Transformers Venting thread!

[ampoldj]

I NEED A LIKE BUTTON :D
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Click this :D

[Ravagecat]

Meawhile, in this week's edition of "Things Said On OTCA That Should Never Be Repeated Without Context"...

Hilarious :D

My son's the same - I seem to be the only one that cares if his TF's have their accessories attached or not lol. Legs arms come off, who puts them back on?? Grrr! :D :cool:

[Bartrim]

I finally start earning money to buy Transformers and combiner wars are no longer on the shelves... Just my luck.

BTW I know I can buy online I just enjoy that toy hunting/capturing moment. Also I'm not that upset about this, more can't believe my bad luck with timing.

[UltraMarginal]

I finally start earning money to buy Transformers and combiner wars are no longer on the shelves... Just my luck.

BTW I know I can buy online I just enjoy that toy hunting/capturing moment. Also I'm not that upset about this, more can't believe my bad luck with timing.

have you tried toyworld or toymate, these stores sometimes have older stock for longer, you might pick up some bargains too since the line is not the newest.

[Tober]

I finally start earning money to buy Transformers and combiner wars are no longer on the shelves... Just my luck.

BTW I know I can buy online I just enjoy that toy hunting/capturing moment. Also I'm not that upset about this, more can't believe my bad luck with timing.

Which CW are you after?

[GoktimusPrime]

Picked up TR Apeface today but the pet monkey is missing the post for its weapon mode. :( And I'm working late tonight so I won't be able to go in for an exchange until at least tomorrow - hopefully there will be another Apeface left when I go in for exchange. Gah.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just received TT Weirdwolf today and I love him to bitssss. But, I very much DO NOT love the TM partner with him. I now have a weirdwolf coloured apefce drone that makes a decent enought little jet thing and Gorilla thing (who is inventively called Rarigo- gorrilla backwards...:rolleyes: ). But in no way does it manage to pass as a weapon.

I think I hate these things being shoe horned as triple changers...

[prjkt]

yeah not many of the TM vehicles pass as weapons very well, kind of an afterthought I guess, which is kinda sad, but as you say the Gorilla and Jet modes on that little mould are awesome - Apeface is the one TM I have on my desk atm.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Got my Victorion and Computron posters laminated yesterday and they had mucked it up with big air bubbles all over them. :mad:

He didn't charge me and said he'd do better if I had some more - had to explain that you only got them when you purchased a $200 toy

[prjkt]

Got my Victorion and Computron posters laminated yesterday and they had mucked it up with big air bubbles all over them. :mad:

He didn't charge me and said he'd do better if I had some more - had to explain that you only got them when you purchased a $200 toy
You can have mine if you want, Computron should be here tomorrow, and Victorion's poster is safe in the box atm

[GoktimusPrime]

Looks like the new TR Headmasters hit NSW shelves just when I was in Japan. And in Japan it was really hard to find Legends figures because they're just selling like hotcakes! :eek: I did see a Skull(cruncher) and as nice as the Japanese redeco is, I couldn't justify getting it since I already have TR Skullsmasher. They had loose display figures of others stuff which was sold out, including Blurr which I might've gotten if it was in stock. :( The only LG figure which I managed to get was Weirdwolf - and as nice as the redeco is - it's also more expensive than TR Weirdwolf (thanks to the addition of the Llarigo (gorilla) figure. :o

Anyway, might try and hit a few stores today and try my luck.

[BigTransformerTrev]

You can have mine if you want, Computron should be here tomorrow, and Victorion's poster is safe in the box atm

Very kind of ya mate but I'll be right - gonna get some of those TR posters printed up today anyway

Bought a couple of on-special Wave-6 Tiny Titans figures from Coles. One for me, one for my son.

Typical- he wanted Barrage and stuck me with the Optimus. Sniff - I wanted Barrage

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I'm trying to take apart an Animated Blackarachnia for a parts swap with my Legends Blackarachnia, and the torso screw is stripped to buggery. Can't get any purchase whatsoever, even with the rubber band trick.
I'm at the point where I might have to see if a jeweler can make some notches for a flathead screwdriver, or else pick up an engraving tool and do it myself.
Between the original figure (whose elbow socket split right out of the package), the Animated one for replacements, and getting the screw dealt with, she's going to end up being an expensive figure.:(

[DaptoDog]

Have had the G1 Commemorative Smokescreen Reissue for about 10 years and finally decided to open it on the weekend. I transformed him once then let my son have a go and one of the arms has cracked the plastic at the elbow. :( He wasn't even rough with it. The plastic looks very brittle because I can see a couple other areas of stress at the same elbow. Over to Ratchet's repair bay...

[jazzcomp]

Alt Rodimus rolled out and fell on the floor and damaged the door :(

[DELTAprime]

Not a vent, more of a disappointment. I'm really bummed that the back half of Titan Returns Brainstorm's jet mode looks so much like Blurr than the tradition alt mode for Brainstorm. A little more effort to remould the back of the alt mode would have been awesome.:(

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, I've seen and handled TR Brainstorm IRL and wasn't impressed enough to want to go out and replace my Voyager. The new head sculpt is very nice, I'll grant it that, but the body does feel rather "Blurresque" to me.

[Trent]

My overall opinion of this fandom makes me question sometimes why I choose to be a part of it. The latest stint is the discussion around the just announced MP Megatron.

Fortunately Griffin seems to filter out these morons as part of his registration screening process.

So well done Griffman! :)

[DELTAprime]

My overall opinion of this fandom makes me question sometimes why I choose to be a part of it. The latest stint is the discussion around the just announced MP Megatron.

Fortunately Griffin seems to filter out these morons as part of his registration screening process.

So well done Griffman! :)

It's the internet, unfortunately we have to live with certain people on it. I got a good reminder of that this afternoon trying to do the current set of LFR content in WoW.

[BruiseLee]

It's the internet, unfortunately we have to live with certain people on it. I got a good reminder of that this afternoon trying to do the current set of LFR content in WoW.

That's a whole different level right there.

[GoktimusPrime]

Today someone removed the Decepticon logo badge from the front of my car. :mad:

[UltimateGalvatron]

It's the internet, unfortunately we have to live with certain people on it. I got a good reminder of that this afternoon trying to do the current set of LFR content in WoW.

Mate try CS:GO, the saltiest people online, LOL.

I've had quite a few crackers on comp...

[UltraMarginal]

My overall opinion of this fandom makes me question sometimes why I choose to be a part of it. The latest stint is the discussion around the just announced MP Megatron.

Fortunately Griffin seems to filter out these morons as part of his registration screening process.

So well done Griffman! :)

I haven't really had time to look at much of the discussion? I'm curious to know what was moronic? was it actually moronic or are you just becoming a grumpy old man faster than the rest of us;)

[DaptoDog]

I haven't really had time to look at much of the discussion? I'm curious to know what was moronic? was it actually moronic or are you just becoming a grumpy old man faster than the rest of us;)

Yes I was also curious. IMHO the discussion on TFW was far worse but perhaps that is partly what was being referenced?

[UltimateGalvatron]

AustraliaPost is the worst.

My parcel has not moved at all today, an hasn't done so at all since 10 am last Friday.

[5FDP]

Today someone removed the Decepticon logo badge from the front of my car. :mad:

That sucks. Did they scratch it in the process?

[GoktimusPrime]

That sucks. Did they scratch it in the process?
No. Not that it matters on my old lemon of a car. :p

[GoktimusPrime]

My MP Optimus Primal was posted to me yesterday, but I just realised that I haven't updated my postal address so it would've been shipped to my old address. I have had mail redirected since moving, but I can't remember if I paid for 6 months or 12. :confused: If it's 6, then the redirection may have expired (don't remember exactly).

Does anyone know if Australia Post sends reminder letters to customers before the mail redirection service expires (and thus offering the option to extend redirection)? :confused:

[SuspectimusPrime]

Does anyone know if Australia Post sends reminder letters to customers before the mail redirection service expires (and thus offering the option to extend redirection)? :confused:

Seems like you should be getting an invitation to extend (http://auspost.com.au/media/documents/mail-redirection-form-jul2015.pdf) (2nd page, right panel). If you've got your ref number you should be able to extend online (http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/extend-your-mail-redirection.html).

[DaptoDog]

I hereby resolve to not look at the Megatron news thread anymore. The ongoing banal discussion about whether this is a replica firearm, how do I get a licence in my state yada yada is just too much for me. No doubt it will continue for the next 6-8 months or so until its release. That discussion belongs in the Gunformers thread but I've already brought that up, which halted it for only a day or so.....

[Ralph Wiggum]

I hereby resolve to not look at the Megatron news thread anymore. The ongoing banal discussion about whether this is a replica firearm, how do I get a licence in my state yada yada is just too much for me. No doubt it will continue for the next 6-8 months or so until its release. That discussion belongs in the Gunformers thread but I've already brought that up, which halted it for only a day or so.....

+1. My finger hovered over the gunformers/ Megatron thread and I thought, "Screw it, the discussion is going in circles and people are asking questions to which there are already answers for."

I'll do the exact same thing as I did with MP05 - pick two or three up in Singapore and have my B709 form ready for customs.

[griffin]

Fixed.

[DaptoDog]

Fixed.

Many thanks Griffin. :)

[BigTransformerTrev]

My MP Optimus Primal was posted to me yesterday, but I just realised that I haven't updated my postal address so it would've been shipped to my old address. I have had mail redirected since moving, but I can't remember if I paid for 6 months or 12. :confused: If it's 6, then the redirection may have expired (don't remember exactly).

Does anyone know if Australia Post sends reminder letters to customers before the mail redirection service expires (and thus offering the option to extend redirection)? :confused:

Yes they do, or at least did the last few times I've moved

[GoktimusPrime]

I never got the reminder letter. :( Anyway, I managed to get to a post office this morning and, after jumping through a couple of flaming hoops (:rolleyes:), finally managed to get my service extended. And not a moment too soon, as I found out today that my current redirection service expires on Thursday, and the extension of redirection takes 3 days to come into effect (same as if I applied for a new redirection service :rolleyes:), meaning that the new redirection will start on Friday. I was worried that MP Optimus Primal might arrive early on a day where my old redirect has expired but the new one hasn't started yet.

Now that I've done this, any bet that my parcel won't arrive until the end of this month. :o #murphyslaw

[FatalityPitt]

Looking at pictures of Legends Apeface (the one who's packed with Condor), and comparing it to the one on my desk.

Dammit Hasbro! Why couldn't you paint your Apeface to look more like that? Now I feel compelled to drop money on Legends Condor/Apeface... And I wouldn't even buy the Titan Return Laserbeak even if its on sale..

EDIT: Actually, I take back the last statement about not buying Laserbeak. I think I'd only him if I were to buy TR Soundwave. No Soundwave is complete without at least a Buzzsaw or Laserbeak.

[Paulbot]

Picked up Wolfwire at Target but even at $15 I couldn't do it. There's like four different shades of yellow on that toy. Did they even bother to attempt colour matching!

[Ozgardian]

I always disliked the name Nemesis Prime. I can't believe Transformers has never made a Primaevil!:eek: ...such an obvious choice. Reminds me of the villain in the 1986 animated series of Ghostbusters (which also featured Peter Cullen).

[GoktimusPrime]

I quite like the name Nemesis Prime, being Greek & Latin for "Number 1 Enemy." It's better than "Black Convoy" or "Scourge" (not that 'Scourge' is an inherently bad name, but I think that Nemesis Prime suits it better as an antithesis of Optimus Prime). And this is why I think it's cool to have the "Prime" suffix in the name because it symbolises this antithesis. Takara did it by adding "Convoy" on the end.

As we all know, the character concept was born from Car Robot (RiD2001) where Black Convoy was an evil clone of Fire Convoy. In the first episode of Car Robot, one of Fire Convoy's first lines when he confronted the Destrongers was, 「例え宇宙の果てでも、正義の呼ぶ声のあるところに私は現われる！」which means, "Until the end of the universe I will heed the call to justice!" When Black Convoy emerged from his stasis pod, the first thing he said was, 「例え宇宙の果てだろうと、悪を呼ぶ声ある所に必ずやってくる」("Until the end of the universe I will absolutely come to the call of evil.").

I wouldn't like the name Prime-Evil because it's just too corny and childish. This is because "evil" characters don't see themselves as evil (yes, I know that Car Robot throws around words like "justice" and "evil" but we all know that that show was pitched at a very young audience). And there's the issue of the name probably being trademarked by Schaper Toys who made the Ghostbusters toys in the 80s (Schaper has since been acquired by Tyco, which is now a division of Mattel, Hasbro's rival). This is something that I enjoy about the IDW comics where everyone either sees themselves as the good guys, or they just don't care. Characters like Overlord are similar to say the Joker in The Dark Knight -- doesn't register himself as good or evil (these concepts may not even exist for him), but some folks just want to see the world burn. IDW's Nemesis Prime and Sentinel Prime are evil characters, but neither of them see themselves as evil - both see themselves as the good guys and believe that everyone else, including Optimus Prime, have become lost/corrupted.

Remember that "Megatron" is Greek for "great electrical charge," and "Galvatron" is a combination of Latvian/Lithuanian and Greek for "electrically charged head" (perhaps describing the light up gimmick in the toy's head (which illuminates the robot eyes and cannon mode's barrel)).

[Sinnertwin]

Megatron was "Mega" from "Megaton", you know. "Tron" was from "electronics". I can't say for sure, but my belief is that that name became one of the best known. I remember it was in Doonesbury where the son of Doonsbury is saying that the President is Megatron or something like that. I think it's the best known and regarded among a lot of the names I came up with. At the time, Hasbro actually initially rejected it, and the reasoning was "Well, it sounds too scary because Megatron makes you think of nuclear bombs." and I said "Well, he's the head of the bad guys, the whole idea is for him to be scary." They dropped their protest after that. They would reject names every so often for all sorts of reasons. Although they were really happy, I mean they were just ecstatic generally when I came up with a batch of names for them to look at.

I think Bob Budiansky and co were looking for cool/heroic/dangerous sounding names and had absolutely little to no idea about the Greek origins of megas.
We've just assumed that they must have an existing point of origin & went looking accordingly.

[TAAUBlaster]

Absolutely livid at the moment...
I found a pristine vintage MIB G1 Metroplex on Ebay US a few weeks ago. Paid a lot of money because the box was so nice (in addition to the figure being unused.) It turned up today, and some careless loser* had punctured a hole in the shipping box, which has gone through the Metroplex box and into the styrofoam. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg.html)

Just sent the seller a message to find out what my options are. I'm not blaming him at all, he did pack it well - and much better than a lot of other sellers. Can't really protect against something stabbing through the box. And now I'm worried because I didn't see the hole until I had already cut the packing tape. :( Is it too much to expect the astronomical shipping charges we pay should entitle the goods to safe transit?:mad:

*this doesn't even begin to describe what I think of the person that did this, but I have t keep it clean. :mad:

[FatalityPitt]

Absolutely livid at the moment...
I found a pristine vintage MIB G1 Metroplex on Ebay US a few weeks ago. Paid a lot of money because the box was so nice (in addition to the figure being unused.) It turned up today, and some careless loser* had punctured a hole in the shipping box, which has gone through the Metroplex box and into the styrofoam. :mad::mad::mad::mad:


I feel for you man. A couple years ago, I bought a Marvel Legends Wolverine from eBay, that I was gonna keep MOC. When I got it, I found the seller not only packed the thing in an envelope instead of a box (YES, an envelope!), but the plastic bubble was totally squashed out of shape. I was completely irked. Question - were you going to keep Metroplex MIB? Just curious is all.

[TAAUBlaster]

I feel for you man. A couple years ago, I bought a Marvel Legends Wolverine from eBay, that I was gonna keep MOC. When I got it, I found the seller not only packed the thing in an envelope instead of a box (YES, an envelope!), but the plastic bubble was totally squashed out of shape. I was completely irked. Question - were you going to keep Metroplex MIB? Just curious is all.

I've had the envelope shipping method too. Luckily mine was ok then. That sucks about your Wolverine. :(

To be fair, the seller did pack it quite well and with more than enough padding (and as I mentioned, I'm not blaming him) and whatever pierced through the box would have done so in almost any packaging - it poked in probably about 6 or 7cm.
Oh, Metroplex wasn't sealed originally.
I bought him as opened, with all the contents being mint and look to have been used very rarely, if at all. Stickers unapplied, etc.

[janda the red]

That really sucks Blaster, I've had the same thing happen to sealed vintage stuff too... :(

Did the seller ship it himself? or was it shipped through Ebay's global shipping program?
If it was the latter.... you can claim against just the shipper not the seller ( Pitney Bowes ). You probably already know this though.

