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Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 5:32AM CST

Category: Toy News
Posted by: Va'al   Views: 32,037

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Eagle-eyed as always, Seibertronian Cyberpath has spotted on TFYuki's Twitter feed a full image of the Takara Tomy version of the Titan combiner UW04 Devastator (from the Unite Warriors line, the Japanese counterpart to Hasbro's Combiner Wars). Check it our mirrored below!

Transformers News: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator
Credit(s): TFYuki

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Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743894)
Posted by MemphisR56 on November 24th, 2015 @ 5:35am CST
SOON.

I can barely contain my excitement.

Just less than a month to wait.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743909)
Posted by Va'al on November 24th, 2015 @ 6:58am CST
In other Takara Tomy Transformers Unite Warriors news, Twincast podcaster xRotorstormx has alerted us to some new promotions over on TransformersAsia.com. First up is the collectable coin offered with UW03 Defensor (Guardia), on release as of 12th December in the non-Japanese Asian market. Check it out below!

Image
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743911)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 7:24am CST
Va'al wrote:In other Takara Tomy Transformers Unite Warriors news, Twincast podcaster xRotorstormx has alerted us to some new promotions over on TransformersAsia.com. First up is the collectable coin offered with UW03 Defensor (Guardia), on release as of 12th December in the non-Japanese Asian market. Check it out below!

Image



This is really weird. They are using the Hasbro Groove chest for this design when the whole point of this release is that you can get e deluxe groove. Sounds like there was a lack of communication at Hasbro Asia.

Image
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743926)
Posted by RAR on November 24th, 2015 @ 8:02am CST
I really wish they'd made the head larger and not gone with clip-on wheels those two things really put me off - also I think all versions need a lot more silver paint or even some chrome.

I guess all the complaining people did about Jetfire made Hasbro & Takara think the consumer doesn't like chrome - rather than what they should have thought which is the consumer may not like chrome in all the wrong places.

------

You have me wondering now how the Asian release of United Warriors Guardian will effect the online retailer price of the original ?
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743930)
Posted by munkimus prime on November 24th, 2015 @ 8:16am CST
Soon, yes soon Devastator will be mine.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743931)
Posted by Randomhero on November 24th, 2015 @ 8:36am CST
RAR wrote:I really wish they'd made the head larger and not gone with clip-on wheels those two things really put me off - also I think all versions need a lot more silver paint or even some chrome.

I guess all the complaining people did about Jetfire made Hasbro & Takara think the consumer doesn't like chrome - rather than what they should have thought which is the consumer may not like chrome in all the wrong places.

------

You have me wondering now how the Asian release of United Warriors Guardian will effect the online retailer price of the original ?


The problem with chrome is that it flakes and Takara hasn't really done anything withe chrom now in 6 years with classics themed stuff. Henkai had the chrome bits which was awful because they became a flakey mess. Then United was that metallic paint and legends is really just making paint decos as accurate as possible. It's always a theme with Takara.

Honestly I don't think you could make devys head bigger without having to really re-engineer hook since the heard is jut as long and wide as his back and needs to be consealed.

His head is honestly not that small. I own the hasbro one and it looks just fine and I have no intentions of getting takaras because 1. I don't need elbows on guys that are just limbs 90% of the time because he's always in devastator mode and 2. He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743938)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 8:58am CST
RAR wrote:
You have me wondering now how the Asian release of United Warriors Guardian will effect the online retailer price of the original ?


Original what? Hasbro version?

And the asian release of Guardian is the only version we were ever able to buy from online retailers anyway (BBTS and TFSource never sold the Japanese edition) so I don't really understand.

Also as for Hasbro not doing much chrome, my newly acquired Platinum Dinos beg to differ ;)

Image

(but yeah, I know what you mean, though I love Jetfire's chrome)
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743940)
Posted by Randomhero on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:11am CST
william-james88 wrote:
RAR wrote:
You have me wondering now how the Asian release of United Warriors Guardian will effect the online retailer price of the original ?


Original what? Hasbro version?

And the asian release of Guardian is the only version we were ever able to buy from online retailers anyway (BBTS and TFSource never sold the Japanese edition) so I don't really understand.

Also as for Hasbro not doing much chrome, my newly acquired Platinum Dinos beg to differ ;)

Image

(but yeah, I know what you mean, though I love Jetfire's chrome)


They don't. a limited platinum edition that wasn't available everywhere, an SDCC combiner and generations jetfire are three examples out of hundreds of products that have come out in the past few years.

I removed the chrome off my jetfire 2 hours after I bought him and he looks lovely. I went to a buddy's place and saw his version with chrome already flaking and said "oh god I forgot how hideous he looked originally" lol
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743941)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:13am CST
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743942)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:20am CST
Randomhero wrote:(but yeah, I know what you mean, though I love Jetfire's chrome)


They don't. a limited platinum edition that wasn't available everywhere, an SDCC combiner and generations jetfire are three examples out of hundreds of products that have come out in the past few years.
[/quote]

I was just joking around.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743946)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:26am CST
RAR wrote:I really wish they'd made the head larger and not gone with clip-on wheels those two things really put me off - also I think all versions need a lot more silver paint or even some chrome.

I guess all the complaining people did about Jetfire made Hasbro & Takara think the consumer doesn't like chrome - rather than what they should have thought which is the consumer may not like chrome in all the wrong places.

------

You have me wondering now how the Asian release of United Warriors Guardian will effect the online retailer price of the original ?


