have hasbro/takara become lazy...

[dirge]

But you'll notice that all the repaints that you prefer came after the originals were released? i.e.: Hasbro releases a mould first in - let's admit it - acceptable colours. Then they release them in better colours later in an attempt to make collectors think, "Damn it! Now I want that one!" It reeks of a plan to milk more money from collectors after they've already given money to Hasbro from buying the originals.

Exactly the reason I'm not gunna pick up Samurai Prowl. Yes, it's cool. Yes, it doesn't come with the Traffic Light Of Doom. But it's another $30 for essentially the same thing, and I'm very happy with the original. I'm not complaining about it - if others choose to grab it that's fine - but I'm voting with my wallet.

Then there are just some, IMHO, odd choices for tributive repaints like Universe Treadbolt. Treadbolt?! For any of you who've purchased this toy or intend to purchase this toy -- be honest... before you heard of Universe Treadbolt, how much did you know or care about G1 Treadbolt? Name one thing Treadbolt did in G1 continuity (without looking it up).

Actually I've always liked Treadbolt. But as obscure as he is, what really turned me off is how lazy the repaint is. Just as Mudflap has that awful white/yellow mix instead of Erector's grey/yellow, Treadbolt has all that brown - the original had none, and I don't see any compelling reason for a blue and yellow toy to have brown (black would have just looked a lot better).

Tabias, I feel your pain. Repaints are always going to be a part of the Transformers line, but since Armada's flood of randomised repaints (BTW, when Hasbro announced that line, they proudly proclaimed there would be _no_ repaints), there has been a trend of uninspired repaints (such as the Energon Energon repaints Gok mentioned) and some really lazy implementations such as Treadbolt & Mudflap.

When it comes down to it, vote with your wallet. That's the most powerful statement you can make, since Hasbro are interested in your $$ more than your experience after purchase (TT to a lesser extent, they do put a little more value into customer experience).

[MV75]

Exactly the reason I'm not gunna pick up Samurai Prowl. Yes, it's cool. Yes, it doesn't come with the Traffic Light Of Doom. But it's another $30 for essentially the same thing, and I'm very happy with the original. I'm not complaining about it - if others choose to grab it that's fine - but I'm voting with my wallet.



Actually I've always liked Treadbolt. But as obscure as he is, what really turned me off is how lazy the repaint is. Just as Mudflap has that awful white/yellow mix instead of Erector's grey/yellow, Treadbolt has all that brown - the original had none, and I don't see any compelling reason for a blue and yellow toy to have brown (black would have just looked a lot better).

Tabias, I feel your pain. Repaints are always going to be a part of the Transformers line, but since Armada's flood of randomised repaints (BTW, when Hasbro announced that line, they proudly proclaimed there would be _no_ repaints), there has been a trend of uninspired repaints (such as the Energon Energon repaints Gok mentioned) and some really lazy implementations such as Treadbolt & Mudflap.

When it comes down to it, vote with your wallet. That's the most powerful statement you can make, since Hasbro are interested in your $$ more than your experience after purchase (TT to a lesser extent, they do put a little more value into customer experience).

Bit hard though to say vote with your wallet when they don't release any new toys and these ones are the only things TF on the shelves..... Some people need a TF fix, or kids just want a TF no matter what.

[dirge]

Bit hard though to say vote with your wallet when they don't release any new toys and these ones are the only things TF on the shelves..... Some people need a TF fix, or kids just want a TF no matter what.

Yeah I'm not really referring to kids, obviously, since this discussion is from an adults POV... but you're right about in that respect.

In terms of us adult collectors... I stand by my comment. It's not always easy to resist the urge to buy whatever is on the shelves, but I still recommend doing so. I remember coming out of the BM era when we had few TFs on the shelves... and some really poor ones at that... regretting a _lot_ of my purchases.

Now I just stockpile... many of my Henkei/Universe toys (Hound, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Bluestreak, along with some BTs and various other stuff) are still sealed, and I'm slowly opening them. I get my "fix" without buying unsatisfying crap

[MV75]

I should have elaborated a little more, wallet voting won't really help when they will sell anyway (general public buying them). Of course I'm talking about the "proper" transformer toys and not the true heaps of crud like the turnarounds that NOONE wants.

[dirge]

I should have elaborated a little more, wallet voting won't really help when they will sell anyway (general public buying them).

Probably not. But it'll help your bottom line, and prevent you from buying toys that don't really satisfy. Which is the reason I suggested it

Mind you, if enough fans (globally) made the decision to skip repaints, it _would_ make a difference. I'll concede that's very unlikely to happen.

[i_amtrunks]

Mind you, if enough fans (globally) made the decision to skip repaints, it _would_ make a difference. I'll concede that's very unlikely to happen.

They don't call it "plastic crack" for nothing...

[kup]

If I were a kid and someone bought me a Bumblebee. Why the heck would I want another wich is crappily painted and looks nothing like the cartoon?