The Energon Pub

What am I doing? Takara Tomy is putting out some of the most exciting and incredible collector-focused product seen for years in the world of Transformers, and I’m not pre-ordering, buying or collecting any of it. When saving money by not buying things or going out, not splashing out on holidays due to accumulating savings for a property, trying to lose weight or any such lifestyle choice, depriving oneself can become par for the course and second nature. But when it comes to the new Takara Tomy Masterpiece Transformers, should I draw the line and give myself a break?

(Another self-indulgent one this week )

What Am I Doing? | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ



All the best
Maz

MPs are expensive enough when they get a domestic release; the added cost of importing makes them out of the question for me. I could afford them, but then I wouldn't be able to afford any other TFs, and I'd rather have a shelf full of standard figures than a single MP for the same price.

I have easily over 500 TFs, and only one MP (Thundercracker).

I plan to get MP Soundwave (unless it's impossible to find like the new OP). I like the new car ones, but even if Hasbro releases them, they'll probably be like $69.99 as TRU exclusives, so forget that.

(I present to you a one-month necrobump from necr0blivion! Sorry, I haven't spent a lot of time on the main forum the past few months.)

Once again, thanks to Maz for an insightful and thought-provoking post. The Masterpiece line may be the most exciting line coming out from Hasbro/Takara this year. Unlike previous years, there's been a recent change in the status quo and this line is receiving support the likes of which we have not seen in the history of Masterpiece. I believe it's safe to say the next few years will get the adult-collectors market that much closer to an intricate, larger scale G1 roster. So, onto an actual response:

The issues I see with waiting on purchasing the new Masterpiece figures is two-fold - 1). we're seeing a lot of quick sell outs and that secondary market is just chomping at the bit to deplete any available units to gain more profit and 2). the uncertainly of if (and when) other markets will get the Hasbro release. It just seems to be a "strike now" opportunity, as online retailers are running out of stock and we just can't be sure how long Takara wants to keep the new molds on the press. It feels like whatever run of Lambor gets released next (unless it's already been completed) will be the last and I believe all the preorders are gone by now. I definitely appreciate anyone who attributes import pricing as a barrier to collecting, especially for a line which seemingly will be a drawn-out process with multiple (YES, FINALLY) releases each year. Combine that with everyday expenses and the need to collect other lines (TF or non), and this gets to be a pricey game. I don't even want to fathom what funding is needed when hunting down these Diaclone variants. However, I think one of the best points is Maz's attitude of sticking to his guns. He knows where to focus, he knows he needs $X around just in case a once in a lifetime opportunity passes, and he knows his own personal habits (I, too, can relate to having difficulties in collecting other brands/lines of figures as it usually evolves into wanting to collect the whole line).

I've decided to go all in for the MP line, buying/preordering all the new figures including the eHobby releases and even picking up the Hasbro/US releases. Yes, this takes away my opportunity to purchase other new figures on release date and maybe this will make me take that much needed reality check and limit my purchasing. But I want this type of figure to be my centerpiece, and while other lines may have their own charm you've just got to put all your efforts into what you want your collection to be.

But glad Maz got the Lambor, that guy is awesome!

Not just Lambor my friend, but Alert, Rumble, Ravage, Frenzy, Buzzsaw, Soundwave, Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Tigertrack.

I knew it would happen, total and utter resolve crumble

You make excellent points about the one-shot-at-MPs, I'm writing about that precise topic this week.

All the best
Maz

Oh oh, you let loose!

Well, I look forward to the next article then.

Honestly, there's so much exciting product coming out right now and I had cancelled my pre-orders for both cassette packs. But upon realizing that the past 3 MP releases were vanishing, I had to do some financial manuevering and get those orders back. Black Convoy was also added, as originally I thought I'd wait until mid-Summer to pick him up. I dislike paying secondary prices if I don't have to, so I just had to push through. I'll be paying for these decisions the next 2 - 3 months, which thankfully isn't too long to cut back a bit. At least I can still keep my Fort Max pre-order. That's the elephant that was keeping me back from keeping my more recent MP purchases (post-Soundwave).