Only Groove's engine and Hotspot's bumper had chrome in the original G1 set.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743950)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:36am CST
Devy looks very good as expected and the Defensor Groove chest is just too funny :lol: :BOT:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743955)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:45am CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Devy looks very good as expected and the Defensor Groove chest is just too funny :lol: :BOT:


Yeah, I think that is what we call a fail :lol:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743959)
Posted by Randomhero on November 24th, 2015 @ 10:05am CST
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743967)
Posted by megatronus on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:03am CST
Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras


Takara's retailed around $150 in Japan. And I bought it for that price from an import site. WJ88 is talking about Japanese markets. Of course BBTS and the like are going to mark him up.

I paid $95 shipped for my Hasbro Devastator, so it sounds to me like you got the raw deal.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743968)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:06am CST
Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras


No, Hasbro's was initially 150$-160$ and Takara's is still available at 152$. When talking about PRICE Takara and Hasbro are charging, you have to compare what Hasbro is charging in its local market compared to Takara in theirs. Not a discounted Hasbro retailer vs an importer's Takara. Get your facts straight and open your eyes. Hasbro itself is charging the same for less.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743969)
Posted by Randomhero on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:11am CST
No I'm fine paying what I paid. I got it cheaper than toysrus and it's an awesome figure. It'd one of the coolest things hasbro has put out in my opinion. If you feel like paying $80-$100 for "import pricing" for a little extra paint and elbows and that's how you justify it with "no it's the same price I'm just paying for a rediculous shipping cost for something I can drive to a toy store and buy" that's fine but that's also honestly sad too.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743971)
Posted by Counterpunch on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:23am CST
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras


No, Hasbro's was initially 150$-160$ and Takara's is still available at 152$. When talking about PRICE Takara and Hasbro are charging, you have to compare what Hasbro is charging in its local market compared to Takara in theirs. Not a discounted Hasbro retailer vs an importer's Takara. Get your facts straight and open your eyes. Hasbro itself is charging the same for less.


You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.

Your general point about Hasbro over-costing this has some merit though. I think the $110 discount price in the US is probably closer to the real cost plus mark-up. It's hard to tell what's what with larger toys and the factors that play into them though.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743972)
Posted by Insurgent on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:23am CST
Well I'm getting him for £95 before shipping. So yeah, I'm happy with that. And honestly, he's going to be spending just as much time in team mode as he is combined mode, so yeah. Those elbows and paint are gonna be useful.


Yes, my combiners spend just as much time displayed uncombined as they do combined. Cos that's how I roll. :KREMZEEK: :michaelbay:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743973)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:29am CST
Counterpunch wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras


No, Hasbro's was initially 150$-160$ and Takara's is still available at 152$. When talking about PRICE Takara and Hasbro are charging, you have to compare what Hasbro is charging in its local market compared to Takara in theirs. Not a discounted Hasbro retailer vs an importer's Takara. Get your facts straight and open your eyes. Hasbro itself is charging the same for less.


You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.

Your general point about Hasbro over-costing this has some merit though. I think the $110 discount price in the US is probably closer to the real cost plus mark-up. It's hard to tell what's what with larger toys and the factors that play into them though.


Plus, depending on shipping, if it gets upwards of online retail, you may as well just go through bbts, I dunno what shipping would cost everyone, if it would get up to $70, yeah, may as well go through bbts...
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743976)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:36am CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:Plus, depending on shipping, if it gets upwards of online retail, you may as well just go through bbts, I dunno what shipping would cost everyone, if it would get up to $70, yeah, may as well go through bbts...


Its still cheaper to import and plus BBTS doesnt give anyone outside the US an advantage over the costs they may avoid. In a forum populated by people from all over the world discussing about a toy that is not released locally, BBTS becomes much less of a rule to measure things by.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743977)
Posted by megatronus on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:38am CST
Randomhero wrote:No I'm fine paying what I paid. I got it cheaper than toysrus and it's an awesome figure. It'd one of the coolest things hasbro has put out in my opinion. If you feel like paying $80-$100 for "import pricing" for a little extra paint and elbows and that's how you justify it with "no it's the same price I'm just paying for a rediculous shipping cost for something I can drive to a toy store and buy" that's fine
I got my math wrong. I actually paid $140 for Takara Devastator through Anime-Export. Once shipping's calculated and my order ships, I expect Takara Devy to cost $170 all-in. Maximum.

For me, $30 extra for a superior product in almost every respect isn't that much of a lift (and I understand how fortunate I am to be in that financial situation, and recognize that not everyone has that advantage). If you're factoring in gas money to the equation for driving to the toy store, the difference is even smaller, so I'm not sure why you're writing it off like it's "rediculous" [sic].


Randomhero wrote:but that's also honestly sad too.
And who are you to judge exactly? I paid $45 less than you for Hasbro Devastator. Not to put too fine a point on it, but it's all relative. So whatever, I guess.


Counterpunch wrote:You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.
Issues of purchasing power matter if you're comparing what an American/Canadian citizen can buy vs. what a Japanese citizen can buy, but that's not the discussion (I assumed). It's more what an American can buy here vs. what that same person can buy over in Japan. To us it's the same money.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743978)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:39am CST
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Plus, depending on shipping, if it gets upwards of online retail, you may as well just go through bbts, I dunno what shipping would cost everyone, if it would get up to $70, yeah, may as well go through bbts...


