The Energon Pub

I'm in the group of people who would love to own these kinds of exclusive versions of figures(they look cool and that's my main motivation for Transformers collecting, they look cool to me) but I just don't want to part with $100 for the figure but at the same time, I'm not saying it isn't worth $100.

You can't call foul on this type of item without doing the same for all the other "exclusive" items out there that have similarly increased pricing. The history of people who buy exclusive items justify the cost because as long as people are willing to pay these prices then manufacturers will continue to produce exclusives from time to time.

This is for a niche market, that's all.

I know this is off-topic but I just got the idea. FansProject should do a translucent run of D.I.A./Powered Commander to attach to Crystal Convoy. That would look amazing sitting next to Ghost Screamer and Electro Lieger. just a thought(MAKE IT HAPPEN FP PLEASE!!!)

Forgotten wrote:I know this is off-topic but I just got the idea. FansProject should do a translucent run of D.I.A./Powered Commander to attach to Crystal Convoy. That would look amazing sitting next to Ghost Screamer and Electro Lieger. just a thought(MAKE IT HAPPEN FP PLEASE!!!)

How about a shattered glass version as well?
However, if thats the case it will cost a bomb, and probably a trailer without the truck. Because the trucks are so limited in the first place.

Damn it, I just got Strafe. Don't make me buy this too. Can Gentei go on hold for a little while please?

Forgotten wrote:I know this is off-topic but I just got the idea. FansProject should do a translucent run of D.I.A./Powered Commander to attach to Crystal Convoy. That would look amazing sitting next to Ghost Screamer and Electro Lieger. just a thought(MAKE IT HAPPEN FP PLEASE!!!)

It would be cool but the price tag would probably give me a heart attack, hehe.

Forgotten wrote:I know this is off-topic but I just got the idea. FansProject should do a translucent run of D.I.A./Powered Commander to attach to Crystal Convoy. That would look amazing sitting next to Ghost Screamer and Electro Lieger. just a thought(MAKE IT HAPPEN FP PLEASE!!!)

I don't have Crystal Convoy, but I'd buy this anyways.

shonenfan4 wrote:

Forgotten wrote:I know this is off-topic but I just got the idea. FansProject should do a translucent run of D.I.A./Powered Commander to attach to Crystal Convoy. That would look amazing sitting next to Ghost Screamer and Electro Lieger. just a thought(MAKE IT HAPPEN FP PLEASE!!!)

I don't have Crystal Convoy, but I'd buy this anyways.

Crystal Convoy is next on my list of Classics Prime molded figures to acquire. I've got Optimus, Magnus, and Nemesis. Unfortunately, Crystal Convoy is the most expensive of these

Hey guys, Thanks for all your input. I respect all your opinions.

All Im saying is these figures come from the same mold used to make the deluxe versions you find in walmart. As long as that mold still exists you can fill it with any color plastic you like and make as many as you want any time. Because of this factor, no figure is really "exclusive".

It's not the same as baseball cards or lithographs where you know the mold or master print has been destroyed for good. If one of those seeker molds disappeared from the factory and made it to China where copyrights are not enforced, we would see whole seeker gift sets (rain-makers and all) And they would be dirt cheap. And I know everyone here will be buying....me too ! If only I could get my hands on that mold, lol

Much respect to everyone on here.

Rated X

You definitely make valid points, Rated X. I mean if you really want to get down to it, the normal prices paid for what are basically plastic toys can be questionable. One could present points of argument like quality of construction, uniqueness or intricacy of design, and so on and so forth but it all comes down to subjective views on an item's worth.

Exclusives...they're a mixed bag for me. Like I posted earlier, while I'd love to have the Gentei figures, I don't want them enough to pay 5 times the price for a figure that has been painted differently or cast using different types of plastic.

However, at the same time, there are molds that I really like and I am seeking to buy every incarnation of figures from that mold. I've recently finished achieving my goal of getting RiD/Car Robots Landfill/Build King as well as the yellow Wal Mart exclusive and the Universe "Constructicon Devastator" Target exclusive. I paid retail pricing for Build King, less for the WM exclusive, and about 25% more for the Target exclusive. Objectively, aside from colour, having more than one set is redundant so buying more than one incarnation could be seen as wasting money. However, my enjoyment of the mold justifies for me buying all 3 sets. It's not quantifiable. The aesthetics appeal to me(I love chunky clunky robots), I really appreciate the design concept of the central hub component, the construction vehicle theme taps into my G1 Devastator fandom, and so on.

Looking at Ghost Starscream, Electro Disruptor Ligier, Crystal Convoy, and other such figures, I don't have similar levels of "reasons to buy" so I won't be forking over money for the figures but I can see why others would buy them.

If a transparent plastic version of Landfill/Build King was made, you better believe I'd be all over it.

Now regarding the point about being able to use a mold to create figures of various plastic compositions as long the mold exists, that's true, but again, these Gentei figures aren't produced at the same quantities as normal retail figures nor are they offered at the retail level. Fundamentally, they're the same figure but due to the limited number made, producers increase the price and people pay that price because they want the product.

Someone could steal the mold and make their own to sell at a low cost but it's unlikely to happen. If a mold was taken, I doubt that someone who would steal a mold for the purposes of selling their own product would be benevolent enough to sell something like a perfect Ghost Starscream at a cost near retail level. And I mean "perfect" in that not only does the thief have the original mold but they would also use the same quality metals and plastics in the manufacturing process and also have the same quality assurance for the production.

Very nice.

I'd like to see a ghost Masterpiece Starscream.

Rated X wrote:It's not the same as baseball cards or lithographs where you know the mold or master print has been destroyed for good. If one of those seeker molds disappeared from the factory and made it to China where copyrights are not enforced, we would see whole seeker gift sets (rain-makers and all) And they would be dirt cheap. And I know everyone here will be buying....me too ! If only I could get my hands on that mold, lol

Much respect to everyone on here.

Rated X

I never had much love for KOs, so if the molds were to end up in some factories that produces KOs, I wouldn't buy it.

Thanks guys. Well the deluxe seeker happens to be one of my favorite molds. But they (Jap Companies) really have had a monopoly on this particular mold. Theres a reason why so many guys with artistic talent are painting these things. (The Price)

As far as knock-offs, an original is always prefered. But if the figure is going to be on display with no wear and tear (child's play) the quality is not an issue to me personally. If it looks like a duck and it quacks, it must be a duck. lol.

These images are almost 5 months old. They went online in late April. See the link below.
http://www.allspark.com/content/view/4974/20

I swear on my life I dreamt about this figure a few days ago..