Sorry to hear bud

[TAAUBlaster]

That really sucks Blaster, I've had the same thing happen to sealed vintage stuff too... :(

Did the seller ship it himself? or was it shipped through Ebay's global shipping program?
If it was the latter.... you can claim against just the shipper not the seller ( Pitney Bowes ). You probably already know this though.

Sorry to hear bud

Its heartbreaking, isn't it? :( Its not so much the money, but the time and energy spent tracking it down in such nice condition, and the fact that these things have survived for 30 years, only to be damaged because of careless workers :(

The seller shipped himself, so I can't claim against Pitney unfortunately.

[janda the red]

Its heartbreaking, isn't it? :( Its not so much the money, but the time and energy spent tracking it down in such nice condition, and the fact that these things have survived for 30 years, only to be damaged because of careless workers :(

The seller shipped himself, so I can't claim against Pitney unfortunately.

Yeah it's pretty devastating when it happens!

I'm paranoid now and always ask the seller to double box/reinforce the box with hard cardboard.... doesn't always save the goods though :o

Have you told the seller? Has he offered to do anything?

[FatalityPitt]

I've had the envelope shipping method too. Luckily mine was ok then. That sucks about your Wolverine. :(

To be fair, the seller did pack it quite well and with more than enough padding (and as I mentioned, I'm not blaming him) and whatever pierced through the box would have done so in almost any packaging - it poked in probably about 6 or 7cm.
Oh, Metroplex wasn't sealed originally.
I bought him as opened, with all the contents being mint and look to have been used very rarely, if at all. Stickers unapplied, etc.

It's cool, I now display that Wolverine loosely on my shelf. But If I didn't care about the packaging at the time, I could have gotten the same thing loose from a vendor in China for 1/3 the price. :rolleyes:

Sorry to hear (read) about what happened. As you said, it's not about the money, but the time and effort to find it in that condition. It's disappointing when that happens. At least the Metroplex inside is unscathed (or at least I hope it is).

[TAAUBlaster]

Yeah it's pretty devastating when it happens!

I'm paranoid now and always ask the seller to double box/reinforce the box with hard cardboard.... doesn't always save the goods though :o

Have you told the seller? Has he offered to do anything?

Yeah, I might have to start doing that too for the high end stuff. I've never really had an issue like this before so I've never felt any need to request double boxing (but I do always request sellers not to fold box flaps when packing, after that happened to me on a sealed Insection a couple years ago.)
I've been in contact with the seller and they have opened an insurance claim, and also partially refunded me in the interim. I feel really bad though because its really not their fault at all. Their packing/padding was more than I expected, and definitely wasn't a half-assed job.

I offered to return some money to them if the insurance doesn't come through, because I don't want them to get the short end of the stick in this. I don't either of course, but I figure its better 50/50 than just him losing out. :o


It's cool, I now display that Wolverine loosely on my shelf. But If I didn't care about the packaging at the time, I could have gotten the same thing loose from a vendor in China for 1/3 the price. :rolleyes:

Sorry to hear (read) about what happened. As you said, it's not about the money, but the time and effort to find it in that condition. It's disappointing when that happens. At least the Metroplex inside is unscathed (or at least I hope it is).

Thanks man. Yeah, luckily no damage to Metroplex or any accessories.

[UltraMarginal]

Absolutely livid at the moment...
I found a pristine vintage MIB G1 Metroplex on Ebay US a few weeks ago. Paid a lot of money because the box was so nice (in addition to the figure being unused.) It turned up today, and some careless loser* had punctured a hole in the shipping box, which has gone through the Metroplex box and into the styrofoam. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg.html)

Just sent the seller a message to find out what my options are. I'm not blaming him at all, he did pack it well - and much better than a lot of other sellers. Can't really protect against something stabbing through the box. And now I'm worried because I didn't see the hole until I had already cut the packing tape. :( Is it too much to expect the astronomical shipping charges we pay should entitle the goods to safe transit?:mad:

*this doesn't even begin to describe what I think of the person that did this, but I have t keep it clean. :mad:


Yeah, I might have to start doing that too for the high end stuff. I've never really had an issue like this before so I've never felt any need to request double boxing (but I do always request sellers not to fold box flaps when packing, after that happened to me on a sealed Insection a couple years ago.)
I've been in contact with the seller and they have opened an insurance claim, and also partially refunded me in the interim. I feel really bad though because its really not their fault at all. Their packing/padding was more than I expected, and definitely wasn't a half-assed job.

I offered to return some money to them if the insurance doesn't come through, because I don't want them to get the short end of the stick in this. I don't either of course, but I figure its better 50/50 than just him losing out. :o



Thanks man. Yeah, luckily no damage to Metroplex or any accessories.

Sucky situation, at least the seller is helping you out. I can imagine s/he's just as ticked about the situation as you are. Hopefully the insurance comes through and you both avoid losing out too much.

[kup]

Opened the Generations Windblade after a long time. Like most mainstream official toys these days, it was disappointing. Once again seems like it was compromised by cost budgeting (cheapness) and an unrefined design.

I have become very slow at opening any official mainstream toy that I buy. They often end up disappointments or at best 'meh'. On the other hand, opening an MP or 3P toy is still awesome.

[5FDP]

Absolutely livid at the moment...
I found a pristine vintage MIB G1 Metroplex on Ebay US a few weeks ago. Paid a lot of money because the box was so nice (in addition to the figure being unused.) It turned up today, and some careless loser* had punctured a hole in the shipping box, which has gone through the Metroplex box and into the styrofoam. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6369_zps0961gzdl.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6370_zpsym784tso.jpg.html)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/taaublaster/th_IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/taaublaster/media/IMG_6371_zpsiqqghyvm.jpg.html)

Just sent the seller a message to find out what my options are. I'm not blaming him at all, he did pack it well - and much better than a lot of other sellers. Can't really protect against something stabbing through the box. And now I'm worried because I didn't see the hole until I had already cut the packing tape. :( Is it too much to expect the astronomical shipping charges we pay should entitle the goods to safe transit?:mad:

*this doesn't even begin to describe what I think of the person that did this, but I have t keep it clean. :mad:

That does suck dude. Had the same thing happen to me with a 30 year old book that was in mint condition... until the postman folded it in half and shoved it in the letterbox :mad: Still haven't got over that one.

[SuspectimusPrime]

I have become very slow at opening any official mainstream toy that I buy. They often end up disappointments or at best 'meh'. On the other hand, opening an MP or 3P toy is still awesome.

Same feeling when I recently picked up TR Skullcruncher. One of my all time fav childhood toys, but was very disappointed by the Hasbro TR version's floppy hip ball sockets, damaged soft-plastic teeth (from the way the soft plastic is pressed against the jaw), and warped soft-plastic cover flap for the Titanmaster's cockpit (I really don't see the need for this part to be moulded in soft plastic).

I did pick up the Wave 2 Deluxes from the recent Target pricing error. However my expectations aren't high.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I really don't see the need for this part to be moulded in soft plastic.

I was wondering that too. The only reason I can see is that on the (takara version at least) it's the same plastic as the stuff in his mouth, is Hasbro different?

[SuspectimusPrime]

I was wondering that too. The only reason I can see is that on the (takara version at least) it's the same plastic as the stuff in his mouth, is Hasbro different?

Sounds like the same stuff. However the stuff in his mouth is grey soft plastic whilst the cockpit flap is in dark green soft plastic. From my understanding, this would have meant that it is not possible to gain efficiencies from moulding both parts on the same tree in a single mould. The individual moulds can cost 10's and 100's of thousands of dollars - from watching a Lego documentary, and I think a third party company mentioned $40k per mould (anyone feel free to school me here).

[Firestorm]

Grabbed the TR wave three legends yesterday from big w
Open them up last night
And kickback's wing falls off.
The part was only connected to the ball joint by a thread, and upon trying to move it, it just broke right off!
http://i66.tinypic.com/2q3ocwi.jpg

I will be returning it later today, hopefully there's still another kickback there so I can replace it

[Megatran]

That would really bug me. Patience, young grasshopper.

[FatalityPitt]

I will be returning it later today, hopefully there's still another kickback there so I can replace it

Yeah, return it. I had something similar happen to me with Rewind (the hinge connecting the arm panel to the forearm broke the first time I tried transforming him into Spy Tablet mode). I returned it to the store the following day for another Rewind.

My rant: I wish Hasbro would invest more in the on-package bios. The ones on the Titans Return packaging are kind of lazy and hardly tell you anything about the character you're buying (if you can even call them bios!).

Some examples:

Galvatron: " The Decepticons unite with Titan Master Partners to power up for battle! Nucleon gives Galvatron a universal systems upgrade with powerful but unstable results." *

All the on-card/box bios for all the deluxes and voyagers follow this structure! They tell us what super-powers the Titan Master gives the character, but that's it! :mad: There's no other information about the character. In this case, there's nothing on the box that tells us that Galvatron is the Decepticon Leader, or what his personality is like.

Rewind: "Mini-Tank rolls out with AUTOBOT BLASTER." **

I don't know if I can even call this a bio... It reminds us that Rewind becomes a tank (in case the pictures on the card weren't clear enough about that...), and that he interacts with Leader-Class Blaster (in case the sticker on the plastic bubble wasn't clear enough...)... Nothing else.. No mention about him being the resident walking encyclopedia of the Autobots.

I know it's just packaging, and there's only so much information that they can print on the card, but to me; the character's bio and description is part of what gives the toy it's personality (as cheesy as that sounds).

Also, I think it would make some business sense for Hasbro, because even if the toy in the box is crap; at least the buyer of said toy can feel a little bit of satisfaction knowing they bought a cool character, or one they could identify with during that day.

-------------
* - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/titans-return/galvatron/4123/1/11/
** - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/titans-return/rewind/4132/1/8/

[SMHFConvoy]

Check the hasbro website there are supposed to be more detailed bios on the official TF site

[FatalityPitt]

Check the hasbro website there are supposed to be more detailed bios on the official TF site

Yeah, the bios there are better than what's printed on the packaging. But it seems like a bit much effort to navigate to a web page just to see it. Plus, to some customers, I think their purchasing decision might depend on their impression of the character they're about to buy.

Although one thing that is a step up are the trading cards the figures come with. During Combiner Wars all we got was some artwork, now they're including the character's stats, which gives the card more collector value.

[Omega Metro]

now they're including the character's stats, which gives the card more collector value.

Shame the cards depict all their heads being decapitated though.

[GoktimusPrime]

One the whole, most post-G1 Transformers bios are pretty much crap. There were some stand-out exceptions in Beast Machines, Cybertron, Combiner Wars etc., but for the most part they're just really ordinary.

And I think that this is what happens when Hasbro stopped asking professional writers to write the tech spec bios for the toys. During G1, it was writers from Marvel Comics who wrote not just the bios for the characters, but practically created the entire mythos for Transformers. Autobots, Decepticons, Cybertron etc. -- all made by Marvel. And Marvel treated the Transformers as if they were comic book characters. They fleshed them out. Each toy had its own unique personality traits, abilities, weaknesses - and more importantly something that is very rarely found in Transformers bios these days - personality quirks. Many G1 Transformers just had something quirky about them that made them unique and endearing.

e.g.
* Thundercracker: morally conflicted
* Bumblebee: desperate to prove himself
* Soundwave: blackmails fellow Decepticons for personal advantage
* Breakdown: paranoid
* Tailgate: delusional
* Swerve: reckless
* Silverbolt: supersonic jet who's scared of heights
* Cosmos: incredibly lonely and suffers from boredom
* Snarl: anti-social
* Swindle: avaricious
* Groove: pacifist
* Hound: anthropophile
* Hook: narcissist
* Dead End: emo
et al.

We generally don't get that anymore. Toy bios these days are mostly the same. They usually just tell us how 'kick arsenal' this toy is and why you should get him! It's all just about the awesomeness of the character, no weaknesses or quirks or other things that make them an individual person.

Let's Compare: Powermaster Optimus Prime

Here is the packaging bio for Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime (2016):

Optimus Prime will stand against any threat. Autobot Apex helps him face the enemies that even the Autobot Commander cannot face alone. The Titan Master carries a portion of the spark - and power - of Optimus Prime, increasing the legendary warrior's already immense strength, speed, and intelligence.

Now here is his extended bio:

Optimus Prime will stand against any threat. Autobot Apex helps him face enemies that even the Autobot Commander cannot face alone. The Titan Master carries a portion of the spark, and power, of Optimus Prime, increasing the legendary warrior's already immense ability. With that boost to his systems, he charges into battle as Powermaster Optimus Prime.

Now here is the tech specs bio for G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime (1988):

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."
The beloved leader of all Autobots. Dedicated to protecting all life forms -- mechanical, human, and otherwise. Willing to sacrifice anything in order to end the Autobot/Decepticon conflict. Wise and compassionate... the inspiration that fuels every Autobot. Binary bonded to the super intelligent Nebulan computer programmer, HiQ. In engine mode, HiQ handles all of Prime's power needs. Trailer transforms into armed fortress, complete with laser rifle, concussion blaster, and 2 twin particle beam cannons. Tractor and trailer combined construct Optimus Prime's new super-powered robot form.

Now here is his extended bio:

Allegiance: AUTOBOT
Sub-Group: POWERMASTER
Master Component: HI Q
Function: AUTOBOT COMMANDER
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."
Profile: Sage, scholar, soldier- Optimus Prime is all this and more. To peace-loving beings across the galaxy the revered leader of the Autobots is the living symbol of freedom -- a beacon that shines against the forces of darkness. To his followers he is a bottomless well of inspiration and courage from which they draw their strength. And to the evil Decepticons he is the one force in the universe who can shatter their dreams of galactic conquest. He has dedicated his existence to the protection of all life forms -- mechanical, organic and otherwise. His wisdom and compassion are legendary. Although fate has set his course on a path of destruction and strife, his greatest desire is to bring peace and harmony to all inhabited worlds everywhere. Optimus Prime is binary bonded-to Hi Q, a humanoid whose genius in computer programming and design was renowned on his home planet of Nebulos. There he ran the Hi Q Industrial Research Complex, a facility that had, over the past few decades, dramatically improved the quality of life for his people. While trying to help several Autobots rebuild Optimus Prime, he made the decision to join the Autobots and defend Nebulos against a Decepticon attack. To do so, he and several of his employees underwent The Powermaster Process, which, through bio-engineering, gave them the ability to transform into the engines that their Autobot partners required to power their fight against the Decepticons. Hi Q was paired with Optimus Prime. So far their collaborative efforts have met with great success.
Abilities: Optimus Prime is the strongest and most intelligent of all the Autobots. His strategic, logic, and programming skills have no equal among Transformers. He splits into-three modules: robot, auxiliary and battle station. The van portion of his trailer truck mode transforms into the robot or "Optimus" module, which is the part of him that is sentient and is most commonly referred to as Optimus Prime. In this mode he can lift (1815t) and exert a force of (845kg per cm^2) with a single punch. He carries a laser rifle with which he can bum a hole in the nose cone of a Decepticon jet at a distance of 50km. And with his outstanding visual acuity, he rarely misses. His auxiliary or "Prime" module is a small cart-shaped device that he stores in his trailer portion and occasionally uses to sneak behind enemy lines for reconnaissance purposes. He can maintain radio control over it within a (1930km) radius. Having his auxiliary unit in the field is like being there himself. The trailer portion of his truck turns into his battle station module, which also serves as an armed fortress. It is equipped with two concussion blasters, two twin particle beam cannons, an auto-launcher that shoots a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, and a landing platform. An antenna within the battle station allows Optimus Prime to control it and also to maintain a radio link to all Autobots within a (80km) radius. The antenna can be adapted to a satellite hookup, which provides a tenfold increase in its effective range. In robot mode, he can combine with his trailer module and more than double his size and quadruple his strength. Traditionally, the elders of the Transformer race have bestowed upon an individual of great courage and wisdom the Creation Matrix, an intricate program encoded in light patterns within a crystal. The Matrix grants its bearer the amazing ability to help create new Transformer life within the lifeless shell of a newly constructed Transformer body. Since the beginning of the Autobot-Decepticon war, an Autobot Commander has typically possessed the Matrix. The most recent Autobot leader to be so honoured was Optimus Prime.
Weaknesses: Although Optimus Prime can function as three separate modules, injury to any one of them is felt by the other two. The auxiliary unit is particularly vulnerable. However, the Optimus module is by far the most important unit of the trio. Although he could survive without the other two, they could not survive without him. Otherwise, the only weakness he could be accused of having is compassion and concern for the safety of others. He would be a more effective military commander if he were more ruthless, but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime.

