The Energon Pub

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

rpetras wrote: But no one else is tackling the DJD.

Guessing because it's a huge gamble. As the DJD toys are niche items like the PWTOO Pretender toys are.

Doing a big bot like Overlord is an even larger gamble with huge production costs, and potentially higher price point that might turn some people off (hey, just look at what the higher pricepoint is already doing to Cynicus). It's one of the many reason that got BTS down.

Right now, MMC Vos is way out of my price range. I hope it gets a lower sale price later this year, or else I may not get any DJD figures from MMC (being the completionist I am).

With that being said, as long as MMC Overlord is priced about the same as Hexatron was, I'll be getting that.

Really interested to see what the UK sellers are going to do with this. Hasbro releases always work out more expensive for us but 3rd Party items depend when you factor shipping. Anything more than 50 quid will be too much for me.

Hmmm, I kind of have to wonder how the reception would have been had Cynicus been originally announced as costing $85. I can think of a few relatively overpriced third-party items with an overall positive reception:

1. FP City/DIA/Shadow Commander - armor with extra kibble as a "gun"
2. FP Protector - armor bits
3. PE TAW Godsword - a tall...god-sword?
4. PE Warden/Guardian - an action figure that partsforms into other imaginative things
5. Maketoys Battle Tanker/Sentinal/Dagger Interspace - armor with unnecessary extras
6. Maketoys Hypernovae/Nemesis - tall deluxes with giant backpack "upgrades"

Granted, many of the misgivings—that fans harbor—have to do with the sudden change in price without any prior notifications to the fans. Even so, I think each fan should ultimately decide whether Cyniucs, or even the DJD for that matter, is a necessary addition to one's collection and then go from there. Should you wait for another third-party's take on the DJD? What about Hasbro? Will that ever happen???

EDIT: These comments are made from someone (me) who bought a tall deluxe (AFT Titanium Saint) for $115 and has absolutely zero regrets whatsoever. Your mileage may vary on the third-party experience.

I think those are all great points. Add to that the inflation we are seeing even from Hasbro: $15-$20 for a deluxe now, depending on places like Walmart/Target and Toys R Us? $25-$30 for a Voyager? Even those big three step changer thingies from the new RID line are $20 at Target. Prices seem to be rising significantly all over the place...

Well I just jumped on board because of my passion for adding interesting cybertronian characters to my classics collection. This is the kind of IDW stuff I want to see get put in toy form. Not profit inspired repaint characters like alpha bravo. I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

Rated X wrote:
I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

If someone does not have the money, it is not wise do whatever it takes to get the money. Their is no shame in not buying.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote:
I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

If someone does not have the money, it is not wise do whatever it takes to get the money. Their is no shame in not buying.

Look I agree that the 3rd party game is pay to play, to an extent. I understand these are boutique collectables with short production runs. However there's a difference between throwing down a Benjamin for a 3rd party toy meant for that price rangelike a combiner limb; and throwing down a Benjamin for a, figure the is nearly 30% more expensive than it's contemporary companion pieces, cough, azalea, who was only $64.99. Especially considering $64.99 was the figures original price.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote:
I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

If someone does not have the money, it is not wise do whatever it takes to get the money. Their is no shame in not buying.

Look I agree that the 3rd party game is pay to play, to an extent. I understand these are boutique collectables with short production runs. However there's a difference between throwing down a Benjamin for a 3rd party toy meant for that price rangelike a combiner limb; and throwing down a Benjamin for a, figure the is nearly 30% more expensive than it's contemporary companion pieces, cough, azalea, who was only $64.99. Especially considering $64.99 was the figures original price.

Were talking a price difference of $25 from what you think it should have been and what it actually is. Tsu is right, theres no shame in not buying. However theres no shame in buying either. If eating TV dinners for a week or staying home on Saturday night can help you retain that $25 needed to afford the figure, why not step up ? Were not talking about a $100 here. Were talking about $25. I dont think anyone who dislikes the figure would complain about the price. Its the people that like it and want it seem to be doing the most complaining. And we dont know the specifics behind MMCs arcee/medic production runs either. Maybe they got one hell of a deal on that run. There sure seems to be enough of them left in stock at retailers. Also, hasbro kind of threw a curveball into their plans with their fembots, especially arcee. MMC took too long. For all we know, they might have put a $90 price tag on azalea if hasbro hadn't announced their arcee. Remember PE motobots $100 price tag ? I think the $90 price we see here is not unrealistic when you compare it to the costs of botcon exclusives and millions publishing figures which are just repaints. Here your getting an original mold designed exclusively for a super obscure character.