Its still cheaper to import and plus BBTS doesnt give anyone outside the US an advantage over the costs they may avoid. In a forum populated by people from all over the world discussing about a toy that is not released locally, BBTS becomes much less of a rule to measure things by.


I know, but outside the US, isn't amiami and the like much less expensive? I was using it as reference for people in the states, as I thought amiami was cheaper everywhere else Image
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1743999)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:17pm CST
Counterpunch wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Randomhero wrote: He's not worth takaras price for a small bit of re-engineering and a little extra paint.


For the last freaken time, he might cost you more because of shipping but Takara charges the same as Hasbro for their Transfomer Toys! In reality Hasbro is the one who is more expensively priced because they charge the same giving you less.


Takaras is $220. Hasbros was $130 I paid $140 for mine with the shipping. Sorry But an extra $80+ for elbows and a slightly different deco doesn't justify it in my opinion. I could even buy perfect effects kit that give elbows and still not spend as much as the online prices for Takaras


No, Hasbro's was initially 150$-160$ and Takara's is still available at 152$. When talking about PRICE Takara and Hasbro are charging, you have to compare what Hasbro is charging in its local market compared to Takara in theirs. Not a discounted Hasbro retailer vs an importer's Takara. Get your facts straight and open your eyes. Hasbro itself is charging the same for less.


You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.

Your general point about Hasbro over-costing this has some merit though. I think the $110 discount price in the US is probably closer to the real cost plus mark-up. It's hard to tell what's what with larger toys and the factors that play into them though.


Both Takara and Hasbro pay in Yuan for their manufacturing costs though, and I am analyzing this from a perspective outside both te US and Japan (Canada) so all I can compare is the exchange on a world economy scale (where the US Dollar is the dedicated unit to measure prices). My purchase power is diminished but I cant bring it up in an argument since that wouldnt be fair either, so I jut use the US dollar as a common denominator.

And yes, I get very agressive because while I understand people interchanging the words cost with price, what I dislike is when people start confusing the issue and saying that Takara costs more becuase of paints apps and if that is worth it. Statements like that become the basis for a confusion that is still rampant in this very thread and it is not true. The only reason takara products may cost more to people outside japan is only because it is not distributed in their county. And thats it. Not the paint apps, not better sculpting or for more weapons (which nightbird has for instance).

You bring an amazing level to this analysis, Counterpunch, by further digging into the cost portion. Both products are made in the same factory and both are paid in Yuan and of course paint extra paint and removal of mold flash will cost more Yuan. So we know that Takara has a greater manufacturing cost than Hasbro, so why would Hasbro charge an equivalent amount (to me as an outsider of both the US and Japan, if I were to buy an item that is not available locally, like Arcee)? It must be for costs that must be paid by Hasbro in US dollars, such as marketting. So, and counterpunch let me know if I am off about this, it seems that instead of getting better paint apps and more parts, Americans are paying to cover Hasbro's advertising.

In the end all I meant to say with this is that we must be careful in what we use to back up our arguments and how we phrase things when it comes to non local toys and pricing.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744000)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:22pm CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Plus, depending on shipping, if it gets upwards of online retail, you may as well just go through bbts, I dunno what shipping would cost everyone, if it would get up to $70, yeah, may as well go through bbts...


Its still cheaper to import and plus BBTS doesnt give anyone outside the US an advantage over the costs they may avoid. In a forum populated by people from all over the world discussing about a toy that is not released locally, BBTS becomes much less of a rule to measure things by.


I know, but outside the US, isn't amiami and the like much less expensive? I was using it as reference for people in the states, as I thought amiami was cheaper everywhere else Image


It actually turns out that every Japan online retailer who ships worldwide is cheaper than every online US retailer who ships worldwide for Takara products. Which would go without saying. Amiami is not an exception in any way.

megatronus wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.
Issues of purchasing power matter if you're comparing what an American/Canadian citizen can buy vs. what a Japanese citizen can buy, but that's not the discussion (I assumed). It's more what an American can buy here vs. what that same person can buy over in Japan. To us it's the same money.


Yes, that is indeed how this conversation started: A westerner commented on prices being different with Takara being more.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744002)
Posted by Rated X on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:34pm CST
He looks good (except Mixmasters alt mode) But if Takara really wanted to hit a home run they should have shrunk him down to the other combiners size. The whole over-sized thing really kills it for me.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744006)
Posted by Evil Eye on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:45pm CST
I'd actually be inclined to agree (though for structural reasons rather than adhering to cartoon scale). That said, downsizing is surprisingly difficult- you can't just do a straight downscale like that. Case in point, Mixmaster's arms. They're pretty thin plastic, and if you just did a straight downsize to a Deluxe pricepoint they'd be literally paper thin. The downsize would essentially require the effort and expense of a whole new set of molds.

As it is I'm either going for Hercules or the new Gravity Builder.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744008)
Posted by Counterpunch on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:48pm CST
megatronus wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:You are being kind of aggressive on this for not really understanding that $152 dollars in the US is not the same buying power as $152 dollars in Japan. Exchange rates matter.
Issues of purchasing power matter if you're comparing what an American/Canadian citizen can buy vs. what a Japanese citizen can buy, but that's not the discussion (I assumed). It's more what an American can buy here vs. what that same person can buy over in Japan. To us it's the same money.


Yeah, I think I misread the intent a bit.

Let me clarify and separate issues, because I think we all kind of agree.

