langzixinxin
11th December 2009, 03:06 PM
Hi,
I want share some knowledge of these KOs. I check ebay.au and a Chinese ebay equivalent called taobao.com for transformers.
As these toys are all made in China now, so I want list all different "versions" of TF toys seen from chinese market. (totally a mess!)
1, genuine US version: neeless to say, these are we see in target or toy r us. Properly boxed, good quality (most of time). TF sold in Aus are usually US version. US version tends to simplify the paint to reduce chemical exposures, or cut certain fragile parts in order to increase overall durability.
2, genuine Japanese version or some of them called henkei version: this group included japanese G1 reissues (in japanese box) and japanese universe classics, black box MP series, etc.
3, G1 KOs, in China KO usually refers to "high quality KOs". I heard some of the KOs are made by Hong Kong company with permission from Takara because re-issue g1 toy has been proved satisfying small group of fans but mostly losing money (I can't verify this).
4, KT version, or "low quality KOs". I don't know what T stands for, but usually these are things not worth pay attention.
5, Factory directs. These are unboxed toys, directed from factory. They are born from same product line of genuine boxed toys, but deliveried out of factory without packing for various versions. Honest sellers in china will sell these with a decent plastic bag packed at cheaper price. Unhonest sellers may find box pack themselves and sell at retail price. You won't see any factory direct of metroplex but you will see lots of rotf OPs, etc.
6, Korean version, they have korean language packaging. In Korea, transformers are distributed by a partner company of takara. So all TFs sold in korea are neither in english nor japanese box. I heard their quality is same as japanese henkei versions but cannot verify.
In china honest seller may sell all of different version in his/her shop but warning customers which category it belongs to. If not, it's wrong.
------------------------
How to identify KOs?
Based on my experience (if wrong, correct me),
If any new G1 toys boxed in "original" english packaging, but without "Commemorative Series", they are KOs.
G1 japanese box without "复刻版" paint on upper left corner, then KOs, but maybe in good quality.
Metroplex and G1 devastator has many KOs. Have to judeg by naked eyes. Don't buy from Internet.
Some of the 25th US version aniversary toys, in my opinion, even worse than some KOs.
good luck for all (including me):p
Recent toys, such as rotf and 08 animated, supplies are still high even the genuine have only 5% profits, I believe no one bother to KO them. But be carefull those MIB (no S) or 100% complete, they can be factory direct, which can be same as genuine or can be those did not pass quality control. But sellers have no knowledge on this usually.
I want share some knowledge of these KOs. I check ebay.au and a Chinese ebay equivalent called taobao.com for transformers.
As these toys are all made in China now, so I want list all different "versions" of TF toys seen from chinese market. (totally a mess!)
1, genuine US version: neeless to say, these are we see in target or toy r us. Properly boxed, good quality (most of time). TF sold in Aus are usually US version. US version tends to simplify the paint to reduce chemical exposures, or cut certain fragile parts in order to increase overall durability.
2, genuine Japanese version or some of them called henkei version: this group included japanese G1 reissues (in japanese box) and japanese universe classics, black box MP series, etc.
3, G1 KOs, in China KO usually refers to "high quality KOs". I heard some of the KOs are made by Hong Kong company with permission from Takara because re-issue g1 toy has been proved satisfying small group of fans but mostly losing money (I can't verify this).
4, KT version, or "low quality KOs". I don't know what T stands for, but usually these are things not worth pay attention.
5, Factory directs. These are unboxed toys, directed from factory. They are born from same product line of genuine boxed toys, but deliveried out of factory without packing for various versions. Honest sellers in china will sell these with a decent plastic bag packed at cheaper price. Unhonest sellers may find box pack themselves and sell at retail price. You won't see any factory direct of metroplex but you will see lots of rotf OPs, etc.
6, Korean version, they have korean language packaging. In Korea, transformers are distributed by a partner company of takara. So all TFs sold in korea are neither in english nor japanese box. I heard their quality is same as japanese henkei versions but cannot verify.
In china honest seller may sell all of different version in his/her shop but warning customers which category it belongs to. If not, it's wrong.
------------------------
How to identify KOs?
Based on my experience (if wrong, correct me),
If any new G1 toys boxed in "original" english packaging, but without "Commemorative Series", they are KOs.
G1 japanese box without "复刻版" paint on upper left corner, then KOs, but maybe in good quality.
Metroplex and G1 devastator has many KOs. Have to judeg by naked eyes. Don't buy from Internet.
Some of the 25th US version aniversary toys, in my opinion, even worse than some KOs.
good luck for all (including me):p
Recent toys, such as rotf and 08 animated, supplies are still high even the genuine have only 5% profits, I believe no one bother to KO them. But be carefull those MIB (no S) or 100% complete, they can be factory direct, which can be same as genuine or can be those did not pass quality control. But sellers have no knowledge on this usually.