Rated X wrote:Were talking a price difference of $25 from what you think it should have been and what it actually is. Tsu is right, theres no shame in not buying. However theres no shame in buying either. If eating TV dinners for a week or staying home on Saturday night can help you retain that $25 needed to afford the figure, why not step up ? Were not talking about a $100 here. Were talking about $25. I dont think anyone who dislikes the figure would complain about the price. Its the people that like it and want it seem to be doing the most complaining. And we dont know the specifics behind MMCs arcee/medic production runs either. Maybe they got one hell of a deal on that run. There sure seems to be enough of them left in stock at retailers. Also, hasbro kind of threw a curveball into their plans with their fembots, especially arcee. MMC took too long. For all we know, they might have put a $90 price tag on azalea if hasbro hadn't announced their arcee. Remember PE motobots $100 price tag ? I think the $90 price we see here is not unrealistic when you compare it to the costs of botcon exclusives and millions publishing figures which are just repaints. Here your getting an original mold designed exclusively for a super obscure character.

Although I find every point to be valid thus far, Rated X's argument resonates most with me. We enthusiasts can be an odd bunch, willing to toss $100 at Funpub's way for a repainted deluxe with a new headsculpt or $150-$200 for a deluxe with a cape and a (virtually pointless) backpack.

I think many of us are less forgiving towards MMC for price fluctuations because many of us are USED to the relatively low prices offered by MMC while third-party counterparts like PE, TFC, SXS, Dr. Wu, MGT, and Maketoys have gotten away with some MUCh more outrageous prices.

As a side note, I don't particularly believe that comparing Cynicus to Azalea is like apples to apples.

Just my two cents.

Rated X wrote:Well I just jumped on board because of my passion for adding interesting cybertronian characters to my classics collection. This is the kind of IDW stuff I want to see get put in toy form. Not profit inspired repaint characters like alpha bravo. I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

Amusing words from somebody who advocates buying KOs because they're cheaper.

Delta Magnus wrote:

Rated X wrote:Well I just jumped on board because of my passion for adding interesting cybertronian characters to my classics collection. This is the kind of IDW stuff I want to see get put in toy form. Not profit inspired repaint characters like alpha bravo. I admit, the price is a little steep. But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby. If you like these obscure characters enough, youll find a way to come up with $90 no doubt.

Amusing words from somebody who advocates buying KOs because they're cheaper.

Actually, doing so ought not be counted against the character of Rated X, given that he isn't too different from us. I recall X purchasing Titanium Saint too, among other pricey 3pc toys. The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of us are not 3pc loyalists; we are loyalists of Transformers lore. Given the opportunity to purchase a knock-off of MP Prime, Magnus, or any other MP for a fraction of the cost while still being assured that quality will not suffer one bit, I (among others) will not hesitate to go for the cheaper figure. The same logic applies for 3pc figures too. If an identical knock-off of Steelcore was produced for $50, I would be all over it. Heck, even Vos, for that matter. As it stands though, our options are literally limited to just ONE outlet for Vos--so we thus are forced to weigh the costs vs. benefits. Is it worthwhile to wait for a price drop/different offering down the road, or fork over the money for a character you can add to your collection right away? Likewise, if we were informed that an identical knock-off of Cynicus will come out in 6 months for $30, many of us will jump at the opportunity, including myself and X. To sum it up, the vast majority of us have other life priorities too besides action figures, but Transformers still constitute a special part of our lives. At the end of the day, it boils down to weighing the costs...sometimes literally THE COSTS.

Rated X wrote: But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby.

That, Pay to play, Phrase you are using it wrong. Pay to play is not what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play

Pay to play, is a renters or gamblers phrase term. paying to play with something for a temporary use. a few examples is, Playing games at a Casino or playing with girls at a night club. As long as you keep paying, you keep playing.

Pay to play, also refers to renting movies or video games.

Pay to play, is also a sports game gambling or stock trading term. As long as you pay to play, you can keep gambling or keep trading. to win money.

Please, if your going to use a term phase hundreds of times a year. Please go to Wiki and research what it properly means.

Peaugh from TFW wrote:Fold the fingers in and Combiner Wars figures can hold Cynicus.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote: But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby.

That, Pay to play, Phrase you are using it wrong. Pay to play is not what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play

Pay to play, is a renters or gamblers phrase term. paying to play with something for a temporary use. a few examples is, Playing games at a Casino or playing with girls at a night club. As long as you keep paying, you keep playing.

Pay to play, also refers to renting movies or video games.

Pay to play, is also a sports game gambling or stock trading term. As long as you pay to play, you can keep gambling or keep trading. to win money.

Please, if your going to use a term phase hundreds of times a year. Please go to Wiki and research what it properly means.

In Miami, pay to play is commonly used as a slang for the escort business. (P2P) Does wikipedia list that too ?

Rated X wrote:

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote: But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby.

That, Pay to play, Phrase you are using it wrong. Pay to play is not what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play

Pay to play, is a renters or gamblers phrase term. paying to play with something for a temporary use. a few examples is, Playing games at a Casino or playing with girls at a night club. As long as you keep paying, you keep playing.