The cost of Devastator in the US or Japan for consumers in those countries differs (if our money were the same, typically a Japanese toy costs a little more for a Japanese consumer than a US toy does for a US consumer).

Devastator's REAL cost in japan is not approximately 150k Yen. It's about 180k Yen. AmiAmi and HLJ do their discount thing prior to release and then significantly less on the discount after release.

If we take the base rate of the US Dev at about $150 and the base Japanese price at about $180 (assuming a normal market where 1 dollar equals about 100 yen) then you can see where the improvements are costed in.

Now, right now, it's an importer's market. The dollar buys a lot of yen right now. At $1 = 1.22Y we are getting at 20% exchange discount on top of the pre-order discounts. (This discount will get eaten up by the shipping cost, so it's safe to treat Japanese Dev as costing his listed discount price.

Which means, if you import United Devastator, you are getting much more for your money than going to TRU and buying Dev at $150-170 depending on their mark up.

Only with the recent big sales on Dev at Walmart, Amazon, and TFsource (putting Hasbro Dev at $109 before shipping) can the price discount be considered in the balance again.

TL;DR Without significant discounts on the domestic Hasbro Devastator, everyone is better off and gets more for their money (by importing) a Takara United Devastator.

Also, I would venture to say that Hasbro is taking a much, much higher margin on this figure than Takara, considering their effectively higher cost and lower production costs.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744011)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 1:56pm CST
Counterpunch wrote:TL;DR Without significant discounts on the domestic Hasbro Devastator, everyone is better off and gets more for their money (by importing) a Takara United Devastator.

Also, I would venture to say that Hasbro is taking a much, much higher margin on this figure than Takara, considering their effectively higher cost and lower production costs.


Counterpunch, please forget anything I may have written previously, your statements above sum up everything I have been trying to say quite eloquently. yes, we were all saying the same thing, but it's easy to get confused, so thanks for summing it all up this well :)
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744012)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 2:00pm CST
Counterpunch wrote:TL;DR Without significant discounts on the domestic Hasbro Devastator, everyone is better off and gets more for their money (by importing) a Takara United Devastator.

Also, I would venture to say that Hasbro is taking a much, much higher margin on this figure than Takara, considering their effectively higher cost and lower production costs.


Oh, without a doubt, you get more for your money by buying the TT version - you also honor the intent of the designers. And hasbro is definitely going for a gross profit by skimping so hard on the devs figure, I don't think that can even be argued >:oP
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744021)
Posted by Robogeek1973 on November 24th, 2015 @ 2:46pm CST
My two UW Devastators cost me $366 shipped, which works out to $183 apiece. If I were to buy the Devy sitting at my TRU, it would cost me $183.59 for the one set.


I saved $0.59 getting my improved Devy from Japan.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744025)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 24th, 2015 @ 2:55pm CST
william-james88 wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Devy looks very good as expected and the Defensor Groove chest is just too funny :lol: :BOT:


Yeah, I think that is what we call a fail :lol:

Maybe they just couldn't get enough of Groove :lol: :BOT:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744029)
Posted by Gunmetal on November 24th, 2015 @ 3:12pm CST
william-james88 wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:TL;DR Without significant discounts on the domestic Hasbro Devastator, everyone is better off and gets more for their money (by importing) a Takara United Devastator.

Also, I would venture to say that Hasbro is taking a much, much higher margin on this figure than Takara, considering their effectively higher cost and lower production costs.


Counterpunch, please forget anything I may have written previously, your statements above sum up everything I have been trying to say quite eloquently. yes, we were all saying the same thing, but it's easy to get confused, so thanks for summing it all up this well :)

You should just copy/paste that that every time! :lol: Hell, Randomhero is the second “Random” (after me) that you had this conversation with in, what, a week? The enormity of how often you have this conversation just dawned on me. :BANG_HEAD:

In fairness, I think there may be two different conversations here:
1) Whether UW Devy is worth the extra money that Takara makes over Hasbro. (The answer is technically “yes”, since Takara apparently doesn’t make more money off their Devy than Hasbro makes off theirs.)
2) Whether UW Devy is still worth it after considering costs associated with importing and shipping which aren’t Takara’s fault. For this, I can see why the final price may drive folks away.

It may not be on Takara, but international shipping is a lot to pay for a little more purple and elbows you won't use if you want to just leave it in combined mode.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744060)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 24th, 2015 @ 5:54pm CST
All these heehawing on imports.

Having this hobby in the 1st place means you already factored in the availability of disposable funds. Regardless if you are married or not.Family or single. If you let your better half dictate upon your hobby, well that's your mountain you have to overcome.

Don't have disposable funds? Get out of this hobby!

Now on the nitty gritty. Already mentioned that you also have to factor in shipping and your contry's fx rate. If your country's currency has high value, well all is good, if not no problemo as you're still gonna buy this piece of plastic crack.

So the pricing, as mentioned by wj88 is indeed at parity with SRP of the American domestic market. Imports as it is, have to contend with customs, profit margin of the importer, shipping etc.

Also noticed the very very very worn out yarn about the scale. jeez, if you already acquired the smaller 3rd party product then so be it! Do a "Frozened" and leave the rest of us alone. if you want to rant against the size, well, there are some things you can implement if the scale is bigger over a downsized version.

