The Energon Pub

We seem to be getting a lot of "I've got money, which figure should I buy?" type of threads lately. I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread for this type of question.

There are basically three variables you want to take into consideration when deciding between two or more figures when your funds are too limited to buy them all.

Availability: Is one of the figures harder to find than the other? Common sense dictates that all else being equal, you are often better off getting the harder to find figure first. Of course, if the hard-to-find figure is only hard to get because it was recently released, you may have to consider the shelf life of the product instead. Rather than basing your decision on current avalibilty, it may be a good idea to weigh how likely you are going to find that figure in the future. For example, Concept Camaro Bumblebee will be released in future waves and sets. However, G1 redeco Jazz will only see a one time release and is exclusive to one chain of stores. If one of the figures you want is at the end of its release cycle and one is just starting out, it may be a better idea to get the older figure first.

Value: You know your own budget better than anyone else. What can you afford? You can save up for the big figure, or buy a few of the smaller ones. Consider which figure offers the most value to you. If both figures you're considering are part of the same release wave and you like them both equally, I would generally lean towards buying the more expensive one first unless you're anticipating a sale of some kind. Chances are if you have the money for the expensive one now, you should act on it. Saving up for the less expensive one should, ideally, take less time. Before you know it, you'll have both.


What do YOU want? I believe that most posters asking which figures they should get are really seeking out popular opinion on the figures in their basket. This is fine, but in the end what matters most is fulfilling your own desire. Think about what you are looking for in a figure. Are you trying to complete a line or a predetermined set of characters? Are you interested in the transformation, or future value of the figures? There are many mixed reasons why one person would buy one figure over another. Find your reason and go with it.


Now, the intent of this thread is for everyone who has advice about this kind of dilemma to discuss their decision-making strategies here. Whether or not everyone feels like doing that remains to be seen, but if you feel like contributing your own methods of making this kind of decision, or if you are faced with this problem and are looking for some help in making the decision, this is the place for you.


* Note - the idea for this thread and some of the content was borrowed from a similar thread posted by Draykov on http://www.fbtb.net (a Star Wars Lego site).

Most important tip: Use your brains a bit. If any of you have been on this forum for any period of time, you know which figures are rare and hard to get.

Now, if you're in a store, and you suddenly see BB09 on the shelf and you only have 9.99, don't be stupid, go home, then write on this forum about which figure you get, then get back to the shop to pick him up. He'll be long gone by then.

I am constantly amazed by how many people have written asking which figure they should get, one of which seems to often be BB09, knowing full well that by the time they return he'd be gone.

Bonus tip: Have a network of friends you can call on the mobile phone for just this sort of emergency. They will be able to give you instant feedback. They can advise you what to look for, the condition of the toy or box, etc. You can also send a pic via MMS to them to help them help you decide.

Common sense tip: To those of you who have a credit card, take it a long with you. I'm astounded by the number of people who know they'll be passing a toy shop, and do so without ready cash or credit. If you're going to visit a toyshop, go there armed and ready.

Proberbial tip: Pay now or pay later.

Should amalgamate this into Shortround's "Newbies guide", these are some good tips guys.

G1Blaster's Greatest Tip

If you see a case a figures coming out on a cart and notice that some one else might be waiting on it, be they man, woman or child, open that case with your teeth. This will ensure that the other person knows you have first pick of that case, 'less the next thing you open is their skull.

Honestly, I tend to ignore those threads as I liken them to questins like, should I get a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder?

How the hell should I know?

Get whatever you like. I think overall, you will be much happier getting a figure you like, rather than one someone else tells you to like.

Definately one of my pet peeve topics as of late. I also don't thin kthis is necesarily a "noob" issue. It is just a case of, don't ask silly questions.

Oooh, and I thought of the one question that bugs me more than this one. Should I open my movie deluxe figure. Hey, WAKE UP. We're not talking about a MISB G1 Prime here. Its a crappy 10 dollar figure. Open it if you want to. If you like the way it looks on card, then don't. What, you wanna invest in 74 BBs for retirement?

