The Energon Pub

Hey. I hope this isnt starange to post here, and that I won't get flamed for it. I am a new, well a returning, collector. I lost a large collection years ago and it was heartbreaking, but I decided I need this back in my life. After looking around and buying out my local stores to get started on current stuff I thought I should hit the web and found Seibertron to be the most accessible and active forum. I have limited finances and so I decided to start i want to avoid 3rd party toys for now, and so I have some pretty stupid questions.
1: Is Takara Tomy considered 1st party even though I can not buy them at a store in the USA?
All I have atm is Hasbro and I kinda like the Combiner Wars i have gathered so far. It also symbolizes the time in which I began collecting again so i am glad i got as many of them I have. Is that acceptable to just collect the Hasbro figures or will i be looked down on for not shelling out $100 for imports? (Though I do dream of having many of the Masterpiece)
2: Is there a place online where i can find collector's in my area? There is probrably a well known site for that but I don't know what it is. It would be nice if I could meet with another collector and and find local meets and things.

That's it for now. I hope I get some response from this. I'm gonna go back to my Devastator for the 100th time now.

CptDraco wrote:Hey. I hope this isnt starange to post here, and that I won't get flamed for it. I am a new, well a returning, collector. I lost a large collection years ago and it was heartbreaking, but I decided I need this back in my life. After looking around and buying out my local stores to get started on current stuff I thought I should hit the web and found Seibertron to be the most accessible and active forum. I have limited finances and so I decided to start i want to avoid 3rd party toys for now, and so I have some pretty stupid questions.
1: Is Takara Tomy considered 1st party even though I can not buy them at a store in the USA?
All I have atm is Hasbro and I kinda like the Combiner Wars i have gathered so far. It also symbolizes the time in which I began collecting again so i am glad i got as many of them I have. Is that acceptable to just collect the Hasbro figures or will i be looked down on for not shelling out $100 for imports? (Though I do dream of having many of the Masterpiece)
2: Is there a place online where i can find collector's in my area? There is probrably a well known site for that but I don't know what it is. It would be nice if I could meet with another collector and and find local meets and things.

That's it for now. I hope I get some response from this. I'm gonna go back to my Devastator for the 100th time now.

Takara is as official as you get.

Who cares what other people say. Just collect. Either Takara or Hb.

Where in the USA you from?

CptDraco wrote:I thought I should hit the web and found Seibertron to be the most accessible and active forum.

Welcome! Glad to have you

CptDraco wrote:1: Is Takara Tomy considered 1st party even though I can not buy them at a store in the USA?
All I have atm is Hasbro and I kinda like the Combiner Wars i have gathered so far. It also symbolizes the time in which I began collecting again so i am glad i got as many of them I have. Is that acceptable to just collect the Hasbro figures or will i be looked down on for not shelling out $100 for imports? (Though I do dream of having many of the Masterpiece)

TakaraTomy is synonymous with Hasbro. And I won't say there aren't Takara fanboys out there, but I haven't noticed any obnoxious behavior here. There's a very healthy mix of Hasbro fans, TT fans, 3P fans, and mixes of everything (like myself). And actually, I think the Hasbro fans outnumber the rest here anyways

CptDraco wrote:2: Is there a place online where i can find collector's in my area? There is probrably a well known site for that but I don't know what it is. It would be nice if I could meet with another collector and and find local meets and things.

Check the sightings threads and see if there's one local to you. Or, check Facebook. Unfortunately for me, Seibertron only has a general Canada thread, and the Canadian only forum (Cybertron.ca) only has a province (state) specific thread which almost totally focuses on the city next to me (stupid Calgarians grumble grumble). But on Facebook I found an amazing pile of people in my city with their own group that I'm now a part of.

Hope any of that helped

I usually buy both Hasbro & Takara (and 3rd party & KOs) - the only thing people can be a bit snobbish about is Korean Transformers (even though they are legit).

I'd never say rule out the KO's though KO MP Tracks is superior to the official one and much cheaper and things like the Overscale Thottlebots & the KO Machine Boy "Warbotron" Combaticons are a delight.

If you don't want a KO MP toy though be super careful as they are really hard to tell apart at times.

My personal philosophy is to collect what makes you happy. Don't go about it like a soulless object and doing it indiscriminately. When you do it that way it leads you being unhappy and unfulfilled. That was kind of why I took a break from Star Wars collecting and decided to focus on my favorite faction faction there. Same with my Jurassic Park collecting, but that is more in terms of Hasbro's poor quality with the Jurassic World line in addition to them losing the license.

