Quote Originally Posted by Paulbot View Post
Fortress Maximus. Fun gimmicks and just by pure size it's damn impressive looking in any collection. But I think part of what made Fort Max such an appealing toy to buy was that it was, until now, generally unobtainable.

Due to price and rarity, having a Fortress Maxmius was a status symbol. It showed you're a little insane to spend so much on a figure, but that you were truly committed to your Transformer collecting . You hunted down parts, or used chemicals to get the white back. You didn't acquire a Fort Max lightly (unless you fluked an opp shop find as has happened).

Now that it's a newly mass-produced figure, that specialness has gone. When the orders start coming in and twenty people in a row post their Fort Max acquisition it wont be the same as the rare acquisitions they've been in the past.
Meh, I don't feel that way at all. IMO unless you intend on selling your toy, reissues shouldn't make a difference to the way you enjoy your toys.

Quote Originally Posted by Paulbot View Post
Perhaps Grand Max will fill that void now? Or an intact Black Zarak? Or another Japanese figure. I don't think any other Western release will quite match Fort Max as a object of desire, and that's a little sad.
Your Fort Max toy is every bit as awesome as it ever was, regardless of whether it's been reissued or not. The only thing that would be affected would be the aftermarket sale price. If that's what you're worried about, then you'd better sell your Fort Max now before the reissue comes out. IMO it's a win-win situation for fan/collectors. People who don't have Fort Max now have a more affordable option to get one MISB, or get an original G1 for a lower price than before. The only potential losers would be sellers. When a reissue comes out of a toy that I already have, and I don't want the reissue, I just think, "Meh... this means nothing to me, but it's good news for people who don't already have this toy (or set)." e.g. Predaking

P.S.: ...as you all know, I don't do online shopping... but just out of interest, how does the cost of shipping from BBTS compared to getting it sent directly from Japan?