Quote Originally Posted by Stompy View Post
My humble opinion...

I think it's a little bit much to have secret sightings. The reason of having a community is the interaction. To inform others of the item of interestis the single most joy I've had in this community. Finding first sightings is something that still gets my blood rising and can't wait to share with others.

I think the issue is just sour grapes that some fans missed out. Myself included. But it's part of it. We all know MP's are always limited due to their price and appeal as all are considered toys in this country. I called around to see if there's any but turned up zilch and I really wanted one. I'd just have to go without and hope to nab one in the future somehow. That's just the way life goes. I'm not more entitled to anything than anyone else regardless of status.

It's just a case of short supply. In contrast, my other robot love is Gundam kits. Those are constantly reprinted and attainable and have none of these problems and they aren't distributed locally at all. I'm going off topic now so I'll stop.

I don't think a secret sighting section will make any difference to the supply demand problem. There's greater issues in hand than just a few posts.
I think it's too easy to dismiss any points made as sour grapes. But people like me are for it, and I got both recent MPs first time, so that's out for me.

I'm a bit surprised at the dislike for phone holds. I've never thought about that. I used that to get TC, because I wasn't driving to the other side of the city otherwise. I know of 4 of the others that went that morning, and mine was the only phone hold.

If a store doesn't want to take phone holds, fine. I have no issue with that. But I'd be pissed if they did accept a phone hold, but then sold it to someone else. I'd made the trip in good faith that they were to honour their offer of the hold.

I DO disagree with the proposal of a mass phone hold. That goes against the spirit of collecting, and it's no different to scalping. It's blocking consumers from any access to the product. And they're not even guaranteed sales. If you hold them all for a group, but there's not enough people, are you willing to pay for the extras?

I'd have a huge problem with that, along with any other proposal that has the same effect of removing them all from sale.

Secret Sightings = people have just as much of a chance, they just have to do the work themselves, and not rely on others to do it for them.

Autobot is complaining about it, when they haven't posted any sightings, despite apparently having good access. Well then, your usual trips will be just as beneficial as before. You just won't have us doing your work for you, without you bothering to return the favour at any time. 'Leeching' seems to describe the situation quite well.

I also don't think the one sighting of OP for sale at a toy fair means anything. One got scalped out of the dozens released at that time. That's statistically insignificant. It also could have come from overseas.