Yeah... I really miss the good ol' days when toys had well written bios and I would enjoy just reading them off the shelves. Whenever my mum took us shopping, I'd ask to just hang out at a toy store and wait at a rendezvous near it. While she shopped for groceries etc., I would spend that time reading through all the tech spec bios. :D

[DELTAprime]

I can't say I have ever read a bio on a toy box. The associated media (comics/TV show/movie) tells me everything I need to know about the toy.

[GoktimusPrime]

Most post-G1 toy bios don't really tell you anything beyond what you can get from associated media, whereas during G1 the bios told us a lot. This was because the toy bios were the foundation for the Transformers mythos. One of the best things that Hasbro did was to commission Marvel Comics to create the back story and individual bios for the Transformers. And this included the characters' names, which really sound more like comic book names. Toy company execs just don't seem to have the same level of creativity as a comic writer.

Just compare the names of some of the early Transformers with that of the Machine Men/Gobots. The Machine Men started off with names like F-15 Man until Transformers came out and they tried to give them more catchy names like "Leader-1," but ultimately Tonka's toy staff (or possibly Hanna Barbera writers if it was them who came up with the new names, I don't know) just couldn't match what Marvel created.

F-15 Man/Leader-1 ←→ Optimus Prime
Cycle Man/Cy-Kill ←→ Megatron
Aero Man/Fi-Tor ←→ Starscream
Police Man/Hans Cuff ←→ Prowl
Racer Man/Turbo ←→ Sideswipe
Buggy Man/Buggy Man ←→ Beachcomber
Jeep Man/Geeper Creeper ←→ Hound
Porsche Man/Crasher ←→ Jazz
etc.

The other great thing about having good bios on the toys is that it allowed us to know who these characters were before they appeared in media. Because the toys came first, we would often see these figures in stores long before we saw them appear in a comic book, TV show etc. And some characters got very little if any exposure in media, and even if they did, it wasn't always accurate to who they actually were. Take Thundercracker for example. He's got one of the most interesting bios ever written for a Decepticon, yet for decades his character was never accurately portrayed by writers - not until only recently when IDW finally decided to do this character justice. But the fact is that IDW didn't even this character trait for Thundercracker, it's been part of his character since 1984... it's just that no other writer had ever bothered to tap into this before. Characters like Tailgate have also never been accurately portrayed in media either, even though his original toy persona is really fun to play around with! :D I remember when I first got Tailgate back in 1986, I'd pretend that he was driving around human towns and freaking out over the apparent enslavement of his fellow machines and was conflicted over why they had to fight to defend human slavers. Then there are plenty of characters who never had canonical appearances during the original G1 run (although many have since appeared in IDW) such as Hubcap.

[FatalityPitt]

One of the best things that Hasbro did was to commission Marvel Comics to create the back story and individual bios for the Transformers. And this included the characters' names, which really sound more like comic book names. Toy company execs just don't seem to have the same level of creativity as a comic writer...

Indeed, Marvel were the house of ideas back then. Some of the best Transformers fiction, to me, were the earlier comics by Simon Furman and Bud Budiansky. Some of it was pretty dark, especially the Generation 2 stuff, but the stories had more depth compared to the cartoons. It's a real treat knowing that it's those same people who wrote the original G1 bios.


... I remember when I first got Tailgate back in 1986, I'd pretend that he was driving around human towns and freaking out over the apparent enslavement of his fellow machines and was conflicted over why they had to fight to defend human slavers.

Reminds me of a time in my childhood. Back when I was kid, my friends and I would sometimes go to another kid's house with a transformer each and play mock battles. There was this one time when I had Soundwave, and this other kid had his Blot attack my Soundwave, and I asked him "Why you attacking me? We're on the same side." To which he replied "You must die. You know our secrets. If you get caught by Optimus Prime over there, and you get interrogated; they'll know everything about us." Haha, priceless!

[Thurmus]

Finally got a Triggerhappy and he has two left guns or is it right guns. Two of the same any way.

[GoktimusPrime]

Indeed, Marvel were the house of ideas back then. Some of the best Transformers fiction, to me, were the earlier comics by Simon Furman and Bud Budiansky. Some of it was pretty dark, especially the Generation 2 stuff, but the stories had more depth compared to the cartoons. It's a real treat knowing that it's those same people who wrote the original G1 bios.
It was actually Bob Budiansky who wrote most of the G1 tech spec bios and overall groundwork for the G1 canon. He's basically the "father" of G1 mythos. :)

[Jellico]

When I gave my nephews some Combiner Wars bots I made sure to give them extended bios off Wiki. I have just found out that they are renaming the bots to names that mean something to themselves.

Having done a bit of work for a table top game I can safely say that good fluff is a lot of work for not much return. It is easy once. Then it gets ugly as consistency and fact checking has to be maintained.

I look at that awesome Prime fluff above and cringe every time I see a hard number because there are people out there who will call you on it if you get it wrong, every single time.

The worst of it is, most people won't read it any more than once. Especially in the 80s the boxes went in the bin so unless an impression was made there is no chance of it being remembered. (I remember my Starscream to this day. The others, not so much).

The real money is making people play for plastic. Repeatedly.



I can't say I have ever read a bio on a toy box. The associated media (comics/TV show/movie) tells me everything I need to know about the toy.

And right there is the problem.

Actually this taps into an argument I have been having with myself about "sexy" fembots.
I showed a couple of civilians a Strongarm toy and asked them what gender they thought she was. I got a 50% hit rate and she is reasonably feminine. Back in the day I had a couple of female Machine Men but never knew it because I didn't have access to the cartoon.

The bot has to convey everything about itself without supporting media. Factional symbols, red eyes, altmodes, things like that matter.

[GoktimusPrime]

Having done a bit of work for a table top game I can safely say that good fluff is a lot of work for not much return. It is easy once. Then it gets ugly as consistency and fact checking has to be maintained.
Another inexpensive way is to recruit the assistance of fans. We're naturally obsessed walking canonical encyclopaedias! :D Takara(TOMY) recruited the assistance of Ichikawa Hirofumi who wrote bios and in-package stories for series like Binaltech, eHobby G1s and many more. Heck, Hasbro AP recruited me to translate instructions and write up bios for their imported Masterpiece figures and literally paid me in action figures. ;) As you all know, while the instructions are translations, the bios and text blurbs are often my own creations as I re-write them from an Anglophone canonical POV (as per Hasbro's target market).

And I know first hand that writing bios for toy companies presents different challenges from that of writing for pleasure. Adhering to strict deadlines is one, often because Hasbro gives me short notice and I'm doing my full time job and family commitments on top of doing work for Hasbro. There were many late nights and I just had to ask Hasbro for a few days' extension on MP Lambor because they got me to do that and LG Arcee at the same time and I had only a week to turn them in! :eek: But we'll still push ourselves to do it because of the passion that we have for the franchise (and that's something that Hasbro AP realises and appreciates).

The Combiner Wars bios were actually alright, and drew from the IDW comics. :) And they managed to be quadrilingual too! :D

e.g.

Combiner Wars Megatron
There was a time when the name of Megatron was honored by many across Cybertron. But power inevitably corrupts, and none are so powerful as mighty Megatron. Long ago, he forgot he was a hero, and became nothing more than a tyrant. The war he launched eventually drained his home planet of life. Not even the death of a world could satiate his hunger for conquest.

Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus
The legend of Ultra Magnus is exceeded only by the legend of Optimus Prime. When Ultra Magnus was lost, the forces of justice would not let a warrior of his calibre fall. Minimus Ambus, using the power of his rare loadbearer spark, enables Ultra Magnus to fight on.

^That's awesome! :D I don't know if Hasbro recruited a fan to write those bios or if it was just one of their staff members who just bothered to do some homework (or perhaps a collaboration of both, fans like Ben Yee have been used by Hasbro as fan consultants).


The bot has to convey everything about itself without supporting media. Factional symbols, red eyes, altmodes, things like that matter.
I agree with you about the alt modes, but I find that all that other stuff - and yeah, even the bios/canon, are all superfluous. Ultimately a good toy will sell on its own merit, regardless of all that other stuff. Take the Omnibots for example. They had no bios (and even if they did, we couldn't have read them before purchase anyway). :o And yet how many of us furiously saved up Robot Points and bugged our parents to send them in with money to purchase them? ;) We knew nothing about their personalities, but they had cool looking alt modes and looked like great toys, so we bought them! Reflector looked nothing like his cartoon model (which had Viewfinder's body with a head more closely resembling Spyglass'). And don't forget that the early Transformers were already successful toys in Japan before they became Transformers, lacking individual personalities or much in the way of supporting media.

While I love well written bios etc., I do recognise that it's ultimately really sweet icing on the top of the cake. What really matters is the quality of the toy. I don't know how many MP collectors really care about their toys coming with a Japanocentric or Anglocentric bio - they'll just buy the toy if they think it's cool. TakaraTOMY's Legends Headmasters are based on Japanese canon, meaning that the Transtectors aren't even sapient and the Headmaster robots are actually Cybertronians, not Nebulans. But a lot of Western collectors are importing them because they feel that they're better toys than their Hasbro counterparts, and conversely I know of Japanese fans who are importing Hasbro Titans Return figures because they prefer the toy accuracy. Toys like Robots In Disguise (2001) sold really well even though the canon was clearly targeting a very young audience (and Hasbro's bios were just rubbish). Similarly Binaltech and so on. Contrast this with weak toys like Combiner Class Devastator, who shelf warmed despite being marketed by a US$200 million Hollywood blockbuster (and Devastator's scene was one of the most amazing visual spectacles ever seen in cinema - the animation crashed ILM's computers!). Takara release Binaltech with nothing more than text bios and stories written by a fan, yet it's become far more endearing among fans than say Revenge of the Fallen. ;) And MPs is one of the enduring legacies of Car Robot (RiD2001) and BT (we know that early MPs were scaled to BT, e.g. MP4's trailer).

[Jellico]

Another inexpensive way is to recruit the assistance of fans.

[snip]

And I know first hand that writing bios for toy companies presents different challenges from that of writing for pleasure.

That was the first thing I thought of when I read your first sentence :)
I am glad you understand if only to help explain to those who don't know.

In this open sourced age it all seems so easy from the outside, but as soon as there is money involved it all changes. I have been accused of drinking the Kool Aid and toeing the company's needlessly stupid line. Those lines exist for reasons, often stupid, but all too necessary at a business level.

The requirement to keep control of the IP would probably kill any serious attempt outsource to freelancers in large numbers. It would be like trying to herd cats. There are plenty of fans with encyclopedic knowledge, but harnessing them and them having the discipline to write what they are told. :confused:

[GoktimusPrime]

I know what you mean. But I reckon all a company needs to do is find even just one (or a few) reliable fans and stick with them. Something else that some people don't always appreciate is the importance of trust between a company and fans that they collaborate with. It's not easy for companies to simply approach random fans asking for help because yeah, a lot of them wouldn't have the discipline to tow the line. I must confess that one of the most difficult things I found about working with Hasbro was keeping my damn mouth shut about my work until news about the toy was officially out. :p It's not easy.

Heck, I've been privy to some information about some toys coming out next year and I've seen people post certain speculative comments which make me wanna post a reply... I haven't actually signed any NDCs for these lines, as this info came to me through casual conversations with Hasbro staff... but at the same time I don't want to be the source of any leaks and potentially damage Hasbro's trust in me. So I just keep my big mouth shut and hit that Back button on my browser! Then I go and cry in a pillow. :p

[BigTransformerTrev]

Grrrrrr.... I ordered a fairly cheap MP Thundercracker from eBay months ago to get here as my Xmas present. It was marked as shipped a few days later and due to arrive around now as it was coming by boat from Canada.

Been checking the post office for it as it was due but hadn't shown up. When I checked eBay the item was marked as 'removed'. Don't know why I never received an alert about it! Guessing due to its cheapness it must have been a KO and the seller got done. But that means no Xmas TF for Trev and that the seller was full of crap when they said it had been sent. :mad:

At least I used PayPal so I haven't been charged anything.

[UltraMarginal]

That sucks Trev, I've had a parcel take 3 months to arrive from Canada and I'd spent $70 on the shipping. I thought that was your problem when I started reading your post.. Canada post is appalling. your problem is just a dodgy jerk.

[Ozgardian]

Don't think much of Hasbro's release schedule. For a line like Titan Masters that stores can't keep on the shelf you would think more thought would have gone into the Xmas sales.

Even if Sixshot was released now think of all the money they've lost if they had released it late November/beginning of December!=(

I haven't been that gnawty?;)

[prjkt]

Don't think much of Hasbro's release schedule. For a line like Titan Masters that stores can't keep on the shelf you would think more thought would have gone into the Xmas sales.

Even if Sixshot was released now think of all the money they've lost if they had released it late November/beginning of December!=(

I haven't been that gnawty?;)

It's not Hasbro, it's the retailers ordering the stock...

[GoktimusPrime]

It's not Hasbro, it's the retailers ordering the stock...
Yup. I've been in Hasbro's toy vault a few times (although not the current since they moved office) and there are a number of toys that they hold there which were never released here - not because Hasbro AU didn't want to distribute them, but because retailers didn't order them. Hasbro has stock samples which they use to show to retail buyers and offer them for order, but they don't always get ordered. Like the 2013 Generations figures that we never got here (and which finally pushed me into becoming a reluctant online shopper) - Hasbro actually has some of those toys in their vault! They explained to me that those toys were offered but none of the retailers ordered them.

[Sinnertwin]

A Hasbro vault? Road trip? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlD5NBnzFhE)

[UltraMarginal]

it's basically a room full of shelves with all their toy product on them. 80- 90 % of the space is not transformers.

[Seraphim Prime]

I've had a couple of parcels go missing the past few weeks.

The most annoying one though was something bought something off this forum. Was apparently delivered two weeks ago by Auspost, but is nowhere to be found around my place.

Tacking says delivered, but nothing - no card, my housemates didn't sign for it, my neighbours don't have it. No where to be found!

And I was at home when it was supposedly delivered!

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Man I've had a bad run with QC and figs latelt. I had to change Britucus because he was a crap one. That was wwith Amazon, so easy enough. Now I just recieved my ginrai and he has a slightly busted panel pin bit side thing, and his right knee's ratchets don't ratchet at all. So I went for an amazon exchange and because they must have sold them all (the only ones left are through marketplace scalpers), I can only swap it or get a refund... Sigh

TT's Customer service is sgut until about the 4th of Jan now as well. Nerdlife is PAIN

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, I'd be calling TakaraTOMY and asking for replacement parts - explain that you tried asking for an exchange but were unsuccessful. Also, be sure to call either on Jan 5th or 6th, because according to their calendar (http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/support/other.html), TakaraTOMY are on break again from the 7~9th, then 14~15th (so you could call again between the 10th~13th. I'd recommend just calling ASAP on the 5th to get the ball rolling. TakaraTOMY have always been good for me when sourcing replacement parts, getting replacements dispatched to me either by courier or express international mail, so I'm sure that they'd be even faster with a domestic service. And they're like to send you a pair of knees (R&L) because they manufacture these parts in pairs and don't separate them.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Yeah, I'd be calling TakaraTOMY and asking for replacement parts - explain that you tried asking for an exchange but were unsuccessful. Also, be sure to call either on Jan 5th or 6th, because according to their calendar (http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/support/other.html), TakaraTOMY are on break again from the 7~9th, then 14~15th (so you could call again between the 10th~13th. I'd recommend just calling ASAP on the 5th to get the ball rolling. TakaraTOMY have always been good for me when sourcing replacement parts, getting replacements dispatched to me either by courier or express international mail, so I'm sure that they'd be even faster with a domestic service. And they're like to send you a pair of knees (R&L) because they manufacture these parts in pairs and don't separate them.

Yeah, Thats what I was planning to do. Give My Japanese skills a good test too. Woo Woo

[DELTAprime]

Yeah, Thats what I was planning to do. Give My Japanese skills a good test too. Woo Woo

So if you understand Japanese what's TT's customer service like on a scale out of 10?

As far as TT resellers go I've had great luck with HLJ's CS whenever I've had a QC issue with my TT TFs, but the HK resellers are far less helpful.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

So if you understand Japanese what's TT's customer service like on a scale out of 10?

As far as TT resellers go I've had great luck with HLJ's CS whenever I've had a QC issue with my TT TFs, but the HK resellers are far less helpful.

