The Energon Pub

daimchoc wrote:

robotmel wrote:
Seconded! At least shunt that gawd awful Non-TF Toys Forum down the line a little and promote 3rd Party up a level.
When I click that link I want 3rd party loveliness not Marvel Universe or TMNT crud!

When you go here: unofficial-transformers-3rd-party-and-knock-offs-toys-f215.php

It's all 3rd Party TF stuff...

Hm, I kinda meant, when you hover the Forums tab on the front page, you then have to go through Non TF toy Discussion, then you are greeted with 'Cheap kitchens in Salford' and other rubbish, before you then click into Unofficial TFs & 3rd Party KOs etc.
I still feel 3P stuff should come first as this is a TF fansite initially and not really much to do with TMNT etc!

Back on topic:

I agree, the Function X 1st release of Chromedome homage is looking better and better with each photo released.
I wasnt too sure at first, but isnt that these things usually go!

robotmel wrote:
Hm, I kinda meant, when you hover the Forums tab on the front page, you then have to go through Non TF toy Discussion, then you are greeted with 'Cheap kitchens in Salford' and other rubbish, before you then click into Unofficial TFs & 3rd Party KOs etc.
I still feel 3P stuff should come first as this is a TF fansite initially and not really much to do with TMNT etc!

Back on topic:

I agree, the Function X 1st release of Chromedome homage is looking better and better with each photo released.
I wasnt too sure at first, but isnt that these things usually go!

I see. Well, that's a call that seibertron made... All we can do for now is to use a bookmark.

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:I am glad that pre-ordered him at the last minute. I really like him. He's in my POL. As soon as MP Soundwave comes in, I am shipping.

He is the one thing stopping me from shipping as well, the wait is killing me!

I'm so jealous of everyone just waiting for another figure before shipping. I have to wait until mid February regardless of when everything else comes in due to moving and finding a new place to live.

daimchoc wrote:

robotmel wrote:
Hm, I kinda meant, when you hover the Forums tab on the front page, you then have to go through Non TF toy Discussion, then you are greeted with 'Cheap kitchens in Salford' and other rubbish, before you then click into Unofficial TFs & 3rd Party KOs etc.
I still feel 3P stuff should come first as this is a TF fansite initially and not really much to do with TMNT etc!

Back on topic:

I agree, the Function X 1st release of Chromedome homage is looking better and better with each photo released.
I wasnt too sure at first, but isnt that these things usually go!

I see. Well, that's a call that seibertron made... All we can do for now is to use a bookmark.

Yes it is annoying how many tabs you have to go through so that the dirty little secret known as 3rd parties can stay hidden in the basement.

Copy this link and save it to your favorites:

unofficial-transformers-3rd-party-and-knock-offs-toys-f215.php

I usually just bypass the whole home page so I dont have to see the all those stupid advertiaments with Furbies and crap.

I am surpriingly excited about receiving this figure. Was never a big Chromedome fan, found the original toy kind of dissapointing, but this looks fantastic. I love the size and the look.

It makes me want to track down Defender now. Ugh. He be gettin' pricey.

Trying not to pull the trigger on this figure, otherwise I will end up having to get all of the headmasters, then they will do the Headmaster triple changers, then they will do the headmaster juniors, then the targetmasters (Point blank etc), then the (god)Powermasters, then the brainmasters...

Must.... resist....

I love the fact that Chromedome is wearing the same slippers that my Grandad has though.

Banjo-Tron wrote:I love the fact that Chromedome is wearing the same slippers that my Grandad has though.

Just curious...

Does anyone suspect that the next figure in the series will still be $69.99 even without the toys for tots donation ? I suspect it will be the going rate for the Function X series and they just took a first figure for the kids. Dont expect the next one to cost 50 bucks.

I hope Im wrong...

$20 was just Fansproject's cut of the toy, sp FP recieved no profit from this toy. I'd expect they'd want profit eventually, so ... yeah, it's a good bet this'll be the price point. Unless the online guys decide to chrge more (which may very well happen).

Rated X wrote:Just curious...

Does anyone suspect that the next figure in the series will still be $69.99 even without the toys for tots donation ? I suspect it will be the going rate for the Function X series and they just took a first figure for the kids. Dont expect the next one to cost 50 bucks.

I hope Im wrong...

