understand why you feel the need to explain yourself to me :confused: Fact - it is bandwagoning when we see an increase in board registrations and activity every time a movie is released... or an increase in people wearing Transformers apparel... or shiny new Autobot logos on cars etc. etc. ;) Like I said, it's not a bad thing, just human nature to associate themselves with current trends.

[GoktimusPrime]

Strange... I don't recall quoting you so I'm at a loss to understand why you feel the need to explain yourself to me :confused: Fact - it is bandwagoning when we see an increase in board registrations and activity every time a movie is released... or an increase in people wearing Transformers apparel... or shiny new Autobot logos on cars etc. etc. ;) Like I said, it's not a bad thing, just human nature to associate themselves with current trends.
Also didn't Hasbro's stats show that toy sales doubled in the year following the release of the first Bay film? I personally think there are pros and cons about Transformers having become more mainstream since the 2007 film came out. :) Either way, many of us were devoted fans long before the film came along, and we'll remain devoted fans long after they're gone. ;)

[Omega Metro]

Strange... I don't recall quoting you so I'm at a loss to understand why you feel the need to explain yourself to me :confused: Fact - it is bandwagoning when we see an increase in board registrations and activity every time a movie is released... or an increase in people wearing Transformers apparel... or shiny new Autobot logos on cars etc. etc. ;) Like I said, it's not a bad thing, just human nature to associate themselves with current trends.

Hmm, I noticed you joined just after ROTF was released in 2009. You must of loved that movie. Do you have an Autobot logo on your car and a Tshirt? Cos i don't.

[5FDP]

Hmm, I noticed you joined just after ROTF was released in 2009. You must of loved that movie. Do you have an Autobot logo on your car and a Tshirt? Cos i don't.

Not sure what your deal is but I'd suggest getting your facts straight before pointing the finger at anyone. I was a member here in early 2006 under the handle S0undwave. Personal reasons and the board being relocated meant that I was absent for a little while. Now go away little man.

[Skullcruncher]

Strange... I don't recall quoting you so I'm at a loss to understand why you feel the need to explain yourself to me :confused: Fact - it is bandwagoning when we see an increase in board registrations and activity every time a movie is released... or an increase in people wearing Transformers apparel... or shiny new Autobot logos on cars etc. etc. ;) Like I said, it's not a bad thing, just human nature to associate themselves with current trends.

Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself ;)


Also didn't Hasbro's stats show that toy sales doubled in the year following the release of the first Bay film? I personally think there are pros and cons about Transformers having become more mainstream since the 2007 film came out. :) Either way, many of us were devoted fans long before the film came along, and we'll remain devoted fans long after they're gone. ;)

And you are surprised? Newer members can't be devoted?

[GoktimusPrime]

Hmm, I noticed you joined just after ROTF was released in 2009. You must of loved that movie. Do you have an Autobot logo on your car and a Tshirt? Cos i don't.
5FDP was a member here before making his current account. Also a lot of people are fans of Transformers long before joining OTCA. SMHFConvoy's a relatively new member, but I can personally atest that he's been a fan of Transformers for MUCH longer than his join date suggests. ;)


Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself ;)
Some (not all) people who identify themselves as Transformers fans are like that. I've occasionally bump into people who parade around in Transformers apparel or have TF badges on their cars etc., and when I strike up a conversation with them about Transformers it becomes abundantly clear thast they don't really know much about Transformers itself (beyond what pretty much every man and his dog would know ;)).


And you are surprised?
I didn't say that it came as a surprise. Far from it, it was something I was definitely expecting. That's why when news of the live action movie came out (about 10 years ago) I went and hunted down the remaining early G1 TFs that I still needed (all two of them :p) just in case the increase in fandom would drive aftermarket prices for G1 toys up. In hindsight I'm glad I did it, because both of the toys that I needed and acquired have since been KOed.


Newer members can't be devoted?
I didn't say that either.

It all depends on whether or not they decide to remain devoted to Transformers or if they choose to quit. Some people may change the nature of their devotion (e.g. become more fans of the comics rather than collecting toys), but they still remain dedicated and devoted to Transformers.

[5FDP]

Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself ;)

I agree with your first point however disagree with the analogy of your second.

