The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4 · by **craggy** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:37 pm

Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

so as well as, as usual, demonstrating awesome social grace, you're also giving us an excellent understanding of the economy and your own place in it. Say, you don't happen to have affluenza do you?

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:53 pm

Meh, let 'em rot. If a company continues to develop products based on what they want to do without appreciating their customers feedback, then they deserve to go.

I will give them props to their Quints though, I have a small shelf dedicated to them. Everything after that is a flop though.

by **Rated X** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:11 pm

njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:38 pm

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 4:49 pm

Tsutsukakushi wrote:That farewell letter seems so Condescending to other 3rd party companies. Whatever happened to going out with some decency & class.

I never bought any of IT's toys. They just didn't appeal to me. I'd never pay $30 for a Legends sized toy.

IT,lost appeal because they refused to conform & cater to what todays 3rd party buyers wanted. Other 3rd parties lowered there prices,increased detail & size. While IT stayed the same way.

In the bad economy those who are charging more for items are the first to go belly up. Impossibe toys was over charging for there stuff & they knew it. The seasoned 3rd party buyer was on to IT's game & was already shopping elsewhere.

These days,buying the bigger 3rd party TF toys offer the better deals. Like Hexatron,Quakewave & BTS Nova Lord.

Do you have a link to this farewell letter of theirs? I have a bit of a 'bile fascination' in wanting to read it.

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 5:26 pm

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:
Tsutsukakushi wrote:That farewell letter seems so Condescending to other 3rd party companies. Whatever happened to going out with some decency & class.

I never bought any of IT's toys. They just didn't appeal to me. I'd never pay $30 for a Legends sized toy.

IT,lost appeal because they refused to conform & cater to what todays 3rd party buyers wanted. Other 3rd parties lowered there prices,increased detail & size. While IT stayed the same way.

In the bad economy those who are charging more for items are the first to go belly up. Impossibe toys was over charging for there stuff & they knew it. The seasoned 3rd party buyer was on to IT's game & was already shopping elsewhere.

These days,buying the bigger 3rd party TF toys offer the better deals. Like Hexatron,Quakewave & BTS Nova Lord.

Do you have a link to this farewell letter of theirs? I have a bit of a 'bile fascination' in wanting to read it.

This one from the first post in this thread?

Scaleface wrote:Impossible Toys posted this:

page7

Thanks to all for the emails showing your support it is appreciated. Also we were made aware of the comments made on certain sites positive and not so positive. We are sorry we could not go in the direction some of you wanted but we tried our best to stay true to what we like, Did we make mistakes yes but we started out just trying to make things as fans we like and thought other fans might also like some obscure characters that would never be made, Making toys is not as easy as some might think and us being the first 3rd party company to make a entire new figure we were bound to make mistakes along the way, But its good other groups can learn from our mistakes on what fans want. Our products are made to tie in with G1 collections and when making them we wanted fans to put our toys on a G1 display and have them fit well, Todays toys look very different and that is the direction other groups take but we wanted to stay true to G1. To answer your questions on the Tetra Squadron toys head and legs is simple. The toys were already made before we announced them, The legs we could not make longer because it would not allow the toy to transform correct and allow for stability in robot form. Also we added picture below of our last releases that we will try our best to release, I am sure you can tell who the toys are. Also we will try to fill the preorders on the Tetra Squadron and Allicon toys that have been placed prior to the next few weeks with what stock there will be left. We will do our best to continue reply to all of your emails as fast as we can.

Seems they have Legends size Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, a Yellow Cliffjumper, Bumper, Glyph, Goldbug, Tap-Out and Wasp in the works. There is also someone who looks like Bumblebee but colored like Rosanna???

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 5:58 pm

Agamemnon wrote:
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:
Tsutsukakushi wrote:That farewell letter seems so Condescending to other 3rd party companies. Whatever happened to going out with some decency & class.

I never bought any of IT's toys. They just didn't appeal to me. I'd never pay $30 for a Legends sized toy.

IT,lost appeal because they refused to conform & cater to what todays 3rd party buyers wanted. Other 3rd parties lowered there prices,increased detail & size. While IT stayed the same way.

In the bad economy those who are charging more for items are the first to go belly up. Impossibe toys was over charging for there stuff & they knew it. The seasoned 3rd party buyer was on to IT's game & was already shopping elsewhere.