Case in point, Bandai's 1/100 Macross Valkyries. There are somefeatures that require part removal while the Yamato 1/60 does not. A smaller fragile part will get bellyachers up in arms if the minimee parts break. Heck, even the 1/60 MP scale of MP09 breaks when you look at it funny (and that figure had a lot of issues......non die-cast knee and shoulder joints sandwiched with a ratcheted spring mounted mechanism).

Devstar is good enough as it is. You got the TRU version? be happy with it. Us late adapters are still waiting for Christmas or January for ours. The one with individual weapons, extra joints, extra features and maybe extra paint apps with extar shipping and customs duties tacked on him. Ain't the world grand? :-P
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744066)
Posted by Cyberpath on November 24th, 2015 @ 6:17pm CST
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744075)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 6:52pm CST
Randomus wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:TL;DR Without significant discounts on the domestic Hasbro Devastator, everyone is better off and gets more for their money (by importing) a Takara United Devastator.

Also, I would venture to say that Hasbro is taking a much, much higher margin on this figure than Takara, considering their effectively higher cost and lower production costs.


Counterpunch, please forget anything I may have written previously, your statements above sum up everything I have been trying to say quite eloquently. yes, we were all saying the same thing, but it's easy to get confused, so thanks for summing it all up this well :)

You should just copy/paste that that every time! :lol: Hell, Randomhero is the second “Random” (after me) that you had this conversation with in, what, a week? The enormity of how often you have this conversation just dawned on me. :BANG_HEAD:

In fairness, I think there may be two different conversations here:
1) Whether UW Devy is worth the extra money that Takara makes over Hasbro. (The answer is technically “yes”, since Takara apparently doesn’t make more money off their Devy than Hasbro makes off theirs.)
2) Whether UW Devy is still worth it after considering costs associated with importing and shipping which aren’t Takara’s fault. For this, I can see why the final price may drive folks away.

It may not be on Takara, but international shipping is a lot to pay for a little more purple and elbows you won't use if you want to just leave it in combined mode.


Haha, yeah, and I did give a link earlier on to our fun conversation but it seems the other random guy didnt bother. And you are right on the money with both points. I think its just a matter of being clear. The real question is: Is Takara's Devastator worth the cost to import it?

When people start mentioning "price", things get murky and it's easy to lose ourselves, because while the resulting price one sees might be the same, the assumptions all change. It assumes that Takara is charging more than Hasbro (to a westerner) which isn't true.

Cause if you really want to compare general costs and what is worth it over the other in all fairness, you have to look at both sides, meaning: How much would it cost for someone to get Hasbro's Devastator in Japan? No one ever thinks of that here, but it is a very valid way to measure equivalence. If someone in japan wanted to buy Hasbro's Devy today, their cheapest price would be 203.73$ US. Takara's Devy instead costs westerners about 180$ US (being very conservative here). So while we are discussing what is better, to pay 140$ for Hasbro's (current price at BBTS) or 180$ for Takara's when it comes out, people in Japan are wondering what's a better price: getting hasbro's now for 203.73$ or waiting for Takara Devy for 152$? I know this sounds ridiculous, paying 50$ more for an inferior version, but it is an easy way to look at the parity in full and to see how fair Takara's price truly is.

While Takara may cost me a little more (becasue I dont live in Japan), I preffer supporting their fairer pricing and business practice over Hasbro's. For some reason, even if I am paying more, I feel I am getting a much better and fairer deal.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744078)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 24th, 2015 @ 7:23pm CST


:x You're killing me CP. :lol:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744082)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 7:39pm CST
william-james88 wrote:Cause if you really want to compare general costs and what is worth it over the other in all fairness, you have to look at both sides, meaning: How much would it cost for someone to get Hasbro's Devastator in Japan? No one ever thinks of that here, but it is a very valid way to measure equivalence. If someone in japan wanted to buy Hasbro's Devy today, their cheapest price would be 203.73$ US. Takara's Devy instead costs westerners about 180$ US (being very conservative here). So while we are discussing what is better, to pay 140$ for Hasbro's (current price at BBTS) or 180$ for Takara's when it comes out, people in Japan are wondering what's a better price: getting hasbro's now for 203.73$ or waiting for Takara Devy for 152$? I know this sounds ridiculous, paying 50$ more for an inferior version, but it is an easy way to look at the parity in full and to see how fair Takara's price truly is.

While Takara may cost me a little more (becasue I dont live in Japan), I preffer supporting their fairer pricing and business practice over Hasbro's. For some reason, even if I am paying more, I feel I am getting a much better and fairer deal.


I think this might be the one time, no one in Japan wanted hasbro's version of a figure :-P
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744097)
Posted by william-james88 on November 24th, 2015 @ 9:20pm CST
I know there is as much paint on the hasbro version, but you guys have no idea how much a difference it is that Takara chose to paint the foot made by Mixmaster. It just gives it that extra G1 flare in Combined mode and makes up for the alt mode being different than G1.

Oh and while I have you all here, I wanted to show you why I get fired up a bit about being clear about what causes a difference in how much takara will cost an westerner over a local Hasbro product. This is from an actual article published on the TFSource blog discussing if Takara is better than Hasbro and tell me if you have any credibility for it:

Takara toys cost more, so you would expect them to be ‘better’. Hasbro product is cheaper because it’s priced cheaper.


it’s not so much ‘Takara is better’, but more along the lines of ‘you get what you pay for'


Takara versions are regularly better than Hasbro ones because they tend to have a greater number and detail in paint applications. If that weren’t the case, it’d be rather difficult to justify the comparatively higher price.