A friend of mine - from memory he registered here under the handle Optus Prime, has always been interested in Transformers, he just didn't have time to devote himself to an online community such as Ozformers as he was already active in several others.

I wouldn't consider it 'Bandwagoning' for people to start following a new team based on hype alone because at least they were there from the beginning unlike an existing team that has just made the finals for the first time. In a Transformers sense, there were quite a few kids at my school in the 80's that hadn't heard of Transformers and therefore knew nothing of them aside from word of mouth i.e. hype, in the school yard (no internet back then - go figure :p). Quite a few of them still collect to this day. I would hardly refer to them as Bandwagoners.

[DELTAprime]

I'm went through a period where most Hasbro's lines since DOTM didn't appeal to me. DOTM was ok, but the line got cut off half way through. The FE line was good but never saw the light of day in most retailers around the world and most PRID toys just didn't seem as good as previous toys since the team that made the older lines got moved to other IP's. I can count on two hands the number of Hasbro releases I've bought since DOTM. But Generations Metroplex is a must have, and I've ordered the Triple Changers and the IDW wave. I just wish they where getting released in Australia.

Takara on the other hand has always had my interest. Fort Max, the Masterpiece line, Alternity and Arms Micron are all far more interesting to me than anything Hasbro did between DOTM and this years Generations releases.

[Trent]

Not sure what your deal is but I'd suggest getting your facts straight before pointing the finger at anyone. I was a member here in early 2006 under the handle S0undwave. Personal reasons and the board being relocated meant that I was absent for a little while. Now go away little man.


I wouldn't consider it 'Bandwagoning' for people to start following a new team based on hype alone because at least they were there from the beginning unlike an existing team that has just made the finals for the first time. In a Transformers sense, there were quite a few kids at my school in the 80's that hadn't heard of Transformers and therefore knew nothing of them aside from word of mouth i.e. hype, in the school yard (no internet back then - go figure :p). Quite a few of them still collect to this day. I would hardly refer to them as Bandwagoners.

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

I know it probably wasn't your intention, but that is how those 2 posts read.

[5FDP]

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

I know it probably wasn't your intention, but that is how those 2 posts read.

Reread what I wrote, it may actually make sense. I was defending people who follow something new based on hype alone which when applied to your question would include anyone who became a fan from watching the movies, and this somehow makes me an elitist? Or should I be apologising because I corrected someone trying to discredit me that I was a member on this forum before the movies were released?

If your arguing the opposite to me but labelling me an elitist by inferring I believe there are fans beneath me in my ‘perceived fandom hierarchy’, then you are a hypocrite. If that’s not the point you are trying to make, then I don’t know what you are implying. I’m sorry, but that’s how I read your post.

[GoktimusPrime]

^+1. None of what 5FDP said came off as being elitist to me, and if anything he's been trying to rationalise/defend the actions of people who follow popular trends.

Whether someone became a Transfan long ago or recently, I think the key factor is commitment to the franchise. Those of us who've been active in the fandom long enough have seen plenty of people come and go, and almost everyone claims to be a 'die hard fan' when they sign up. But actions speak louder than words; if we're all still here in 10 years' time and we're still just as passionate about Transformers, then we'll know that we're absolute fanatics (which is what the word "fan" is short for).

I met 5FDP 10 years ago at the OTCA booth at Sydney Supanova 2003. Here we are 10 years later and we're both still absolutely nuts about Transformers. :D So IMHO time will be the ultimate judge of who the truly committed fans are, irrespective of when you started. :)

[Sky Shadow]

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy. :p

[Starscream77]

How about we just let this one go guys before it spirals further.
A fan is a fan in my book and just leave it there

[UltraMarginal]

How about we just let this one go guys before it spirals further.
A fan is a fan in my book and just leave it there

tru dat:cool:

[Lint]

Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy. :p

What if they, in the interim years, gained an appreciation for the more refined quadrants of the TF franchise but still ultimately have to admit that their entry point into the fandom was the movies? Still at the bottom? :p

[Sky Shadow]

What if they, in the interim years, gained an appreciation for the more refined quadrants of the TF franchise but still ultimately have to admit that their entry point into the fandom was the movies? Still at the bottom? :p