Pay to play, also refers to renting movies or video games.

Pay to play, is also a sports game gambling or stock trading term. As long as you pay to play, you can keep gambling or keep trading. to win money.

Please, if your going to use a term phase hundreds of times a year. Please go to Wiki and research what it properly means.

In Miami, pay to play is commonly used as a slang for the escort business. Does wikipedia list that too ?

No because most people don't want to acknowledge Florida due to, reasons.

Rated X wrote:

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote: But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby.

That, Pay to play, Phrase you are using it wrong. Pay to play is not what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play

Pay to play, is a renters or gamblers phrase term. paying to play with something for a temporary use. a few examples is, Playing games at a Casino or playing with girls at a night club. As long as you keep paying, you keep playing.

Pay to play, also refers to renting movies or video games.

Pay to play, is also a sports game gambling or stock trading term. As long as you pay to play, you can keep gambling or keep trading. to win money.

Please, if your going to use a term phase hundreds of times a year. Please go to Wiki and research what it properly means.

In Miami, pay to play is commonly used as a slang for the escort business. (P2P) Does wikipedia list that too ?

That's why I listed in my reply. Paying to play with girls at night strip clubs.

If you know what it means. Which is renting something or someone for a temp time by paying. Why do you keep using the, P2P phrase wrong here?

When you buy your Third party TF toys. You are not P2P. As you own them. You are not renting them.

Your P2P phrase for 3rd party TF toys would make sense. if you went to a comic book shop or convention. then paid to play with a third party toy for one hour at a time. then left without the toy.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

Rated X wrote: But I always felt the third party game is a pay to play hobby.

That, Pay to play, Phrase you are using it wrong. Pay to play is not what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play

Pay to play, is a renters or gamblers phrase term. paying to play with something for a temporary use. a few examples is, Playing games at a Casino or playing with girls at a night club. As long as you keep paying, you keep playing.

Pay to play, also refers to renting movies or video games.

Pay to play, is also a sports game gambling or stock trading term. As long as you pay to play, you can keep gambling or keep trading. to win money.

Please, if your going to use a term phase hundreds of times a year. Please go to Wiki and research what it properly means.

In Miami, pay to play is commonly used as a slang for the escort business. (P2P) Does wikipedia list that too ?

That's why I listed in my reply. Paying to play with girls at night strip clubs.

If you know what it means. Which is renting something or someone for a temp time by paying. Why do you keep using the, P2P phrase wrong here?

When you buy your Third party TF toys. You are not P2P. As you own them. You are not renting them.

Your P2P phrase for 3rd party TF toys would make sense. if you went to a comic book shop or convention. then paid to play with a third party toy for one hour at a time. then left without the toy.

You’re looking at things from a black and white textbook definition perspective. When you read one of my comments, you need to think outside of the box. "Pay to Play" simply means if you want to indulge in the finer things in life, you got to pay up. If were talking women, you can pay to play with a beautiful woman, or you can play with the wife for free. If were talking toys, you can pay "3rd party prices" or you can stick with Hasbro. (which would be the equivalent of the wife) Or you could stay abstinent and not buy any toys at all which would be the equivalent of beating your meat.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:When you buy your Third party TF toys. You are not P2P. As you own them. You are not renting them.

So X (or anyone else) paying a fee to obtain and play with an action figure does not seem to be in the spirit of this term "pay to play"? How else did he obtain the figure if he didn't pay?

So, anyone else jump on the Cynicus bandwagon since "InflateGate" started?

What the hell's inflate gate?

SW's SilverHammer wrote:What the hell's inflate gate?

Sorry, there's no Wikipedia entry to help out here.

But since this is a thread devoted to Cynicus, it's just a silly attempt at describing this issue of him being offered at one price ($59.99) on PSX, then having the MSRP inflated $25 more (supposedly for other retailers). Then a second run of this figure being offered on PSX at a still lower than MSRP rate, but $5 more than originally offered.

Of course with shipping fees included, the buyer is almost paying MSRP anyways. One way or another, it seems this particular figure is going for more than most people are satisfied with.

Just wanted to pop my head in here and laugh maniacally as preorder stock for Cynicus dries up left and right.

MUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankfully, I have my preorder secured ages ago. It seems the most ambivalent folks (re: price hike) were likely the ones who had no initial intention of purchasing this guy in the first place.

Mmkay, bye!

Fuuuuuuuuu

fine either a second release or I pay 150 for a deluxe...I bought MT Nova's short ass I can justify the D.J.D prices.

p.s.all others will be pre-ordered on sight.

http://www.planetsteelexpress.com/R12/

still up for pre-order here

mooncake623 wrote:http://www.planetsteelexpress.com/R12/

still up for pre-order here

Good man mooncake!