It was confirmed on another board that the $70.00 pricetag is, in fact, the original MSRP for the figure and that FP took a $20.00 hit to donate to toys for tots. In the end, if you think about it, though...we still only paid $50.00 for it. Consider it a taste of what's to come. You'll just pay full price, then.

Autobot032 wrote:

Rated X wrote:Just curious...

Does anyone suspect that the next figure in the series will still be $69.99 even without the toys for tots donation ? I suspect it will be the going rate for the Function X series and they just took a first figure for the kids. Dont expect the next one to cost 50 bucks.

I hope Im wrong...

It was confirmed on another board that the $70.00 pricetag is, in fact, the original MSRP for the figure and that FP took a $20.00 hit to donate to toys for tots. In the end, if you think about it, though...we still only paid $50.00 for it. Consider it a taste of what's to come. You'll just pay full price, then.

Considering the cost of 3P products, I think the Function X line at $70 is a decent price-point. Would I love that point to be lower? Of course! But it seems to be in-line with other offerings.

Thanks to the picture of Chromedome next to RTS Jazz (who is generally considered a "large" deluxe class figure), we can compare to other releases from FP:
[*]Insecticons were $49/ea and are scout-sized, thus smaller than CD
[*]Defender (Springer) was about $90 when I picked him up, now ~$130 and is a "small" voyager figure. I think CD scales closest to this guy, yet retails for almost 1/2 that price. Definite advantage to CD.
[*]Assaulter is just HUGE and is going for $95 these days (post-FPC initial orders, so CD being a smaller figure makes the price about proportionate.

Let's look at some other companies offerings, just to be fair:
[*]Perfect Effect - Arcee, small deluxe with extra accessories going for $90 - 100, CD beats this.
[*]iGear Hench, $37 and deluxe sized, proportionately priced; and CD is going to be shorter/not as much mass as Medical/Weapon Specialists which came with a damn arsenal of weapons
[*]MMC's Screacher, $85 - 90 and probably same scale as CD
[*]ToyWorld Grind Rod, probably the closest fit in scale and price to CD.

Now, I can't comment on the quality of CD yet (gonna have to wait a few weeks) compared to other figures I've just listed, but being an FP product I'm confident that this won't feel cheap. In the world of 3P, I don't regret paying almost $70 for this figure and am looking forward to having it in hand. If the rest of the Function X line is similar in scale/price, it's just a financial barrier I'll have to (happily) accomodate for.

Just to clarify, for every pre-order made, $10 USD was Donated by FP and was matched by the Vendor to the Charity that the vendor was going to donate to. BBTS had Toys-for-Tots, TFS had The Salvation Army, and A3U had Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada. The price stayed at $68.99 for the figure.


EDIT:

Not sure where $50 is coming from when the donation technically came from FP and the vendor.

A3U

FansProject and Ages Three and Up are working together to help out needy familes and communities this holiday season! For each figure of the Function X-1 sold, FansProject and Ages Three and Up will both Donate $10 each for a total donation of $20 for each figure to Big Brothers and Sisters Charities of Canada. This preorder is good only until December 20th and afterwards we will be presenting a cheque to Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada. Your purchase can help ensure needy families get some Joy this Holiday Season.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a charitable organization which matches adult volunteers to children needing adult mentoring. Founded over 80 years ago, there are over 170 agencies across Canada providing support to over 300 communities. As well as a traditional program, where one adult is matched with one same-sex child, new programs include Couples for Kids, Cross-Gender Matching, Internet Mentoring, and Life Skills Programs.

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles. This figure stands 14 cm tall. - that is all we can tell you for now!

TFS

Product Details

TFsource and Fansproject have teamed up to help provide dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need! Fansproject and TFsource will donate $20 total for each unit pre-sold by midnight 12/18/2012 CT to the Salvation Army. Preorder now and help a family in need this holiday!

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles - and it will ship out in February. Finally this is the regular price of the item, we are donating $20 from each sale, not inflating the retail price to accommodate the $20 donation.

From the Salvation Army Website:
Programs That Help
In this new century, The Salvation Army is serving more people in the USA than ever before. We are already seeing large increases in the number of Americans seeking the basic necessities of life - food, shelter, and warmth. Approximately 30 million people received help from The Salvation Army in 2011, but the magnitude of the mission facing The Salvation Army in communities throughout the United States remains great.

