The Energon Pub

News Credits: 2 · by **TFBuyer** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:29 pm

Counterpunch wrote:
TFBuyer wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:
So, if SO MANY people see the toys as crappy or undesirable, why do they keep disappearing?..Because for every one or two of you out there talking bad about the toys, there are 10 or more who are quietly enjoying the hobby.

It's not scalpers, it's not people buying up multiple sets, it's everyday guys and girls who don't take time to get mired down in negativity.

That's the truth and if you've been to a convention or two, you know that's how it goes.

A little defensive? I don't like this year's set, but I'm certainly not "mired in negativity." It's just not for me. And I'm pretty sure I'm not any more or less a TF fan than the "quiet hobby enjoyers" out there, either. In silence or with an opinion--I enjoy my hobby either way.

Defensive about what?

I just don't get it... What I said is true, it may not apply to you personally, but it is true. Every year it's the same show, rip on the set, watch it sell out, watch as the toys get more expensive after.

Most of the comments about the toys here, at tfw, and other forums are pretty harsh about the set. Not a lot of folks defend the toys, but the toys keep selling out. You see where I'm going here? There's a disconnect between the negativity we see and hear online and the truth of the dollar.

All this is not to say, 'You HAVE to like the toys.' This or that set may not appeal to everyone. BotCon is an expensive niche' market. They don't expect to please everyone. The one time they made a set to do just that (2007) they were hung up on a cross.

My point is that all of this 'MEH' "EPIC FAIL" garbage is just that. The BotCon sets that FP has produced have been a real quality product. We're two figures into the preview with two figures leaked so far.

IF the set is terrible in the end, clear the way, I'll bury it myself and read the obituary from a soapbox. Until then, let's not fry the hen that lays the golden eggs.

As noble a sentiment as that is (to not start frying hens), people are people and they're just going to put their opinions out there, especially, as Mkall said, if they don't like something. As annoying as seeing "EPIC FAIL" garbage over and over might be(especially if you like the set), it's not the determining factor on production of anything anyway.

Whether or not there's a disconnect between what we seem to hear about the set and when they sell out shouldn't make much difference, though, should it? The fact that they're already sold out--only two figures and two leaks in, no less--automatically makes the hen pretty fireproof, I'd say... I'm pretty sure the truth of the dollar you mentioned trumps the grumblings of some underwhelmed fans every time.

I'll agree about the Botcon sets being pretty niche, though. I only just started purchasing the sets with the infamous Games of Deception set, which I snagged right away since I knew it was going to be something everyone would want. Since then, I guess the sets have been a little TOO niche for me. Maybe I just don't know my TF history as much as I should.

by **videriant** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:55 pm

1) They made more in 08 then 07 but not that much more.

2) For them to get a price discount they'd have to make around 10,000 instead of the 2,000-3,000.

3) Pete at FunPub said the amount of people buying multiple sets was the same as last year.

4) Because con is in Pasadena a lot of TF fans were able to convince their wives to make this THE family vacation of the year with a lot more people buying doubles or more for their wives and kids.

5) Being in Pasadena also means their's a larger local population that doesn't have to travel to get to Botcon.

6) Point 4&5 don't explain how so many non-attending sets have sold. My guess is that when they announced that 60% of the sets were sold out last Friday a bunch of people who were on the fence panicked and ordered them.

News Credits: 273 · by **Delicon** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:02 pm

There are definitely "scalpers" involved" when it comes to Botcon sets. FunPub I think used this at least partially as their motvation for capping the Iacon sets. However, these dealers aren't going to want to buy the sets year after year without there being a big market for them, which there absolutely is. If you look online the week after Botcon youy can find boxed sets being sold (and BOUGHT) for at least double the original price.

However, as COunterpunch said, if you've ever been to a Botcon you can just see the utter joy so many of us get the moment we pick up our sets. Not everyone likes every figure and not everyone thinks all of the sets so far have been "equal" but overall the reaction is quite positive. I recently opened up my 2009 set again and can't get over just how cool the Goldbug is, for example.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:54 pm

Well I'm pumped for the set, and I just got my e-mail confirmation that my non-attendee registration has been processed.

News Credits: 12 · by **robofreak** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:35 am

I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

I don't know why there's a lot of hate for the Botcon figures.

I think every Botcon figure made is awesome even though I don't own any of them. Only convention figure I've got is Megazarak and that was a Christmas gift.

News Credits: 2 · by **TFBuyer** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:57 am

robofreak wrote:I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

I don't know why there's a lot of hate for the Botcon figures. I think every Botcon figure made is awesome even though I don't own any of them. Only convention figure I've got is Megazarak and that was a Christmas gift.

Honestly, I DON'T think that there is a lot of "hate" for this year's set. I've mostly just heard some "Well, this isn't for me--just not that interesting to warrant a purchase"-type comments. The only time I've ever seen "HATE" attributed to the discussion of a Botcon set was with....

well,....you know. :-(

Mostly by the poeple who couldn't get them...

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:09 am

TFBuyer wrote:
robofreak wrote:I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

I don't know why there's a lot of hate for the Botcon figures. I think every Botcon figure made is awesome even though I don't own any of them. Only convention figure I've got is Megazarak and that was a Christmas gift.

Honestly, I DON'T think that there is a lot of "hate" for this year's set. I've mostly just heard some "Well, this isn't for me--just not that interesting to warrant a purchase"-type comments. The only time I've ever seen "HATE" attributed to the discussion of a Botcon set was with....

well,....you know. Mostly by the poeple who couldn't get them...

I agree, but I haven't been visiting other sites conversations on this topic. So maybe there is more disdain out there than we know.

News Credits: 2 · by **TFBuyer** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:30 am

tigertracks 24 wrote:
TFBuyer wrote:
robofreak wrote:I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

I don't know why there's a lot of hate for the Botcon figures. I think every Botcon figure made is awesome even though I don't own any of them. Only convention figure I've got is Megazarak and that was a Christmas gift.

Honestly, I DON'T think that there is a lot of "hate" for this year's set. I've mostly just heard some "Well, this isn't for me--just not that interesting to warrant a purchase"-type comments. The only time I've ever seen "HATE" attributed to the discussion of a Botcon set was with....

well,....you know. Mostly by the poeple who couldn't get them...

I agree, but I haven't been visiting other sites conversations on this topic. So maybe there is more disdain out there than we know.

Point taken. Truthfully, the only other time I actually ever go to another TF site is if it's linked from here in a news story.

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:31 am

robofreak wrote:I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

You should have been...

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:47 am

Counterpunch wrote:
robofreak wrote:I faxed my forms last Friday and got an email that they received the fax like an hour later. I still haven't been notified as to whether or not it's been processed.

You should have been...

I believe they sent out an e-mail stating if you had them in or postmarked by 3/2/09 that you will be fine.