Secret Sightings Section idea

[Kazza]

I'm a serious collector as well and i'm not rank 6, if this comes into effect, i wouldnt know when MP's hit shelfs and where to look.

[Megatron]

Yeah... (if it comes into effect) I would have to try extra hard to try to gain a Rank 6... and I absolutely love collecting exclusives and limited editions.

[Bidoofdude]

We also have to remember, as many said before, that we are not the only TF fans in Australia. There may be other communities that we don't know about, as well as those who aren't the talkative type.
Those such as Kazza and MegatronSG1 may miss out too, if they were looking for said toy. It's a debatable topic which may never come to light.
I, however, in my personal opinion, agree to keep some sort of private thread/section for those who are very enthusiastic and passionate about obtaining a particular toy, or just collecting in general. I really want to get my hands on MP-10, as it is virtually the toy I wanted when I was a kid.
I hope this comes to pass, although I hope for there to be some sort of thing for lower than rank 5 members, as it would be unfair to do otherwise, if this was to pass.
This is a good start though, as we are starting to stand up to scalpers in the name of our community. Thanks for reading my wall of text and understanding my opinion on this idea.

[KalEl]

I like this idea. For those like myself not rank 6, do your best to be a contributing part of the community and im sure it with come soon enough

[Trailer Park Ninja]

Hmm..wow this is an interesting debate, there are valid points on both sides of the fence. It's like we're having the Marvel Comics version of "Civil War" here . Shall we draft the Transformers Registration Act? Lighten up, I'm just kidding!

I honestly don't know where my stance is or if there is a better, equitable solution.

My reflex action was hell yes!!! to the idea Griffin proposed. Then on reflection on his argument and Lint's I'm a bit uneasy of the idea.

From my personal experience, I was getting frustrated with trying to find MP Thundercracker and then Optimus Prime. I became convinced there were scalpers amongst us or out there depriving me of my joy. I didn't have any Masterpieces so this was a good entry point for me. I liked the revised moulds and the price point. However, I have persisted as I really wanted these guys (and I'm so glad I have them now ).

I got these figures off my own bat, and not off anyone else's lead. However, in the past I have got a desired figure from a posting sighting (and given thanks for that sighting!)

And to pay it forward, I've posted sightings regularly as well, particularly during the work week at Kmart, Target and TRU stores for the benefit of others.

• I posted sightings of a full set of FOC Bruticus figures at Kmart, Bam! Gone next day.
• I posted a sighting of 4 MP Thundercrackers at TRU after grabbing mine, Bam! Goneskies.

Knowing how hard it was to get these guys and my opinion there were scalpers buying up (e.g. that report about someone buying 6 MP OPs etc), I still posted my findings so to help out the forumites.

Did someone here benefit from my postings? (a shout out be nice ), was it a random stranger, or a scalper? Maybe? I don't know, but I have no control over that, I just put it out there.

I'm not sure I agree 100% with a sealed sightings section albeit temporary for a high demand figure. On the flipside, I don't like it if people here have been to a store and keep the info to themselves but utilise our intelligence info and then cry foul about being restricted to the sightings section.

As much as we can say we are not being elitist, the behaviour of a sealed section, or reserving multiples for the benefit of others here is being elitist not matter how well-intentioned. Who am I to deprive someone else of one who I don't even know?

Yes, this may be the most prominent Transformers collector forum locally. But there are other local action figure collectors forums out there also posting transformers sightings. What's to say we ain't competing with these collectors?

Additionally, I know of people who collect action figures but don't belong or participate in any online forums. They are happy to collect what they want and aren't that into the whole pop culture aspect. Does it make them less worthy of having fair chance at one?

This issue seems to more prolific with the high priced adult collectors figures like Masterpiece where it seems to be a scalper issue.

However, I heard the same thing when FOC figures came out. Yeah I couldn't see them in stores but maybe this was a Hasbro or retailer issue. When the few that did appear went quickly, could this be a case of a short packed shipment? I managed to get a Shockwave figure after enough visits.

But even before they started appearing in more supply in stores I could get one for a $25 plus shipping from a reputable local ebay dealer way before retail.

I can't see why you would even bother trying to buy multiples to try and make a profit. The expense going from TRU to TRU would eat up any profit margin.

