Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

LOST Cybertronian wrote:Alright people, I think that's enough with the tantrums. I think everything that could be said on this topic has been said unless you can think of something positive that needs added.

One thing does come to mind. There almost needs to be some kind of obligatory warning (or at the very least an indication) in thread titles (much like with spoilers before the invention of spoiler tags) when people are going to start a thread to complain about price rises.

The thread title was "Toys R Us". How is anyone meant to know from the thread title just what in relation to TRU was being discussed? It could have been anything.

Giving a price increase complaints thread such an utterly ambiguous title is a sure-fire recipe for those who would normally give such threads a wide berth because they've grown tired of the usual "Hasbro's ripping us off" tone of them, to get sucked into them by being left to wonder about just what such a vague thread title could be referring to.

Honestly something in the thread title spelling out that it is a price increase complaints thread, would ultimately save alot of grief.

Also considering the flawed logic, coupled with blatantly taking things out of context, false allegations of threats of violence and multiple personal insults, I would strongly recommend that anyone who finds themselves in this situation put "Megs for pres" on their ignore list as I have just done.

Valandar wrote:If the price of Transformers went up the same amount since 1984 that milk has gone up, then a typical Deluxe would be (using a Seeker as the base comparison, for size reasons) $20.20

And if they increased in price as much as gasoline, then a typical Deluxe would cost over $32.00 !!!

And once again I must point this out to ANY American Transfan who is complaining about prices.

My point?

No, we do NOT have room to complain about prices. We have been UNDERPAYING for Transformers for more than fifteen years.

Here's the other thing Valandar. I glossed over this before, but after giving it some thought, it really is something which needs to be elaborated on to give those complaining a sorely needed reality check.

The thing with the prices of toys isn't just that oil has gone up or the US economy has gone bad. What's really forced prices, in particular manufacturing costs up, it's that wages have gone up 30% across the board in China.

Now before anyone claims this is obscene, I would point out that Chinese workers have traditionally been paid so poorly that they're practically sweatshop workers. Furthermore last I heard, 70% of the population live in abject poverty.

That 30% wage increase isn't like the Western world were suddenly people are able to buy that dream car or send the kids off to private schools - we're in many cases talking about the difference between living on or below the poverty line and living above it.

Yes you're paying more, but by the same token, people paid more for cotton in the US when slaves were no longer able to be used on plantations.

It ultimately comes down to this - do you want the people who make the toys you love to have a quality of life which respects their freedom, dignity and liberty (you know, the values which America prides itself on), even if it means paying a little more; or do you want people subjected to practical sweatshop labour conditions, which is a arguably a form of slavery - all so you can have cheap toys?

One thing does come to mind. There almost needs to be some kind of obligatory warning (or at the very least an indication) in thread titles (much like with spoilers before the invention of spoiler tags) when people are going to start a thread to complain about price rises.

The problem with that of course being that if you have to place a warning on price threads then you have to place a warning on any thread topic that someone may have an issue with.
Isnt it far easier to simply respect your fellow collector and his opinions? If you cannot converse without throwing out condescending, undercover, or blatant insults perhaps you shouldnt respond at all.

The thread title was "Toys R Us". How is anyone meant to know from the thread title just what in relation to TRU was being discussed? It could have been anything.

All one need to to understand the topic of this particular thread would be to read the O.P.

Giving a price increase complaints thread such an utterly ambiguous title is a sure-fire recipe for those who would normally give such threads a wide berth because they've grown tired of the usual "Hasbro's ripping us off" tone of them, to get sucked into them by being left to wonder about just what such a vague thread title could be referring to.

Do you realize that you speak of growing tired of american fans talking about hasbro "ripping them off" while you yourself speak of hasbro ripping off the entire globe for the sake of keeping american toys cheap.
Again if you cannot respond in a respectful nature, perhaps you should consider not responding at all. If youve grown tired of american sadness over rising prices maybe you should take a nap?

Also considering the flawed logic, coupled with blatantly taking things out of context, false allegations of threats of violence and multiple personal insults, I would strongly recommend that anyone who finds themselves in this situation put "Megs for pres" on their igno
re list as I have just done.

Yet you fail to mention or acknowledge your own insults to me, other posters and any american collector that cares to mention his sadness over rising prices.
Honestly, you try to hide it behind the toy prices, but I can see straight through it. You come off as if You harbor a disdain for americans.
There should be no other sight as lighthearted and inherently fun as a sight dedicated to toys. Its sad that a hand full of grouchy opinionated people can wreak havoc on a thread that was started and responded to innocently.
Perhaps I expect too much. Also, If I myself have ruined the experience of any other member with my responses here, or at any other time I sincerely apologize.
I myself come here to converse with fellow fans about toys, cartoons and other fun subjects. I take issue with anyone who tries to lessen the positive experience one should have whilst visiting this sight and have no desire to mimic those whom I do not agree with.
Have a great day!

Do you guys have to ruin EVERY thread with your petty arguments? How about just discussing the topic, instead of trying to one-up each other and turning every discussion into an argument? I'm not naming names, but you know who you are. This entire forum has become an unpleasant place over the last few days because a few of you are just acting like children.

I just spent about 25% more at Toys R Us...and by "just" I mean about fifteen minutes ago to be exact.

