The Energon Pub

I did join. It's expensive at $62. Compared to joining the HWC.com and becoming a RLC member. However, the benefits to being a Red Line Club member far exceed this club because the car for signing up will never be seen in stores plus it's built different from the regular mainline cars in the store. Not to mention the year round exclusives are always coming at ya. Also the cost is about a thrid of the TFCC.

I joined to see what it will be like. This has nothing to do with resale of figures, because everyone knows I collect big time. I'm hoping to get my monies worth.

Burn wrote:

Flux Convoy wrote:

UltraPrimal wrote:I like that silly comic. But then again I also go to BotCon and buy all the exclusives.

Same here. I also like being able to buy exclusive figures I'm interested in at member prices. Getting discounts on Botcon and the magazine itself. Forty dollars isn't worth that? Hokay.

If you're in America and don't have to pay out thousands of dollars in airfares to attend BotCon then sure, it's probably worth it.

But for International members who have to pay double the membership fees, then a lump of plastic and six magazines (which arrive a month late) really doesn't justify the extra price.

Not to make light of everything you're saying but thousands of dollars for airfare? If you're paying thousands for airfare out of your country, it's time to move. Also, if you're calling the exclusives lumps of plastic, you obviously don't really care enough about joining in the first place. I know they aren't modern works of art but they're pretty damn decent for what they are.

I'm about 85% sure that I'll be selling my Dion because the mold is kinda meh, imo, and I'm not into the whole elite guard/ wings of honor thing. I just wanted to put a feeler out there and see who'd be interested picking him up.

Flux Convoy wrote:Not to make light of everything you're saying but thousands of dollars for airfare? If you're paying thousands for airfare out of your country, it's time to move.

Well it is a 14+ hour plane flight. And regardless of the cost, even a few hundred dollars is still a lot of money to shell out just to receive a discount on entry at BotCon.

I love my hobby, but I don't love it THAT much.

Also, if you're calling the exclusives lumps of plastic, you obviously don't really care enough about joining in the first place.

"Lumps of plastic" is a tongue-in-cheek term I often use. I joined when the club first started because I liked what they promised. Sadly those promises never really eventuated and I no longer see a benefit in being a member. So no, I no longer care about being a member. None of their "exclusives" have really caught my interest in the last few years.

Personal opinion ... cost -vs- benefits ... not worth it.

Burn wrote:

Flux Convoy wrote:Not to make light of everything you're saying but thousands of dollars for airfare? If you're paying thousands for airfare out of your country, it's time to move.

Well it is a 14+ hour plane flight. And regardless of the cost, even a few hundred dollars is still a lot of money to shell out just to receive a discount on entry at BotCon.

I love my hobby, but I don't love it THAT much.

Also, if you're calling the exclusives lumps of plastic, you obviously don't really care enough about joining in the first place.

"Lumps of plastic" is a tongue-in-cheek term I often use. I joined when the club first started because I liked what they promised. Sadly those promises never really eventuated and I no longer see a benefit in being a member. So no, I no longer care about being a member. None of their "exclusives" have really caught my interest in the last few years.

Personal opinion ... cost -vs- benefits ... not worth it.

I can't discredit your personal opinion. Personal opinions aside, they have delivered what's been promised so far. There've been member exclusive figures, club exclusive figures and the magazine bi-monthly. My biggest and only real gripe is that the forums are kinda terrible IMO. I'd much prefer a more user friendly set up like we have here or at TFW2005. Like I said, I can't bash your opinion, it's how you feel and I certainly respect that you pointed out your disappointments in a civil tone with logic. Sorry it doesn't work for you, I'm glad to be a member. I can certainly agree to disagree here.

i totally agree with Burn.

from the first day this club was created there hasn't been a figure that catches my attention. in fact, the figures are just pointless repaints of figures that can be bought anywhere.

to spend money in this club is useless. I collect figs but there are much better things to spend that are $80-$200.

If they really wanted to make an exclusive figure then:

-make a figure from scratch
-make the figure Club member Exclusives ONLY figres.
-repaints in my eyes DO NOT represent the word "Exclusive"

FLUX, if you're happy shelling out your pocket for these figs that's good. You seem to be a completest to the Transformer brand. But opinions aside, it's time for this club to make an EXCLUSIVE fig from scratch.

Not a repaint.

When i first joined i was under the impression that i would get a figure that no one has seen or have. a figure that's completely new.

