The Energon Pub

Covenant wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Covenant wrote:Now see, that sounds kid-like to me. 'I wanna see it now! Show me now! I don't WANNA wait!' Building suspense, creating hype, teasing a future product to the consumer base are all very adult, practical and valid things.

Well if you like mysteries, maybe you might enjoy watching Scooby Doo. If you like playing guessing games, you can always pick up "Clue" at your local TRU.

But for me personally, I dont have time for all that sillyness. I got the money and Im willing to spend it. Playing silly guessing games about Botcon exclusives, locations, etc. isnt going to make or break a sale from me. Im there...PERIOD. It's supposed to be Botcon, not Area 51. So I think they should cut out all that BS and give it to us straight up.

I'd still stand behind my very valid point, but you're right. On all points. Even though this topic is entirely regarding a hype on the BotCon set, its better to bitch about not knowing the location it will be at 1/2 to 3/4 of a year from now. And suspense & mystery don't play any roles in adult life; Not Sales, nor Television, nor Movies, nor Novels, nor Relationships, nor Et Cetera. Mystery only exists in episodes of Scooby Doo, and a guess of anything equates nothing more than to Clue the board game. I see now the error of my ways. Here I was going on fact, logic and understanding, when I should have been huffing & puffing over not knowing where to attend a Transformers convention next year. Clearly that's the more grown up way to going about this all. Before, when I entered this topic, I thought building 'hype' about the making of a convention exclusive set for a TF collector was great, but you've shown me it's childish. Like you said, we're grown men. We shouldn't have to patiently wait to know what the next batch of hand-crafted TOYS we're going to throw our money at is going to look like. It's better they don't say or show us a thing until the set is 100% done. That's certainly the smart way for anyone selling anything to go about it. But wait, if that's true, and waiting until every detail on something is done so you're not teasing your clientel is the correct way to do it...wouldn't we all be HAPPY they haven't done something like tell us where the next BotCon would be and when since it's likely they're working on that as well? Or do we just huff & puff & bitch about everything we don't like/have/know RIGHT NOW, given we're grown men n'all. Enlighten me.

Well I was sitting at the reception table at the 1st annual TF Hall of Fame event in Orlando when they announced Botcon 2011 would be in Pasadena. Unfortunately, we did not get the same treatment in Pasadena. Back to another game of Clue.

As far as being teased about figures, I just don’t believe this helps sales in any way. I think it’s stupid. It actually hurts sales because it discourages people from saving money in advance to attend Botcon. Some people need a good reason to make the yearly pilgrimage. Especially first timers, who must decide early on if they are going to save all their cash for a plane ticket, hotel, etc. But Funpub doesn’t care about that because scalpers buy all the leftover exclusives so they never loose money on figures.

Do car companies ever put out silhouette or blurry “teasers pics” for new cars coming out the following year ??? Nope, They just show you the product and the release date. And what movie has been released without a trailer showing at least some quick shots of characters featured in the film ??? Even the US Mint tells coin collectors which Presidents faces will be on next years gold dollars. I never even heard of a “teaser” before I got into TF collecting. Who invented it ??? Why ??? Were they retarded ???

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I’ve broken it down pretty simple so everybody can understand where I’m coming from.

Rated X wrote:
Well I was sitting at the reception table at the 1st annual TF Hall of Fame event in Orlando when they announced Botcon 2011 would be in Pasadena. Unfortunately, we did not get the same treatment in Pasadena. Back to another game of Clue.

As far as being teased about figures, I just don’t believe this helps sales in any way. I think it’s stupid. It actually hurts sales because it discourages people from saving money in advance to attend Botcon. Some people need a good reason to make the yearly pilgrimage. Especially first timers, who must decide early on if they are going to save all their cash for a plane ticket, hotel, etc. But Funpub doesn’t care about that because scalpers buy all the leftover exclusives so they never loose money on figures.

Do car companies ever put out silhouette or blurry “teasers pics” for new cars coming out the following year ??? Nope, They just show you the product and the release date. And what movie has been released without a trailer showing at least some quick shots of characters featured in the film ??? Even the US Mint tells coin collectors which Presidents faces will be on next years gold dollars. I never even heard of a “teaser” before I got into TF collecting. Who invented it ??? Why ??? Were they retarded ???

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I’ve broken it down pretty simple so everybody can understand where I’m coming from.

Indeed. It sometimes seems TFCC subscribes to the GW "Lets not show our Customers ANYTHING until 2 weeks before release because that builds hype and not tell our employees anything to reinforce our secrecy. We're so smrt!" school of marketing.

And if someone thinks we're being childish, they need to stay away from GW forums, because the RAEG that this exact method of marketing engenders there is staggering.

The "adult" way to deal with releases is let us know what's coming and when it's coming. I don't want my companies being clever, I want them to be upfront.