Those threads fill me with a rage I cannot comprehend. My immediate knee-jerk reaction is to scream "Use your God damn brain!". Of course, a bit of civility is required. I said a bit. Leave me alone.

Flux Convoy wrote:Those threads fill me with a rage I cannot comprehend. My immediate knee-jerk reaction is to scream "Use your God damn brain!". Of course, a bit of civility is required. I said a bit. Leave me alone.

I just read the best reply to a should I open a 74 BB thread. Guy responded with don't open it, it might be broken!

Well, I am sure a lot of people saw a 09BB in store and just purposely don't buy it. It is a hard to get figure, but they just don't want it.

nothing wrong with asking these sorts of questions. some of the people who ask these questions are not n00bs, but guys who spent years collecting TFs. all they want is a little opinion from fellow collectors for trade-offs between two or more figures especially from those who already have acquired the debated toys.

take my case for example. i started a thread on Cybertron Snarl because honestly, i think the figure is good, and i am into beastformers, but i have read some issues on this toy and i wanted to ask collectors who already have this if the issue is also prevalent on their TF or not, as well as the figure's rarity.

why do i ask this? because frankly, i don't have a lot of money to spend on TFs, so i have to make every buck (or peso) count. that's the purpose of reviews and opinions, right? i mean, i wouldn't ask you if concept BB is yea or nay if i already had the fig right?

i think there should be a differentiating factor between n00b Qs like TFTM movie deluxe dilemmas to more serious considerations like choices between getting MP skywarps vs 2-packs or trades between DZs and G1 figs.

Wait a sec. Theres two different issues here. If someone is questioning the quality of a piece, or the relative worth of a couple of 20 year old figures is one thing, asking whether to buy movie Ratcher or Ironhide is another.

The former, I have no issues with. I am always more than happy to point out how a figure has failed or succeeded and to offer advice for a trade.

However, the latter, I tend to find annoying and illicits the knee jerk reaction of, buy whatever you like more. I mean, its a free country. Ask whatever you feel like. I will just get repeatedly annoyed at seeing some questions that I personally think are pretty dumb questions.

Also, 99% of the time, if people bothered to do a google search, they would turn up quite a few reviews, a lot of which would be from this site.

After reading them, go take a look at Ryan's galleries. I'd imagine, most questions would have been answered by this point, dont you think?

QFT bonger, that's why i asked if we could differentiate between the former and the latter, because Lapse started this thread not differentiating if the premise is aimed between n00b q's vs. collector considerations.

but i too must admit i get pretty ticked when guys who are mainly into TFTMs and have oodles of money to spend ask whether to get this or that. most especially MISB questions. you're absolutely right when saying it ain't a G1 fig, LOL. with new waves to be released i don't see why these guys keep 'em MISB, it's not as if it's value's gonna skyrocket in a few years.

Yeah seriously. If the fgure isn't worth atleast 100, nop questions on whether or not to open it.

Now if you had a MISB Fortress Maximus, we could have a fund debate on whether or not to open it.

zemper wrote:nothing wrong with asking these sorts of questions. some of the people who ask these questions are not n00bs, but guys who spent years collecting TFs. all they want is a little opinion from fellow collectors for trade-offs between two or more figures especially from those who already have acquired the debated toys.

take my case for example. i started a thread on Cybertron Snarl because honestly, i think the figure is good, and i am into beastformers, but i have read some issues on this toy and i wanted to ask collectors who already have this if the issue is also prevalent on their TF or not, as well as the figure's rarity.

why do i ask this? because frankly, i don't have a lot of money to spend on TFs, so i have to make every buck (or peso) count. that's the purpose of reviews and opinions, right? i mean, i wouldn't ask you if concept BB is yea or nay if i already had the fig right?

i think there should be a differentiating factor between n00b Qs like TFTM movie deluxe dilemmas to more serious considerations like choices between getting MP skywarps vs 2-packs or trades between DZs and G1 figs.