Randomhero, it is articles like these that propagate the misinformation, which all refer to a higher price associated to the quality (or supposed quaity) rather than the simple fact that they arent distributed here. And these excerpts are from supposed references who turn out to, as we have learnt today, not know what they are talking about. The only reason TFSource charges more for Takara product than a Hasbro product is because of importing (they cant even buy directly from Takara), no other reason. None of it is linked to an actual difference in the product's quality or appearance.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744109)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 24th, 2015 @ 10:10pm CST
william-james88 wrote:I know there is as much paint on the hasbro version, but you guys have no idea how much a difference it is that Takara chose to paint the foot made by Mixmaster. It just gives it that extra G1 flare in Combined mode and makes up for the alt mode being different than G1.

Oh and while I have you all here, I wanted to show you why I get fired up a bit about being clear about what causes a difference in how much takara will cost an westerner over a local Hasbro product. This is from an actual article published on the TFSource blog discussing if Takara is better than Hasbro and tell me if you have any credibility for it:

Takara toys cost more, so you would expect them to be ‘better’. Hasbro product is cheaper because it’s priced cheaper.


it’s not so much ‘Takara is better’, but more along the lines of ‘you get what you pay for'


Takara versions are regularly better than Hasbro ones because they tend to have a greater number and detail in paint applications. If that weren’t the case, it’d be rather difficult to justify the comparatively higher price.


Randomhero, it is articles like these that propagate the misinformation, which all refer to a higher price associated to the quality (or supposed quaity) rather than the simple fact that they arent distributed here. And these excerpts are from supposed references who turn out to, as we have learnt today, not know what they are talking about. The only reason TFSource charges more for Takara product than a Hasbro product is because of importing (they cant even buy directly from Takara), no other reason. None of it is linked to an actual difference in the product's quality or appearance.


Hah! I remember that controversial article by Maz very well.The so called "collectors cum experts" sources who were interviewed by Maz.

They're just about an expert in the field of astronomy as I am in the field of paleontology. ( I'm in the field of medicine fyi so you'll get my drift :lol: )

But being in the field of medicine doesn't blind me to the nuances of economics 101 which I passed despite the strong symptoms of narcolepsy that pervaded the course.

Extra accessory=extra expediture

Shipping=extra expenditure

Foreign exchange fluctuation= extar or less expediture

Customs fees=extra costs
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744110)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 10:12pm CST
fenrir72 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I know there is as much paint on the hasbro version, but you guys have no idea how much a difference it is that Takara chose to paint the foot made by Mixmaster. It just gives it that extra G1 flare in Combined mode and makes up for the alt mode being different than G1.

Oh and while I have you all here, I wanted to show you why I get fired up a bit about being clear about what causes a difference in how much takara will cost an westerner over a local Hasbro product. This is from an actual article published on the TFSource blog discussing if Takara is better than Hasbro and tell me if you have any credibility for it:

Takara toys cost more, so you would expect them to be ‘better’. Hasbro product is cheaper because it’s priced cheaper.


it’s not so much ‘Takara is better’, but more along the lines of ‘you get what you pay for'


Takara versions are regularly better than Hasbro ones because they tend to have a greater number and detail in paint applications. If that weren’t the case, it’d be rather difficult to justify the comparatively higher price.


Randomhero, it is articles like these that propagate the misinformation, which all refer to a higher price associated to the quality (or supposed quaity) rather than the simple fact that they arent distributed here. And these excerpts are from supposed references who turn out to, as we have learnt today, not know what they are talking about. The only reason TFSource charges more for Takara product than a Hasbro product is because of importing (they cant even buy directly from Takara), no other reason. None of it is linked to an actual difference in the product's quality or appearance.


Hah! I remember that controversial article by Maz very well.The so called "collectors cum experts" sources who were interviewed by Maz.

They're just about an expert in the field of astronomy as I am in the field of paleontology. ( I'm in the field of medicine fyi so you'll get my drift :lol: )

But being in the field of medicine doesn't blind me to the nuances of economics 101 which I passed despite the strong symptoms of narcolepsy that pervaded the course.

Extra accessory=extra expediture

Shipping=extra expenditure

Foreign exchange fluctuation= extar or less expediture

Customs fees=extra costs


Though in this instance, all the 'extra' stuff was supposed to be 'standard'; hasbro just chose to rip us off instead [-(
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744112)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:09pm CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:
fenrir72 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I know there is as much paint on the hasbro version, but you guys have no idea how much a difference it is that Takara chose to paint the foot made by Mixmaster. It just gives it that extra G1 flare in Combined mode and makes up for the alt mode being different than G1.

Oh and while I have you all here, I wanted to show you why I get fired up a bit about being clear about what causes a difference in how much takara will cost an westerner over a local Hasbro product. This is from an actual article published on the TFSource blog discussing if Takara is better than Hasbro and tell me if you have any credibility for it:

Takara toys cost more, so you would expect them to be ‘better’. Hasbro product is cheaper because it’s priced cheaper.


it’s not so much ‘Takara is better’, but more along the lines of ‘you get what you pay for'


Takara versions are regularly better than Hasbro ones because they tend to have a greater number and detail in paint applications. If that weren’t the case, it’d be rather difficult to justify the comparatively higher price.