Rated X wrote:

Covenant wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Covenant wrote:Now see, that sounds kid-like to me. 'I wanna see it now! Show me now! I don't WANNA wait!' Building suspense, creating hype, teasing a future product to the consumer base are all very adult, practical and valid things.

Well if you like mysteries, maybe you might enjoy watching Scooby Doo. If you like playing guessing games, you can always pick up "Clue" at your local TRU.

But for me personally, I dont have time for all that sillyness. I got the money and Im willing to spend it. Playing silly guessing games about Botcon exclusives, locations, etc. isnt going to make or break a sale from me. Im there...PERIOD. It's supposed to be Botcon, not Area 51. So I think they should cut out all that BS and give it to us straight up.

I'd still stand behind my very valid point, but you're right. On all points. Even though this topic is entirely regarding a hype on the BotCon set, its better to bitch about not knowing the location it will be at 1/2 to 3/4 of a year from now. And suspense & mystery don't play any roles in adult life; Not Sales, nor Television, nor Movies, nor Novels, nor Relationships, nor Et Cetera. Mystery only exists in episodes of Scooby Doo, and a guess of anything equates nothing more than to Clue the board game. I see now the error of my ways. Here I was going on fact, logic and understanding, when I should have been huffing & puffing over not knowing where to attend a Transformers convention next year. Clearly that's the more grown up way to going about this all. Before, when I entered this topic, I thought building 'hype' about the making of a convention exclusive set for a TF collector was great, but you've shown me it's childish. Like you said, we're grown men. We shouldn't have to patiently wait to know what the next batch of hand-crafted TOYS we're going to throw our money at is going to look like. It's better they don't say or show us a thing until the set is 100% done. That's certainly the smart way for anyone selling anything to go about it. But wait, if that's true, and waiting until every detail on something is done so you're not teasing your clientel is the correct way to do it...wouldn't we all be HAPPY they haven't done something like tell us where the next BotCon would be and when since it's likely they're working on that as well? Or do we just huff & puff & bitch about everything we don't like/have/know RIGHT NOW, given we're grown men n'all. Enlighten me.

Well I was sitting at the reception table at the 1st annual TF Hall of Fame event in Orlando when they announced Botcon 2011 would be in Pasadena. Unfortunately, we did not get the same treatment in Pasadena. Back to another game of Clue.

As far as being teased about figures, I just don’t believe this helps sales in any way. I think it’s stupid. It actually hurts sales because it discourages people from saving money in advance to attend Botcon. Some people need a good reason to make the yearly pilgrimage. Especially first timers, who must decide early on if they are going to save all their cash for a plane ticket, hotel, etc. But Funpub doesn’t care about that because scalpers buy all the leftover exclusives so they never loose money on figures.

Do car companies ever put out silhouette or blurry “teasers pics” for new cars coming out the following year ??? Nope, They just show you the product and the release date. And what movie has been released without a trailer showing at least some quick shots of characters featured in the film ??? Even the US Mint tells coin collectors which Presidents faces will be on next years gold dollars. I never even heard of a “teaser” before I got into TF collecting. Who invented it ??? Why ??? Were they retarded ???

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I’ve broken it down pretty simple so everybody can understand where I’m coming from.

A giant, gaping hole in your ass?

X and I may disagree on some things, but in this he and I are firmly in agreement. Teasers are very quickly becoming old and tired. Give us real info TFCC or please wait until there is real info to give us

Folks are being too sensative. While it may seem like an etertinty for us it's only been one or two business days since TFCC posted information about the next upcoming figures. I am not defending them for the lack of information regarding the next Bocton, but I am sure they will post it as soon as they figure it out.

Stormrider wrote:Folks are being too sensative. While it may seem like an etertinty for us it's only been one or two business days since TFCC posted information about the next upcoming figures. I am not defending them for the lack of information regarding the next Bocton, but I am sure they will post it as soon as they figure it out.

Yes, they will post the glory that is Erector!

No need to get mad about blurred out pictures and stuff. Everything will get revealed eventually.

Rated X wrote:Well I was sitting at the reception table at the 1st annual TF Hall of Fame event in Orlando when they announced Botcon 2011 would be in Pasadena. Unfortunately, we did not get the same treatment in Pasadena. Back to another game of Clue.

And as said earlier, specific details of the when & where for the following year's convention being delivered at the attending convention are and have not been in any way the norm. If specifics are hammered out at the time, fans get them. If not, they're given to us when available. The topic you're currently in is for a couple of "how it's made" photos for upcoming figures that have not been produced for the convention which itself has not been finalized. Don't care to know anything but solid details on Transformer items? Don't click on the news link that read "BotCon 2012 Exclusive Set Hype Begins". I fail to see how you do little more than equate the act of speculation to a childhood board game. It's...odd.

