The Energon Pub

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:I take that back. I still want a good Nemesis Prime. Right now I'm torn between trying to find the Netflix Spoiler Nemesis Prime at a reasonable price [why is the Takara Siege one bonkers expensive?] or going with Velocitron Scourge. Thoughts?

There's two versions of the Takara WFC Nemesis Prime. The original, who is super rare, and the Netflix version that is in a different box. Still expensive, unfortunately.

Velocitron Scourge is a completely different character and is not really a "Nemesis". It's like using Nemesis Leo as your Nemesis Prime. To go with your collection and display that is G1-centric, the Netflix Nemesis is your best bet. Too bad you're 3 years to late to get him for retail price.

So, if you really want it, you'll have to bite the bullet and pay double the price.
I did for some toys in the past. It suck, but better pay double than triple or quadruple.

The other options for Nemesises either don't match, or are as expensive anyway.

Fair enough. I did come across this, not too badly priced, listing, but I've never done business with this site and the whole things feels sketchy.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805846164034.html

Thoughts?

Mkdlmr wrote:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805846164034.html

Thoughts?

I buy often from AliExpress. They are usually very reliable and secure. You'll have to know the difference between knock-off and authentic figures. The best proof that the toy is a KO is if the price is way too cheap for what it's supposed to be. If the price is more expensive than the usual, the toy is authentic.

Also, like eBay, there's lots of sellers on that marketplace. All have their ratings. I say if the seller have a 98% rating with thousands of sales, that's a reliable one. If the seller barely have any sales, even at 100%, I say avoid.

Also, consider that if you buy some 3rd party or unique Chinese molds you can't get anywhere else, the toys are usually sold without box and are often badly packaged. Mix that with toys made out of hard and brittle plastics, and things can arrive broken.

Also, you better not be a OCD MISB collector because even if you order with box, the original box WILL come damaged or even crushed.

Also, registering a credit card require you to jump through a lot of hoops.

Now that you know the flaws of that site, the positives:

It's the only place where you can get UNIQUE STUFF LIKE THIS FOR CHEAP.

It's also the best place to get upgrade kits.

It's also where you can find some official merch for a a mark-up that is more reasonable than eBay. Like the Nemesis you showed me. Also, the Hasbro Figures Store at AliExpress only sell official stuff and it's where I bought my Shattered Glass Ultra Magnus. They are good.

So, yeah. Register to AliExpress. You'll find treasures you won't find anywhere else, despite the occasional hiccup.

Wow... thanks for all the Intel!

Speaking of upgrades, what are your thoughts on tfsafari? I have never used them before either.

Mkdlmr wrote:Wow... thanks for all the Intel!

Speaking of upgrades, what are your thoughts on tfsafari? I have never used them before either.

The shipping costs are high for this here Canadian.

It's cheaper for me to buy from AliExpress.

Regardless, they have a good reputation.

Looks like I actually made a little more room. Looking for a couple of solid autobots, preferably on the smaller deluxe-size side. I know you mentioned Skids and Sunstreaker, but I'm skeptical of the translucent plastic on one and the other one goes for ridiculous prices.

Mkdlmr wrote:Looks like I actually made a little more room. Looking for a couple of solid autobots, preferably on the smaller deluxe-size side. I know you mentioned Skids and Sunstreaker, but I'm skeptical of the translucent plastic on one and the other one goes for ridiculous prices.

There's rumors for a reissue-ish of Sunstreaker in the SS86 line.
If you want some Sunstreakers, you could always get the Cordon and Spinout two pack. You'll have your 2 autobots and will be able to enjoy the mold.

Buy here:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295649989361?ha ... R6qZicrfYg

As for Skids, I have all of the molds and I don't fear the clear plastics at all.

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Skids, I have all of the molds and I don't fear the clear plastics at all.

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm just really wary of clear plastics from all the posts and my experience with having to handle my SS86 Jazz extra gently. I was all excited for a non-exclusive Ratchet [SS86] in until I saw the clear plastic hinges...

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Skids, I have all of the molds and I don't fear the clear plastics at all.

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm just really wary of clear plastics from all the posts and my experience with having to handle my SS86 Jazz extra gently. I was all excited for a non-exclusive Ratchet [SS86] in until I saw the clear plastic hinges...

If it's not done already, get the Buzzworthy Bee "Dead" Ironhide and Prowl 2 pack. No clear anything.
Then, when the time come, you'll get the "dead" Ratchet and (Brawn?) 2 pack, who won't have any clear.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Skids, I have all of the molds and I don't fear the clear plastics at all.

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm just really wary of clear plastics from all the posts and my experience with having to handle my SS86 Jazz extra gently. I was all excited for a non-exclusive Ratchet [SS86] in until I saw the clear plastic hinges...

If it's not done already, get the Buzzworthy Bee "Dead" Ironhide and Prowl 2 pack. No clear anything.
Then, when the time come, you'll get the "dead" Ratchet and (Brawn?) 2 pack, who won't have any clear.

Is it wrong that I really don't like battle damage?

How is the clear plastic on Earthrise/Kingdom Ratchet?

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Skids, I have all of the molds and I don't fear the clear plastics at all.

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm just really wary of clear plastics from all the posts and my experience with having to handle my SS86 Jazz extra gently. I was all excited for a non-exclusive Ratchet [SS86] in until I saw the clear plastic hinges...

If it's not done already, get the Buzzworthy Bee "Dead" Ironhide and Prowl 2 pack. No clear anything.
Then, when the time come, you'll get the "dead" Ratchet and (Brawn?) 2 pack, who won't have any clear.