Dunno yet, and yah, my deaings with Japanese companies are always good. Amazon Japan is good when they have stock to change with.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Gah! Cleaning out the shed and finally found my MP Exhaust box. Of course naturally it was the last MP box I found after 3 days of cleaning and naturally it was missing the Collectors Card which is the main reason I was looking for it in the first place :rolleyes:

[Bidoofdude]

Not so much a vent as a 'sigh' moment. Rewatched the Rebirth 2-parter and planning on watching the Headmasters, but I really think I'm starting to want all these 1987 characters in TR form. There are just so many though, and I'm behind, so not sure what I should do.

[Handsprime]

I've had a couple of parcels go missing the past few weeks.

The most annoying one though was something bought something off this forum. Was apparently delivered two weeks ago by Auspost, but is nowhere to be found around my place.

Tacking says delivered, but nothing - no card, my housemates didn't sign for it, my neighbours don't have it. No where to be found!

And I was at home when it was supposedly delivered!

I've had plenty of parcels go missing. Still annoyed when I ordered some vinyl that never arrived, couldn't get a replacement order since they were out of stock and the aftermarket prices were over $100!! :eek: :mad:

[Sinnertwin]

Not so much a vent as a 'sigh' moment. Rewatched the Rebirth 2-parter and planning on watching the Headmasters, but I really think I'm starting to want all these 1987 characters in TR form. There are just so many though, and I'm behind, so not sure what I should do.

Save your money for the Last Knight.

[GoktimusPrime]

Not so much a vent as a 'sigh' moment. Rewatched the Rebirth 2-parter and planning on watching the Headmasters, but I really think I'm starting to want all these 1987 characters in TR form. There are just so many though, and I'm behind, so not sure what I should do.
Hasbro's been pretty good in pumping out so many of these characters. When doing the 1987 Classicsverse Catalogue (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21027) I was surprised to see just how many of that year's Autobots have already been realised as CHUGUR toys. They just need to finish off the remaining Targetmasters, Monsterbots, Clones, Punch/Counterpunch (at least as a mass retail figure) and Throttlebots (and I suppose a proper Rodimus Prime wouldn't go astray) and that'd be that! As far as the Decepticons are concerned we just need:
* Trypticon (on the way!)
* Scorponok
* Abominus
* Battletrap (and a proper Flywheels)
* Slugfest (and a proper Overkill)
* Snapdragon (and a proper Apeface)
* Predaking
* Clones
* Misfire and Slugslinger

Heck, even Artfire, Stepper and Soundblaster have been done as CHUGUR toys! And Twinferno's Titan Master is a homage to White Leo! All we really need would be Raiden (and a proper Twincast :p).

[SuspectimusPrime]

Not so much a vent as a 'sigh' moment. Rewatched the Rebirth 2-parter and planning on watching the Headmasters, but I really think I'm starting to want all these 1987 characters in TR form. There are just so many though, and I'm behind, so not sure what I should do.

I was in the same situation in 2011-2012 when I was chasing old Classics releases. Unless you have a special attachment to any other less prominent TR character, aim to get the main 4 Autobots + 3 Decepticons Headmasters at retail. Even if it's not at sale prices, $25 is still way better than their scalper prices 1 year later. I'm not really trying, but still come across Hardheads and Skullcrunchers.


Heck, even Artfire, Stepper and Soundblaster have been done as CHUGUR toys! And Twinferno's Titan Master is a homage to White Leo! All we really need would be Raiden (and a proper Twincast :p).

I'd kill for a proper Raiden.

Not talking about 6 'Quickslingers' repainted with a fair bit of talent and creativity to make the toys appear marginally dissimilar to each other. We need 6, or at least 4, new moulds for him. After it's initial release they can bury the plans & moulds along with the original designer so no further repaints/releases are possible. A large bronze statue will be cast in honor of his sacrifice.

[FatalityPitt]

Not so much a vent as a 'sigh' moment. Rewatched the Rebirth 2-parter and planning on watching the Headmasters, but I really think I'm starting to want all these 1987 characters in TR form. There are just so many though, and I'm behind, so not sure what I should do.

It's not too late dude, I still see Skullcruncher of shelves every now and then. Plus, there's still heaps of cool Headmaster/Rebirth characters they still haven't done, like Pointblank, Grotusque, Slugslinger, Clones, etc.

[BigTransformerTrev]

A little fed up with the realities of being a TF collector in the bush and the big retail outlets of Aus :(

Target: We have a little Country Target here. Gnaw and his wave are showing up in other Targets yet when I went in to our Target they had two Transformers on the shevles. Two in a whole store! A RID 1-step changer Sideswipe and a Pop! Movie Bumblebee. Yet entire shelves of other genres such as Ninja Turtles and Star Wars :rolleyes:

Kmart: No Kmart within a few hundred K's of here. When on holiday checked out a couple but no cheap G2 Bruticus' and only one of the G1-based kids t-shirts (the Optimus one). So tried to order the G1 Symbol (http://www.kmart.com.au/product/transformers-printed-tee/1147332) and G1'esque Bbee (http://www.kmart.com.au/product/transformers-tee/1113469)from their website in kids size 5 for my son for his next birthday. Got an email a few days later saying they were out of stock and would refund me. So ordered those same shirts in size 4 (which he is now) and also in size 3 for a friends kids b'day. Got the message the Bbee ones have been shipped but the symbol ones will take longer. Which means either they will email me again to say they are out of stock in a few days like last time or they will not show up in time for the b'day party.


Sometimes it sucks living so remotely - I miss hitting up all the big shopping centres looking for random TF stuff on the weekends in Melb

[Deonasis]

I have a first world problem Trev. Those peg hooks on the TR and RID deluxes are crap. Trying to move and look through a bunch of them and most of them would slip off the peg. Several fell to the floor which i kept picking back up like some kind of slapstck comedy routine. I never knew of this back when my local Target Country had only 2 leader Starscreams for months.

[Raider]

Sometimes it sucks living so remotely - I miss hitting up all the big shopping centres looking for random TF stuff on the weekends in Melb

It is very hit and miss mate. I within 10 kms of a Target, Kmart, BigW, Myer and a TRU in Sydney's southern suburbs. It is very rare that they ever have any decent stock as well. I haven't seen any Wave 3 Legends or Deluxes floating around here yet.

[UltraMarginal]

It is very hit and miss mate. I within 10 kms of a Target, Kmart, BigW, Myer and a TRU in Sydney's southern suburbs. It is very rare that they ever have any decent stock as well. I haven't seen any Wave 3 Legends or Deluxes floating around here yet.

Ditto, I live about 25 minutes drive from the Sydney CBD, there is a couple massive shopping centres within 20 minutes of me, neither targets or the Kmart have had any of the new stock that people keep seeing everywhere.

[SharkyMcShark]

I don't want to beat a dead horse or harp on but...

I was going through some old boxes last night preparing a bunch of stuff for sale, and ended up messing around with a couple of deluxes from about 7 years ago, specifically HTFD Tomahawk and HFTD Sidearm Sideswipe.

The quality of those figures completely destroys anything that is available today at that price point, which is astounding when you bear in mind that while those were generally well received figures they weren't considered seminal or all time classics by any means, unlike more or less most of the TR releases.

I can't even imagine how excited I'd be (and how much poorer I'd be I suppose) if they were still releasing mainline figures with the engineering and design of Sidearm Sideswipe. I'm fairly sure that figure has more moving parts in its arms than TR Higbrow has all over its entire body.

I am very very fond of a lot of the TR releases to date. Triggerhappy is one of the best deluxes in a long time, I enjoy Blurr and Wolfwire quite a lot, and while I'm not especially enamoured with Hardhead I can appreciate that its got one of the best play patterns I've seen in a deluxe in ages. That said these more or less above average figures from 7 years ago beat them out in basically every department as far as I'm concerned.

[FatalityPitt]

The quality of those figures completely destroys anything that is available today at that price point, which is astounding when you bear in mind that while those were generally well received figures they weren't considered seminal or all time classics by any means, unlike more or less most of the TR releases.

I had a similar thought process recently when I compared the CW Legends Shockwave against the RiD Beast Hunters Commander Shockwave from 4 years ago.

Looking at the 2016 Ozformers Poll results, the CW Shockwave won the "Best CW Legends" title. It's a great figure, don't get me wrong; but the main selling points of it (to me) are that it's a faithful(-ish) representation G1 Shockwave - and we all love G1 Shockwave :); and his gun alt-mode can be 'wielded' other transformers.

However, the BH Shockwave, which is the same scale as CW Shockwave (Legends/Commander/Scout), offers relatively more tangible features - A futuristic tank mode with rolling wheels, and weapon accessory that can launch a projectile.

If you showed these two Shockwave figures to a non-fan who has no idea who Shockwave is; I think he/she will think the BH Shockwave is the better toy, even though it's older and at a similar price point to the CW Shockwave.

I think for some modern neo-G1 toys, namely the ones from Generations, the character and nostalgia value are the main selling points.

[MayzaPrime]

BH Shockwave is a tank, while CW Shockwave is a space laser gun... you cant really compare the 2. The only things they have in common is the colour and character name. Their transformation is completely different.

Yes I agree the quality of the toys has declined over the years

[GoktimusPrime]

You'll find that the better toys were ones where HasTak had more creative freedom in design and engineering. Toys like Tomahawk wasn't based on a pre-created movie model or previously existing toy. He was a whole new character and concept, so HasTak had the freedom to do what they liked, and that's awesome.

BH Shockwave on the other hand is based on a cartoon model. HasTak had the job of translating the cartoon model into being an action figure for children. Recent CHUGUR toys are nice too, but they too are based on existing G1 characters and toys. And in the case of CW and TR, accommodating their combining and Headmaster gimmicks respectively. But CHUGUR are still aren't as slavishly accurate to G1 as MP and as such they have relatively more creative freedom. Trying to make a gun Megatron with a non-MP budget is tricky, and we end up with the likes of toys like Classics Megatron with two massive shellformery "wings" on his back, or Reveal the Shield Megatron whose robot tummy is visible in pistol mode (although for a Legends Class figure he's actually a smashing toy! :D). Combiner Wars Megatron on the other hand decided, "Bugger having a G1 accurate alt mode, let's make him a tank!" And while G2 Megatron was a tank, CW Megatron's transformation and robot form are nothing G2 tank Megs'. Making the decision to give Megatron his own original design worked a treat as it gave HasTak designers far more creative freedom to just work on making a great Megatron toy. And what a menacing end-boss CW Megatron was in Devastation! :D

This is why I often believe that Transformers usually work out better when they are designed as toys first and media characters second, not the other way around. With special exceptions like MP & CHUGUR, toy designers shouldn't be worrying about translating animation models into toys, animators should translate toys into animation models. MP and CHUGUR are lines whose core appeal is based on G1 nostalgia - fine. But the other lines don't necessarily have such a strong mandate on this. Lines like Transformers Prime and Robots In Disguise weren't as good as stuff like HFTD because they were needlessly based on animation models. Most of the toys in TFP and RiD2015 haven't struck me as good... mediocre at best. And some of the better toys like Arms Micron Frumble, were those that were only made for the toy line and never appeared in the show (thus they enjoyed more creative liberty). Voyager Class TFP Skyquake and Dreadwing on the other hand are just rubbish.

[FatalityPitt]

Most of the toys in TFP and RiD2015 haven't struck me as good... mediocre at best. And some of the better toys like Arms Micron Frumble, were those that were only made for the toy line and never appeared in the show (thus they enjoyed more creative liberty). Voyager Class TFP Skyquake and Dreadwing on the other hand are just rubbish.

Like many toy lines, TFP had its share of misses, but there were hits.

Personally, I thought TFP Legion Cliffjumper/Tailgate had impressive articulation and an interesting transformation despite being such a small figure. The Deluxe Vehicon (RiD, NOT First Edition) had excellent engineering, and the Arms Micron War Breakdown figure is still one of my favourite Transformers out of every line. Perhaps I have odd taste...

I didn't find the Rumble/Frenzy toy very impressive however. But I'm not a fan of Transformers that turn into hatchbacks (don't know why, they're just very uninspiring to me), so my assessment could be biased.

[GoktimusPrime]

Legion/Legends Class figures have generally been pretty good for their size/price point, I will agree. :) I agree that the RiD Vehicon was pretty good, although the FE Vehicon doesn't rely as heavily on shellforming and has more solid arms. The RiD Vehicon's arms are prone to collapsing back into door mode during play (but not nearly as badly as Deluxe Airachnid's arms). Breakdown is nice, but not great value for a Voyager considering that he's the size of a Deluxe (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=310199&postcount=17). And the obscene amount of stickers... gah (or just stickers in general -- so cheap looking in an age of tampographs).


I didn't find the Rumble/Frenzy toy very impressive however. But I'm not a fan of Transformers that turn into hatchbacks (don't know why, they're just very uninspiring to me), so my assessment could be biased.
Okay, so putting your alt mode bias aside, what do you think about that mould on the whole as a Deluxe Transformer action figure? My detailed thoughts can be found here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15866). :)

I personally love the fact that they're hatchbacks because they're just such ordinary looking cars that don't stand out! This makes them far better robots in disguise than transforming into an attention-drawing sports car or military vehicle. When you want to blend into modern human society you want to transform into something reasonably mundane. The TARDIS worked by being an unassuming 1960s police box (which makes sense since the TARDIS scanned one in 1963 England where its chameleon circuit broke down (rendering it incapable of rescanning for new disguises) - but the show has since explained that the TARDIS also has a perception filter which psychically makes it unnoticeable). G1 Bumblebee was the Autobot spy because he had the most unassuming alt mode (Bumblejumper even moreso ;)). Movie Bumblebee sucked at moving about unnoticed except for when he was the old Camaros.

"Will you be wanting the Batpod, sir?"
"In the middle of the day, Alfred? Not very subtle."
"The Lamborghini, then. Much more subtle."
(The Dark Knight)

[BigTransformerTrev]

It is very hit and miss mate. I within 10 kms of a Target, Kmart, BigW, Myer and a TRU in Sydney's southern suburbs. It is very rare that they ever have any decent stock as well. I haven't seen any Wave 3 Legends or Deluxes floating around here yet.

Heh - I haven't seen Wave 1 in Swan Hill yet! As it is I have to keep ordering toys that become available everywhere else in Aus from BBTS, racking up the postage charges.

Plus, given that BBTS keeps pushing back their ETA on figures (they said they'd have Wave 3 in by December for instance) it means that even ordering from the states I get them after everyone else. Given the majority of traffic on my blog comes from people checking out toy reviews, it means I'm often reviewing them after everyone else already has them. :rolleyes:

[FatalityPitt]

Okay, so putting your alt mode bias aside, what do you think about that mould on the whole as a Deluxe Transformer action figure? My detailed thoughts can be found here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15866). :)

I never got the Arms Micron Rumble or Frenzy, which I think are the better versions, but I've had the RiD version. "Not impressed" was too strong a phrase to describe my opinion of it, and I apologise. To me, the figure was just ok. No hard feelings to fans of that mold. While I didn't think it was bad, it just struck me as a bit generic. If it didn't have to compete against Deluxe RiD Vehicon or Arcee, it would have been a top tier (in my eyes).

I like G1 Rumble, and I like how the side doors simulate G1 Rumble's wings/guns in robot mode. But the car-roof-kibble on the arms stand out. Normally some car kibble is acceptable, but the Vehicon hid its car kibble so well that it beats out the Rumble mold (in my eyes).

Also, and I think this due to my bias against hatchbacks combined with the Geewun fan in me (cassette not hatchbakk); I just found the alt-mode very plain. It looked like just another car, and I already have so many car Transformers...

Prime Rumble/Frenzy mold isn't bad, it just didn't grab my attention.


I personally love the fact that they're hatchbacks because they're just such ordinary looking cars that don't stand out! This makes them far better robots in disguise than transforming into an attention-drawing sports car or military vehicle. When you want to blend into modern human society you want to transform into something reasonably mundane.

I like to treat my Transformers collecting as an escape from reality, which is why I'm quite fond of fantasy alt-modes like spaceships, futuristic tanks, and mechanical beasts; provided that they look tasteful and the robot can pull off the look without cheating (shell-forming, parts-forming etc). I also like diversity in my Transformers, and to me the Earth Car alt-mode is very (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Go-Bot_(G2))common (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers:_Alternators).

It's even gotten to a stage where, unless it's a character close to my heart (like G1 Mirage or Chromedome), I'd pass any new transformer that becomes a car. I don't even have any of the CW Stunticons.

But please, don't let my remarks dampen any love you might have for car-Transformers. They're great figures, but for me, I've got plenty of good car-Transformers and would like something different... Like a Triple-Changer that transforms from Robot to Mechanical Space Griffin, to Drill Tank and back! But well done of course.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I've got both - think both versions are awesome!