Nah, that person sounds like quite the Transformers sophisticate. Any gateway-drug to Transformers is great, just as long it ultimately gets them on to the good stuff. :D

[Hursticon]

So what if you were a life long fan but didn't actually know of a particular fansite's existence, until you were verbally bludgeoned into joining said site at the behest of a best friend & current member, at a time that was chronologically "smack-bang" in the middle of the 1st Bayverse-movie period? :confused::p

[UltraMarginal]

So what if you were a life long fan but didn't actually know of a particular fansite's existence, until you were verbally bludgeoned into joining said site at the behest of a best friend & current member, at a time that was chronologically "smack-bang" in the middle of the 1st Bayverse-movie period? :confused::p

<sheepishly puts up hand> but it wasn't even till after that...

[Skullcruncher]

Whether someone became a Transfan long ago or recently, I think the key factor is commitment to the franchise. Those of us who've been active in the fandom long enough have seen plenty of people come and go, and almost everyone claims to be a 'die hard fan' when they sign up. But actions speak louder than words; if we're all still here in 10 years' time and we're still just as passionate about Transformers, then we'll know that we're absolute fanatics (which is what the word "fan" is short for).


And its the fanatics that are usually outspoken, who quite often get on their soapbox and spout their opinions that everyone has heard many times before and will hear many times again. Yay for fanatics.



Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy. :p

Replace movie with comics for me :p

[Gouki]

How about we just let this one go guys before it spirals further.
A fan is a fan in my book and just leave it there

These supposed 'lesser' fans then to get less involved in the e-penis waving and tend to be less blinkered to a specific era in the franchise... we need more of them.:P

The more fans the better, regardless of when they became interested.

[MayzaPrime]

The thing that bugs me more, is people that put an Autobot badge on their car and the only reason they do it is cause it looks cool.

I have a Con badge on my bike, but I have been collecting TFs for 28yrs so I can get away with it ;)

[Gouki]

The thing that bugs me more, is people that put an Autobot badge on their car but the car looks like total shit and is falling apart

Fixed.

[GoktimusPrime]

These supposed 'lesser' fans then to get less involved in the e-##### waving and tend to be less blinkered to a specific era in the franchise... we need more of them.:P
Actually I find some new fans can be more blinkered to a specific era than long-time fans. I've come across some (not all!) newer fans who seem to be caught in a time warp; e.g. the stereotypical Gee Wunner. Whereas I find long time fans are more likely to be inclusive of almost all TF lines. Again, I said some, not all. And this is just my personal observation.


The more fans the better, regardless of when they became interested.
Agreed. Hopefully these new fans will commit themselves to the franchise and stay for the long haul, otherwise the benefits of having a large fan base will also diminish. e.g. late G1 - as the franchise slowed down we saw a large drop in the fan base as more and more kids decided that Transformers was no longer "cool" or they were "too old" for toys or other such nonsense, and as such we started to see the toy line being affected, cancellation of the cartoon, cancellation of the comics, reduction in production of merchandise etc.


The thing that bugs me more, is people that put an Autobot badge on their car and the only reason they do it is cause it looks cool.

I have a Con badge on my bike, but I have been collecting TFs for 28yrs so I can get away with it ;)
+1! :D

I'd rather see a TF badge on a scratched up car belonging to a TF fan than on a shiny fancy car belonging to a non fan. The quality of the driver (as a TF fan) matters more than the quality of the vehicle. If I wanna see fancy cars I'll go to a car show or something. :rolleyes:

[UltraMarginal]

The thing that bugs me more, is people that put an Autobot badge on their car and the only reason they do it is cause it looks cool.

I have a Con badge on my bike, but I have been collecting TFs for 28yrs so I can get away with it ;)

I have a con badge on the front of my bbq, I plan on putting a Autobot badge on my bbq apron...:D:cool: for it is a mighty battle:D

[billygoat]

I have a con badge on the front of my bbq, I plan on putting a Autobot badge on my bbq apron...:D:cool: for it is a mighty battle:D

Behold.... Snaggertron! And these... shall be your onions...

/unicron (bbqnicron?)

On topic though, this conversation for the last few pages strikes me as being really odd. Is this still a thing that happens in fan communities? Are we still evaluating people by their entry (or re-entry) point into Transformers or their join date on whatever forum or their "committment" as fans?

