The Energon Pub

[sol magnus]

Id usually agree with the sentiment but the poster is not stealing.. and the demand only exists here because the official prices are so ludicrous. In this instance i think the company is making a rod for its own back.

I for one didnt hesitate to grab a KO ratbat because like f**k was i shelling out £100 - £150 for essentially a second soundwave just to have all the cassettes.

Looking at MP44, are they offering an english speaking version? No. Are they offering a cheaper non electronics version? No. Are they offering a cab only version? No.

Taking your Ferrari annecdote.. its more like wanting a DB9 10 - 15 years ago when they were the car to have, then deciding to buy the Jaguar sports car that basically copied the silhouette and cost £40k less.

In your Ratbat example, I simply don't have a Ratbat. I wasn't going for Soundblaster pricing just to get a Ratbat. But by the same token, I don't want a KO. I don't want a lesser quality repro figure on my shelf. If I ever get around to it, I'd rather save up and shell out 60-70 bucks for just a Ratbat, if I want it that badly - or like a consumer with limited income, I will do without. Same with MP-44.

Do I purchase the occassional 3P figure? Sure, if there is no official equivalent, but even then I realize I'm probably not helping the cause by doing so. So far, for every one I've purchased, I've gotten the Takara equivalent...which currently amounts to Sunstreaker. They're better representations and better quality figures. The only reason the other guys can get any of my money is because HasTak simply hasn't produced the equivalent. I eagerly await Jazz, Brawn, Trailbreaker and Mirage (the other 3p figures I own) to get official versions, but I bet on the fact that they were far enough down the pipeline I'm not "taking" any money from HasTak by buying them. I bet wrong on Sunstreaker.

It's not about being a "purist", it's about being a fan of THE BRAND and not just the physical representation of the characters separated from all the marketing associated with it. Even living in a mercenary society bent on having it all as cheaply as possible, I have some rules. But that's just me.

Back to KO figures for a sec. They are IP theft, plain and simple. Your money is your money, but justifying the purchase of a KO by framing real MPs as "rip-offs" is just disingenuousjustification. Please don't take it as judgement, because I don't know you. But facts are facts, and laws are laws.

[PadForce]

Id usually agree with the sentiment but the poster is not stealing.. and the demand only exists here because the official prices are so ludicrous. In this instance i think the company is making a rod for its own back.

I for one didnt hesitate to grab a KO ratbat because like f**k was i shelling out £100 - £150 for essentially a second soundwave just to have all the cassettes.

Looking at MP44, are they offering an english speaking version? No. Are they offering a cheaper non electronics version? No. Are they offering a cab only version? No.

Taking your Ferrari annecdote.. its more like wanting a DB9 10 - 15 years ago when they were the car to have, then deciding to buy the Jaguar sports car that basically copied the silhouette and cost £40k less.

In your Ratbat example, I simply don't have a Ratbat. I wasn't going for Soundblaster pricing just to get a Ratbat. But by the same token, I don't want a KO. I don't want a lesser quality repro figure on my shelf. If I ever get around to it, I'd rather save up and shell out 60-70 bucks for just a Ratbat, if I want it that badly - or like a consumer with limited income, I will do without. Same with MP-44.

Do I purchase the occassional 3P figure? Sure, if there is no official equivalent, but even then I realize I'm probably not helping the cause by doing so. So far, for every one I've purchased, I've gotten the Takara equivalent...which currently amounts to Sunstreaker. They're better representations and better quality figures. The only reason the other guys can get any of my money is because HasTak simply hasn't produced the equivalent. I eagerly await Jazz, Brawn, Trailbreaker and Mirage (the other 3p figures I own) to get official versions, but I bet on the fact that they were far enough down the pipeline I'm not "taking" any money from HasTak by buying them. I bet wrong on Sunstreaker.

It's not about being a "purist", it's about being a fan of THE BRAND and not just the physical representation of the characters separated from all the marketing associated with it. Even living in a mercenary society bent on having it all as cheaply as possible, I have some rules. But that's just me.