Example 1:(take the Steel of Heart Optimus Prime figure)
If the club had designed this figure and sold it only to club members i'd join

Example 2: (take the fans project city commander upgrade kit)
it's different, brand new, and could've been a club members ONLY exclusive item.

The fans are getting sick of repaints and it's time for new things to come our way.

In fact, I left the club because of the repaints. I can always buy from third party manufactures to get exclusive and new transformers.

Here's some logic:

$80 for club membership = comic and fig (a repaint from the hasbro line)

$80-$100 fan project upgrade kit: forget the comics and get a brand new fig/gear that is not a repaint.

Don't know about anyone else but the third party route sounds better to me.

I just re uped yesterday after not being there for two years.It was because of Dion becasue I hate that mold it was because of Punch/Counterpunch and I will get a discount on it being a club memeber..I also missed the magazines that come bimonthly

mesh wrote:i totally agree with Burn.

from the first day this club was created there hasn't been a figure that catches my attention. in fact, the figures are just pointless repaints of figures that can be bought anywhere.

to spend money in this club is useless. I collect figs but there are much better things to spend that are $80-$200.

If they really wanted to make an exclusive figure then:

-make a figure from scratch
-make the figure Club member Exclusives ONLY figres.
-repaints in my eyes DO NOT represent the word "Exclusive"

FLUX, if you're happy shelling out your pocket for these figs that's good. You seem to be a completest to the Transformer brand. But opinions aside, it's time for this club to make an EXCLUSIVE fig from scratch.

Not a repaint.

When i first joined i was under the impression that i would get a figure that no one has seen or have. a figure that's completely new.

Example 1:(take the Steel of Heart Optimus Prime figure)
If the club had designed this figure and sold it only to club members i'd join

Example 2: (take the fans project city commander upgrade kit)
it's different, brand new, and could've been a club members ONLY exclusive item.

The fans are getting sick of repaints and it's time for new things to come our way.

In fact, I left the club because of the repaints. I can always buy from third party manufactures to get exclusive and new transformers.

Here's some logic:

$80 for club membership = comic and fig (a repaint from the hasbro line)

$80-$100 fan project upgrade kit: forget the comics and get a brand new fig/gear that is not a repaint.

Don't know about anyone else but the third party route sounds better to me.

You'll never get a completely new mold from the club. If you're holding your breath for that, then stop. It's never going to happen. The club is exactly that, it is a club run by a separate partnered entity that doesn't have the ability to do what you're asking. Repainted and repurposed characters are all we've ever gotten for Botcon and the club. It's the nature of that specific beast. Your points about the fan project figures are unrealistic at best. They are fan created items which aren't sanctioned by Hasbro in any way and those companies are certainly lucky enough that they haven't dropped the hammer on them. So are we. I like to think it's because they know or see that there's a demand for it that they can't fill themselves. I am in no way a completist. I've skipped a few club offerings that didn't do anything for me. What we have gotten and are getting is stuff that club members and other forum members have demanded. Their original ideas can be hit or miss IMO. I see your same argument all over different message boards about people wanting new molds. I am still surprised it's an issue with others. It's been stated over and over that it just can't happen. Oh, and unless you're foreign, the cost of the club is as low as the previously stated $40.

NOt enough expendable cash for a membership this year.. And I am not a big fan of this fig either..

The Transformers Collector's Club has announced that the 2010 Free Club Figure, Dion, will be shipping in late April. You still have a few days left to join or renew your membership to the club to receive your own Dion figure. Click here to read the official announcement and to join the club today!

mesh wrote: instead i paid $80 for a cheap-ass energon toy that i sold for a mere $5.

Man, that is too bad you sold it for $5... Skyfall and Topspin go for some serious cash on ebay now. A Skyfall just sold with a Buy It Now of $129.99

Guess that makes him the most expensive Energon scout toy

Long story short, TCC toys retain their value and if you ever want to sell them, odds are you will get back your membership fees and then some one day.

Wheeljack35 wrote:I just re uped yesterday after not being there for two years.It was because of Dion becasue I hate that mold it was because of Punch/Counterpunch and I will get a discount on it being a club memeber..I also missed the magazines that come bimonthly

Great to have you back! The Magazine has changed a lot since then. One of the things we are doing is working with Hasbro to always make sure members have some type of exclusives, whether it be pic or info. Last issue delivered on that and the next issue has some info on some highly anticipated figures!

