Highbrow?

[SofaMan]

Forgive my ignorance, but shouldn't we have seen him here by now? What's going on?

[Vector Prime]

Forgive my ignorance, but shouldn't we have seen him here by now? What's going on?

I have a funny feeling we may have skipped Wave 3 (his wave - which also contained Prime and The Fallen).

And only recently has Wave 2 started to make their appearance at normal retail (Banzaitron) and now it seems they've jumped right onto Wave 4 (RTS Grappel, Lugnut and Strafe).

[Seraphim Prime]

We often miss a few figures over Christmas/near the end of a line when Aussie retailers aren't purchasing much stock anymore and/or Hasbro concentrates its efforts on the American market.

[Vector Prime]

We often miss a few figures over Christmas/near the end of a line when Aussie retailers aren't purchasing much stock anymore and/or Hasbro concentrates its efforts on the American market.

I think the problem also was that we had tonnes of Wave 1 Voyagers still shelf warming for ages - Seaspray, Ratchet and Payload still seem to be everywhere.

Having said that though, I think the Highbrow wave wasn't released in great quantities since even online places like RK don't have stock of them and there weren't even that many listed on eBay (believe me, I kept watch for ages and finally sourced one from the US for pretty much AUS Voyager RRP)

There's quite a few more listed now that Taktomy has released their version, so maybe that's your best bet (slightly superior paint apps too).

[Paulbot]

I think the problem also was that we had tonnes of Wave 1 Voyagers still shelf warming for ages - Seaspray, Ratchet and Payload still seem to be everywhere.

Yes. Wave 1 does not seem to move but also seems to have been over ordered (in legend size as well). Did anyone buy anything but Seaspray? I am still generally convinced that toys (particularly movie toys) should be sold in vehicle mode not in robot mode.

[UltraMarginal]

Yes. Wave 1 does not seem to move but also seems to have been over ordered (in legend size as well). Did anyone buy anything but Seaspray? I am still generally convinced that toys (particularly movie toys) should be sold in vehicle mode not in robot mode.

That's an interesting comment. the robot mode can be a bit ugly.:eek:
Mixmaster was sold in vehicle mode, which is a good thing, otherwise there would be nothing but them on shelves. that is one Ugly sof.


I personally only bought Seaspray because I already had the molds of the others. I do like scavengers robot mode though, very good propertions I think.

I am hanging for Highbrow, I love the new aircraft that they are producing, they actually look good in robot and vehicle mode.:cool::D

[Vector Prime]

Did anyone buy anything but Seaspray? I am still generally convinced that toys (particularly movie toys) should be sold in vehicle mode not in robot mode.

I only bought Seaspray since I already had the Ratchet mold and Payload didn't interest me in the slightest.

From a marketing perspective, I think certain figures should be packed in their alt modes whereas others shouldn't - for example, these guys look fairly ordinary in their alt modes (IMO) whereas characters like Starscream or Prime (who are iconic) display very well on the shelf in their alt modes.



I am hanging for Highbrow, I love the new aircraft that they are producing, they actually look good in robot and vehicle mode.:cool::D

He's actually not that great a figure tbh... alt mode is cool (should have been packaged as such) and he has a nice transformation, but IMO, his bot mode is pretty ordinary.

[GoktimusPrime]

I only bought Seaspray since I already had the Ratchet mold and Payload didn't interest me in the slightest.
This.

Hasbro and their obsession with repaints. And these are expensive repaints. The only people who'd buy Ratchet and Payload would be:
+ Completists
+ People who didn't get the previous moulds and are satisfied with getting these repaints
+ People who actually find these repaints appealing enough to splash an extra $50 each on them
...which I dare say would be a small minority of the consumer market.

SeaspraySea Spray may not be the greatest Voyager around (although I personally think he's pretty cool) - but at least he's original. I also prefer to see toys packaged in vehicle mode.

[Vector Prime]

SeaspraySea Spray

Thank you for correcting me Godtimus Goktimus :rolleyes:

[optimus1]

I agree with you there Vector Prime, I also have that funny feeling we in Australia have been skipped over again.

Isn't the Fallen the one with the removable mask and staff?? I would have liked to have that version locally. It seems more like a Classicsverse Decepticon in those colours in my opinion.

[Vector Prime]

Isn't the Fallen the one with the removable mask and staff?? I would have liked to have that version locally. It seems more like a Classicsverse Decepticon in those colours in my opinion.

Yeah, that's the one. I'm looking at getting one for myself from o/s (even though I have the other two decos already - I'll find out how much to get an additional one for you if you like G?)

[UltraMarginal]

This.

Hasbro and their obsession with repaints. And these are expensive repaints. The only people who'd buy Ratchet and Payload would be:
+ Completists
+ People who didn't get the previous moulds and are satisfied with getting these repaints
+ People who actually find these repaints appealing enough to splash an extra $50 each on them
...which I dare say would be a small minority of the consumer market.