Transformers are, at present, making me happy. I collect what I want in terms of favorite characters. I do tend to focus on Megatron and a few other Decepticons I like. That can either be Takara or Hasbro. I usually go by looks and of course what others have said in terms of quality. Sometimes I look for even show accuracy versus toy accuracy. Example, Unite Warriors Bruticus because of Shuttle Blast Off versus Hasbro CW Bruticus Jet Blast Off. I mostly favored characters that I appreciated from past to present.

I'm having fun and that's really all that matters I feel. I don't mind the aspect of purchasing 3rd party or KO especially if the figure looks nice and the quality/QC or QA is good. The only thing I'm reluctant to purchase are Masterpiece because of price tag involved between acquiring, fragility (because I can be a bit of a klutz), importing, and the fact they can be easily counterfeit from sellers on eBay.

Here is a decent and good place to talk collecting TFs with actually. If you're looking for something physical I could suggest posting here as well too to try to trigger a meetup in your area if you can.

CptDraco wrote: 1: Is Takara Tomy considered 1st party even though I can not buy them at a store in the USA? All I have atm is Hasbro and I kinda like the Combiner Wars i have gathered so far. It also symbolizes the time in which I began collecting again so i am glad i got as many of them I have. Is that acceptable to just collect the Hasbro figures or will i be looked down on for not shelling out $100 for imports? (Though I do dream of having many of the Masterpiece)

Takara Transformers are official 1st party figures, the only major difference between Hasbro and Takara are the figure's colour schemes (which is better or worse is entirely subjective), but Takara occasionally bring out a figure that's totally unique to them. For instance, the "Legends" line (Takara's version of the Generations line), includes toys of G1 Nightbird, Beast Wars Blackarachnia and Animated Slipstream, retooled from other figures but never released outside of Japan, and the "Unite Warriors" (their version of Combiner Wars) version of Blast Off is a completely original mould instead of the brown repaint of Fireflight in Combiner Wars (however to my knowledge Takara's Blast Off is not sold individually, only as part of a set with the other Combaticons).
More tha anything I'd say just buy what you like, and don't feel pressured into getting a specific figure because other people are raving about it. If there's a certain figure you're interested in, I'd advise you Google both versions of it, Hasbro and Takara, compare them (including the price tag) and decide which version you like more. And welcome to Seibertron, I hope you enjoy yourself on here!

CptDraco wrote:Hey. I hope this isnt starange to post here, and that I won't get flamed for it.

Not strange at all, welcome to the forums!

After looking around and buying out my local stores to get started on current stuff I thought I should hit the web and found Seibertron to be the most accessible and active forum.

So glad to hear this.

I have limited finances and so I decided to start i want to avoid 3rd party toys for now

Depensing on where you are located I could give you some fun tips for collecting on a budget, its very limited for me too

I have some pretty stupid questions

No such thing

Is Takara Tomy considered 1st party even though I can not buy them at a store in the USA?

Yes, those are official toys. And sadly, even some Hasbro toys dont end up being sold in the US sometimes. Location doesnt have to do with it. While the definitions vary, the generally accepted idea of a third aprty company is a company who makes unlicensed toys that transform and look like the characters we know (but cant use their names).

Is that acceptable to just collect the Hasbro figures or will i be looked down on for not shelling out $100 for imports?

Yeah of course its acceptable. Although Hasbro also has very expensive toys and sometimes (depending on where you are) importing could end up being cheaper. Like for example, right now if you want Superion with all the G1 members (all jets), buying the Takara version of Superion ends up cheaper than getting the Hasbro version off e-bay.

(Though I do dream of having many of the Masterpiece)

Hasbro releases them sometimes in the US. They are cometimes cheaper than importing them (sometimes not).

2: Is there a place online where i can find collector's in my area? There is probrably a well known site for that but I don't know what it is. It would be nice if I could meet with another collector and and find local meets and things.