[canofwhoopass_87]

I've had MP9 Rodimus for a long time now - always displayed in robot mode. Just spent the last 2 hours trying to transform him into vehicle mode to display next to Ultra Magnus.

Have given up - the folding legs are ridiculous. Haven't been this frustrated since MP5 Megatron; but at least I managed to figure that one out after a couple of tries. MP9 just seems so brittle, especially the leg panels.

Now that I've had a go, I completely understand the frustration and bad reviews when this guy first came out :(

[canofwhoopass_87]

Hazah! I got it after attempt 193 :D

K 11:17pm bed time

[Borgeman]

I've had MP9 Rodimus for a long time now - always displayed in robot mode. Just spent the last 2 hours trying to transform him into vehicle mode to display next to Ultra Magnus.

Have given up - the folding legs are ridiculous. Haven't been this frustrated since MP5 Megatron; but at least I managed to figure that one out after a couple of tries. MP9 just seems so brittle, especially the leg panels.

Now that I've had a go, I completely understand the frustration and bad reviews when this guy first came out :(

Much of his transformation doesn't sit very flush in car mode and they failed with the clearance under the car. Now that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, except for the fact he feels so brittle that you dont want to try force anything to sit flush (MP-09B proved that in spades).

That and the leg panels were a complete failure. One of mine was broken in the box (I had a 1st release toy)

[canofwhoopass_87]

Much of his transformation doesn't sit very flush in car mode and they failed with the clearance under the car. Now that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, except for the fact he feels so brittle that you dont want to try force anything to sit flush (MP-09B proved that in spades).

That and the leg panels were a complete failure. One of mine was broken in the box (I had a 1st release toy)

I feel ya Borge

MP10 onwards really seems like the start of the golden era for MPs. I love the transformation of Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, Ironhide etc. So much fun, clever designs and everything fits snug as a bug.

Bring on more Series 3 G1's I say!

[GoktimusPrime]

The Hasbro version of MP9 did make some slight improvements over the original TakaraTOMY release (see my side-by-side comparison between the two versions here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=13338)). I personally haven't noticed/experienced the problems you guys are talking about. The MP9 mould does indeed have a low tolerance for misalignment, particularly with the hands and feet. I find that they need to be perfectly aligned for everything else to fall in place and missing out on those can force you go to back several steps in transformation to redo it which can be frustrating. Although I found the same with MP Ironhide/Ratchet, but I think the difference is that the newer MPs are getting a lot better at creating intuitive and fun transformations that going backwards and forwards in transformation doesn't feel so irritating. It's far more annoying on less intuitive toys because you don't really want to revisit those steps so soon as it's just not as fun. But with the newer MPs I find that I don't mind so much because the transformations are more enjoyable, whereas with some older MPs they were more of a means to an end.

But I personally haven't experienced problems with panels not sitting flush (unless the hands or feet aren't perfectly aligned), and the clearance is high enough for the toy to roll in vehicle mode. But I found the lack of clearance on MP28 to be far worse (comparison here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=530802&postcount=4)) - I find it near impossible to make that toy roll without scraping the underside, and the one I borrowed for comparison had reprolabelled tyre treads to help raise the vehicle. Just for reference, the cartoon model for Hot Rod showed it having this much clearance (http://www.rellimzone.com/images/movies/the-transformers-the-movie-1986-03.jpg).

[BigTransformerTrev]

Friggin BBTS!:mad:

They sent an email saying that the next RID wave (Windblade, Blurr & Soundwave) would be in within the next 10 days so I delayed having my POL shipped. This was on the 23rd of Feb.

On the 20th of March I emailed them asking how much longer. They apologised, said they only got a partial shipment in to fill some of the preorders but the other shipment should arrive in the near future.

I emailed back asking did that mean days, weeks or months as it was a very vauge answer.

They emailed back saying they couldn;t be more specific and to give me an exact date would be misleading and they (the dude writing it) respects me too much for that.

Respects me too much?! I'm just some dude writing an email asking when his toys are going to arrive! Respecting someone is not the same as being respectful. If he had said "it would be disrespectful to mislead you with a date" I could have accepted that. Saying he "respects me too much" when he doesn't even know me is just blowing a lot of hot air up my arse :mad:

They now have a 'rate my answer' option so I pretty much said so in my response to that.

[Firestorm]

Had TR Voyager Megatron for less than 24hours, the stickers on the wings are already falling off! :mad:

[Jellico]

Had TR Voyager Megatron for less than 24hours, the stickers on the wings are already falling off! :mad:

The recent rash of stickery bots with dodgey stickers has to be an opening for Reprolables to do full replacement sets.

[GoktimusPrime]

Stickers are something that Transformers moved away from in 1996, replacing it with more highly detailed sculpting and superior paint applications. It's nothing more than a cost-cutting measure. :(

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

They emailed back saying they couldn;t be more specific and to give me an exact date would be misleading and they (the dude writing it) respects me too much for that.
That's pretty patronising.

I realise that person might think they're being polite, but.... lol. He probably could care less about the problem

(I'm making a joke about there about people not understanding some phrases and usage. );)

The one that I find myself hesitant to use is "Do you mind ~~" I've met so many people that use it incorrectly. I've been asked, "Do you mind if I (sit here/use this etc etc) and I answer, "No." They assume I don't want them using/ sitting etc. Get offended and leave. Well, if you're going to be offended, don't ask the question like that.

BTW, that usually happened in Australia...:o

[GoktimusPrime]

I lost my CYB Shortround. :( Don't suppose anyone has a spare?

[griffin]

TakaraTomy have pushed back their MP Artfire again, so now it won't be out before my 60 days at HLJ ends.
It was originally listed for May 9th, then it was pushed back to May 19th.. now it is May 26th.
My 60 days at HLJ is May 24th, so now it won't be released before they automatically ship my oldest items... and even if MP Artfire gets charged on May 24th, it still wouldn't be in the "warehouse" before they automatically send my 60 day items.

And to make it even more annoying, I didn't ship my MP Megatron in early April because I wanted to wait until MP Artfire and Legends Godbomber were released, as they were both originally listed within my 60 day window.
Then when both were pushed back about a week, Godbomber was going to miss my 60 day window, I was annoyed, but still okay with Artfire making it... now that both will miss my 60 days, it's REALLY annoying, because I could have had my MP Megatron 5 weeks ago if I had known these two toys were going to be pushed back (I had no pre-order items for April after Megatron on the 1st).

Now to send my items out... and just hope that MP Artfire doesn't get released before May 24th at HLJ.

[DELTAprime]

Grrrr. Just opened my TR Topspin I got from work today, went to transform him. Step one remove the Headmaster. Step two, try and get a grip on the Headmasters head that is stuck in the socket of the of the body. Does HasTak not inform their factory staff that the head needs to turned 180 degrees to be easily removable?

[GoktimusPrime]

I had no issue with my Topspin, but I've had a few QC issues with other figures. I think that this is the price we (don't) pay for having our toys manufactured in developing nations like China and now Vietnam. Labour there is cheap. Very cheap. If you want better quality labour then HasTak would need relocate manufacturing to an industrialised nation, but that would also massively jack up the cost of the toys - possibly to the level of third party figures.

Look no further than Lego to see what I mean. Lego is expensive, especially when you compare it with cheaper brands like Kre-O etc. But this is because Lego bricks are manufactured in industrialised nations like Denmark, Germany, Croatia etc. The packaging may state that some manufacturing is done in developing nations like China or Mexico, but by this they mean that the packaging is made in these countries (boxes, plastic baggies etc.). The actual bricks themselves are made in European countries. This is the reason why Lego is so damn expensive. Lego sets based on licensed properties (e.g. Star Wars, Marvel, DC etc.) are even dearer because of course you're also paying for the property licences. But you very rarely hear reports of QC issues with Lego. It's not fool proof, but generally toy lines like Lego will experience a far small number of QC issues than companies like Hasbro who outsource their manufacturing to cheaper countries like Vietnam.

[DELTAprime]

Lego has said the product that is made in Mexico for the American region and China for the Asian region to reduce shipping cost/time, not labour.:rolleyes: I'm not sure if we get Europe's supply or Asia's supply.

[GoktimusPrime]

Anyway, my point still stands that because Transformers are manufactured in cheaper labour markets like Vietnam, it's not completely surprising that there may be quality control issues. The average Vietnamese full time worker earns nearly four hundred times less money* than the average Australian full time worker. These workers just don't get paid nearly enough to give a hoot about inserting a Titan Master in a certain way that makes it easier to pull out. So long as the toy is assembled and packaged correctly, then as far as they're concerned they're doing their job right.

----------------------------------------------------------
*https://www.livingin-australia.com/salaries-australia/
https://www.vietnamonline.com/az/average-salary.html

[bowspearer]

One thing which honestly annoys me with Transformers fans is the number of them who rip into the G1 Ironhide figure because it lacks show accuracy.

Yes, the figure is nothing like the design Floro Dery went with, but how on earth is it the fault of a figure for failing to be animation accurate when it was originally unveiled more than 2 years prior to said show.

Furthermore I don't get how so many people who claim to be into G1 could be so uninformed about Diaclone or the nature of Diaclone figures.

After all, Ironhide was one of the first 5 Transformers toys to ever be released (the Powerdashers and Sunstreaker were the other three), while as a powered mecha, the Onebox Cherry Vanette is an awesome figure whose only negative was that to my knowledge it only came with one diaclone pilot.

Let's face it, the concept of a van splitting in two and turning into giant power armour akin to the AMP suits in Avatar and a 2 seater half track mobile battle station is pretty freakin awesome.

The way I see it, the problem is that people look at this:

http://tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/robotmode.jpg


And think of this:
https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/4/49448/1894569-ironhide.jpg

When they should really be thinking of this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0ujutnvkEA/Vb3sye_MOzI/AAAAAAAABh8/sO-RmuLXLDk/s1600/ava%2Bl.jpg

After all, when the battle station and power armour are both combined and fully crewed, here's what you wind up with:

http://www.diaclone.net/orid/dia037/03722.jpg

How is that not a brilliant feat of engineering for a transforming mecha designed possibly as early as 1980? How is that not a brilliant toy, when viewed as piloted mecha, even today - poseability issues aside?

I seriously don't get how people could claim to love Transformers, yet be so lacking in knowledge, have no apparent desire to inform themselves and then turn around and trash what is an amazing toy for the era it was made in and quite possibly even today?

[FatalityPitt]

Diaclone/G1 Ironhide is my favourite toy of the character, personally. I guess I like it because of it's historical significance. I also like the feature where the back of the van turns into a mobile-repair-bay/turret, there's a "play set/mobile base" feel about it. MP Ironhide is great and I see what they're going for, but for me, this is the 'real' Ironhide.

If any 'Geewun' fan bashes the G1 Ironhide mold, they've just proven themselves to be noobs.

[Sinnertwin]

Some people that like Pre G1 & G1 like it, some dont. What do they say? Deal with it?

[BigTransformerTrev]

If any 'Geewun' fan bashes the G1 Ironhide mold, they've just proven themselves to be noobs.


Some people that like Pre G1 & G1 like it, some dont. What do they say? Deal with it?

Gotta admit, I'm not keen on the robot/base mode. I keep my G1 Ironhide and Ratchet in their vehicle modes personally.

Given I was watching the first time the cartoon aired in Aus in 84' and I now have 2000+ figures, I think maybe I'm a bit beyond being classified as a 'noob' these days ;)

[FatalityPitt]

I was agreeing with the person before me, but you're right, I could have gone about it more diplomatically.

However, the noobs I was referring to were the ones who claim to know everything there is to know about Transformers but look at G1 Ironhide (or any of the earliest G1 toys) and laugh at it, and say things like "What a lame design. I can't believe it got approved. I pity the fool who paid money for it.".. If I could, I'd remind them that if that lame design hadn't been approved; that MP Ironhide sitting on their shelf (the one with the pretty mowhawk-shaped helmet) wouldn't exist. Also, they should know that Diaclones weren't sentient robots in the first place.

[GoktimusPrime]

Reminds me the time I met a TF fan in the action figure aisle at Kmart and he told me that he recently got ripped off by an eBay seller because he went to purchase a G1 Rumble but he was sent the "wrong" toy because it was the black and red robot. I then explained to him about the whole FIRRIB thing blah blah blah, which he did not know... and he realised that he needed to retract the negative feedback & comment that he'd left for the seller. :rolleyes:

[Sinnertwin]

How is that even possible?
Regardless of your stance on the whole RIWHATEVER topic, wasnt there a photo at least? One they could have looked at & seen what they were buying before committing ?

[GoktimusPrime]

The fact is that it is RIRFIB in the G1 toys. If you're a die-hard FIRRIBist and you want your toys to conform to the cartoon standard, then you're gonna need to basically repurpose Rumble as Frenzy and Frenzy as Rumble. So if you're looking for the blue Cassette robot to repurpose as Rumble, then you're gonna need to get the G1 Frenzy toy. As a private owner you can call G1 Frenzy Rumble, Frenzy or Shirley... it's entirely up to you. But as far as searching for the toy under its official name, then yeah, it'd be Frenzy. This guy must've been asleep during the 80s to not notice this. :rolleyes:

[Sinnertwin]

Oh, I get of all of that, but it still doesn't explain how he cocked it up.

Most, if not all eBay listings have photos.
If it was a private listing he still would have had access to photos and/or even asked, hey, Mr. eBay seller, just so that we're on the same page, what colour is the cassette I'm buying?

[drifand]

Oh, I get of all of that, but it still doesn't explain how he cocked it up.

Most, if not all eBay listings have photos.
If it was a private listing he still would have had access to photos and/or even asked, hey, Mr. eBay seller, just so that we're on the same page, what colour is the cassette I'm buying?

I agree, I seriously not sure what he was thinking.

My take on g1 is just two sides

G1 toy accurate
G1 toon accurate

Toys today should be g1 toon accurate as they could not do so back then.
I understand the split but just go with what you like.

Jetfire for example, I totally disagree it should look like a g1 toy when it's not what it is in the toon. Hence ft Phoenix won my vote.

[FatalityPitt]

Reminds me the time I met a TF fan in the action figure aisle at Kmart and he told me that he recently got ripped off by an eBay seller because he went to purchase a G1 Rumble but he was sent the "wrong" toy because it was the black and red robot. I then explained to him about the whole FIRRIB thing blah blah blah, which he did not know... and he realised that he needed to retract the negative feedback & comment that he'd left for the seller. :rolleyes:

Tsk tsk. If he can buy G1 Rumble off eBay, he can google "G1 Rumble Toy". Also, if he searched for G1 Rumble on ebay, surely all the listed items would have a picture of a red and black robot.

[bowspearer]

Reminds me the time I met a TF fan in the action figure aisle at Kmart and he told me that he recently got ripped off by an eBay seller because he went to purchase a G1 Rumble but he was sent the "wrong" toy because it was the black and red robot.

https://i.imgflip.com/120tgs.jpg

[bowspearer]

Gotta admit, I'm not keen on the robot/base mode. I keep my G1 Ironhide and Ratchet in their vehicle modes personally.

It's one thing for the design to not appeal to you - it's another to hate on the design for failing to be toon accurate; the later is very much a noobish response.

[philby]

I don't like that the current Optimus Prime comic doesn't have 'transformers' in the title, so I need to do more than one search in the app to find it :mad::D:p

[davieanix]

Ordered the Mission To Cybertron figs from TRU website. Was hoping they would send me one of each, but I also expected to receive either two Megatrons or two Skullitrons.

They sent me voyager Optimus and Grimlock.

[UltraMarginal]

I'll freely admit I never realised that the rumble/Frenzy toys were coloured opposite to the cartoon until I got into the online fandom sometime around 2010, based on when it says I joined the forum here. I never had the toys though until the reissues in the last few years.

[DELTAprime]

Not so much a vent as a I'm glad I fixed that. My Trypticon's left hip's 360 ratchet was so tight I couldn't move it an was worried about breaking it. I pulled it apart and found the spring is super strong in that ratchet. After some work on the spring everything is cool and I'm not sweating bullets anymore.

[GoktimusPrime]

3.5h to apply Trypticon's stickers... son of a---

[Sinnertwin]

3.5h to apply Trypticon's stickers... son of a---

I'd wondered where you'd run off to :p

[Megatran]

MISB. Crisis averted. :D

[Civic Bossman]

I cautiously went back to Ebay when they started dropping deals etc lately, and what do you know I picked another rogue seller!! Good feedback, Ebay recommended seller etc, until I place my order. First hint was the tracking number didn't register, then all of a sudden today 13 negative feedbacks. PayPal will give me my money back but unfortunately I have to wait until the shipping estimate has passed.