These days,buying the bigger 3rd party TF toys offer the better deals. Like Hexatron,Quakewave & BTS Nova Lord.

Do you have a link to this farewell letter of theirs? I have a bit of a 'bile fascination' in wanting to read it.

This one from the first post in this thread?

Scaleface wrote:Impossible Toys posted this:

page7

Thanks to all for the emails showing your support it is appreciated. Also we were made aware of the comments made on certain sites positive and not so positive. We are sorry we could not go in the direction some of you wanted but we tried our best to stay true to what we like, Did we make mistakes yes but we started out just trying to make things as fans we like and thought other fans might also like some obscure characters that would never be made, Making toys is not as easy as some might think and us being the first 3rd party company to make a entire new figure we were bound to make mistakes along the way, But its good other groups can learn from our mistakes on what fans want. Our products are made to tie in with G1 collections and when making them we wanted fans to put our toys on a G1 display and have them fit well, Todays toys look very different and that is the direction other groups take but we wanted to stay true to G1. To answer your questions on the Tetra Squadron toys head and legs is simple. The toys were already made before we announced them, The legs we could not make longer because it would not allow the toy to transform correct and allow for stability in robot form. Also we added picture below of our last releases that we will try our best to release, I am sure you can tell who the toys are. Also we will try to fill the preorders on the Tetra Squadron and Allicon toys that have been placed prior to the next few weeks with what stock there will be left. We will do our best to continue reply to all of your emails as fast as we can.

Seems they have Legends size Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, a Yellow Cliffjumper, Bumper, Glyph, Goldbug, Tap-Out and Wasp in the works. There is also someone who looks like Bumblebee but colored like Rosanna???

My eyes kinda glazed over that... ye gods but that's pretty damned condescending. Thanks, dude.

News Credits: 4 · by **Tsutsukakushi** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:43 pm

craggy wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

so as well as, as usual, demonstrating awesome social grace, you're also giving us an excellent understanding of the economy and your own place in it. Say, you don't happen to have affluenza do you?

For most here,It's not a money issue. It's a,were not getting much bang for our buck issue. Those IT Bumblebees toys are barely Legion size & they cost $30. This is Six times the cost of a Hasbro Legion TF toy.

Not everyone here hands there pay check over towards Transformers stuff. most have the cash but budget there income.

News Credits: 49 · by **Scaleface** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:50 pm

Tsutsukakushi wrote:For most here,It's not a money issue. It's a,were not getting much bang for our buck issue. Those IT Bumblebees toys are barely Legion size & they cost $30. This is Six times the cost of a Hasbro Legion TF toy.

Not everyone here hands there pay check over towards Transformers stuff. most have the cash but budget there income.

While I understand a budget as much as the next working stiff, I can't agree with the sentiment that this is a "Legion of Bumblebees". I'm working the Bug Bite, Tap Out and Glyph characters, all that I need in my collection. These guys look great to me.

by **Rated X** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:00 am

njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?

Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

News Credits: 4 · by **Tsutsukakushi** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:31 am

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?
Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

Doing 3rd party Bumblebees is a bad idea. As Hasbro has oversaturated the toy market with the character.

I agree with Some,The IT Bumblebees & the clones look small,undersculpted & less articulated than Hasbro's USA Legion sized $5 toys.

Hexatron,Quakewave & BTS Nova Lord are more bang for the buck. Because if Takara Released them,They'd be called MP toys. Takara would probably sell these at a similar MP Price. If Hasbro released these they'd easily sell at around USA $90 each.

Sorry,The Price does factor in. Paying $30 means this 3rd party company is charging Six Times more than Hasbro's USA Legion price. For some it's not a limited income issue. For some,it's a principle of not getting taking advantage of by insanely high mark up prices. Some,do like to take a stand,in hopes the prices get reduced. Taking a stand by not buying from that 3rd party company is the best any of us can do. Shopping elsewhere for the better deal hurts the 3rd party company.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:44 am

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?
Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

Why should I repeat myself? I and most others already stated how dumb these look, the price is just what makes this even more hilarious. It's 30 bucks for a poopy looking little thing.
Add an extra 10 bucks and you can get a full sized, fully articulated, fully detailed FP figure, that's also made with higher quality plastics.