We have a place for that on this site toy-sightings-forum-f57.php

Just find your state and post away

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I got some really good advice. I got asked for some additional info so here, I am in the state of Texas, USA. I will surely hit up the sightings forums right away. It's glad to hear that the Takara and Hasbro are mostly interchangeable because I was worried for a bit there. Special thanks to william-james88 for your concise answers and I would love some tips on budget collecting. I am also interested in learning about the hasbro released Masterpieces you mentioned. My big hang up I guess is that since now am an adult (sorta ) The HB and Takaras thant I love to play with, while they are great toys that I can transform as i please, leave me wanting more. that is my interst in the Masterpiece figures. I am a huge Megatron fan, I hear you Tyrannacon. So i drool over all the 3rd party awesome megs out there. I would like to find a way to get some of those MP or 3rd party "MP-like" quality figures on a budget. I have been just pooring over videos lately because of the debate over the new Maketoys, vs the others like Appolyon. I WANT THEM ALL!
Anyway. I am enjoying the Titans return line so far after this first wave so I am gonna stick with my Hasbros. It's easier to buy them locally than to mail order a Takara even if I like Blur and Scourge's colors better (which I do). I will also make more effort to find local collectors. thanks again for the welcome and all the great advice.

CptDraco wrote:I am also interested in learning about the hasbro released Masterpieces you mentioned.

This page on TFWiki has a section listing all the Hasbro Masterpieces, along with all the Takara main-line and special editions: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_Masterpiece
Hasbro hasn't brought out as many Masterpieces as Takara, but they're still worth looking through. The only massive difference I know of is that Hasbro's Masterpiece Soundwave is packed with all five of his little cassette buddys, while the Takara version just comes with Laserbeak, and the others are sold seperately in two packs (MP-15 Rumble and Ravage, and MP-16 Frenzy and Buzzsaw), so Hasbro's Soundwave might work out as the better deal.

CptDraco wrote: I am also interested in learning about the hasbro released Masterpieces you mentioned.

Bumblebee just came out http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js ... or%20You:1

And I just poste news that Hasbro is rereleaseing Sondwave: http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 016/36130/

I would like to find a way to get some of those MP or 3rd party "MP-like" quality figures on a budget.

I have a way for you. This is what I have done to buy MPs on a budget. I bought the excess from a factory in China, they currently have Grimlock, the casettes, Ironhide and Red Bumblebee:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ ... s&_sacat=0

Wow.. Mr. James, sir you have opened a large can of worms for me.
Thank you! I do forsee this being a think i have to watch constantly though if I want to get one. I am all over the Grimlock, but with shipping of $28 and I am already outbid pretty consistently I don't see getting a great deal unless I catch someone sleeping. Still a great source to jumpstart MP collecting. Now if only I could get a good deal on a used broken Apollyon for less than $100 I would be a happy man.

CptDraco wrote:Wow.. Mr. James, sir you have opened a large can of worms for me.
Thank you! I do forsee this being a think i have to watch constantly though if I want to get one. I am all over the Grimlock, but with shipping of $28 and I am already outbid pretty consistently I don't see getting a great deal unless I catch someone sleeping. Still a great source to jumpstart MP collecting. Now if only I could get a good deal on a used broken Apollyon for less than $100 I would be a happy man.

Haha, no problem. And the grimlocks out of box ell for about 35$, so 65$ for a shipped grimlock is a pretty good deal. He cost 80$ plus taxes when he came out and now goes for 150$ on e-bay in box.

As for appolyon, keep and eye out. A new MP Megatron called Mightron is coming out and a few people are gonna put their Appolyons on e-bay. I do foresee you being abl to get him complete for the price you are hoping for.

CptDraco wrote:Wow.. Mr. James, sir you have opened a large can of worms for me.
Thank you! I do forsee this being a think i have to watch constantly though if I want to get one. I am all over the Grimlock, but with shipping of $28 and I am already outbid pretty consistently I don't see getting a great deal unless I catch someone sleeping. Still a great source to jumpstart MP collecting. Now if only I could get a good deal on a used broken Apollyon for less than $100 I would be a happy man.

Sorry since I'm one of those that outbid you. But as WJ mentioned, based on the retail price of the figure when it came out years ago, and what it goes for now on ebay, I considered $30 pre-shipping to be a good deal. Maybe you can get it for less since it seems that the price has trended up recently, but I don't have the patience. I noticed that it sold for considerably less earlier in the year.

HA! it's ok man, I'll keep trying. there to be plenty as they keep posting them. Also I thought the new Megs coming out was the Maketoys Despotron but as it turns out the DX9 Mightron is still not quite released either! Even though there are videos out of the thing from reviewrs who got early prototypes like Peaugh. that makes 2 new Megs this year? Buyers market for Apollyons! Whoo!