First PC, then this - maybe it's a sign to give it all up? :(

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd wondered where you'd run off to :p
Glad to know you missed me, babe. ;)

[M-bot]

Struggling to get my 4-year-old son to pronounce "Optimus Prime" the correct way and not say "Oktimus Prime". He is now self-correcting by saying "Oktimus Optimus Prime" in a way where the first word is said deliberately to try and show me he's listening and learning. Can't get mad at that but it's doing my head in.

[davieanix]

My Leader Megs' battle mask doesn't seem to work properly. The horns don't go in by themselves when the face flips in, but they do spring out when flipping the face back out.

Maybe I can fix myself but will wait to see how others go!

[Dimi194]

My Leader Megs' battle mask doesn't seem to work properly. The horns don't go in by themselves when the face flips in, but they do spring out when flipping the face back out.

Maybe I can fix myself but will wait to see how others go!

From watching review they're all like that ...

[davieanix]

I've watched 3 since buying it dude and it's most definitely not the case. The horns are supposed to work with the switch both ways, mine only move by themselves one way.

[davieanix]

Just to follow up, there was a broken mechanism in the head. So I returned it for another one which works perfectly as intended.

[Jellico]

Just found the kids managed to trap their TR Hotrod's spoiler under a toy box and snap the end off it.

Ahh Hot Rod. I can think of few Transformers more deserving of Edna Mode's "No capes!"

[UltraMarginal]

Ahh Hot Rod. I can think of few Transformers more deserving of Edna Mode's "No capes!"

So True!!:D

[Tober]

Interesting approach today at Wonderfest from Takara Tomy - exhibiting Movie 10th Anniversary and Legends dioramas instead of anything interesting. Like some Masterpiece Dinobot prototypes, instead of a 7-11 Masterpiece Convoy nobody asked for... :mad:

[UltraMarginal]

were they Takara Tomy displays?!!

I thought they were part of a diorama competition or something. some pretty dark action in amongst that. but they did look stunning.

[GoktimusPrime]

Struggling to get my 4-year-old son to pronounce "Optimus Prime" the correct way and not say "Oktimus Prime". He is now self-correcting by saying "Oktimus Optimus Prime" in a way where the first word is said deliberately to try and show me he's listening and learning. Can't get mad at that but it's doing my head in.
My daughter used to call Optimus Prime "Apple Pie" and Bumblebee was "Bah-boo-doo." :p Now she calls Optimus Prime "Ottie" for sort. :p She also used to speak with a lisp but lost it after Kindy.

[DELTAprime]

but lost it after Kindy.

OMG, I miss read that I thought you said she lost her kidney. Anyone have a cure for dyslexia?

[bowspearer]

Just got the Transformers Complete Japanese series box set from JB Hifi in the mail and I honestly think that literal trained monkeys (ie performing circus monkeys paid in peanuts) could have done a better job.

There was not a single series that did not suffer in some way due to the shoddy assembly job it was clearly given. Firstly, both Victory and Masterforce are ruined because at least one of the discs was not only rattling around loosely, but they are so scratched that it looks like someone took to parts of them with a set of keys.

I might be inclined to dismiss it as being incredibly lucky, were it not for the state Headmasters was in. While no discs were rattling around, quite possibly due in no small part to the insert for the 5th disc being in there, the insert itself was only half attached. Furthermore there is no way that it had fallen out on its own. When I went to clip it back in, not only wasn't it loose, but the clip was that stiff and unyielding that I'd be willing to put money on that half of the insert simply not being clipped in before it left the factory.

Acts of god are one thing and do happen sadly, but when it's quite clear that their warehouse staff simply couldn't care less, it sends a clear message that they simply don't care about their customers.

Not a good look.

[CHILENO20]

Was looking at my G1 Doubledealer when the whole left arm hinge just crumbled :mad::mad::mad: Great! Now I have to look for a replacement!!!

[Dimi194]

While ironing, TLK Leader Megs jumped to stop me from doing housework and snapped his right foot off :(:(

I didn't realise the small area of plastic connecting the parts together; going to try and glue it to save spending another $90...

[Holdobot]

My daughter used to call Optimus Prime "Apple Pie" and Bumblebee was "Bah-boo-doo." :p Now she calls Optimus Prime "Ottie" for sort. :p She also used to speak with a lisp but lost it after Kindy.

My wife has my 5 year old calling Bumblebee "Bunglebee". She thinks it is hilarious. I have caught myself saying it a few times also.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Not a problem with the TF exactly so much as my own self, but...
I'm not the best when it comes to Bayformers. The aesthetics don't do much for me and there's just something about the toy design for a lot of them, especially the screen character ones, that seems to trip me up. Plus I tend to buy a lot of my TFs used/loose. So when I got my Leader Starscream, he came without instructions.
Yesterday I tried transforming him from plane to robot, and missed a step. I spotted it not working, and looked up a video review, but now - possibly from the time before when I made the exact same mistake - the back panel behind the cockpit has two tiny little nubs because of my mistake. The toy's still fine - nothing's 'broken' per se, and it doesn't really affect the transformation or display. They're tiny, and I doubt anyone would notice unless they were really familiar with the mold or had one to compare it with - they look like they could be there deliberately to aid the exact step that I seem to keep on lousing up. It's not even like the toy is a major/important part of my collection.
But, it's still a visible sign of my own carelessness, so it's kind of annoying.:(

On the bright side, I finally figured out how to work the automorph correctly on Leader Brawl, so that was nice.

[DELTAprime]

Not a problem with the TF exactly so much as my own self, but...
I'm not the best when it comes to Bayformers. The aesthetics don't do much for me and there's just something about the toy design for a lot of them, especially the screen character ones, that seems to trip me up. Plus I tend to buy a lot of my TFs used/loose. So when I got my Leader Starscream, he came without instructions.
Yesterday I tried transforming him from plane to robot, and missed a step. I spotted it not working, and looked up a video review, but now - possibly from the time before when I made the exact same mistake - the back panel behind the cockpit has two tiny little nubs because of my mistake. The toy's still fine - nothing's 'broken' per se, and it doesn't really affect the transformation or display. They're tiny, and I doubt anyone would notice unless they were really familiar with the mold or had one to compare it with - they look like they could be there deliberately to aid the exact step that I seem to keep on lousing up. It's not even like the toy is a major/important part of my collection.
But, it's still a visible sign of my own carelessness, so it's kind of annoying.:(

On the bright side, I finally figured out how to work the automorph correctly on Leader Brawl, so that was nice.

I gotta say I felt kinda let down when I got that Leader Starscream mould in hand. Especially since I paid extra and got the MPM-01 version.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I gotta say I felt kinda let down when I got that Leader Starscream mould in hand. Especially since I paid extra and got the MPM-01 version.That's the one I have. Aside from the limited arm articulation - and the usual slightly-fiddly Bayformer transformation, which I never seem to get totally right - I rather like it. Enough to keep it instead of selling it on as I'd planned on doing, any any rate.

[DELTAprime]

That's the one I have. Aside from the limited arm articulation - and the usual slightly-fiddly Bayformer transformation, which I never seem to get totally right - I rather like it. Enough to keep it instead of selling it on as I'd planned on doing, any any rate.

Yeah I think he's a great display piece. Just the transformation didn't feel right and I would have like a slightly more accurate undercarriage in alt mode.

[SharkyMcShark]

The Leader Starscream mold is possibly my favourite mold ever, but yeah, the undercarriage isn't great on it.

If they binned the sound box it might have helped things compress more.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Getting quite irritated with the Robots In Disguise game for iphones/iPads. I don't play it myself but my 4 year old loves it so he gets really excited whenever I get a new RID toy as he can scan it and play it in the game.

Just got Combiner Force Twinferno (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/toy-review-rid-twinferno/) and yet again the character didn't scan in. Thats like the 5th toy in a row we've gotten that didn't! Oh the game gives you tickets to permanently unlock other characters as recompense but it's always the same: Night Ops Bumblebee, Stealth Strike Bumblebee, Night Strike Bumblee, Stealth Ops Bumblebee etc etc - the game is like the toylines - 50 damn versions of Bumblebee and bugger all else to play with :rolleyes::mad:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

That's like the TAV app as well. Their scanning stopped unlocking bios at Windblade. On top of the the TAV app didn't even have any games or stuff to it. Very disappointed

[BigTransformerTrev]

That's like the TAV app as well. Their scanning stopped unlocking bios at Windblade. On top of the the TAV app didn't even have any games or stuff to it. Very disappointed

Yeah the same day I got Twinferno I also took delivery of TAV Ratchet. While you wouldn't expect them to work on the RID app the RID'esque circle of the packaging does give you emerging cubes. The TAV circles however don't scan at all

[griffin]

It's like Hasbro had completely given up on RID at the beginning of this year... and they need the RID sales to help fund/subsidise the smaller-production-run Generations line.

We get the occasional toy commercial on TV and youtube, but where is the hyping up of the current season of the cartoon or toyline... or the updates to the RID App.
I was even expecting the HasCon convention to be focusing more on the RID toyline than Generations, because the event is supposed to be prioritising the family and kids demographics, not the adult collectors. (I know that they had to focus on adult collectors to justify axing BotCon, but it means that their majority consumers were not prioritised with the products revealed.)
If it wasn't for SDCC, we wouldn't have known about any upcoming RID toys... and as it was, they only revealed three new toys if I recall (two crash combiners and a Legion Twinferno).
I understand them not wanting to spend money on a series that is ending, or being replaced by a new season/chapter/etc, but they seemed to do that a lot earlier for RID, neglecting this whole season/year, when usually it is just 4-6 months before a change-over.

[Dimi194]

Seems my TLK order from RK was cursed-got the wrong BB, Cogman was missing his steering wheel in the driver compartment and on first transformation Scorn's chest rotation pin sheared off... thankfully the tabs on the shoulders keep him together in robot and dino mode without it :(:(:(

Such a shame as I love all these toys

[GoktimusPrime]

Refund/exchange time!

[griffin]

Refund/exchange time!

Sometimes easier said than done with RK.

The last time I ordered from them (about 7 years ago), I had something missing in an order... and after a few emails back and forth about it, they just stopped talking to me... which is why it was my last order with them.

[Deonasis]

I watched the Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Renolds on the weekend for the first time. I did this mostly because I heard it was a real baad movie. Turns out i liked it more than any TF Bayverse movie. :(

[UltraMarginal]

Getting quite irritated with the Robots In Disguise game for iphones/iPads. I don't play it myself but my 4 year old loves it so he gets really excited whenever I get a new RID toy as he can scan it and play it in the game.

Just got Combiner Force Twinferno (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/toy-review-rid-twinferno/) and yet again the character didn't scan in. Thats like the 5th toy in a row we've gotten that didn't! Oh the game gives you tickets to permanently unlock other characters as recompense but it's always the same: Night Ops Bumblebee, Stealth Strike Bumblebee, Night Strike Bumblee, Stealth Ops Bumblebee etc etc - the game is like the toylines - 50 damn versions of Bumblebee and bugger all else to play with :rolleyes::mad:


That's like the TAV app as well. Their scanning stopped unlocking bios at Windblade. On top of the the TAV app didn't even have any games or stuff to it. Very disappointed


It's like Hasbro had completely given up on RID at the beginning of this year... and they need the RID sales to help fund/subsidise the smaller-production-run Generations line.
.

I wonder if this is why Big W have been selling RID Warriors at $20 for the last 6 -8 months, the money from the toys helping cover the cost of app development and upkeep isn't being used any more so they can buy them cheaper from Hasbro??



I watched the Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Renolds on the weekend for the first time. I did this mostly because I heard it was a real baad movie. Turns out i liked it more than any TF Bayverse movie. :(

I've never understood the hate for that movie. I don't know much about the green lantern but I didn't think it warranted the response it received.

[Dimi194]

Refund/exchange time!

BB is the only one I'm actually worried about-not sure it's worth trying to exchange the others, especially as they've mostly sold out now

[BigTransformerTrev]

I wonder if this is why Big W have been selling RID Warriors at $20 for the last 6 -8 months, the money from the toys helping cover the cost of app development and upkeep isn't being used any more so they can buy them cheaper from Hasbro?

Well Hasbro needs to stop taking up a 3rd of the back of the packaging advertising the app then as well as taking off those stupid code circles off the toys if they are no longer supporting it. Again, I don't play it myself but sick of seeing my son disappointed

[UltraMarginal]

Well Hasbro needs to stop taking up a 3rd of the back of the packaging advertising the app then as well as taking off those stupid code circles off the toys if they are no longer supporting it. Again, I don't play it myself but sick of seeing my son disappointed

If I'm right, and I'm probably not, your argument is completely valid. Even if I'm not, they should really ensure that they are updating the app with new character models as the toys are released. specifically to avoid their primary customer base from being disappointed.

[prjkt]

F*ck.

In moving house after packing/unpacking almost all my transformers I (luckily) only found one broken.

Unluckily, that broken one was a Seeker's wing peg.

That seeker was Nacelle

Probably the one that'll be most hard to find a replacement wing/piece for... Might just have to glue the wing in place and call it a day on transforming him.

[UltraMarginal]

F*ck.

In moving house after packing/unpacking almost all my transformers I (luckily) only found one broken.

Unluckily, that broken one was a Seeker's wing peg.

That seeker was Nacelle

Probably the one that'll be most hard to find a replacement wing/piece for... Might just have to glue the wing in place and call it a day on transforming him.

There has been discussion in the past about fixing this type of break, along the lines of using a pin drill to drill a couple fine holes in both sides of the break, then use fancy super glue to glue wire into those holes when joining the break back together, in theory it should make a very strong join. I'm yet to try this myself but it seems like a good method to me.

[BigTransformerTrev]

If I'm right, and I'm probably not, your argument is completely valid. Even if I'm not, they should really ensure that they are updating the app with new character models as the toys are released. specifically to avoid their primary customer base from being disappointed.

Well it seems that Menasor, Drag Break and Shocknado are all in the game so they must be at least doing some updates.

My son is loving playing Menasor - he is properly proportioned in the game so towers over his enemies :D

[prjkt]

There has been discussion in the past about fixing this type of break, along the lines of using a pin drill to drill a couple fine holes in both sides of the break, then use fancy super glue to glue wire into those holes when joining the break back together, in theory it should make a very strong join. I'm yet to try this myself but it seems like a good method to me.

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind.

Might be a while before I can get my hands on that sort of equipment though, but I do see the logic in it

[GoktimusPrime]

Shocknado
:eek: That name... :eek:

[Krayt]

F*ck.

In moving house after packing/unpacking almost all my transformers I (luckily) only found one broken.

Unluckily, that broken one was a Seeker's wing peg.

That seeker was Nacelle

Probably the one that'll be most hard to find a replacement wing/piece for... Might just have to glue the wing in place and call it a day on transforming him.

Dude.... I have a spare

[Dimi194]

When RK sends you the right BB... but it has 2 right hands :(

(Better than 2 right arms, which I saw on other figures)

TLK last wave must have been made while the QC manager was on holidays :o

[BigTransformerTrev]

Ah fraggin fraggin fraggin frag! Apparently I had movie leader toys ordered with BBTS. I remember looking at them but not ordering.

So now I have a second Megs sitting in a POL overseas. I like the toy well enough but not THAT much.

I could try and see if they would let me cancel but I kinda want the dragon dude.



Well it seems that Shocknado are all in the game so they must be at least doing some updates.

D


:eek: That name... :eek:

I love that name - best new TF name for years! :D

[DELTAprime]

Ah fraggin fraggin fraggin frag! Apparently I had movie leader toys ordered with BBTS. I remember looking at them but not ordering.

So now I have a second Megs sitting in a POL overseas. I like the toy well enough but not THAT much.

I could try and see if they would let me cancel but I kinda want the dragon dude.


Back when I used BBTS they allowed you to cancel orders through a button on their account page that were paid for in the last 7 days (I might be wrong on the number of days). I hope they still do that for you Trev.

[Firestorm]

PSA: Don't use the Big W catalogue to try and get Target to price match Movie Voyagers!