Is it wrong that I really don't like battle damage?

You do you but it's a way to have the molds WITHOUT any clear plastics. Beside, you could always buy the two pack, who is CHEAPER than the price of a voyager and a deluxe together, fill in the battle damage part with something, then order the reprolabels to cover everything. Appart the "O" face, you'll have an Ironhide without battle damage nor clear plastics.

Mkdlmr wrote:How is the clear plastic on Earthrise/Kingdom Ratchet?

Why are you asking this? Not only is the mold inferior to the SS86, the price is still absurd. If you want to try it out yourself, just get D.K Guard from Selects. He's still plenty available and is dirt cheap. I have it along SG Ratchet and there's no issues.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:How is the clear plastic on Earthrise/Kingdom Ratchet?

Why are you asking this?

Because I had a brain-fart and meant Wheeljack, not Ratchet.

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:How is the clear plastic on Earthrise/Kingdom Ratchet?

Why are you asking this?

Because I had a brain-fart and meant Wheeljack, not Ratchet.

Ah.

I really don't like him. Mainly because of those two tiny triangular windshield tidbits that keep popping off when transforming.

Still, I wanna ask.
You really don't like any Selects repaints? Because each times I mention them, its as if I said nothing and the subject matter is completely brushed off.

Ironic since you have Black Zarak and Roritchi.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:How is the clear plastic on Earthrise/Kingdom Ratchet?

Why are you asking this?

Because I had a brain-fart and meant Wheeljack, not Ratchet.

Ah.

I really don't like him. Mainly because of those two tiny triangular windshield tidbits that keep popping off when transforming.

Still, I wanna ask.
You really don't like any Selects repaints? Because each times I mention them, its as if I said nothing and the subject matter is completely brushed off.

Ironic since you have Black Zarak and Roritchi.

Huh, I never actually noticed I did that. I guess I just look at the repaints, think "huh, dunno who this is" and just keep going... Black Zarak was the exception because I got hit by some random Google ad and he was $70, and I really wanted Scorponok, but couldn't stomach the price he's going for. Black Roritchi would have been skipped if Amazon didn't drop him to $34 spontaneously, so I guess I'd be okay with Selects repaints if they were 50% off MSRP?

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, I never actually noticed I did that. I guess I just look at the repaints, think "huh, dunno who this is" and just keep going... Black Zarak was the exception because I got hit by some random Google ad and he was $70, and I really wanted Scorponok, but couldn't stomach the price he's going for. Black Roritchi would have been skipped if Amazon didn't drop him to $34 spontaneously, so I guess I'd be okay with Selects repaints if they were 50% off MSRP?

So, the character matter.

Even when it's the SAME character as the original, just in "toy accurate" colors? Because I don't know on your end, but over here, Selects Galvatron and Cyclonus can still easily be obtained at 50% off pretty much everywhere. You'll pass them up? Even at these prices?



https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Gen ... C67&sr=1-3



https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Gen ... C67&sr=1-7

Here, like they say on 4chan, I'm spoon-feeding them to you.

Thanks! Already got both of them [Original Kingdom Galvatron though].

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks! Already got both of them [Original Kingdom Galvatron though].

At that price, you could double-dip on Selects Galvatron and Reprolabel him into Marvel Comics Galvatron. Especially for a total price that is around voyager priced. That includes the stickers!

What are your thoughts on the Kingdom Huffer mold?

Mkdlmr wrote:What are your thoughts on the Kingdom Huffer mold?

It's good, but not perfect because the little truck always end up a little "crooked".

This didn't stop me from buying all four of them tho.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:What are your thoughts on the Kingdom Huffer mold?

It's good, but not perfect because the little truck always end up a little "crooked".

This didn't stop me from buying all four of them tho.

Thanks! No clear plastic joints or anything fragile though, right?

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:What are your thoughts on the Kingdom Huffer mold?

It's good, but not perfect because the little truck always end up a little "crooked".

This didn't stop me from buying all four of them tho.

Thanks! No clear plastic joints or anything fragile though, right?

Appart the occasional thing that will pop off then right back in in transformation, nothing fragile here.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:What are your thoughts on the Kingdom Huffer mold?

It's good, but not perfect because the little truck always end up a little "crooked".

This didn't stop me from buying all four of them tho.

Thanks! No clear plastic joints or anything fragile though, right?

Appart the occasional thing that will pop off then right back in in transformation, nothing fragile here.

Thanks! You mentioned the Earthrise Trailbreaker mold in your top ten. Is it fragile in anyway?

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks! You mentioned the Earthrise Trailbreaker mold in your top ten. Is it fragile in anyway?

Oh yes. It cannot withstand the full force of an hydraulic press.

Also, do you want to coom hard? Like, really HARD? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Get these:

-- Animated deluxe Swindle.

-- Animated Safeguard.

-- Beast Machines deluxe Optimus Primal.

-- MP-03G Ghost Starscream.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks! You mentioned the Earthrise Trailbreaker mold in your top ten. Is it fragile in anyway?

Oh yes. It cannot withstand the full force of an hydraulic press.

So... no... clear plastic joints/hinges?

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks! You mentioned the Earthrise Trailbreaker mold in your top ten. Is it fragile in anyway?

Oh yes. It cannot withstand the full force of an hydraulic press.

So... no... clear plastic joints/hinges?

These are a thing of the past. Even the toys that are "full clear" today have their joints in solid plastics. Appart some panels, of course.




For the full CLEAR experience, refer to my cooming list.