Rated X wrote:xyl360 wrote:Rated X wrote:xyl360 wrote:Prepare for tons of fan backlash. Doing the clones (Autobot or Decepticon) is nearly as bad (maybe worse) as the TFCC doing Punch/Counterpunch as an exclusive.
Of course many collectors aren't going to want to have to paint/customize to get the clones, and they'll likely want both Autobots and Decepticons.
I just clicked on the link and there are still seats available. This thread has been up for nearly 2 days and they still havent sold 60 seats ??? When the backlash comes out, Ill be the first one on here to remind everybody how slowly the seats sold.

Those seats are for people who can actually attend the event, right? The ones for order for those who can't make it ARE sold out, are they not? That's a geographical issue, not a supply/demand issue, so point it out all you want, but how relevant it is may be questionable.
While Machine Wars may not be the most popular choice, Botcon will sell a good amount of tickets. Many people are choosing not to give this a chance because they want to try to get in the Botcon class. Many will not get in, and miss this class too because they waited. Others are just skeptical. Im my opinion, those will be the first ones to complain. Why ? Because they see in person what they missed out on. From there it will trickle down to the rest of the TF community. Im not one of those snobbish collectors who want to be exclusive and privliged. If Mech Ideas decides to give the figures a mass release a few years later or they get KOed, I will be happy for the rest of the fans. But until then, they will have to be patient and wait like I had to wait for Thundercracker, Thrust, and Dirge.
I won't argue with you there (I'm one of the folks that never gets to attend Botcon so I can't say how it actually is, but you're probably right).
I agree on the exclusivity factor as well. I don't care how 'rare' a figure is, that's not why I collect. The toys I've paid hundreds for are worth about the same to me in my collection as those which I've only paid $5-$20 for. Scarcity doesn't create value in my eyes, only demand and a missed opportunity for further profits if it's a figure people want but aren't able to obtain.
I also agree that if they decide to release these pre-painted etc. down the road (assuming they're actually good representations of the characters) that I'd be purchasing them.
I just don't think that the demand will necessarily trickle down from the attendees onward. The community at large (including internationally) is quite well informed these days about the goings on with exclusives from the various shows etc. thanks to sites like this one and TFW etc. so if these turn out good but are extremely limited in number, the demand will be there no matter what people actually at the show say about it.