So I had a fun moment today, finally found a voyager Nitro (and Scorn) at a target today.
So I thought "maybe I can get them to price match Big W's current sale price. Since $34 for a voyager is much easier to swallow than $60"

So I look up the Big W catalogue on my phone and go up to the counter to see if they'll match the price
Guy at the counter looked at the catalogue and initially attempted to charge me $64 for a leader class figure.
When I pointed out I was buying a voyager class figure and pointed at the voyager price on the catalogue, he looked at it confused for a few moments before telling me that it wasn't the same product
The Big W catalogue for some reason lists the voyager figures as "premium edition" despite listing the leader class as "premier edition"
He claimed Nitro must be a different product line than the "premium edition" voyager figures that Big W was selling since his box said "premier edition" on it not "premium edition"

So after 5 or so minutes of trying to convince him they are the same product and even explaining to his manager since he called her over they ultimately refused to match Big W's price. So no Nitro for me

The fact Big W's standard price for movie voyagers is $45 whilst Target's price is $60 also caused them issues believing they were the same product. Because god forbid different stores charge different prices for their products

As it turns out. If instead of looking at the catalogue on Big W's website, if you look at the regular product listing for Voyagers on their site it refers to them as "Premier Edition" and lists the sale price of $34 ( https://www.bigw.com.au/product/transformers-the-last-knight-premier-edition-voyager-class-figure-assorted/p/WCC100000000460007/ )
Sadly I didn't realise this until I was halfway home. Not that I think they'd believe me about the price now

Then when I got home my phone fell on the pavement as I was getting out of the car, smashing up the screen really badly. (First time I've ever broken the screen on a phone, so that was fun....) So now I'll need to get that repaired. Meaning even a $34 voyager is gonna be too expensive for me for now

I had a "fun" day today

So yeah, learn from my mistake. Don't let Target find a loophole out of giving you a discount that their price match policy says they will. Use the website listing, not the catalogue

On a side note, that same Big W catalogue also uses a picture of Voyager Hound for the One step changers

[DarkHyren]

So yeah, learn from my mistake. Don't let Target find a loophole out of giving you a discount that their price match policy says they will. Use the website listing, not the catalogue Yep I agree, I've found some Target stores are real jerks about price matching, have had to even show them their own price matching policy before as they tried to tell me "we only match a current printed catalog". Well no, your policy (https://www.target.com.au/besttoyprice) specifically states that if I show you any Australian online store price you will match it.
So yeah know the policies and cover all your bases, these people might have a price matching policy but they sure as heck dont want us to actually use it, gone are the days of customer satisfaction actually being important.


On a side note, that same Big W catalogue also uses a picture of Voyager Hound for the One step changersHaha good pick up, that's definitely not the 1-step pictured. Someone should go find a Voyager Hound in BigW and try and get them to sell it at that price, since it's the one pictured it would be false advertising to refuse to sell the pictured item at the pictured price :D

[griffin]

Just remember (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=4852), outside of periods when they have signage up about price-matching, according to Target head office there is no national policy - "price-matching is only honoured at the Store Manager's discretion"... so you might have just been unlucky to get a cashier who is still following their training to avoid all price-matching if possible (which they would do when that promotional signage isn't up throughout most of the year).

As such, be aware of a knock-back by Target at any time... and if you are rejected, try another store (if you are able to)... or come back another day and try it with someone else.

As long as people are not trying to illegally trick a store into price-matching a different product (like with a store exclusive or the same character in a different size class), just be persistent or try someone else on another day or at another store.

[Firestorm]

Frustrating, but good to know.
Thanks Griffin

After my phone is dealt with and I can determine how my funds are looking I may try that store again, or try to find Nitro at another Target

[GoktimusPrime]

I once just tried at different checkout points at the same Target store. It happened when I bought Thermidor and asked for a price match. First person told me no. Second person wasn't sure and said probably not. Third person wasn't sure and consulted with another staff member who said yes. :) And yeah, if all of them said no I would've walked out empty handed and tried at another Target or another day.

[DarkHyren]

Just remember (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=4852), outside of periods when they have signage up about price-matching, according to Target head office there is no national policyI think that's outdated (you did write that it was a 2013 update in that thread, so 4 years old) as they do have a toy price match policy listed on their website now.
https://www.target.com.au/besttoyprice
TOY PRICE GUARANTEE
We're so confident that we've got the best toy prices, we guarantee it. If you happen to find our toys advertised cheaper, we'll match it! Just bring in a copy of the current printed advertising material and or a link to an Australian online retailer that pictures or specifies an eligible item with the stated price and we'll do the rest.

Not available online. Excludes interactive gaming and consoles, clearance, international advertisements and international online retailers and promotions.
The not available online bit just means that their online store cant do price matching, but that this is the price match policy on toys for all Target retail outlets.
That certainly indicates to me a franchise wide set in stone policy that is not at the managers discretion.

[griffin]

That current promotion is one that comes and goes (both noted online and signs instore), usually for the mid-year toy sale... but since they didn't have one this year it's hard to say if this is permanent, or just for the next month or two.

[Firestorm]

That current promotion is one that comes and goes (both noted online and signs instore), usually for the mid-year toy sale... but since they didn't have one this year it's hard to say if this is permanent, or just for the next month or two.

I went back there today. And the toy price match guarantee is still a thing right now since it was mentioned over the PA system in the store and appeared on a screen behind one of the cashiers at the registers

So given they currently have a toy sale on, their price match guarantee is currently active

I tried my luck with Nitro again. Got a different cashier who was reluctant to price match because the listing on the big w website only showed Optimus and Grimlock, not Nitro but I explained it was an assortment and there were multiple characters ultimately her manager said to match it. Redemption! :D

[BigTransformerTrev]

Back when I used BBTS they allowed you to cancel orders through a button on their account page that were paid for in the last 7 days (I might be wrong on the number of days). I hope they still do that for you Trev.

Good on ya mate - I had no idea that option existed! Just cancelled it then :):D

[Autocon]

Wathing combiner wars then looked for titan returns but its not out yet:o:(

[philby]

150 stickers for titans return trypticon???? :eek::mad::mad::mad:

[griffin]

I still haven't done mine yet... :o

[Jellico]

150 stickers for titans return trypticon???? :eek::mad::mad::mad:

I found it so calming I went and ordered Toyhax's for another session.

[prjkt]

150 stickers for titans return trypticon???? :eek::mad::mad::mad:

Took me about an hour or two, nothing too strenuous

[GoktimusPrime]

My G1 Dreadwind has developed a crack on his right knee joint. Just applied a few drops of super glue in hopes that it will arrest it without immobilising the joint. Can't wait to get PotP Dreadwind and "retire" my G1 Dreadwind from active play.

[GoktimusPrime]

Some of my RiD toys fell off the shelf this evening and Daytonus has just vanished into thin air. :( :mad: Don't suppose anyone has a spare that's surplus to their needs?

[DELTAprime]

Some of my RiD toys fell off the shelf this evening and Daytonus has just vanished into thin air. :( :mad: Don't suppose anyone has a spare that's surplus to their needs?

I just looked up what he looks like. He really should be called LeMansus as he's a LMP car not a NASCAR. Apparently Hasbro can't tell the difference between a Porsche 962 and a crappy Chevrolet.

[GoktimusPrime]

It's Robots In Disguise. They gave us other choice names like...
* Race Exertion Vehicle (R.E.V.)
* X-Brawn
* Ro-Tor
* Wicked Attack Reconnaissance Sports Car (W.A.R.S. - don't ask me were "cars" went in this acronym)
* Side Burn
* Skid-Z!
* Mirage GT
* Sky-Byte. Cos ya know... umm... shark... bytes of data... in the sky?
* Wind Sheer. No that's not a typo, that's actually how they spelt it. :eek:
* Nightcruz. No, not "cruise," 'cruz.' Totally different meaning! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifix)
* Slapper (which in British English slang refers to a woman of loose morals)
* Movor (is that pronounced "moo-vor" or "mow-vor"?)
* Mega-Octane (although in hindsight this is way better than Tankor)
* Smokejumper - there's nothing inherently wrong with this name, but it seems completely irrelevant to the toy/character. A smokejumper is a firefighter who parachutes into bushfires. I doubt that they do it from supersonic jet fighters though.

RiD wasn't the best series for new names. :p Although Armourhide and Darkscream were pretty good. :)

[Jellico]

The Gobots called. They want their names back. Oh. Wait...

[griffin]

You missed the best one - Prowl 2.


It's Robots In Disguise. They gave us other choice names like...
* Race Exertion Vehicle (R.E.V.)
* X-Brawn
* Ro-Tor
* Wicked Attack Reconnaissance Sports Car (W.A.R.S. - don't ask me were "cars" went in this acronym)
* Side Burn
* Skid-Z!
* Mirage GT
* Sky-Byte. Cos ya know... umm... shark... bytes of data... in the sky?
* Wind Sheer. No that's not a typo, that's actually how they spelt it. :eek:
* Nightcruz. No, not "cruise," 'cruz.' Totally different meaning! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifix)
* Slapper (which in British English slang refers to a woman of loose morals)
* Movor (is that pronounced "moo-vor" or "mow-vor"?)
* Mega-Octane (although in hindsight this is way better than Tankor)
* Smokejumper - there's nothing inherently wrong with this name, but it seems completely irrelevant to the toy/character. A smokejumper is a firefighter who parachutes into bushfires. I doubt that they do it from supersonic jet fighters though.

RiD wasn't the best series for new names. :p Although Armourhide and Darkscream were pretty good. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

You missed the best one - Prowl 2.
:D lol :D Cos the one thing that Prowl desperately needed was a sequel. :p
Although I do like how they've retconned Prowl 2 to explain why Prowl appears in The Headmasters. ;)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I just looked up what he looks like. He really should be called LeMansus as he's a LMP car not a NASCAR. Apparently Hasbro can't tell the difference between a Porsche 962 and a crappy Chevrolet.

Surely ONE of them woul've played SEGA's Daytona game in their life???? Crikey, what a shambles

[DELTAprime]

Damn it. My local Kmart and Big W have both restocked TR this week. The shelves were almost completely bear of TR now there's a ton of it.:(

[DELTAprime]

I really want to display the little human companion figures that come with some MPs but they keep falling over on my shelf. Only two I have no problem with are Chip Chase and Raoul for obvious reasons.

I know they wouldn't be able to interact with the MPs but I wish they all had a base like Raoul.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Little bit of Blutac. Unless you have them being held by the MPs themselves.

I've always wodnered why Spike and Sparkplug never changed out of their oil rig clothes... Were orange gum boots that fashionable?

[GoktimusPrime]

Yep. I put a little piece of Blu Tac underneath one foot for each figure. For Chip I put a small piece of Blu Tac on his back to secure him to his wheelchair.

I'm personally glad that they're not like Raoul because that figurine just sucks as a toy. It's nothing more than a static display piece, whereas the other MP humans are articulated miniature action figures. :) Okay, Chip is a static piece too. They could've permanently attached that figure to his wheelchair and nothing much would change. The figure can't sit inside any MP vehicles so... if you want you could just glue Chip to his wheelchair.

[DELTAprime]

I actually worry about adhesive of any type discolouring the paint or plastic. I take it you guys have used blu tac long term and it doesn't hurt?

[Galvatran]

I really want to display the little human companion figures that come with some MPs but they keep falling over on my shelf. Only two I have no problem with are Chip Chase and Raoul for obvious reasons.

I know they wouldn't be able to interact with the MPs but I wish they all had a base like Raoul.
The human figures keep falling over probably cos they don't have eyes. :o

[GoktimusPrime]

I've used Blu Tac on many G1 toys without discolouration. ;) It's the only thing that's keeping both of my G1 Mirages together. :p

[BigTransformerTrev]

So I got given a Big W voucher for my birthday which was soon going to expire. So gave in whilst in Mudgee today and bought the huge 1-Step Dragonstorm as he was discounted to $69 (and there was nothing else I wanted).

Just got it home, opened it, and it's missing an arm :mad:

Means my wife is going to have to exchange it tomorrow on her lunch break :rolleyes:

[Ravagecat]

So I got given a Big W voucher for my birthday which was soon going to expire. So gave in whilst in Mudgee today and bought the huge 1-Step Dragonstorm as he was discounted to $69 (and there was nothing else I wanted).

Just got it home, opened it, and it's missing an arm :mad:

Means my wife is going to have to exchange it tomorrow on her lunch break :rolleyes:

So he'd be ok to go up against in a fight? Being dis-armed and all :D:rolleyes:

In all seriousness, nothing worse than getting home and finding something like that....

[BigTransformerTrev]

In all seriousness, nothing worse than getting home and finding something like that....

It mainly sucks since the store is a 45 minute drive away :(


And a NEW TF Grumble! :mad:

Being playing TF: Forged to Fight pretty much since it came out. My phone just died. Went and got a new one. However when i downloaded the game on my new iPhone, because I never created a Kabam account I cant seem to log in with just my username (BigAngryTrev).

Any suggestions as to what I can do? It wont even let me on the forums since I never bothered to make a Kabam account

[Deonasis]

So I got given a Big W voucher for my birthday which was soon going to expire. So gave in whilst in Mudgee today and bought the huge 1-Step Dragonstorm as he was discounted to $69 (and there was nothing else I wanted).

Just got it home, opened it, and it's missing an arm :mad:

Means my wife is going to have to exchange it tomorrow on her lunch break :rolleyes:

Where is your nearest kmart? Maybe not an option for you, but i just saw Dragonstorm for $39 there. Worth calling them?

[BigTransformerTrev]

Where is your nearest kmart? Maybe not an option for you, but i just saw Dragonstorm for $39 there. Worth calling them?

A bit over two hours away sadly :(

[Ravagecat]

It mainly sucks since the store is a 45 minute drive away :(


And a NEW TF Grumble! :mad:

Being playing TF: Forged to Fight pretty much since it came out. My phone just died. Went and got a new one. However when i downloaded the game on my new iPhone, because I never created a Kabam account I cant seem to log in with just my username (BigAngryTrev).

Any suggestions as to what I can do? It wont even let me on the forums since I never bothered to make a Kabam account

If you ever plugged your old phone into your computer iTunes may of made a back up and you may be able to restore that back up to your new iPhone...the game and settings may come across

[BigTransformerTrev]

If you ever plugged your old phone into your computer iTunes may of made a back up and you may be able to restore that back up to your new iPhone...the game and settings may come across

Yeah in the end I was able to finally get my old phone to take a charge (the main reason I needed a new phone) and then logged into my game on that and created a Kabam account, which I now have working on my new phone :)

The only thing I cant get my new iphone8 to do is play sound on my couple of games, the sound works on everything else. Can't seem to find any issue in the settings that says that should be so :confused:

[Ravagecat]

Yeah in the end I was able to finally get my old phone to take a charge (the main reason I needed a new phone) and then logged into my game on that and created a Kabam account, which I now have working on my new phone :)

The only thing I cant get my new iphone8 to do is play sound on my couple of games, the sound works on everything else. Can't seem to find any issue in the settings that says that should be so :confused:

Good news on getting your FTF profile back man :)

On the sound issue: I haven't had an iPhone since the iPhone 2 lol but on Android you can go into settings and there is a section for Application management. If iOS has something similar you should be able to clear the app cache which may help with the issue. The only other suggestion would be to make sure you have the latest update for that app. If you are still having issues after all that maybe reach out to the app developer as there may be know issues running their game on certain versions of iPhone or iOS...maybe they are already working on an update to fix the issue.

Hope you find an answer as there is nothing worse than an app/game that glitches...

[philby]

Alternity GT-R Optimus is too back heavy and I have a lot of trouble just getting him to stand and pose 😣

[Empirion]

So I got given a Big W voucher for my birthday which was soon going to expire. So gave in whilst in Mudgee today and bought the huge 1-Step Dragonstorm as he was discounted to $69 (and there was nothing else I wanted).

Just got it home, opened it, and it's missing an arm :mad:

Means my wife is going to have to exchange it tomorrow on her lunch break :rolleyes:

Omg Mudgee is my big w lol we have a lousy selection 😆

[SharkyMcShark]

Standard rant incoming:

Was messing around with HFTD Leader Starscream in anticipation of the Studio Series Voyager Starscream coming out.

Wow the build quality of figures has taken a dive in the last eight years.

That figure is
dense, and sturdy
well painted
has an intuitive, involved and (mostly) accurate transformation that excellently moves the mass of the figure around
has wide and unique articulation that has not been replicated on any other Starscream figure
launching missiles and electronic lights and sounds (generally not features that I was never fond of on any scale, but still, options)
actually rolling landing gear instead of sculpted wheels
has had the QC on point for the 3 versions of it that I've owned (HFTD, MPM-02, and the Generations repaint)


No wonder I've moved more to 3P collecting in the last 3 years. It's embarrassing to compare it to TR Sixshot (being the most recent Leader class figure I own), which by comparison is light, floppy, hollow, and underpainted.