BBTS

FansProject and BigBadToyStore are teaming up to help out children in need this holiday season! FansProject and BigBadToyStore will be donating $20 (wholesale cost) worth of toys to the Toys for Tots organization for every piece of the Function X-1 figure preordered by December 16th. We'll gather up the huge donation on December 17th and deliver it to Toys for Tots and we'll post images shortly after that.

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles - that is all we can tell you for now!

Preorder now and help us make Christmas memorable for many great children out there.

Got my Item shipped notice from BBTS today, Hoping for Weds or Thurs woot!

daimchoc wrote:Just to clarify, for every pre-order made, $10 USD was Donated by FP and was matched by the Vendor to the Charity that the vendor was going to donate to. BBTS had Toys-for-Tots, TFS had The Salvation Army, and A3U had Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada. The price stayed at $68.99 for the figure.


EDIT:

Not sure where $50 is coming from when the donation technically came from FP and the vendor.

A3U

FansProject and Ages Three and Up are working together to help out needy familes and communities this holiday season! For each figure of the Function X-1 sold, FansProject and Ages Three and Up will both Donate $10 each for a total donation of $20 for each figure to Big Brothers and Sisters Charities of Canada. This preorder is good only until December 20th and afterwards we will be presenting a cheque to Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada. Your purchase can help ensure needy families get some Joy this Holiday Season.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a charitable organization which matches adult volunteers to children needing adult mentoring. Founded over 80 years ago, there are over 170 agencies across Canada providing support to over 300 communities. As well as a traditional program, where one adult is matched with one same-sex child, new programs include Couples for Kids, Cross-Gender Matching, Internet Mentoring, and Life Skills Programs.

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles. This figure stands 14 cm tall. - that is all we can tell you for now!

TFS

Product Details

TFsource and Fansproject have teamed up to help provide dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need! Fansproject and TFsource will donate $20 total for each unit pre-sold by midnight 12/18/2012 CT to the Salvation Army. Preorder now and help a family in need this holiday!

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles - and it will ship out in February. Finally this is the regular price of the item, we are donating $20 from each sale, not inflating the retail price to accommodate the $20 donation.

From the Salvation Army Website:
Programs That Help
In this new century, The Salvation Army is serving more people in the USA than ever before. We are already seeing large increases in the number of Americans seeking the basic necessities of life - food, shelter, and warmth. Approximately 30 million people received help from The Salvation Army in 2011, but the magnitude of the mission facing The Salvation Army in communities throughout the United States remains great.

BBTS

FansProject and BigBadToyStore are teaming up to help out children in need this holiday season! FansProject and BigBadToyStore will be donating $20 (wholesale cost) worth of toys to the Toys for Tots organization for every piece of the Function X-1 figure preordered by December 16th. We'll gather up the huge donation on December 17th and deliver it to Toys for Tots and we'll post images shortly after that.

This figure is a four wheeled vehicle that converts to robot mode and it features two scoped rifles - that is all we can tell you for now!

Preorder now and help us make Christmas memorable for many great children out there.

I would think most people would interpret that the $20.00 donation was included into the price, making the actual retail price of the figure $50.00 which was the price of their other deluxe class offerings like the Insecticons. Why would the dealers pay the donation out of their pocket when theyre marketing it to us ? One would be left to believe that the price was increased to cover the donation and a deluxe class figure at retail value.

jindrak wrote:Got my Item shipped notice from BBTS today, Hoping for Weds or Thurs woot!

Friday. Unfortunately. UPS will not do any pickups, movement, or delivery of UPS Ground services on the 31st or 1st. A downloadable PDF on their site confirms it. Ground services will resume on the second for Friday (and beyond) delivery.

Rated X wrote:

I would think most people would interpret that the $20.00 donation was included into the price, making the actual retail price of the figure $50.00 which was the price of their other deluxe class offerings like the Insecticons. Why would the dealers pay the donation out of their pocket when theyre marketing it to us ? One would be left to believe that the price was increased to cover the donation and a deluxe class figure at retail value.

Then, how do you explain where the "money" would come from, since there have been people who cancelled their pre-orders?

As per their statements, if a pre-order was made, they would in turn, donate to the Charity.

Mine just got charged as it just came into the warehouse, i shipped it post haste! i'll give you guys some screenshots when it arrives if no images have been posted yet

daimchoc wrote:

Rated X wrote:

I would think most people would interpret that the $20.00 donation was included into the price, making the actual retail price of the figure $50.00 which was the price of their other deluxe class offerings like the Insecticons. Why would the dealers pay the donation out of their pocket when theyre marketing it to us ? One would be left to believe that the price was increased to cover the donation and a deluxe class figure at retail value.

