Secret Sightings Section idea

[Trailer Park Ninja]

Sure thing dude

[Defcon]

I think the tangents are relevant by the way

I guess if people post up info, its risky to post specifics as you have just tipped off all the competition! lurkers and non-members, and members. I don't know it just seems like common sense. But if everyone was vague the sightings would almost be all copy and paste, and potentially boring to look at.

A post recently helped me to get a FOC Shockwave. But thankfully the retailer stocking these has several boxes, so they really have plenty of stock. But the problem with said figure is that its rare, and only exists in one wave. We cant avoid this, there will always be rare figures. Its really comes down to a supply and demand. The demand is high for new figures, but sightings increase demand even further, we end up all competing. You win some, you lose some. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

I guess a secret sightings forum will be a valuable tool to give members an edge over the non-member competition. It may give members a chance to get in first to secure those rare and limited items. Id prefer retailers to have enough stock but sometimes they will get it wrong, and some figures will always be short packed.

[theheretic]

Doesn't really affect me as I pretty much have to import everything because I live in Ballarat, BUT this idea seems a bit wrong to me. Yes I read all the posts in this thread but I really just think you would be limiting your online google presence by hiding the section. And who is to say what figures would be hard to get here? Sometimes we get world first releases and other times we miss wave after wave (I'm looking at you TF Prime). And that's my cent and a half

[Cat]

Sure thing dude

I actually meant that post in a more general sense. It looks a bit targeted, but I was going off what you'd written as posts summing up others' thoughts.

And really, is this going to be for anything other than MP's?

And it may be done for the next one, only to see TRU has got their act together.

It may only be used once.

Did you get Shockie from Carindale, Def? I thought you'd mentioned not having him. I almost picked one up for you just to be sure, but then realised that there's a dozen cases, and they'll have these for the next year at least.

It would be nice if we could re-establish some old bonds with the companies though. TRU used to be awesome to deal with, from a site I used to be part of. This was years ago though. I fell out of touch as I got less free time for hobbies, and started doing all my ordering from overseas: HLJ and BBTS.

I'm eager to put forward a presentation to them. Hopefully establish a mutually beneficial relationship for us: something that can benefit all parties.

That way we can sidestep this sort of thing completely.

[Trailer Park Ninja]

I think I made the pont there about this being only an issue with Masterpiece releases, every other line isn't an issue.

There was talk of scalpers but I really don't see it. TRU and other retailers can buy boatloads of boxes of the deluxe figures etc, they ain't going to buy an equally plentiful supply of MPs.

So short supply, high demand.

I do agree with your latter point, I think as a niche group we could approach TRU to get a Collectors Club started to preorder purchases for forthcoming releases. I'm sure they would welcome some guaranteed sales, have less people ringing them numerous times a day etc

[Kazza]

It's also been an issue for the MP's cause of sales and voucher discounts. If it wasn't for them, there would be more chances for people to pick up one.

[Cat]

Another reason I am sometimes a bit worried about sightings is stuff like this if I have one held for me. http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpo...6&postcount=15

Sure, the proposed section wouldn't eliminate this possibility, but it would make me more comfortable posting that that item is in. (Again only for the rare item type proposed)

[LordCyrusOmega]

The other alternative to a secret sighting section would be if someone finds something, they hold all or. Then send out pm's to people who have shown interest letting them know they're in.
Would need a code word though, so people can't claim other peoples hold.

[Sky Shadow]

I have much bigger issues with holding toys than I do with a secret sightings section. Yes it's keeping scalpers from buying them, but it's also unfairly keeping anyone else from doing so. Whoever gets to the shelves first should have a chance to buy the toys, whether they be Ozformers, parents, kids or other. Putting toys on hold (particularly by phone) is almost as bad as hiding them.

[M-bot]

I do agree with your latter point, I think as a niche group we could approach TRU to get a Collectors Club started to preorder purchases for forthcoming releases. I'm sure they would welcome some guaranteed sales, have less people ringing them numerous times a day etc

Now that is a great idea - suits us, suits TRU. Win/Win!