Don't forget the parents with no idea, who are just buying a toy that has the right logo on it. I think that's where the majority of repaints go, otherwise how could all the squillion repaints of ROTF ravage sell?:eek:

[optimus1]

Yeah, that's the one. I'm looking at getting one for myself from o/s (even though I have the other two decos already - I'll find out how much to get an additional one for you if you like G?)

Yeah I would be in if you can find them for a good price :)

[popculturepooka]

I'm also thinking that wave 1 of RTS Deluxes (Jazz, Tracks etc) might have been skipped, considering wave 2 has dropped.

[Sky Shadow]

Hasbro and their obsession with repaints.

Actually, it would be good if they did recolour and rerelease Highbrow. It's a fantastic mould with way too much in the way of bad colour - anything else would be an improvement, well worth buying and (potentially) actually available on Australian shelves.

[Bartrim]

Actually, it would be good if they did recolour and rerelease Highbrow. It's a fantastic mould with way too much in the way of bad colour - anything else would be an improvement, well worth buying and (potentially) actually available on Australian shelves.

Sunrunner. With Flak as a botcon toy although universe Overload is a better representation all we need is Sidetrack and Big Shot and we have the micromaster battle patrol:D

[SofaMan]

Rightho, well HLJ it is then! $50 including shipping is not too bad.

[Gutsman Heavy]

http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english&vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TOY-RBT-1253&template=default/product/e_display.html

$36 before post

[SharkyMcShark]

What's the difference between theTakara and Hasbro release of Highbrow? I've been considering ordering on the net for a while and have been wondering.

[Vector Prime]

What's the difference between theTakara and Hasbro release of Highbrow? I've been considering ordering on the net for a while and have been wondering.

They're near identical except that TakTomy AA-11 Highbrow features a darker colour scheme on the plane's underside.

Comparison pic found here (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/4/0/5/9/7/20101217022320b2e_1292571408.jpg).

[klystron]

http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english&vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TOY-RBT-1253&template=default/product/e_display.html

$36 before post

Does anyone else think there should be a group order? :D:D

[Jaisun]

Does anyone else think there should be a group order? :D:D

Sounds like a plan =o) An all-in Aussie order, or per state? If the latter, any other SA's apart from SofaMan looking for some Wave 1 RTS's to group order?

[SharkyMcShark]

There can't be a group order from there, they've only got two in stock now.

Ive ordered mine off the net now so I'm expecting it to turn up in stores en masse between now and the time it arrives

[SofaMan]

Ive ordered mine off the net now so I'm expecting it to turn up in stores en masse between now and the time it arrives

Hehe - I know that feeling. :o

[klystron]

There can't be a group order from there, they've only got two in stock now.



d'oh!

[FFN]

This.

Hasbro and their obsession with repaints. And these are expensive repaints. The only people who'd buy Ratchet and Payload would be:
+ Completists
+ People who didn't get the previous moulds and are satisfied with getting these repaints
+ People who actually find these repaints appealing enough to splash an extra $50 each on them
...which I dare say would be a small minority of the consumer market.

SeaspraySea Spray may not be the greatest Voyager around (although I personally think he's pretty cool) - but at least he's original. I also prefer to see toys packaged in vehicle mode. Pretty sure that as a business model, they expect to sell repaints to kids who don't already have that toy, since they don't depend upon collectors who know about every single release, and who may already own a version of such a mold. Of course, they're not clairvoyant in knowing which repaints (or even new molds) will sell well.

[klystron]

I'm really starting to feel quite dejected about the lack of Highbrows getting around.
Not sure I'm willing to pay the AUD$69 from RK.
Are we ever likely to see him on the shelves here?
Spewin I missed him at amiami for $35 now...
:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Pretty sure that as a business model, they expect to sell repaints to kids who don't already have that toy, since they don't depend upon collectors who know about every single release, and who may already own a version of such a mold. Of course, they're not clairvoyant in knowing which repaints (or even new molds) will sell well.I usually find that the repaints are more to my liking truth be told. After the Red Baron-esque repaint of Ransack:cool: I'm quite looking forward to seeing what they do with Highbrow.

[SkyWarp91]

Well if he never comes, at least I hope there's a DOTM-related redeco of him :o

[Firestorm]

I never realised Highbrow never came out here,
I got mine from Minotaur in Melbourne ages ago so i never really went looking for Highbrows

chances are if others dont manage to get Highbrow it's bound to be repainted at some point in the DOTM toyline

[klystron]

Hmmm, I don't know whether to wait for a repaint. What if its crap?
Maybe I'm going to have to buy this guy off the interwebz.

[iceburn]

there are highbrowS in Singapore S$52 atm

[klystron]

I would take you up on that (if indeed it was an offer?) but I took a chance and bought one off flea-bay for $49 delivered.