It's a bit steep, but it meant that I got to sneak off during my lunchbreak, find some cool items, and have them in hand.

In fact, these are items that I pre-ordered slightly cheaper elsewhere, but TRU had them on the shelf, and my pre-order hasn't even shipped. I might end up keeping them in package and returning them if my pre-order ever gets in the mail.

Sure, I would like to pay less, but I felt the extra ten bucks or so was, in this case, worth the pleasure of finding something I wanted, getting excited to pick it up, and not worrying about if the item would ship, whether it would end up at the right address, when it would get here, and what condition it would be in.

I also stopped at some other stores on my way back from lunch where I suspected I might find the items for a buck or two cheaper, but none had the items in-stock.

So, in the end, my purchase expresses my willingness to pay a little more on these items to own them now. (Although this also means that I'll have to forego buying some other items...at least for a couple of weeks.)

Now, as for all this debate about complaining or not complaining:
I think it's helpful for retailers and manufacturers to hear from consumers who are nearing their limits of what they are willing to spend. If they heed genuine warning signs, then it will prevent them from overproduction. If they think they can sell more than we can buy, they'll end up with losses. It helps more, however, if we can voice those complaints in a civil, respectful, and articulate manner...otherwise, we just look like whiners who want something for nothing.

GuyIncognito wrote:Do you guys have to ruin EVERY thread with your petty arguments? How about just discussing the topic, instead of trying to one-up each other and turning every discussion into an argument? I'm not naming names, but you know who you are. This entire forum has become an unpleasant place over the last few days because a few of you are just acting like children.

I have to agree. I should have simply let it go awhile back but Its a bit hard not to respond when someone acts that way while mixing your words. I ll woRk on it O.K?
As I said above I truly apologize to you and anyone else if I have ruined your time here.

Having said that, I have noticed that you dont always have a positive attitude either. Perhaps you should try to be more lighten up too.
That wasnt ment as an insult or to start another mess, just advice that if taken would help the forum.
Take care.

I think it's helpful for retailers and manufacturers to hear from consumers who are nearing their limits of what they are willing to spend. If they heed genuine warning signs, then it will prevent them from overproduction. If they think they can sell more than we can buy, they'll end up with losses. It helps more, however, if we can voice those complaints in a civil, respectful, and articulate manner...otherwise, we just look like whiners who want something for nothing.

This. Its all about respect. Anything can be discussed and opinions can be conveyed so long as fans affords other fans the same respect they would have people afford them.
Were all fans here. It should be a pleasant experience to visit seibertron.

Megs for Pres i am coming to you as a friend....STOP.... you seem to have the same or similar arguments with everyone man... you need to realize everyone is not going to agree with you, and we are all entitled to our own opinion. i have noticed a pattern with you... you come in with your better than you attitutde, then when someone make s a point you dont like you go into some hannibal lecter double speak that is suppossed to make you look smart and educated, yet 80% of the population here just doesnt like you. please step back and take a really good look at this... and i hope you dont just come back with a reply pointing out my faults or how the universe is wrong and against you.

VioMeTriX wrote:Megs for Pres i am coming to you as a friend....STOP.... you seem to have the same or similar arguments with everyone man... you need to realize everyone is not going to agree with you, and we are all entitled to our own opinion. i have noticed a pattern with you... you come in with your better than you attitutde, then when someone make s a point you dont like you go into some hannibal lecter double speak that is suppossed to make you look smart and educated, yet 80% of the population here just doesnt like you. please step back and take a really good look at this... and i hope you dont just come back with a reply pointing out my faults or how the universe is wrong and against you.

If you have taken from my posts that I believe myself better than everyone else then I have missconveyed myself. I think no such thing.
Similarly, If I have come off as if I place no value on others opinions then I have twice misrepresented myself.
However, I doubt that 80% of the fans here would agree with your assessment of me.
All I can do is try to respect everyone and their opinions and I think I have done a pretty good job of it. I challenge you to show me one instance where I flew off the handle for no reason as a result of someones conflicting opinion.
Have you read the entire thread? I know it gets tired fast, but its important that you realize that it was not I who began the insults, better than you attitude and complete disrespect of others opinions. It a few others.
I mean honestly, I cant see why anyone else didnt feel that there were far deeper reasons that that guy had issues with the U.S.A. than toys. Every time the U.S. was mentioned there was a sarcastic, rude remark attached to it.
You yourself expressed your opinion on the matter and did so without insulting anyone, or coming off as if you simply want americans to shut up and stop voicing their opinions so It can be done.
I REALLY dont want to go on about this subject any longer but I will say again that if I have come across to you as If I believe myself better than everyone then I apologize and you wish to say that nothing could be further from the truth.
Also, The earlier problems I had were completely different than this issue.
Thanks for the constructive criticizim, It is noted and I will try not to come off that way in the future.
However If I am disrespected regularly by a member, or someone is just flat being a **** for no reason over extended periods of time, I will most likely point it out. I believe you would as well.
If you care to continue this discussion further That is fine, but lets do so via P.M. so as not to further stray of course of the threads intent. I dont want to be the reason a thread is locked ya know?
Take care pal.

well i think your long drawn out defending yourself speaks volumes, and the exact point i try to make. well you either grow up like i did, or eventually get banned. i wish you the best, and try to resist the urge to reply to this. have a great day...