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Since masterpiece MP-01 and binaltech-alternators brought me back to transformers, I've been a religious buyer.
Not mean I am a full hardcore buyer but I'ven buying transformers from almost every toy line that hasbro takara has been
producing since MP-01.

In my way as a collector I turned to become a customizer, too.
Seeing so much detail lost in the molds due to the lack of a proper paint application just got me into this amazing hobbie.

The fact that I paint every transformer I buy make me overseen many flaws that the toys have, because once you paint them all looks cool!!. But recently the lack of quality has gone far more than factory poor paint applications or loose joints.

First, transformers prime suffered the small size syndrome, this spread to all other lines.
Recently the new Fall of cybertron not only suffered of this syndrome but to hollow molds and really cheap plastic.
The complete fall of cybertron line is a bunch of tiny, hollow, and lazy molds.

I was yesterday thinking in my last three toy hunting. I realized that I did not get any satisfaction taking out of package any of this figures. Fall of cybertron starscream, ultra magnus and sideswipe. Later Fall of cybertron Bruticus, and just last night fall of cybertron Grimlock.

I had high expectations with grimlock that's why I felt really disappointed when I hold it out of package.
Not only because the mentioned problems, this time something else pissed me off.

I know hasbro always use photoshop to apply a shiny paint to their pictures. But this time they altered the proportions of the picture to make it look cooler than it really is.

Clearly you can see how the stock picture of hasbro has a bigger head and a really small tail in comparison with the actual toy's picture.

I was expecting the stock figure in a bore grey plastic, hollow and cheap mold, that was ok with me, but an uglier figure in a bore grey plastic, hollow and cheap mold... I didn't see that coming. That was the point when I thought in the insatisfaction that I have been getting for my money. Seriously why I am paying for getting things that only make say: mmmmm...well... it could have been a lot better but... well...mmm...at least It has a cool weapon.

It sounds like non-LEGO toy collecting in a nutshell.

It is sad that TF has lost so much.

I could tolerate rising prices by itself,
I could tolerate smaller figures by itself,
I could tolerate cheaper plastic by itself,
I could tolerate more hollow designs by itself,
I could tolerate lack of paint apps by itself,

But all 5 at once? It is saddening to someone who has enjoyed the level of quality and engineering shown in the original Classics/WFC series of figures, and to a smaller extent, the non-PRID TF Prime figures..

Wow, not even his arms were painted and the screw is missing from the display picture. Terrible.

Thinking about it, all the money I put into FOC Bruticus, Probably $80. or better, it doesn't feel like a toy that is worth that kind of cash. That is roughly the price of an MP. The entire line I own, only Kickback seems to be a good character. Doesn't seem hollow compared to the rest. (pic below)

As said above, I could live with the hollowness, if the price wasn't crazy right now. A deluxe is only a little bit cheaper then a voyager. Crazy. considering how small a deluxe is compared to a voyager...... hasbro...that doesn't mean up the price of a voyager....

Flakmaster wrote:I could tolerate rising prices by itself,
I could tolerate smaller figures by itself,
I could tolerate cheaper plastic by itself,
I could tolerate more hollow designs by itself,
I could tolerate lack of paint apps by itself,

But all 5 at once?

No, not all 5 at once. One at a time.

The cheaper plastic began in DOTM. The "smaller figures" have existed since Energon, and even further back. Yes, in the same size class. The hollow designs started in FE/PRiD. The lack of paint apps appeared later in PRiD. The rising prices began but noticed a lot less, between ROTF and DOTM (I remember paying $7-8 for a Deluxe).

They're cheap plastic toys made for kids. Just because we've co-opted them as a serious hobby doesn't mean Hasbro has to adjust their business plan to satisfy us.

If you're not happy with how TFs are made nowadays, find something else to collect, like third-party transforming toys. But I'm sick of hearing people (especially adults) whine and moan about how a toy company isn't catering to their standards.

Hasbro is a public corporation. Their number one priority is making a profit for their shareholders. As long as they're profitable, they have no reason to cater to a small minority of their customer base. Hasbro is NOT a public charity set up to provide you with a lifetime supply of high-quality collectible figures at low prices.

GuyIncognito wrote:But I'm sick of hearing people (especially adults) whine and moan about how a toy company isn't catering to their standards.

...

GuyIncognito wrote:They're cheap plastic toys made for kids. Just because we've co-opted them as a serious hobby doesn't mean Hasbro has to adjust their business plan to satisfy us.

If you're not happy with how TFs are made nowadays, find something else to collect, like third-party transforming toys. But I'm sick of hearing people (especially adults) whine and moan about how a toy company isn't catering to their standards.

Hasbro is a public corporation. Their number one priority is making a profit for their shareholders. As long as they're profitable, they have no reason to cater to a small minority of their customer base. Hasbro is NOT a public charity set up to provide you with a lifetime supply of high-quality collectible figures at low prices.