CptDraco wrote:HA! it's ok man, I'll keep trying. there to be plenty as they keep posting them. Also I thought the new Megs coming out was the Maketoys Despotron but as it turns out the DX9 Mightron is still not quite released either! Even though there are videos out of the thing from reviewrs who got early prototypes like Peaugh. that makes 2 new Megs this year? Buyers market for Apollyons! Whoo!

Yup, 2 new megs (scheduled) this year. But you never know, these 3p companies dont have tight schedules, things get delayed quite a bit.

Also keep an eye out here if you want an Appolyon itscramtastic-s-collection-of-stuff-and-things-p1815744.php#p1815744

Already on that. LOL Funny guy. Thanks again, I love this site.

CptDraco wrote:Already on that. LOL Funny guy. Thanks again, I love this site.

Glad you are having fun here!

i real am. I wish there was a chatroom or something I am learning so much but I still have so many questions. Also I can check out other people toys and live vicariously! Always a plus.

CptDraco wrote:i real am. I wish there was a chatroom or something I am learning so much but I still have so many questions. Also I can check out other people toys and live vicariously! Always a plus.

You can ask all your questions here, dont worry, we will do our best to answer them. Of course if they are comic related, you can ask them in the comic forum and if they are 3rd party related you can ask them in that forum ect. This is the toy discussion forum so if you have any questions on any Hasbro or Takara toys feel free to ask them like you did before

william-james88 wrote:

CptDraco wrote:i real am. I wish there was a chatroom or something I am learning so much but I still have so many questions. Also I can check out other people toys and live vicariously! Always a plus.

You can ask all your questions here, dont worry, we will do our best to answer them. Of course if they are comic related, you can ask them in the comic forum and if they are 3rd party related you can ask them in that forum ect. This is the toy discussion forum so if you have any questions on any Hasbro or Takara toys feel free to ask them like you did before

I think people love parting advice here. For me, a new collector is like a blank canvas. I get all:

shajaki wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

CptDraco wrote:i real am. I wish there was a chatroom or something I am learning so much but I still have so many questions. Also I can check out other people toys and live vicariously! Always a plus.

You can ask all your questions here, dont worry, we will do our best to answer them. Of course if they are comic related, you can ask them in the comic forum and if they are 3rd party related you can ask them in that forum ect. This is the toy discussion forum so if you have any questions on any Hasbro or Takara toys feel free to ask them like you did before

I think people love parting advice here. For me, a new collector is like a blank canvas. I get all:

Whoah.

I have a question and wasn't sure where else to post this. Since I'm still a relatively new collector, I think this is as good a place as any. Apologies if this has been discussed in the past, but I didn't see anything on the boards after a quick search.

For those with a decent sized collection, how do you store your instruction manuals, comics, and cards? In the beginning, I kept everything, including the boxes. But I quickly ran out of space, so I decided to only keep the boxes for MP figures, box sets, and leader class and Titan figures. Right now I have all the instructions in a folder, which isn't very elegant and the folder is at max capacity. For the comics and cards, I have it all in an empty leader class box. Again, not very elegant.

Any advice or suggestions?

nycPrime wrote:I have a question and wasn't sure where else to post this. Since I'm still a relatively new collector, I think this is as good a place as any. Apologies if this has been discussed in the past, but I didn't see anything on the boards after a quick search.

For those with a decent sized collection, how do you store your instruction manuals, comics, and cards? In the beginning, I kept everything, including the boxes. But I quickly ran out of space, so I decided to only keep the boxes for MP figures, box sets, and leader class and Titan figures. Right now I have all the instructions in a folder, which isn't very elegant and the folder is at max capacity. For the comics and cards, I have it all in an empty leader class box. Again, not very elegant.

Any advice or suggestions?

For the cards, just get a binder and the clear plastic slots used for sports cards.

For the instructions, I currently have them in one of these:



But a binder with clear plastic sheets would work too.

I received MP Grimlock yesterday from Lena, and I love it! I'm pretty sure there isn't any figure out there that will bring me as much joy as this. It's a childhood dream come true.

I'm also impressed at how fast it came. I received it in about 3 weeks from payment. Read some horror stories online and prepared for the worst. I'd order from Lena again.

I'm looking to purchase a used figure from someone I connected with through a FB group. Any suggestions on how to complete the financial transaction so I'm somewhat protected?