Rated X wrote:As far as being teased about figures, I just don’t believe this helps sales in any way. I think it’s stupid. It actually hurts sales because it discourages people from saving money in advance to attend Botcon.

#1, yes, because as history has shown on all merchandise available for purchasing in the world, preorders kill sales. That's preorder, for a book you haven't read, at times a TF figure not even painted yet, a DVD set chalk full of extras you've never seen, a phone you've never utilized, etc.

#2, you keep jumping between the BotCon collectible toy set and the Convention location details. Please do explain how an individual looking at a head mold in process would discourage them from attending an entire convention related to their hobby.

Rated X wrote:Some people need a good reason to make the yearly pilgrimage. Especially first timers, who must decide early on if they are going to save all their cash for a plane ticket, hotel, etc. But Funpub doesn’t care about that because scalpers buy all the leftover exclusives so they never loose money on figures.

They buy the leftovers. Left..overs...from those sold already, perhaps? Completely unrelated to the point of this chatter, but regardless, needed to be pointed out. As to any validity in the above quote, see prior question #2.

Rated X wrote:Do car companies ever put out silhouette or blurry “teasers pics” for new cars coming out the following year ??? Nope, They just show you the product and the release date.

Wrong? And wrong? And wrong? Car companies are notorious for teasing future models. ANY company selling a product uses hype, and teasing, and leaked details to bring interest into an upcoming item. It's why you don't JUST see commercials for cars until they're at the dealership, don't JUST see a commercial for a movie on it's release date and never prior, and don't JUST see billboards for a new liquer until it's been on the shelves for days already. It's called advertising, campaigning products.

Rated X wrote:And what movie has been released without a trailer showing at least some quick shots of characters featured in the film ???

Exactly, prove my point for me.

Rated X wrote:I never even heard of a “teaser” before I got into TF collecting. Who invented it ??? Why ??? Were they retarded ???

I'll do this in order; And yet it still existed prior to you knowing of it. Those wishing to hype up a product. To hype up a product. And, no.

Rated X wrote:I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I’ve broken it down pretty simple so everybody can understand where I’m coming from.

Again, I chalk all this up to a lack of paitence on your part. But I do get it. You don't like to wait on details or products that you desire. That's damn normal, for just about everyone. But the huff & puff originally tossed into this topic in direction to something related only by venue was a bit much to ignore, imo. Again, we'll be given details as they come.

Midnight_Fox wrote:Indeed. It sometimes seems TFCC subscribes to the GW "Lets not show our Customers ANYTHING until 2 weeks before release because that builds hype and not tell our employees anything to reinforce our secrecy. We're so smrt!" school of marketing.

So you're saying withholding disclosure on all info & such until right beforehand (ie ready, established, prepared in full) is bad marketing? Because Rated X's stance seems to be the opposite.

Midnight_Fox wrote:And if someone thinks we're being childish, they need to stay away from GW forums, because the RAEG that this exact method of marketing engenders there is staggering.

And yet TFCC isn't doing as such. Fans are given updates & emails constantly regarding their available info. I see no rage here, just some bitching about not having everything available (apparently including things that haven't even been established yet, ie a completed set, a location for BotCon '12). Can you imagine how the bunch of folks in this topic, the ones misusing it to ignore a glimpse into the beginnings of the collectible set which is the intent and instead complaining about not having info not available to even give right now, (and you can include yourself in that should you wish, your call not mine) would behave if you're claim of TFCC treating info as GW were accurate? Hell, we still might get to see a bit of that if the '12 BotCon follows past years when they didn't have a confirmed location until December.

Midnight_Fox wrote:The "adult" way to deal with releases is let us know what's coming and when it's coming. I don't want my companies being clever, I want them to be upfront.

They don't have a location to tell you, they don't have a date to tell you for the convention in the location they don't have available to tell you. They're showing you the convention set while its still being carved out its block. Seriously, how much more upfront, in depth, and in-the-know do you think they can be?

Covenant wrote:

Midnight_Fox wrote:Indeed. It sometimes seems TFCC subscribes to the GW "Lets not show our Customers ANYTHING until 2 weeks before release because that builds hype and not tell our employees anything to reinforce our secrecy. We're so smrt!" school of marketing.

So you're saying withholding disclosure on all info & such until right beforehand (ie ready, established, prepared in full) is bad marketing? Because Rated X's stance seems to be the opposite.

His stance is saying the same thing: real previews are better for sales than "teasers" and no information.

They don't have a location to tell you, they don't have a date to tell you for the convention in the location they don't have available to tell you. They're showing you the convention set while its still being carved out its block. Seriously, how much more upfront, in depth, and in-the-know do you think they can be?

Actually, I'm pretty sure they do, they just don't want to announce it for fear of the backlash.