Best quote I've read so far, I agree with zemper, there is a fine line between stupid repeat questions, and the should I open my trnasformers question isn't a bad one either..

For Noobs, they want to know what the best way to collect is, and they want opinions from others in this hobby, and you gotta remember that alot of them are under the age of 20, so be kind, be gentle, and remember not everyone is a smart or experienced as you are when it comes to collecting Transformers..

I asked a Question, because I too like, zemper, have a limited income, and I only buy MISB transformers, cause that is how I collect. So when I go to spend about 100.00 on a toy, or try to get as many for my money as I can, I wil ask for advice. I would have to search the entire internet for a review on each figure...why do that when I can come here to these forums and talk to my piers about my tough decisions, and get immediate responses..???

I think this particular thread is a wonderful and Genius idea, KUDOS to you!

but for the rest of my fellow seibertronians, could we be a little more sensative to Noobs needs, as well as the rest of us, who may still need guidance with our buying decisions???

I think if it comes down to Quality or value for your buck, it I may recommend that you read well written reviews. Thunderscream, for example writes wonderful well thought out reviews.

Here they are: The Thunderscream files.

skywarp-2 wrote:

zemper wrote:nothing wrong with asking these sorts of questions. some of the people who ask these questions are not n00bs, but guys who spent years collecting TFs. all they want is a little opinion from fellow collectors for trade-offs between two or more figures especially from those who already have acquired the debated toys.

take my case for example. i started a thread on Cybertron Snarl because honestly, i think the figure is good, and i am into beastformers, but i have read some issues on this toy and i wanted to ask collectors who already have this if the issue is also prevalent on their TF or not, as well as the figure's rarity.

why do i ask this? because frankly, i don't have a lot of money to spend on TFs, so i have to make every buck (or peso) count. that's the purpose of reviews and opinions, right? i mean, i wouldn't ask you if concept BB is yea or nay if i already had the fig right?

i think there should be a differentiating factor between n00b Qs like TFTM movie deluxe dilemmas to more serious considerations like choices between getting MP skywarps vs 2-packs or trades between DZs and G1 figs.

Best quote I've read so far, I agree with zemper, there is a fine line between stupid repeat questions, and the should I open my trnasformers question isn't a bad one either..

For Noobs, they want to know what the best way to collect is, and they want opinions from others in this hobby, and you gotta remember that alot of them are under the age of 20, so be kind, be gentle, and remember not everyone is a smart or experienced as you are when it comes to collecting Transformers..

I asked a Question, because I too like, zemper, have a limited income, and I only buy MISB transformers, cause that is how I collect. So when I go to spend about 100.00 on a toy, or try to get as many for my money as I can, I wil ask for advice. I would have to search the entire internet for a review on each figure...why do that when I can come here to these forums and talk to my piers about my tough decisions, and get immediate responses..???

I think this particular thread is a wonderful and Genius idea, KUDOS to you!

but for the rest of my fellow seibertronians, could we be a little more sensative to Noobs needs, as well as the rest of us, who may still need guidance with our buying decisions???

LOL... i agree wholeheartedly with being kind to n00bs, seeing as i was one once.

but sometimes it really is ingratiating to see the same questions posted over and over again. i now see the wisdom of Lapse to put up this thread.

maybe they should sticky this?

My intent was to address the people who are Transfomers fans, from noobs to long time collectors alike, when they feel like posting a "what should I buy" thread. I deliberately did not differentiate between the two because the same principles can apply to any purchasing decision.

Like I said above, I feel their intent is to collect information, not have someone make up their minds for them - which I find an irritating idea. In writing my thread, I broadened my perspective on why one would come to the community with a "what should I buy?" question by exploring the issue.

I figured I'd point out the issue for the sake of good discussion, which seems to be going on here.