I mean... it's a mass market toy and media franchise. One that I love dearly and am very sentimental about but all the same. It's not a church where I feel the need to be debating whether one kind of fan is more righteous than another or whether they've got the right version of holy book. Why is this kind of thing important?

That said, FIRRIB. And all you FIBRIR heathens need to think about how you're ruining your lives by turning away from the one, true colour scheme. I can only hope The Cassette Twins come into your hearts and show you the true way one day.

[Sky Shadow]

That said, FIRRIB. And all you FIBRIR heathens need to think about how you're ruining your lives by turning away from the one, true colour scheme. I can only hope The Cassette Twins come into your hearts and show you the true way one day.

It's a little-known fact that the Transformers themselves only started their war when Amalgamous Prime convinced Megatronus Prime and Liege Maximo that Rumble was purple, while Prima and the rest of the Thirteen believed Rumble was red. Millions of years later, the Autobots and Decepticons have no idea what they're fighting about, but they're sure it's important.

[UltraMarginal]

Behold.... Snaggertron! And these... shall be your onions...

/unicron (bbqnicron?)



HAHAHA, I like it. :D

[Iriorne]

/unicron (bbqnicron?)

Hehe, I got a chuckle out of that. I'd buy one if it transformed. :)


Are we still evaluating people by their entry (or re-entry) point into Transformers or their join date on whatever forum or their "committment" as fans? [...]
I liked Transformers before it was cool the first second time it was cool. :p

It's the old "mine's bigger than yours" argument. At the end of the day it shouldn't matter why someone likes Transformers (or Star Wars, or Star Trek, or Batman, or whatever), only that they do. Without new iterations, the franchises we love would have run their course decades ago and been forgotten.

[Sinnertwin]

Behold.... Snaggertron! And these... shall be your onions...

Hahaha! :D i can hear Orson now

[Hursticon]

It's a little-known fact that the Transformers themselves only started their war when Amalgamous Prime convinced Megatronus Prime and Liege Maximo that Rumble was purple, while Prima and the rest of the Thirteen believed Rumble was red. Millions of years later, the Autobots and Decepticons have no idea what they're fighting about, but they're sure it's important.

Hehe, lol - Oh I liked that one. :p:D

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

That said, FIRRIB. And all you FIBRIR heathens need to think about how you're ruining your lives by turning away from the one, true colour scheme. I can only hope The Cassette Twins come into your hearts and show you the true way one day.NOOOOO! Then there won't be room on the spaceship when the Holy Trukk summons His Planet-Destroying Moon to smite the heathen Munky worshipers...

[ITZTRU]

I've been into the G1 cartoons since they were released. Never really started collecting again until I was older and came across my first Masterpiece toy on the shelves of some Japanese toy store in the city and couldn't believe how awesome it looked. (MP07 IIRC). Wanted to know more about them and where to buy them. Came across this site as a result. I'm not nearly as active as many of you, but I don't think it makes me any less of a fan...

[kup]

Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy. :p

hmmm...I wish I could be politically correct about this and refute your perception but I can't :p

[kup]

So what if you were a life long fan but didn't actually know of a particular fansite's existence, until you were verbally bludgeoned into joining said site at the behest of a best friend & current member, at a time that was chronologically "smack-bang" in the middle of the 1st Bayverse-movie period? :confused::p

My fan community membership only predates the movies by a year or so but still within the 'movie hype' era of around 2006/7. However my motivations for joining had nothing to do with movies, I had already been following the franchise since it's conception in the 1980s . Although I strongly disliked the Unicron Era, I watched it on Channel 10 almost every morning and kept up with everything including knowledge of the Japanese G1 cartoons long before I met a fellow fan or joined OTCA.

However before 2006, I was not actively collecting any toys...I was still traumatized by my father getting rid of my entire childhood toy collection when I turned 10 years old. His argument was that toys were for small kids and I should no longer play with them so it all got sent to St Vincent de Paul and other charities. Basically, I still had an induced stigma of 'Toys are only for kids' although I never truly believed it.