Here's a hint: They wouldn't have asked what we thought about BotCon always being in Pasadena in the end of con paperwork if Hasbro hadn't already made up their minds about it.

......But still, teasers are becoming quite tiresome. And if the Con is going to be held in Pasedena every year, then I've lost hope in being able to go for a while.

FellintoOblivion wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Covenant wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Covenant wrote:Now see, that sounds kid-like to me. 'I wanna see it now! Show me now! I don't WANNA wait!' Building suspense, creating hype, teasing a future product to the consumer base are all very adult, practical and valid things.

Well if you like mysteries, maybe you might enjoy watching Scooby Doo. If you like playing guessing games, you can always pick up "Clue" at your local TRU.

But for me personally, I dont have time for all that sillyness. I got the money and Im willing to spend it. Playing silly guessing games about Botcon exclusives, locations, etc. isnt going to make or break a sale from me. Im there...PERIOD. It's supposed to be Botcon, not Area 51. So I think they should cut out all that BS and give it to us straight up.

I'd still stand behind my very valid point, but you're right. On all points. Even though this topic is entirely regarding a hype on the BotCon set, its better to bitch about not knowing the location it will be at 1/2 to 3/4 of a year from now. And suspense & mystery don't play any roles in adult life; Not Sales, nor Television, nor Movies, nor Novels, nor Relationships, nor Et Cetera. Mystery only exists in episodes of Scooby Doo, and a guess of anything equates nothing more than to Clue the board game. I see now the error of my ways. Here I was going on fact, logic and understanding, when I should have been huffing & puffing over not knowing where to attend a Transformers convention next year. Clearly that's the more grown up way to going about this all. Before, when I entered this topic, I thought building 'hype' about the making of a convention exclusive set for a TF collector was great, but you've shown me it's childish. Like you said, we're grown men. We shouldn't have to patiently wait to know what the next batch of hand-crafted TOYS we're going to throw our money at is going to look like. It's better they don't say or show us a thing until the set is 100% done. That's certainly the smart way for anyone selling anything to go about it. But wait, if that's true, and waiting until every detail on something is done so you're not teasing your clientel is the correct way to do it...wouldn't we all be HAPPY they haven't done something like tell us where the next BotCon would be and when since it's likely they're working on that as well? Or do we just huff & puff & bitch about everything we don't like/have/know RIGHT NOW, given we're grown men n'all. Enlighten me.

Well I was sitting at the reception table at the 1st annual TF Hall of Fame event in Orlando when they announced Botcon 2011 would be in Pasadena. Unfortunately, we did not get the same treatment in Pasadena. Back to another game of Clue.

As far as being teased about figures, I just don’t believe this helps sales in any way. I think it’s stupid. It actually hurts sales because it discourages people from saving money in advance to attend Botcon. Some people need a good reason to make the yearly pilgrimage. Especially first timers, who must decide early on if they are going to save all their cash for a plane ticket, hotel, etc. But Funpub doesn’t care about that because scalpers buy all the leftover exclusives so they never loose money on figures.

Do car companies ever put out silhouette or blurry “teasers pics” for new cars coming out the following year ??? Nope, They just show you the product and the release date. And what movie has been released without a trailer showing at least some quick shots of characters featured in the film ??? Even the US Mint tells coin collectors which Presidents faces will be on next years gold dollars. I never even heard of a “teaser” before I got into TF collecting. Who invented it ??? Why ??? Were they retarded ???

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I’ve broken it down pretty simple so everybody can understand where I’m coming from.

A giant, gaping hole in your ass?

Uh, not needed.

My thoughts on teasers...
Back in the 80's and the days of G1 there were no teasers, they would advertise new product in commercials.

It was not till the 90's when the teasers (not just for transformers either) first started becoming popular at NY toyfair, various toy publications and other conventions (the internet explosion helped immensely).

I do agree that they are just old and tired out. You want my money, show me the product, don't tease me.

Cyber Bishop wrote:Uh, not needed.

Agreed.

Cyber Bishop wrote:My thoughts on teasers...
Back in the 80's and the days of G1 there were no teasers, they would advertise new product in commercials.

It was not till the 90's when the teasers (not just for transformers either) first started becoming popular at NY toyfair, various toy publications and other conventions (the internet explosion helped immensely).

Another important factor to point out, that I had missed. Specifically to Transformers and advertising in the 80's, we did not have the internet available to keep up updated on the making of anything toy-wise. Thanks for bringing that up.

cannonfodder4000 wrote:Hmm, two dragon heads in the background...I've got it! this set is going to be composed of Doublecross, Hunn-Grr, and RID Megatron in their cybertronian modes! and some other guys...

You heard it here first folks!

I agree with the idea of Doublecross, but Hun-Grr had an update.

I saw a head in the mock-ups. It could be Devcon.