Seibertron wrote:
What is most bafflingly is the short sightedness that 3rd party supporters have for the long term longevity of this brand and the damage that 3rd party does to the official brand and to Hasbro and Takara Tomy. I'm in this hobby for the long haul. I've been collecting since 1984. Never stopped. It has been my passion for all but the first 7 years of my life. This site is here because of my passion. I dread the moment thinking about this fandom and the Transformers brand ultimately being destroyed because of the long term damage 3rd party products does to both. The more 3rd party takes over the fandom, the closer the brand is to ultimately failing.
What long term damage? I’m not trying to be a smart ass, l’m genuinely curious and want to know. I might not be as passionate as you, but I’ve been a fan for just as long. Well almost. I left the fandom shortly after the fallout from the first movie.
3rd party products played a huge part in bringing me back in. In fact, I still buy official product largely because of the interest 3rd party keeps with me. Every collector I know of who buys 3rd party is the same. It enhances and expands our interest in official product.
Also, we are such I tiny slice of the consumer pie, I have a hard time believing we are even a blip on Hasbros radar. Especially considering in the years since 3rd party came about, the brand has done nothing but grow. Also, the main slice of market 3rd party affects is masterpiece, a slice Hasbro cares very little for. Their money and success comes from big box retail store lines. They may pay lip service to mp, but their actions speak louder. Any dollars given to 3rd party were dollars never going to Hasbro in the first place, as Hasbro had nothing to sell. No loss = no damage. When and if Hasbro (well, Takara really) does offer an official figure, almost every 3rd party collector I know buys it as well. MP-44 Prime May be the first to buck that trend, but that is more because of the ludicrous price, and even then, most are buying it as well.
Hasbro sees no threat, why should we? Again, I’m not trying to be a smart ass here, but if I’m missing something beyond differences of believe in the ethics of business practice, I do want to know.