And this is there right..... just like it is my right and the reason I only own 8 Transformers between the FOC and TF Prime line.... lazyness equals less cash to them on my side. Sure there making some cash.... just not much of mine right now. If they were better I would probably own everyone of them.

I wonder how much better the Takara version is, with paint aps anyway?

Transformers Hoarder wrote:I wonder how much better the Takara version is, with paint aps anyway?

A picture speaks a thousand words:

GuyIncognito wrote:If you're not happy with how TFs are made nowadays, find something else to collect, like third-party transforming toys. But I'm sick of hearing people (especially adults) whine and moan about how a toy company isn't catering to their standards.

You are completely right, and I was seriously thinking about that last night.
That's why I just ordered the Not war for cybertron Omega Supreme (planetX-project Genesis) from robotkingdom and canceled all my beast hunters orders.
After that I will buy the not devastator (Giant) from tfsource. They are really expensive figures but if I not buy anymore from hasbro I think I can afford them.

I should have done it 30 figures ago, hahaha

Just for curiosity, I counted how many toys I bought last year. 8 from Hasbro and 2 from 3rd party (Warbot Defender and Green Giant). Think it was a record low.

I'm not all to worried, just bugged. The recent changes to the way TF's are constructed seems temporary. Looking at the upcoming stuff, I am hoping we're about to see an increase in quality and sizes.
For instance; Metroplex and his hugeness, as well as the glorious return of a more solid construction on voyagers. They've got their sturdy hips back. Hurray.

This is just great. I had planned on opening up a thread on deciding whether or not to keep Hasbro Grimlock or not. I went into a Walmart the other day, spotted him and bought him on a whim and after doing so I kept contemplating on keeping him or not. All this has helped me decide on waiting for the Takara release, thanks optimuscarlos and Seibertronian's!

GuyIncognito wrote:They're cheap plastic toys made for kids. Just because we've co-opted them as a serious hobby doesn't mean Hasbro has to adjust their business plan to satisfy us.

If you're not happy with how TFs are made nowadays, find something else to collect, like third-party transforming toys. But I'm sick of hearing people (especially adults) whine and moan about how a toy company isn't catering to their standards.

Hasbro is a public corporation. Their number one priority is making a profit for their shareholders. As long as they're profitable, they have no reason to cater to a small minority of their customer base. Hasbro is NOT a public charity set up to provide you with a lifetime supply of high-quality collectible figures at low prices.

Yes...yes they are cheap plastic toys for kids. And for the cash we pay out for one deluxe tf, I can get my son two TMNT toys or something else. No wonder Hasbro's intake this year is down compared to this time last years intake. As a parent I don't buy my son many tf's because there getting ridiculously crazy. He does get a few here and there, and I've cut back my own. And I've seen other parents say no way while standing in those aisles to there children.

Your statement makes it sound like I should praise hasbro. But if what there making this year doesn't equal up to what it was last year....maybe .... just maybe we fans are not completely wrong to ask for something a little more. I don't consider asking for a few paint apps to make it at least a little closer to the product your displaying is asking a lot in the before mentioned Grimlocks arms not painted. Or... FOC soundwave doesn't come with a gun?... but you displayed him with one on the box.... oh, thats just for the picture... oh, thats kind of cool false adverti....I mean mentioning that on the box would have been great. Or Classics Ultra Magnus.... Where I have to rely on a third party to make it be ULTRA MAGNUS, not just a white repainted Prime.... come on Hasbro, this is your TF, why not finish it.

Some of the things Hasbro has done recently are awesome by G1 standards as you have mentioned before...Posability, Ball joints.....etc but don't bash a fan for saying your tired of them complaining. How do you think things get better? By sitting quietly praising old standards or by comments, complaints, and concerns?

I don't see how you read into my comment that I was praising Hasbro or saying that you should. All I said was that they are a business and their priorities are staying in business and making a profit. I'm not praising it; it's just the way it is.

Let's take FOC Grimlock as an example. Adding more paint apps might only cost a few cents per figure. But multiply that by the number of figures, and it could be thousands of dollars. Now, how many people are going to buy Grimlock with that extra paint app WHO WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT IT OTHERWISE. In other words, how many EXTRA sales will they get because of that extra paint on the arms? Enough to make up for the extra production cost? If not, then it doesn't make sense for them to do it. Why add paint apps to make a few whiny collectors happy if they can sell them to kids and parents who aren't as picky?

You think two TMNT figures are a better deal than a Deluxe TF? Fine, then buy that instead. (Although maybe your kids would rather have one TF?) If enough parents do the same, Hasbro might reconsider their strategy. But they're going to make those decisions based on SALES and FINANCIAL REPORTS, not complaints from a handful of collectors on an internet forum.