That's why people bring up the price so much, because this is IT which where known for their poopy quality and designs.

And since when do you not care about money? I seem to remember you being all for KOs because they where cheaper than the originals, and that was before your "supporting the little guy and creators" argument. So you have no place in telling people they are cheap. I'm still surprised you want to buy these from IT instead of waiting for even shittier KOs because IT makes too much money for your taste.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:03 am

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?
Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

I was referring to your insinuation that people who might not be able to afford/find value in a figure should stop collecting. Not everyone has the money, inclination, or lack of responsibilities to buy anything they want at the drop of a hat. I have a set budget for my hobbies that I don’t deviate from, and if I don't find the price right for something I'm not going to buy it. I also don't think it's "wrong" to remark on my perceived value of an item.

I'm a financial advisor, I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with who have no real concept of frugality, I'm not saying you don't I just worry for people who spend money on whatever they want. Do you have a budget for your hobbies, or a itemized budget in general? Do you often go over it to get things you want? If you do what part of the remainder of your budget do you take it out of?

by **Rated X** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:49 am

njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?
Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

I was referring to your insinuation that people who might not be able to afford/find value in a figure should stop collecting. Not everyone has the money, inclination, or lack of responsibilities to buy anything they want at the drop of a hat. I have a set budget for my hobbies that I don’t deviate from, and if I don't find the price right for something I'm not going to buy it. I also don't think it's "wrong" to remark on my perceived value of an item.

I'm a financial advisor, I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with who have no real concept of frugality, I'm not saying you don't I just worry for people who spend money on whatever they want. Do you have a budget for your hobbies, or a itemized budget in general? Do you often go over it to get things you want? If you do what part of the remainder of your budget do you take it out of?

I can only tell you that im smart enough not to bankrupt myself. I give up alot of other things to be able to collect freely. I just find it funny that people seem to target the price of something this cheap. Some of the same people bought Genesis for crying out loud. What would be funny is if these come out and go on clearance and everyone on this thread buys at least one. I pre ordered glyph, tap out, and wasp because i would like to own those characters in some form. 30 is fine with me.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:06 am

Why are you so focused on price over value?

News Credits: 4 · by **Tsutsukakushi** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:14 am

Rated X wrote: I just find it funny that people seem to target the price of something this cheap. Some of the same people bought Genesis for crying out loud.

I should have bought that stale loaf of bread today that had green mold on it. Because it was on sale today for only $.15 cents. Who am I to not buy it,Since I spent over $300 in Groceries at this store last week.

News Credits: 119 · by **daimchoc** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:45 am

On Taobao: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=36933379454

News Credits: 461 · by **mooncake623** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:24 am

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Well i bought most of their stuff and never complained about the price. Sometimes I wonder where some of you guys work. Ive never seen so many people that claim to be strapped for cash participate in such an expensive hobby. If the day ever comes that I had to worry about wasting 30 bucks, I would quit collecting.

If someone doesn't find value in something why should they buy it? Just because they can? Why waste the money?

I just dont see anything wrong with the price. If someone doesnt like how it looks, thats a whole different story. But people keep attacking the price rather than the aesthetic. 30 bucks is not bad for a transformable toy. Most of the upgrade sets we buy cost 30 bucks or more. I just cant stand all the "el cheapo" comments. It gets annoying...

In your opinion anyways.

Tell me do you ever consider what might annoy others or are you mainly concerned with yourself?
Like 8 hours later and not a single comment about the aesthetic. Just the price, the price, the price. So yes i stand by my opinion. 30 bucks...sheesh

I was referring to your insinuation that people who might not be able to afford/find value in a figure should stop collecting. Not everyone has the money, inclination, or lack of responsibilities to buy anything they want at the drop of a hat. I have a set budget for my hobbies that I don’t deviate from, and if I don't find the price right for something I'm not going to buy it. I also don't think it's "wrong" to remark on my perceived value of an item.

I'm a financial advisor, I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with who have no real concept of frugality, I'm not saying you don't I just worry for people who spend money on whatever they want. Do you have a budget for your hobbies, or a itemized budget in general? Do you often go over it to get things you want? If you do what part of the remainder of your budget do you take it out of?