Randomhero, it is articles like these that propagate the misinformation, which all refer to a higher price associated to the quality (or supposed quaity) rather than the simple fact that they arent distributed here. And these excerpts are from supposed references who turn out to, as we have learnt today, not know what they are talking about. The only reason TFSource charges more for Takara product than a Hasbro product is because of importing (they cant even buy directly from Takara), no other reason. None of it is linked to an actual difference in the product's quality or appearance.


Hah! I remember that controversial article by Maz very well.The so called "collectors cum experts" sources who were interviewed by Maz.

They're just about an expert in the field of astronomy as I am in the field of paleontology. ( I'm in the field of medicine fyi so you'll get my drift :lol: )

But being in the field of medicine doesn't blind me to the nuances of economics 101 which I passed despite the strong symptoms of narcolepsy that pervaded the course.

Extra accessory=extra expediture

Shipping=extra expenditure

Foreign exchange fluctuation= extar or less expediture

Customs fees=extra costs


Though in this instance, all the 'extra' stuff was supposed to be 'standard'; hasbro just chose to rip us off instead [-(


Technically, Hasbro "ripping us" is kind of "harsh" They put out an order/investment/R & D for the molds to TT. That's money spent, then pay for the shipping from China back to North America at the lowest cost possible (hence we get the non enhanced domestic versions) at Hasbros biggest bottom line profit.. That's world wide distribution kimosabe (and most of the time, their distribution does suck I'fd give you that)

In TT's case, shipping from China to Japan won't be that high. It's only us gaijin who just hunger for their plastic crack which in turn has spawned the import figure market.

Another thing, concerning the pricing of two online shops we are speaking off and the prices quoted by seibertron's Japanese resident/contact, it was only recently that hlj's prices more or matched amiami's/hs. So most of the time back then, their prices were higher. maybe due to the competition (eco 101) that forced all online shops to put their prices at parity.

Plus you also have to contend on the recent economic policies implemented in Japan where Abe increased their taxes and devalued their Yen........and Japan still dropped into economic recession. Makes you head spin eh? So the parity in pricing may also be an offsoot of the Japanese government's economic policies as well.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744115)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 24th, 2015 @ 11:43pm CST
fenrir72 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
fenrir72 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I know there is as much paint on the hasbro version, but you guys have no idea how much a difference it is that Takara chose to paint the foot made by Mixmaster. It just gives it that extra G1 flare in Combined mode and makes up for the alt mode being different than G1.

Oh and while I have you all here, I wanted to show you why I get fired up a bit about being clear about what causes a difference in how much takara will cost an westerner over a local Hasbro product. This is from an actual article published on the TFSource blog discussing if Takara is better than Hasbro and tell me if you have any credibility for it:

Takara toys cost more, so you would expect them to be ‘better’. Hasbro product is cheaper because it’s priced cheaper.


it’s not so much ‘Takara is better’, but more along the lines of ‘you get what you pay for'


Takara versions are regularly better than Hasbro ones because they tend to have a greater number and detail in paint applications. If that weren’t the case, it’d be rather difficult to justify the comparatively higher price.


Randomhero, it is articles like these that propagate the misinformation, which all refer to a higher price associated to the quality (or supposed quaity) rather than the simple fact that they arent distributed here. And these excerpts are from supposed references who turn out to, as we have learnt today, not know what they are talking about. The only reason TFSource charges more for Takara product than a Hasbro product is because of importing (they cant even buy directly from Takara), no other reason. None of it is linked to an actual difference in the product's quality or appearance.


Hah! I remember that controversial article by Maz very well.The so called "collectors cum experts" sources who were interviewed by Maz.

They're just about an expert in the field of astronomy as I am in the field of paleontology. ( I'm in the field of medicine fyi so you'll get my drift :lol: )

But being in the field of medicine doesn't blind me to the nuances of economics 101 which I passed despite the strong symptoms of narcolepsy that pervaded the course.

Extra accessory=extra expediture

Shipping=extra expenditure

Foreign exchange fluctuation= extar or less expediture

Customs fees=extra costs


Though in this instance, all the 'extra' stuff was supposed to be 'standard'; hasbro just chose to rip us off instead [-(


Technically, Hasbro "ripping us" is kind of "harsh" They put out an order/investment/R & D for the molds to TT. That's money spent, then pay for the shipping from China back to North America at the lowest cost possible (hence we get the non enhanced domestic versions) at Hasbros biggest bottom line profit.. That's world wide distribution kimosabe (and most of the time, their distribution does suck I'fd give you that)

In TT's case, shipping from China to Japan won't be that high. It's only us gaijin who just hunger for their plastic crack which in turn has spawned the import figure market.

Another thing, concerning the pricing of two online shops we are speaking off and the prices quoted by seibertron's Japanese resident/contact, it was only recently that hlj's prices more or matched amiami's/hs. So most of the time back then, their prices were higher. maybe due to the competition (eco 101) that forced all online shops to put their prices at parity.

Plus you also have to contend on the recent economic policies implemented in Japan where Abe increased their taxes and devalued their Yen........and Japan still dropped into economic recession. Makes you head spin eh? So the parity in pricing may also be an offsoot of the Japanese government's economic policies as well.


Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744121)
Posted by william-james88 on November 25th, 2015 @ 12:25am CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744122)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 25th, 2015 @ 12:39am CST
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!


What advertising? I haven't seen a tf toy commercial in years, nor any other advertising for the brand :-?
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744125)
Posted by william-james88 on November 25th, 2015 @ 12:59am CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!