Then, how do you explain where the "money" would come from, since there have been people who cancelled their pre-orders?

As per their statements, if a pre-order was made, they would in turn, donate to the Charity.

BBTS stayed sold out even after the pictures came out. So I dont think cancelled pre-orders were an issue. BBTS ordered a certain amount of figures and the number of "donations" made on their behalf would not exceed that number. Any cancellations were just re-sold through their automated online system.

Rated X wrote:

daimchoc wrote:

Rated X wrote:

I would think most people would interpret that the $20.00 donation was included into the price, making the actual retail price of the figure $50.00 which was the price of their other deluxe class offerings like the Insecticons. Why would the dealers pay the donation out of their pocket when theyre marketing it to us ? One would be left to believe that the price was increased to cover the donation and a deluxe class figure at retail value.

Then, how do you explain where the "money" would come from, since there have been people who cancelled their pre-orders?

As per their statements, if a pre-order was made, they would in turn, donate to the Charity.

BBTS stayed sold out even after the pictures came out. So I dont think cancelled pre-orders were an issue. BBTS ordered a certain amount of figures and the number of "donations" made on their behalf would not exceed that number. Any cancellations were just re-sold through their automated online system.

Not so... There were people who cancelled after the cutoff date as well as after the donation has already been made, and BBTS put the stock back. They were eventually snatched by other people.

c/o TJ Duckett...

And Duckett's phrase that pays this review was: "It is what it is."

I admit I feel a little better about this figure after watching that. I'm not going to say it's a bad figure, but I think it's a bad FansProject figure. I don't mind the different design style, but the lack of detail and articulation is disappointing. I'd like to know why they coloured the chest how they have. It looks like a colour sample chart from a decorating store.

I am feeling a little let down by this one, but not to the point where I wish I hadn't bothered.

Sorry, technical error resulting in double post.

daimchoc wrote:

Rated X wrote:

daimchoc wrote:

Rated X wrote:

I would think most people would interpret that the $20.00 donation was included into the price, making the actual retail price of the figure $50.00 which was the price of their other deluxe class offerings like the Insecticons. Why would the dealers pay the donation out of their pocket when theyre marketing it to us ? One would be left to believe that the price was increased to cover the donation and a deluxe class figure at retail value.

Then, how do you explain where the "money" would come from, since there have been people who cancelled their pre-orders?

As per their statements, if a pre-order was made, they would in turn, donate to the Charity.

BBTS stayed sold out even after the pictures came out. So I dont think cancelled pre-orders were an issue. BBTS ordered a certain amount of figures and the number of "donations" made on their behalf would not exceed that number. Any cancellations were just re-sold through their automated online system.

Not so... There were people who cancelled after the cutoff date as well as after the donation has already been made, and BBTS put the stock back. They were eventually snatched by other people.

Thats pretty much the same thing I just said. But the point I was stressing was that if BBTS had a stock of 500, they had no plans of making more than 500 twenty dollar donations.

Thanks for the review. I admit that I was completely wrong with my initial doubts when the first designs came out. I gave up on pre-ordering him at first but had a change of heart at the last minute and glad that I did. This is one of the best third party headmasters done to date. I love the colors, the Cybertronian alt mode, the details, and transformation. Pieces seem to hold together well and joints are tight (which were two major concerns that I had with this figure).

There is a lot of bang for the buck with the cost of this figure.

Sodan-1 wrote:And Duckett's phrase that pays this review was: "It is what it is."

I admit I feel a little better about this figure after watching that. I'm not going to say it's a bad figure, but I think it's a bad FansProject figure. I don't mind the different design style, but the lack of detail and articulation is disappointing. I'd like to know why they coloured the chest how they have. It looks like a colour sample chart from a decorating store.

I am feeling a little let down by this one, but not to the point where I wish I hadn't bothered.

I was actually very impresseed by the review. Im happy with the direction FP is taking with the headmasters. More G1 inspired is always better in my book. Maybe they took a hint when all those shapeways upgrades came out to G1-ize their ninja insecticons. Articulation wise, I dont see him missing too much. He might not be able to do a cheerleader leg split or flap his arms like a chicken, but what meaningful poses can he not do in your opinion ?