Fan-backed Hasbro project: Unicron

[danny-boy]

It's added about 600 backers in a week. If continues at that rate for the next 5 weeks we'll be at just under 5,000 with a few days to go. Add in Japan backing through Takara Tomy Mall and a big final push and it should hopefully get there. I'd say it's more than likely going to go ahead as long as it gets close enough to the 8,000 target. Perhaps they'll extend it for another few weeks so it gets over the line?

I can?t see 600 backers a week continuing for the duration of the window. It?s now at 1820....that?s only 3 more backers since I wrote my post earlier today. Most people that want it and can afford it have already backed it. I can only see it trickling over 2000 over the next week or two, and maybe eventually settling between 3000-4000, but I feel I?m being a bit optimistic there. I?d love to be wrong but I don?t see this gaining any momentum at all.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I must admit, I was watching a video by a designer tonight and the figure is truly a beauty to behold. Hell, if I was rich enough I’d buy two to display in both modes! And if it was available here with a payment plan I’d certainly at least get one. But with this timeframe and the cost of shipping it’s beyond my financial means and fear it may prove that way to too many fans for them to reach the needed preorder target. We shall see

[DaptoDog]

I can?t see 600 backers a week continuing for the duration of the window. It?s now at 1820....that?s only 3 more backers since I wrote my post earlier today. Most people that want it and can afford it have already backed it. I can only see it trickling over 2000 over the next week or two, and maybe eventually settling between 3000-4000, but I feel I?m being a bit optimistic there. I?d love to be wrong but I don?t see this gaining any momentum at all.

Well to be fair most of America was asleep since your last count! If it breaks through 1,900 by tomorrow I'd say it's keeping pace. We also have to remember that many people don't want to plonk down that cash only to have it returned 6 weeks later so they are just sitting on their hands until the end when there will be a rush. Whether that's enough to get Hasbro to commit, we'll just have to see.

[griffin]

They don't get charged until August 31st (if it goes ahead), so I can also imagine a lot of people dropping out in the last week if they signed up thinking that they could scrounge up the money, but then failed to get enough and cancel at the last minute.

[DELTAprime]

They don't get charged until August 31st (if it goes ahead), so I can also imagine a lot of people dropping out in the last week if they signed up thinking that they could scrounge up the money, but then failed to get enough and cancel at the last minute.

I kept an eye on the Kehtana. It gained momentum towards the end of the campaign. Either people were waiting till they actually had the money in hand to back it, or Hasbro was fudging the number.

I'm seriously considering using some savings to preorder from BBTS.

[DaptoDog]

They don't get charged until August 31st (if it goes ahead), so I can also imagine a lot of people dropping out in the last week if they signed up thinking that they could scrounge up the money, but then failed to get enough and cancel at the last minute.

Sorry my bad, I forgot they are not charged straight away.

I kept an eye on the Kehtana. It gained momentum towards the end of the campaign. Either people were waiting till they actually had the money in hand to back it, or Hasbro was fudging the number.

Yep that's the best comp we have.

[SharkyMcShark]

I am with danny on this. I can't see this reaching 8000.

[Lint]

I am with danny on this. I can't see this reaching 8000.

If it does fail HasLab should post up a video of the prototype being blown up mythbusters style to the tune of Orson Welles' voiceover "Destiny... you cannot destroy my... DestineaAHH!"

[DaptoDog]

I can?t see 600 backers a week continuing for the duration of the window. It?s now at 1820....that?s only 3 more backers since I wrote my post earlier today. Most people that want it and can afford it have already backed it. I can only see it trickling over 2000 over the next week or two, and maybe eventually settling between 3000-4000, but I feel I?m being a bit optimistic there. I?d love to be wrong but I don?t see this gaining any momentum at all.

Well to be fair most of America was asleep since your last count! If it breaks through 1,900 by tomorrow I'd say it's keeping pace. We also have to remember that many people don't want to plonk down that cash only to have it returned 6 weeks later so they are just sitting on their hands until the end when there will be a rush. Whether that's enough to get Hasbro to commit, we'll just have to see.

Total backers got to 1,889 today, just a little shy of my 1,900 target. So I'd say it's ticking over just fine.

Figure King scans just out in Japan, massive spread for Unicron. Pictures look glorious, if only I could read Japanese! I reckon Japan is good for at least 1,500-2,000 backers given the popularity of high-end collectibles in Japan and the relative population of Japan to the US.

https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threa...-more.1178410/

In terms of options of where to order, here's how I see it currently.

Option A

Buy direct from Hasbro at cost of US$575 (A$825)
Resend from MyUS forwarder at estimated cost of ~ A$145 (factoring in Amex discount, assuming ~30lbs total shipping weight)
Add 10% GST at cost of A$97
Total Estimate = A$1,063

Option B

Buy direct from Hasbro at cost of US$575 (A$825)
Have it shipped to family/friend in the US. Have to pay sales tax depending on their state and then work out how to get it to Australia
Total Estimate = ?

Option C

Pre-order from TFSource or BBTS at cost of US$775 (A$1,112)
Resend from MyUS forwarder at estimated cost of ~ A$145 (factoring in Amex discount, assuming ~30lbs total shipping weight)
Add 10% GST at cost of A$126
Total Estimate = A$1,383

Other Options

• Order through Takara Tomy Mall once it gets listed this weekend but likely to be priced higher than US and still expensive to ship (given most forwarders will use volumetric weight to determine shipping cost)
  
• Wait to see if Hasbro Australia is going to get stock. But if this is not announced before 31 August and then doesn't happen you risk having to pay large mark-ups on ebay etc on release

I'm waiting till near the close date to see if the local option presents itself but otherwise will be going with Option A.

[danny-boy]

Total backers got to 1,889 today, just a little shy of my 1,900 target. So I'd say it's ticking over just fine.

Figure King scans just out in Japan, massive spread for Unicron. Pictures look glorious, if only I could read Japanese! I reckon Japan is good for at least 1,500-2,000 backers given the popularity of high-end collectibles in Japan and the relative population of Japan to the US.

https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threa...-more.1178410/

In terms of options of where to order, here's how I see it currently.

Option A

Buy direct from Hasbro at cost of US$575 (A$825)
Resend from MyUS forwarder at estimated cost of ~ A$145 (factoring in Amex discount, assuming ~30lbs total shipping weight)
Add 10% GST at cost of A$97
Total Estimate = A$1,063

Option B

Buy direct from Hasbro at cost of US$575 (A$825)
Have it shipped to family/friend in the US. Have to pay sales tax depending on their state and then work out how to get it to Australia
Total Estimate = ?

Option C

Pre-order from TFSource or BBTS at cost of US$775 (A$1,112)
Resend from MyUS forwarder at estimated cost of ~ A$145 (factoring in Amex discount, assuming ~30lbs total shipping weight)
Add 10% GST at cost of A$126
Total Estimate = A$1,383

Other Options

• Order through Takara Tomy Mall once it gets listed this weekend but likely to be priced higher than US and still expensive to ship (given most forwarders will use volumetric weight to determine shipping cost)
  
• Wait to see if Hasbro Australia is going to get stock. But if this is not announced before 31 August and then doesn't happen you risk having to pay large mark-ups on ebay etc on release

I'm waiting till near the close date to see if the local option presents itself but otherwise will be going with Option A.

Since my original post it?s gone from 1817 to 1919. An additional 100 backers in 2 whole days doesn?t instil a lot of confidence. Although TT Mall has gone up which should help the numbers.

I?m also waiting to see if another option opens up. Honestly hoping for international orders to open up.