What advertising? I haven't seen a tf toy commercial in years, nor any other advertising for the brand :-?


We newsed a bunch, ads are no longer just on tv. And i saw quite a few jurrasic park toy ads on tv last summer.
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744128)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 25th, 2015 @ 1:04am CST
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!


What advertising? I haven't seen a tf toy commercial in years, nor any other advertising for the brand :-?


We newsed a bunch, ads are no longer just on tv. And i saw quite a few jurrasic park toy ads on tv last summer.


But jurassic park =/= tf's... Well, whatever, it's getting late, and I'm not getting these guys anyways. I'm sure there's a reason hasbro's charging us more money for less toy, probably has something to do with profit margins in the end, I dunno >:oP
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744130)
Posted by fenrir72 on November 25th, 2015 @ 1:15am CST
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!


What advertising? I haven't seen a tf toy commercial in years, nor any other advertising for the brand :-?


Controversy as in me and Scottywolf iirc commented on that piece. Maz always puts up awesome Diaclone factoids but in that blog, he's sources were kind of off the mark.

You can even make an analogy on all consumer products the world over with regards to pricing practice. As for the medical field, yup, it's TF and some nasty hobbies I got that keeps me head screwed tightly on after everyday session of saving and losing lives. That and my family of course.

Appreciate the kind words wj88.

Okay, back to business. Whether we like it or not, the corporate slugs do run the world. Their bottomline is the bottomline. heck, I'm seething with righteous indignation when we keep on getting hollowed out figs compared to the previous years. Same with the medical supplies I'm also procuring for the A and E. Aside from saving lives, I also a consultant/manager with logistics as an added specialty so i know how to crunch numbers too.

Costs tacked in. R/D. Materials. Packaging. Advertising.Costs projected and the actual ones. Foreign currency fluctuations. We all have to deal with it.But our hobbies ain't what you would term "necessities" like water and food. So those "slugs' can virtually do anything they want (maybe I have to correct that as in oil/petrol is also a necessity and they still screw us up in the pump)

It's good that the free market allows us a "choice" when purchasing our plastic crack. TT, different plastic color, more for the "adult" fans. Hb, mass release. Are they shafting us dry? Maybe but I have the choice not to buy all their garbage :lol:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744131)
Posted by Hellscream9999 on November 25th, 2015 @ 1:20am CST
fenrir72 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Yeah, higher shipping costs I can buy... but I can't escape the feeling that hasbro is making more of a profit than you're letting on Image


Now I am wondering if its advertising, since that is done locally and they are forced to pay in US$ currency, which is a bigger nominal expense than what japan would pay in their currency. And that expense goes into the toys' price as well. For sure the idea is that there is a difference in cost allocation, we just dont know what.

And thanks Fenrir for all that you are sharing. I am curious though, that MAZ article had controversy? Tell me more. I just found it when doing research for a list and couldnt believe the amount of dumb I was reading from so called experts. Every moment made me cringe and the sad part was that I realized this was just further propagating misinformation which I feel the need to keep correcting for some dumb reason (while fearing I become annoying about it).

Also, medicine is an awesome field, thanks for saving lives out there!


What advertising? I haven't seen a tf toy commercial in years, nor any other advertising for the brand :-?


Controversy as in me and Scottywolf iirc commented on that piece. Maz always puts up awesome Diaclone factoids but in that blog, he's sources were kind of off the mark.

You can even make an analogy on all consumer products the world over with regards to pricing practice. As for the medical field, yup, it's TF and some nasty hobbies I got that keeps me head screwed tightly on after everyday session of saving and losing lives. That and my family of course.

Appreciate the kind words wj88.

Okay, back to business. Whether we like it or not, the corporate slugs do run the world. Their bottomline is the bottomline. heck, I'm seething with righteous indignation when we keep on getting hollowed out figs compared to the previous years. Same with the medical supplies I'm also procuring for the A and E. Aside from saving lives, I also a consultant/manager with logistics as an added specialty so i know how to crunch numbers too.

Costs tacked in. R/D. Materials. Packaging. Advertising.Costs projected and the actual ones. Foreign currency fluctuations. We all have to deal with it.But our hobbies ain't what you would term "necessities" like water and food. So those "slugs' can virtually do anything they want (maybe I have to correct that as in oil/petrol is also a necessity and they still screw us up in the pump)

It's good that the free market allows us a "choice" when purchasing our plastic crack. TT, different plastic color, more for the "adult" fans. Hb, mass release. Are they shafting us dry? Maybe but I have the choice not to buy all their garbage :lol:


I still maintain that the combiners need to be hollow to stand up, and be as poseable as they are. Most of the limbs still have a decent heft to them - and cover up the hollowness, and as most of that mass gets stuck to the shoulder, it radically alters the combiners center of gravity, Superion being the exception with the jets being very, naturally minimalistic. All the non-combinersin the line, are the issue...

All of this just leads to my mind being completely blown that despite all the work that goes into making these, among two design teams, no less, that brawl has as big an issue as he does, it just floors me :BOOM:

Think maybe the wrong/outdated designs were sent out for having the molds made Image

...and speaking of thin garbage, that magnus :BANG_HEAD:
Re: Full Image of Takara Transformers Unite Warriors UW04 Devastator (1744142)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on November 25th, 2015 @ 2:46am CST
I think we need to remember that the Japanese TF market skews more toward the adult collector and thus a little more razamataz is needed.

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