[techx]

Got to agree with you on that. Current designs doesn't even attempt to hide the alt forms like Generations Seekers where the cockpit hides the jet nose cons. Current design just have the whole cone part as a huge kibble as a backpack. Hope the design changes back as before.

[Magnus]

Collectors often bemoan a lack of paint/detail on official Hasbro toys, or light/cheap-feeling plastic, or hollow parts, or simple transformations; however, I suspect that there are two big reasons the 'main line' toys, like Combiner Wars, Titans Returns, and Power of the Primes are simple or appear to be cheap.

The first is that they are childrens' playthings first and foremost. They can't be too complex, because a child might be confused or frustrated by a complex transformation. Also, they have to be simple and durable enough to withstand play and being dropped.

The second is that simplicity or a lack of detail keeps the toys affordable. Collectors seem to forget that the bulk of Hasbro's market is parents buying toys for children. The toys therefore have to be affordable enough for parents to buy them in numbers, and this is particularly true for toys like combiners. Keep in mind that costs rise over time, whether it's R&D, raw plastic, or factory operating costs, so something has to give if Hasbro wants to keep the toys at a certain price point.

I get the impression that some collectors seem to think that Hasbro should be catering exclusively to them.

Finally, remember that Hasbro has a lot of brands (https://www.hasbro.com/en-us/brands) to maintain, not just Transformers. If Hasbro want to spend more money on Transformers, another brand may have to go without.

[FruitBuyer]

Collectors often bemoan a lack of paint/detail on official Hasbro toys, or light/cheap-feeling plastic, or hollow parts, or simple transformations; however, I suspect that there are two big reasons the 'main line' toys, like Combiner Wars, Titans Returns, and Power of the Primes are simple or appear to be cheap.

The first is that they are childrens' playthings first and foremost. They can't be too complex, because a child might be confused or frustrated by a complex transformation. Also, they have to be simple and durable enough to withstand play and being dropped.

The second is that simplicity or a lack of detail keeps the toys affordable. Collectors seem to forget that the bulk of Hasbro's market is parents buying toys for children. The toys therefore have to be affordable enough for parents to buy them in numbers, and this is particularly true for toys like combiners. Keep in mind that costs rise over time, whether it's R&D, raw plastic, or factory operating costs, so something has to give if Hasbro wants to keep the toys at a certain price point.

I get the impression that some collectors seem to think that Hasbro should be catering exclusively to them.

Finally, remember that Hasbro has a lot of brands (https://www.hasbro.com/en-us/brands) to maintain, not just Transformers. If Hasbro want to spend more money on Transformers, another brand may have to go without.

Agreed, so many entitled man-children in this fandom.

I love both 3P and official products because they both cater for different niches for me. HasTak offer products that exemplify fun, I can pick one up while I'm at work and fiddle around with it while I'm on the phone. On the other hand I get 3P (and Masterpiece) for the high-end premium figures with a lot more bells and whistles that look impressive but mostly don't transforms easily in a few seconds.

Truth is there isn't as much overlap between HasTak and 3P figures as a lot of people believe.

[SuspectimusPrime]

The second is that simplicity or a lack of detail keeps the toys affordable. Collectors seem to forget that the bulk of Hasbro's market is parents buying toys for children. The toys therefore have to be affordable enough for parents to buy them in numbers, and this is particularly true for toys like combiners. Keep in mind that costs rise over time, whether it's R&D, raw plastic, or factory operating costs, so something has to give if Hasbro wants to keep the toys at a certain price point.

I wonder how much of a struggle it is for them to keep up with this point this year. I skipped out of buying the new PotP toys in Christmas last year when I was travelling in Singapore and Taiwan as the exchange equated to ~AU$35. Very surprised this year when that number is the new RRP even at Kmart and BigW. PotP still follows their previous formula of making minor retools/remoulds of existing moulds - so my assumption is that R&D costs should not be that much more. Another guess might be because the bulk of their cost increases may have been in manufacturing(?).

[Jellico]

Agreed, so many entitled man-children in this fandom.

I love both 3P and official products because they both cater for different niches for me. HasTak offer products that exemplify fun, I can pick one up while I'm at work and fiddle around with it while I'm on the phone. On the other hand I get 3P (and Masterpiece) for the high-end premium figures with a lot more bells and whistles that look impressive but mostly don't transforms easily in a few seconds.

Truth is there isn't as much overlap between HasTak and 3P figures as a lot of people believe.

Have recently picked up a bunch of Generations Deluxes from a few years ago. In some ways awesome. But almost all have weird proportions in places. I struggle to stop things like Prowls doors popping off during transformation.
Toys like the Combined Wars cars may be simple in compariaon but I feel a lot more confident giving one to a kid. Even aweful things like clip on wheels are appreciated more when they have been torn off and clipped back on for the third time.

[GoktimusPrime]

Collectors often bemoan a lack of paint/detail on official Hasbro toys, or light/cheap-feeling plastic, or hollow parts, or simple transformations; however, I suspect that there are two big reasons the 'main line' toys, like Combiner Wars, Titans Returns, and Power of the Primes are simple or appear to be cheap.

The first is that they are childrens' playthings first and foremost. They can't be too complex, because a child might be confused or frustrated by a complex transformation. Also, they have to be simple and durable enough to withstand play and being dropped.

The second is that simplicity or a lack of detail keeps the toys affordable. Collectors seem to forget that the bulk of Hasbro's market is parents buying toys for children. The toys therefore have to be affordable enough for parents to buy them in numbers, and this is particularly true for toys like combiners. Keep in mind that costs rise over time, whether it's R&D, raw plastic, or factory operating costs, so something has to give if Hasbro wants to keep the toys at a certain price point.

I get the impression that some collectors seem to think that Hasbro should be catering exclusively to them.

Finally, remember that Hasbro has a lot of brands (https://www.hasbro.com/en-us/brands) to maintain, not just Transformers. If Hasbro want to spend more money on Transformers, another brand may have to go without.
The Studio Series toys are pretty darn complex! :eek:

[FatalityPitt]

The Studio Series toys are pretty darn complex! :eek:

Some people might find that a good thing. Sure, the transformers shouldn't be unnecessarily complex just for the sake of being complex, but some people enjoy the challenge.

[GoktimusPrime]

Some people might find that a good thing. Sure, the transformers shouldn't be unnecessarily complex just for the sake of being complex, but some people enjoy the challenge.
Sorry, my post wasn't a rant but rather in response to Magnus' post which I'd forgotten to quote for context. Fixed now. :)

[FatalityPitt]

Sorry, my post wasn't a rant but rather in response to Magnus' post which I'd forgotten to quote for context. Fixed now. :)

Ah whoops :). Thinking about it now, the Studio Series stuff looks really impressive. Looking at pictures of Stinger, I can't seem to spot any fake car-kibble on the robot mode.

My thought's on Magnus' topic. If adult collectors want Transformers that are more detailed and complex, there's always Masterpiece.

[GoktimusPrime]

Is the chest vehicle kibble? If so then that's pretty much it. :)

I can't tell if the chest is meant to be vehicle kibble even when looking at the screen model because it's so weird looking. I can't tell if it's meant to be the car grill heavily deformed or just part of the robot. <sigh> And watching Stinger transform on screen is of zero help since the AoE Decepticons all "Tetris-form." :rolleyes:

But yeah, Stinger does very well in integrating his vehicle parts. IMO the toy feels like a Voyager that's been reduced down to the size of a Deluxe, which to me feels like excellent value for money. :)

[FatalityPitt]

Is the chest vehicle kibble? If so then that's pretty much it. :)


Yeah, I thought so too. Because if my memory serves, Takara once released a red repaint of the deluxe AoE Bumblebee as Stinger. I remember that Bumblebee mould having fake car kibble on the chest. By that - the car grill (or front bumper) that usually forms Bumblebee's chest was sculpted onto the robot mode, rather than the actual front of the car becoming part of the chest.

They've done similar things to some G1 Starscreams (CW and PotP) where they sculpt the jet cockpit onto the chest rather than have the cockpit become part of the chest.

I think the nice thing about the Studio Series Transformers is there doesn't seem to be any fake vehicle kibble on the robots. In Stinger's case, the front of the car seems to form part of the robot chest as it should. I don't have the figure myself, but that's the impression I have when I see pictures.

EDIT: I just watched a video of someone transforming SS Stinger. I'm not sure whether to retract the comment about the front of the car forming the chest. The front of the car does kind of form the chest (or torso at least), but not in the way I'd expect.

[SharkyMcShark]

Regarding Stinger and vehicle kibble, I did actually go back and look at scenes from AOE the other day. You can make out the Pagani supercar headlights on his shoulders, just about.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Trying some Positive Behavior Support with our kids and giving them a daytime goal, dinnertime goal and bedtime goal they have to achieve. Every time they achieve one of the goals they get a star sticker next to it. When they get 7 stars for a specific goal they then get to choose a prize from the prize bags we made up for them (everything only about 2-3 bucks and they chose them).

I grabbed all 9 Tiny Titans Blind Bags for $3 each from the Reject Shop in Mudgee and chucked them in my sons prize bag. He got his first 7-star set yesterday morning and got RID Crazybolt and was well chuffed.

You know what the little bugger did? Sneakiest act of his life! Took a stool to our bedroom, got the prize bag down from up in our wardrobe, smuggled it into his room and opened all 8 other TT bags! :eek:

Needless to say when I discovered it he was in big trouble and has had those 8 permanently confiscated. So now Dad has 8 new TT figures :p

The kicker though? One of the 8 was Unicron which both he and I already have, and there were two Cheetor's and I can't pass one on to him.

At least I scored a G1 Perceptor and Grimlock I guess :D

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm a big fan of PBS. :) And it's great that he received negative consequences for his inappropriate behaviour too. :cool:

[Jetfire in the sky]

Trying some Positive Behavior Support with our kids and giving them a daytime goal, dinnertime goal and bedtime goal they have to achieve. Every time they achieve one of the goals they get a star sticker next to it. When they get 7 stars for a specific goal they then get to choose a prize from the prize bags we made up for them (everything only about 2-3 bucks and they chose them).

I grabbed all 9 Tiny Titans Blind Bags for $3 each from the Reject Shop in Mudgee and chucked them in my sons prize bag. He got his first 7-star set yesterday morning and got RID Crazybolt and was well chuffed.

You know what the little bugger did? Sneakiest act of his life! Took a stool to our bedroom, got the prize bag down from up in our wardrobe, smuggled it into his room and opened all 8 other TT bags! :eek:

Needless to say when I discovered it he was in big trouble and has had those 8 permanently confiscated. So now Dad has 8 new TT figures :p

The kicker though? One of the 8 was Unicron which both he and I already have, and there were two Cheetor's and I can't pass one on to him.

At least I scored a G1 Perceptor and Grimlock I guess :D


LOL, sneaky little fella. We roll with positive behaviour support in our house too (not that I knew that term previously)
Finish all meals of the day in good time and get a number, once up to number seven it's $3 for pocket money, unfortunately she only manages about $6 per month due to missing deadlines, but she is learning.
She has monthly interest where we count up the pocket money on the 1st of the month and she gets 10% on savings over $5, so she also learns the consequences of spending too much and missing out on good interest.

[griffin]

I really hate seeing Transformers toys ransacked in stores... especially when it looks like a serious collector has done it.
I saw a POTP Dreadwind today at Garden City Target, that had been torn open, and had the collector card and gun stolen.


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/e903.jpg

It should look like this...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/e904.jpg


Unfortunately, Hasbro are somewhat to blame for this, by not only teasing us with 12 different character cards for each toy, requiring theft as the easiest way of collecting all 12, and, for only giving Dreadwind one gun, when the original Dreadwind toy and the POTP Blackwing/Darkwing toy both had two guns.

So of course hardcore fans of these Gen1 characters are going to want a second gun for Dreadwind, and to a lesser extent, want to obtain all 12 collector cards if this was their favourite character or toyline.

[UltraMarginal]

the jokes on them, the gun needs to be a mirror image of the one that comes with it, so they can stick together. also so the hollow sides are facing in on both guns.

this is one of those toys that makes me seriously want to put the effort in to a cheap CAD program and make a proper opposite gun that I can get 3D printed.

[DELTAprime]

Garrr. Either Greatshot or Grand Max turned up at my local Australia Post DC this morning but they won't deliver it because TLTC shipped the two in seperate boxes under the one consignment.

I know Grand Max is big but considering I had my LG Fort Max arrive from HLJ along with other Transformers that were released the same month in the same box as Fort Max I see no reason TLTC should be splitting up orders in seperate boxes for a domestic delivery.

Also how is it that one of the boxes got to the local DC this morning but the other one won't be here till Friday. Australia Post is just great isn't it!

:mad:

[TAAUBlaster]

Garrr. Either Greatshot or Grand Max turned up at my local Australia Post DC this morning but they won't deliver it because TLTC shipped the two in seperate boxes under the one consignment.

I know Grand Max is big but considering I had my LG Fort Max arrive from HLJ along with other Transformers that were released the same month in the same box as Fort Max I see no reason TLTC should be splitting up orders in seperate boxes for a domestic delivery.

Also how is it that one of the boxes got to the local DC this morning but the other one won't be here till Friday. Australia Post is just great isn't it!

:mad:

It might have something to do with the cubic weight (overall dimensions of the box.)
HLJ (and other international stores) can send big boxes because their shipping cost is generally based on dead weight, not cubic weight. But sending a big box inside Australia is expensive because Aus Post calculates the postage price based on either dead weight, or cubic weight - whichever is the greatest.

I don't know for sure if that's the actual reason TLTC split the shipment or not though. Just a theory.

[GoktimusPrime]

After 13 years my Chewbacca Transformer finally succumbed to GPS.

[DELTAprime]

After 13 years my Chewbacca Transformer finally succumbed to GPS.

And that's why I never play with my GPS figures and move them very carefully.

[Galvatran]

After 13 years my Chewbacca Transformer finally succumbed to GPS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNm9VAVgdpw

[shockNwave]

I have BW Magnaboss and the Silverbolt component looks like he's about to lose one of his wings. So I may have to avoid disassembling the combiner or Silverbolt could end up in the same boat.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just recieved my Terrorcons "Exclusive to TTmall" set.

And its just individual Terrorcons... (https://tetstoys.blogspot.com/2018/08/abominable-gamble.html)

[griffin]

That is bad... and I doubt that counts as an "exclusive" as there would be listings by other smaller businesses or private sellers of the five toy set. I bet there would be a lot of annoyed collectors who did the same as you did, as the five toys were being released this month and there would have been cheaper options.
Maybe it is just exclusively expensive... :p

At least the Asia exclusive Dinobot set a few months ago came in an exclusive outer box, but was just the five toys in their regular packaging.

[GoktimusPrime]

It could be a TakaraTOMY Mall exclusive for Japan, similar to how say MP Star Sabre was a Toys R Us exclusive here. This isn't the first time though. I have 2 versions of Energon Energon Strongarm - the regular store release that I bought here, and the limited store exclusive from Japan. Do you know what the difference is? Absolutely nothing. Aside from the fact that my exclusive Takara version is missing an arm because that's how I got it (it was a freebie :p). Or heck, back in 1985 Takara released Reflector as a regular mass store release set, but a year later Hasbro released them as a limited mail-away exclusive. There's no difference between the toys aside from packaging.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Maybe it is just exclusively expensive... :p

Ha ha ha yeah, I think thats the one personally

It could be a TakaraTOMY Mall exclusive for Japan, similar to how say MP Star Sabre was a Toys R Us exclusive here.
I'm trying to work out how this a TTmall original though, as I can just go and buy the individual figures not only at the local shops, but also from TTmall.

The exclusivity is me using a single webpage to put all 5 figures into the shopping basket? Is that it? I dunno.

I did notice that on Hun-Grrs box, there are images of him without his head. Is that new? :o:D

[GoktimusPrime]

I can't seem to find anything on the actual page (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g8000000000639/) that states that these toys are "originals" or "exclusive" to TakaraTOMY Mall though. It does say 'Original' near the top of the page but without any context to it. Do they mean that these are original (new) moulds rather than repaints of pre-existing moulds? That's mostly true. The word "exclusive" doesn't crop up anywhere either. <shrugs> :confused:

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My own vent: just a few minutes ago I was carefully separating my reissue God Ginrai and one of the clips that attaches Godbomber's leg to Ginrai's foot snapped off. :( I've since superglued it back in. Just as well I recently got LG Godbomber for cheap, but yeah, probably not going to combine my reissue G1 Godbomber anytime in the foreseeable figure.