I can only tell you that im smart enough not to bankrupt myself. I give up alot of other things to be able to collect freely. I just find it funny that people seem to target the price of something this cheap. Some of the same people bought Genesis for crying out loud. What would be funny is if these come out and go on clearance and everyone on this thread buys at least one. I pre ordered glyph, tap out, and wasp because i would like to own those characters in some form. 30 is fine with me.

I'll complain about aesthetic. It looks like ****. Thanks.

On a side note. What do you do btw? (since you asked the question) And give up to collect freely? some people don't want to give up anything?

by **Rated X** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:25 am

njb902 wrote:Why are you so focused on price over value?

It's everyone else who seems to be focused on the price because they keep complaining.

Im more focused on the value of having some of these characters on my shelf. It's annoying to read 2 pages of whinning about the 30 dollar price. I don't work in a coffee shop. My argument is 30 bucks aint s**t and I'm willing to take a total shot in the dark. Why not ? I was impressed with the Alicons and the tetra jets.

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:39 am

Yeah, it's fair to say these are too pricy. They are tiny. I saw a prototype at TFcon last year. Larger than Legends size, but not really by much.

They also just don't have a place in my collection. I do like most of what IT does ... or at least the idea behind it, but I haven't changed my opinion on this line.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:14 pm

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:Why are you so focused on price over value?

It's everyone else who seems to be focused on the price because they keep complaining.

Im more focused on the value of having some of these characters on my shelf. It's annoying to read 2 pages of whinning about the 30 dollar price. I don't work in a coffee shop. My argument is 30 bucks aint s**t and I'm willing to take a total shot in the dark. Why not ? I was impressed with the Alicons and the tetra jets.

They don't see the value in it.

From what you're saying you don't actually place a value on a figure, you buy it on aesthetics regardless of its price( though I'm sure there are exceptions for you).

It's also nice to see how you feel about those that do work at low wage jobs, real classy.

News Credits: 1 · by **Primacron's Little Helper** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:25 pm

I'd like to get the Hubcap, I'm willing to pay $30 for it.

News Credits: 119 · by **daimchoc** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:34 pm

TFS:

TFsource added 9 new photos to the album Impossible Toys - Minicars - Updated Photos.
Impossible Toys stopped by with updated packaging photos of their minicar seres! Preorder yours at TFSource here: http://tfsource.com/impossible-toys-customs/

They did confirm these will be released, and on track for release within around a month.

by **Rated X** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:35 pm

njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:Why are you so focused on price over value?

It's everyone else who seems to be focused on the price because they keep complaining.

Im more focused on the value of having some of these characters on my shelf. It's annoying to read 2 pages of whinning about the 30 dollar price. I don't work in a coffee shop. My argument is 30 bucks aint s**t and I'm willing to take a total shot in the dark. Why not ? I was impressed with the Alicons and the tetra jets.

They don't see the value in it.

From what you're saying you don't actually place a value on a figure, you buy it on aesthetics regardless of its price( though I'm sure there are exceptions for you).

It's also nice to see how you feel about those that do work at low wage jobs, real classy.

I did my time in those type of jobs during my 20s. I never said anything bad about it, I just dont do it anymore. But one thing I also find disturbing is that whenever we talk high quality KOs all of the el cheapos suddenly become big ballers and are against saving a few bucks. But then 30 bucks for an obscure mini bot is taboo...

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:46 pm

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:Why are you so focused on price over value?

It's everyone else who seems to be focused on the price because they keep complaining.

Im more focused on the value of having some of these characters on my shelf. It's annoying to read 2 pages of whinning about the 30 dollar price. I don't work in a coffee shop. My argument is 30 bucks aint s**t and I'm willing to take a total shot in the dark. Why not ? I was impressed with the Alicons and the tetra jets.

They don't see the value in it.

From what you're saying you don't actually place a value on a figure, you buy it on aesthetics regardless of its price( though I'm sure there are exceptions for you).

It's also nice to see how you feel about those that do work at low wage jobs, real classy.

I did my time in those type of jobs during my 20s. I never said anything bad about it, I just dont do it anymore. But one thing I also find disturbing is that whenever we talk high quality KOs all of the el cheapos suddenly become big ballers and are against saving a few bucks. But then 30 bucks for an obscure mini bot is taboo...

Nice.... [/extremesarcasm]