I just think the MP figures are considered high-end Collector's items in the eyes of TRU and a big shipment of these isn't worth the risk. They are not as recognisable as the movie or maybe the cartoon merchandise.

I compare the issue of hard to purchase Masterpiece Transformers like the limited Nike re-releases of Air Jordans. These are released at select Footlockers stores and unless you line up at 3am the day before, you got buckley's chance of getting one.

I find it hard to believe they can only ship out 20 pairs of shoes NATIONALLY. May be it's the same with Masterpiece figures and TRU?

[jazzcomp]

If you find a toy that is short packed, who do you want it to go to? A friend, another forum member, scalper or someone unknown to you?

Hmm, why is there a coincidence of toys getting sold out when a sighting is found? Like you, I'd acknowledge & thank the source if I got the info from them.
But it seems like it's not members who are benefiting from the info shared. But if you don't care about who gets the toy, why share the sighting at all? Unsolicited help? I actually ask for help.

It should be preference of the poster who he/she wants to share the info with. PM is there.

The info is still shared albeit a lot later.

[Cat]

What's suggested does NOT inhibit members of the public being able to buy these toys. All it means is that (for rare figures like MPs) we're not HELPING them by providing exact dates and times. They can still ring, visit, and have just as much of a chance. That's important.

I DO, however, have a HUGE problem with someone here seeing them and reserving them all, and members can then pick them up. That could take toys off the shelf for a day or more, with no guarantee of them all being bought. That's not fair on the public, and it makes us no different to scalpers , to them. That actively inhibits them from buying. Again, to me an important distinction.

I would have huge ethical issues with that suggestion.

[Cat]

I'd also like to add that I don't think scalpers are a factor in this.

There's simply not many scalpers around (luckily).

[Cat]

I'm not sure I agree 100% with a sealed sightings section albeit temporary for a high demand figure. On the flipside, I don't like it if people here have been to a store and keep the info to themselves but utilise our intelligence info and then cry foul about being restricted to the sightings section.

As much as we can say we are not being elitist, the behaviour of a sealed section, or reserving multiples for the benefit of others here is being elitist not matter how well-intentioned. Who am I to deprive someone else of one who I don't even know?

Yes, this may be the most prominent Transformers collector forum locally. But there are other local action figure collectors forums out there also posting transformers sightings. What's to say we ain't competing with these collectors?

Additionally, I know of people who collect action figures but don't belong or participate in any online forums. They are happy to collect what they want and aren't that into the whole pop culture aspect. Does it make them less worthy of having fair chance at one?

This issue seems to more prolific with the high priced adult collectors figures like Masterpiece where it seems to be a scalper issue.

However, I heard the same thing when FOC figures came out. Yeah I couldn't see them in stores but maybe this was a Hasbro or retailer issue. When the few that did appear went quickly, could this be a case of a short packed shipment? I managed to get a Shockwave figure after enough visits.

But even before they started appearing in more supply in stores I could get one for a $25 plus shipping from a reputable local ebay dealer way before retail.

I can't see why you would even bother trying to buy multiples to try and make a profit. The expense going from TRU to TRU would eat up any profit margin.

I just think the MP figures are considered high-end Collector's items in the eyes of TRU and a big shipment of these isn't worth the risk. They are not as recognisable as the movie or maybe the cartoon merchandise.

I compare the issue of hard to purchase Masterpiece Transformers like the limited Nike re-releases of Air Jordans. These are released at select Footlockers stores and unless you line up at 3am the day before, you got buckley's chance of getting one.

I find it hard to believe they can only ship out 20 pairs of shoes NATIONALLY. May be it's the same with Masterpiece figures and TRU?

You got sidetracked here.

If collectors don't use this board, then this proposal makes no difference to them.

And the core proposal just means they don't see actual sightings. They will still see the headers, front page articles, acquisitions etc.

It does not impair anybody's ability to obtain the relevant figure. It just means they will no longer be able to use other people's work without contribution. They just have to make those phone calls themselves.

If they're on another board , then it'll still be on there. It'll still be on other boards too.

It stops no-one. It doesn't make it harder for them. It just means they have to do the work that this community was previously doing for them.

It's not relevant if they're a collector, a kid, or a scalper. What's relevant is that they were using the collective output of this board for their own benefit, without desire to contribute themselves, to join in the board.

Lets keep this on target, and not get swayed by tangents.

[Trailer Park Ninja]

Sure thing dude