I'll tell you one thing: If my son or daughter wants Transformers, I'll buy them for them in a heartbeat. I'm not going to say "Sorry, son, I know you really want that Optimus Prime, but he doesn't have enough paint apps for my taste and I've decided that TMNT figures are a better bargain, so you're going to play with those instead."

Tell me, those TMNT figures... what do they transform into? What's that? They don't transform into ANYTHING? Huh.

GuyIncognito wrote:I don't see how you read into my comment that I was praising Hasbro or saying that you should. All I said was that they are a business and their priorities are staying in business and making a profit. I'm not praising it; it's just the way it is.

Let's take FOC Grimlock as an example. Adding more paint apps might only cost a few cents per figure. But multiply that by the number of figures, and it could be thousands of dollars. Now, how many people are going to buy Grimlock with that extra paint app WHO WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT IT OTHERWISE. In other words, how many EXTRA sales will they get because of that extra paint on the arms? Enough to make up for the extra production cost? If not, then it doesn't make sense for them to do it. Why add paint apps to make a few whiny collectors happy if they can sell them to kids and parents who aren't as picky?

You think two TMNT figures are a better deal than a Deluxe TF? Fine, then buy that instead. (Although maybe your kids would rather have one TF?) If enough parents do the same, Hasbro might reconsider their strategy. But they're going to make those decisions based on SALES and FINANCIAL REPORTS, not complaints from a handful of collectors on an internet forum.

Yes, I agree about the paint apps...but then....why not take the pictures without the paint apps? Why pay for them to be done if cash is the concern? If charging an extra 50 cents per grimlock is the answer....then if they were going to by the character anyways....I don't think an extra 50 cents would have discouraged buying the character? Oh...sorry billy, I only have $24 dollars on me, not 24.50. They were buying it either way.

and have you looked at there last quarter sales compared to the previous years? Apparently several parents seem to be buying two TMNT's compared to one tf.... I'm just saying...smart people don't wait till the ship is past saving to start fighting that fire. It's not a huge loss...on the grand scheme of things, but its there in black and white

And my kids usually choose what they like. But if I let them spend $20. they'd rather get more for the dollar. And who cares what they can turn into or not, The kids choose them.

I'm sorry if I have got you all worked up over... how did you put it in your first post.... Cheap kids toys after all. And your facts seem to be mixed up as there FINANCIAL REPORTS and SALES as you put it are down to the lowest levels since 2008.

I agree that FOC Grimlock is a DISAPPOINTMENT. He's hollow, cheap and what's up with the legs in beast mode? They can't move.

Additiionally I don't like Kickback. He's extremely difficult to transform and his insect mode is a mess.

I was disappointed by FOC Bruticus, hollow and cheap feeling plastic are huge offenders. Voyager Soundwave is a solid purchase on the hand, with very few problems the WFC deluxe didn't already have. Regardless, whenever I do get Grimlock I will play with him and then proceed to display him.

I haven't noticed too many issues with the Beast Hunters line other than the questionable aesthetic.

Alternatively I have noticed that I've been by more takara and third party releases which also cut down on these problems. I do however realize that not everyone can afford to buy every figure they want.

I just picked him up, dare I say I like him?















I like how I easily found this custom pose to have him hold his sword face down.



I like the shield and sword on one are look too. Now to find a gun for the other hand.

Can't wait 'till next week so I can get my Grimmy in hand.

RAcast wrote:Can't wait 'till next week so I can get my Grimmy in hand.

I don't know how these members haven't fell in love with Grimmy just yet.

Transformers Hoarder wrote:

RAcast wrote:Can't wait 'till next week so I can get my Grimmy in hand.

I don't know how these members haven't fell in love with Grimmy just yet.

It looks FANTASTIC with the golden version of the Dr. Wu 'Sworo' too! I don't think I knew there was a gold version.

I ordered the gold version specifically for this Grimlock and it's working out well, especially how tight Grimmys ratchets are to wield such a heavy weapon.

In my case, Quality of the materials and some QC.

Been a victim of a headless United Wreck-gar, MP-10 Convoy foot panel misplacement, Piranacon bent sword, misaligned GF Soundwave. Q.C.(or was it the design?)

For Materials, I'd say Superpants Amada Prime (broke two elbows) before I went for the Japanese version. And Overrun minicon for Supercon Prime.......the wing just broke.Also had the unfortunate experience of having a cracked chest compartment hinge connector of Grand Convoy Dx version. Last but not the least to Prowl 2 power up version. His shoulder joint just broke. Same with MP-01 "Megatron" and Cosmic rust MP-05 Megatron.

I know its a kids toy but for the thing to just break for no reason?

Is it just me or does this latest batch of Generations figures made from a weaker form of plastic. They just don't seem like they can hold up as well as previous ones. or evan the beast hunter toyline. Any thoughts on why or am I just wrong in my asumption.