As far as the story, this years "The Coming Storm" takes place 10 years after the events of Transformers Timelines Issue 4: Wings of Honor. Now, Wings of Honor takes place about 4 months BEFORE "War Dawn" if you want to know where everything falls timeline wise. This is a G1 Toonesque continuity, meaning if you have watched the G1 toon and movie you will have a feel for the characters and the background.

Anyways, to everyone here at Seibertron who is rejoining or joining for the first time, thank you and I look forward to seeing you in the club!

Pete@BotCon wrote:Anyways, to everyone here at Seibertron who is rejoining or joining for the first time, thank you and I look forward to seeing you in the club!

I joined for that awesome looking Dion! To me, it's going to be like Christmas waiting till late April.

Pete@BotCon wrote:Anyways, to everyone here at Seibertron who is rejoining or joining for the first time, thank you and I look forward to seeing you in the club!

I reuped, still not fully happy with Dion but thanks for going for the Henkei mold and weapons, that did increase my interest in the figure.

But I did stick around in part for your response to my mentioning SG Soundwave. Is that still a possibility, or was your response based on Cyclonus? Great idea, but I'm still looking for the club to give us Soundie. (and please if we can get SG Ravage tossed in there, that would be brilliant.

Thanks for keeping an finger on Seibertron and the other fan sites, Pete.

Huh, late April. So it'll be just in time for my birthday. Whee.

First thing I'm doing is giving him a different minicon. Good grief I still can't figure out how they managed to make Hot Shot ten times better, and then make what was a perfectly good Minicon -worse-. Worthless thing can't even stand up on its own.

I re-upped back in February; I let my membership laps for a year but thankfully I was still able to finish finished my Nexus Maximus, especially looking at the prices they go for now

I'm not really enthused about Dion, but they said that the next 3 figures would go together. This makes me expect Orion Pax and Elita 1 for the next two and I wanna have a complete set... plus this is the first year I'm expecting to attend BotCon... and I want P/CP... and SG Cyclonus... and I'm a sucker for exclusives...and I'm a total fanboy.

I have a question if someone could answer it, the question is about the Botcon exclusive box sets and other Botcon exclusives for the current year. Anyway are you able to order all the Botcon exclusives from the the website or do you actually have to go to Botcon to get the set or wait and see if they have left overs to put on their site?

Jenus wrote:I have a question if someone could answer it, the question is about the Botcon exclusive box sets and other Botcon exclusives for the current year. Anyway are you able to order all the Botcon exclusives from the the website or do you actually have to go to Botcon to get the set or wait and see if they have left overs to put on their site?

You are only able to purchase the box set pre-convention if you are not attending. Just order a non-attendee package.

The atendee-only figures are really difficul to get if you aren't attending. Best bet would be to hit ebay the day after the convention start date when the prices are still half an arm instead of an arm and a leg.

BBTS sometimes gets a few leftover attendee-only figures. They're almost always cheaper than eBay but they move real fast.

Mkall wrote:You are only able to purchase the box set pre-convention if you are not attending. Just order a non-attendee package.

The atendee-only figures are really difficul to get if you aren't attending. Best bet would be to hit ebay the day after the convention start date when the prices are still half an arm instead of an arm and a leg.

BBTS sometimes gets a few leftover attendee-only figures. They're almost always cheaper than eBay but they move real fast.

Thanks for the info Mkall, that's just what I needed to know about the box set. As for the attendee only figures I figured as much I just was thinking if they'd have extras after the convention they'd put them up on the TFCC website for a certain amount.

Jenus wrote:Thanks for the info Mkall, that's just what I needed to know about the box set. As for the attendee only figures I figured as much I just was thinking if they'd have extras after the convention they'd put them up on the TFCC website for a certain amount.

There's always a chance, the 2009 Razorclaw/Elita-1 set found its way there, but I don't recall the Banzai-Tron/Skyquake set or the sweeps showing up there.

Pete@BotCon wrote:Last issue delivered on that and the next issue has some info on some highly anticipated figures!

As far as the story, this years "The Coming Storm" takes place 10 years after the events of Transformers Timelines Issue 4: Wings of Honor. Now, Wings of Honor takes place about 4 months BEFORE "War Dawn" if you want to know where everything falls timeline wise. This is a G1 Toonesque continuity, meaning if you have watched the G1 toon and movie you will have a feel for the characters and the background.

Oh, Pete! You love to tease me don't you?

I'd bet that the next exclusive figure is going to be overrun cause he's the only other elite guard member to be based off an existing mold.