At that point in time in 2006, I had followed Beast Wars sporadically through what I could catch on TV after school during the 90s so I was yet to watch the entire series proper. I ended up buying the 3 seasons on DVD and re-watched it all as a whole. I was immediately 'hyped' on it specially when I had only recently re-watched the whole G1 run on DVD. This prompted me to seek out to re-acquire and re-read the G1 Marvel comics, introduce myself to the UK run and explore as much as I could possible get my hands on.

During this period while going out with a girl, we walked past a Target and she mentioned wanting to buy a bra. I thought it was a bit inappropriate (and weird) of me to go and browse for a bra with her so I said I would be checking out the other sections and that I would come and find her later. I ventured over to the toy isles randomly and that's when I saw the BW 10th anniversary Primal and Megatron with MP-02 Magnus..I stood there looking at those toys for ages wanting to buy them but the 'toys are for kids' stigma my father had ingrained in me was very strong still so I remained there a long time just repeatedly picking up the boxes and putting them back on the shelf. My friend later finds me and sees me looking at the toys like zombie for a couple of minutes and in a frustrated tone says "Why don't you just buy them already!" and that was the push I needed! :)

That's how my toy collection begun.

As a result of that I eventually decided and wanted to collect G1, went to the Parra fair by myself and bought an incomplete G1 Magnus. I needed parts and was ignorant of the ebay trade so I decided to try and network to see if there are other fans - First, I decided to see if there was a local 'Botcon' in Australia and there kind of was! However I had missed it by a week! doh! I tried to find out more about the people who organized it and came across the Ozformers board and the rest is history! :)

[Raptormesh]

Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy. :p

Lol this is definitely me as I only started buying TF toys with the advent of ROTF. :D Started one day as I went to check out the movie deluxes on a break and picked up sideswipe(swords!!). Then I had to get sideways because SS lacks a sparring partner and that wouldn't do. A week later read a review on HA bee at CollectionDX and practically flew to Kmart to get it and Thrust(my fav TF toy to this day). I still remember grinning like a champ at the checkout line.

That said however I grew up with transformers Victory(and Robotech/Macross) and have been a lifelong fan though toys have never been in my reach. My TF collection is meager, as a large proportion of my Hobby dollars goes into Macross birds. Never regretted getting into it though. ;)

[Sinnertwin]

Sometimes. I was looking at my collection recently, thinking of all the time and money i've sunk into this franchise, thinking what if i hadn't etc... then something awesome like the Takara repaints of the BH will come along and it'll rekindle my passion :D

[Verno]

The recently announced Generations Rhinox and Waspinator sum up my relationship to the Transformers franchise perfectly.

A lot of waiting, a lot of ignoring... But eventually, you get tossed a little gem or two by the powers that be and that makes up for the amassed frustrations. They will be picked up and will tide me over to the next little nod in a few years.

[Trent]

I'm on a bit of a low now, but it's just due to a lack of display options. At the moment all but 5 of my TFs are packed away because I've got nowhere to display them. So it brings on a 'What's the point?' mentality. That'll change soon though. I'm currently working on a display solution. A few months should see my problems solved :D

[Prime_217]

I have always loved transformers, I grew up watching re-runs of g1 and then beast wars when that started, but I didn't get into any sort of collecting till the movies.
I am pretty specific with my collecting, I don't buy figures purely because of the movie brand, I only buy the figures that I believe are well engineered and actually represent the character on the screen.

and I've never really understood the reasoning behind getting multiples of the same toy and keeping them in storage, I still transform each and every one of my figures at least once or twice a week. they were designed and made to be played with!

I probably wont ever buy any figures from any other series, I probably wont even buy into the new movie franchise, the movies and their figures are a special art of my life that i don't think will ever change.

[Necare]

A while back on another forum I posted my thoughts on the evolution of the collector, specifically about my evolution on transformers collecting. I was always a fan of the cartoon G1. And then started collecting a little before the first movie but went bat$(&)@ Crazy after and collected many lines and figures only to skim back and be more focused.

I am winding down my collecting and will only get really well done or missing classics figures at this point. I sold off all my Animated line, Beast Wars line, and though I like the show, I'm not collecting any Prime figures even thiugh they seem quite good.

My interest hasnt faded as I love my collection and the more I widdle it down, the more I like the figures that are left as they are really the only ones I like.