Back to KO figures for a sec. They are IP theft, plain and simple. Your money is your money, but justifying the purchase of a KO by framing real MPs as "rip-offs" is just disingenuousjustification. Please don't take it as judgement, because I don't know you. But facts are facts, and laws are laws.

So when you buy your ratbat, how are you going to ensure it isnt a KO? Im curious because my whole problem with the ratbat situation was that Takara specifically chose not to give us an official way to buy it, other than with a soundwave repaint. Interested to know how you are going to go about it. If they are going to make such anti consumer choices ill buy the KOs all the way to the bank. I happily bought the official takara sojndwave and both of the 2x cassette boxes, not cheap they chose not to offer ratbat for sale, i chose a ko. If theyd offered him for sale o wouldnt have had that issue and they would have my money.

I don't buy 3p figures so cant respond to you on that.

Re "rip offs" when did i say they were rip offs? Whilst i do think they are abusing market position with those prices, you using the words rips offs implies the product isnt worth anything.. which i dont agree with.

[starfish]

“Anti-consumer”... “abusing”... Takara are the victims of illegal copyright theft yet you’re blaming THEM?

Hooray for victim-blaming! “She deserved it, officer!”

[sol magnus]

Id usually agree with the sentiment but the poster is not stealing.. and the demand only exists here because the official prices are so ludicrous. In this instance i think the company is making a rod for its own back.

I for one didnt hesitate to grab a KO ratbat because like f**k was i shelling out £100 - £150 for essentially a second soundwave just to have all the cassettes.

Looking at MP44, are they offering an english speaking version? No. Are they offering a cheaper non electronics version? No. Are they offering a cab only version? No.

Taking your Ferrari annecdote.. its more like wanting a DB9 10 - 15 years ago when they were the car to have, then deciding to buy the Jaguar sports car that basically copied the silhouette and cost £40k less.

In your Ratbat example, I simply don't have a Ratbat. I wasn't going for Soundblaster pricing just to get a Ratbat. But by the same token, I don't want a KO. I don't want a lesser quality repro figure on my shelf. If I ever get around to it, I'd rather save up and shell out 60-70 bucks for just a Ratbat, if I want it that badly - or like a consumer with limited income, I will do without. Same with MP-44.

Do I purchase the occassional 3P figure? Sure, if there is no official equivalent, but even then I realize I'm probably not helping the cause by doing so. So far, for every one I've purchased, I've gotten the Takara equivalent...which currently amounts to Sunstreaker. They're better representations and better quality figures. The only reason the other guys can get any of my money is because HasTak simply hasn't produced the equivalent. I eagerly await Jazz, Brawn, Trailbreaker and Mirage (the other 3p figures I own) to get official versions, but I bet on the fact that they were far enough down the pipeline I'm not "taking" any money from HasTak by buying them. I bet wrong on Sunstreaker.

It's not about being a "purist", it's about being a fan of THE BRAND and not just the physical representation of the characters separated from all the marketing associated with it. Even living in a mercenary society bent on having it all as cheaply as possible, I have some rules. But that's just me.

Back to KO figures for a sec. They are IP theft, plain and simple. Your money is your money, but justifying the purchase of a KO by framing real MPs as "rip-offs" is just disingenuousjustification. Please don't take it as judgement, because I don't know you. But facts are facts, and laws are laws.

So when you buy your ratbat, how are you going to ensure it isnt a KO? Im curious because my whole problem with the ratbat situation was that Takara specifically chose not to give us an official way to buy it, other than with a soundwave repaint. Interested to know how you are going to go about it. If they are going to make such anti consumer choices ill buy the KOs all the way to the bank. I happily bought the official takara sojndwave and both of the 2x cassette boxes, not cheap they chose not to offer ratbat for sale, i chose a ko. If theyd offered him for sale o wouldnt have had that issue and they would have my money.

I don't buy 3p figures so cant respond to you on that.

Re "rip offs" when did i say they were rip offs? Whilst i do think they are abusing market position with those prices, you using the words rips offs implies the product isnt worth anything.. which i dont agree with.

I have a buddy who I could split the cost with. He doesn't care about the Ratbat so much. That's one avenue. I've seen them on ebay. They exist, but certainly it's caveat emptor like anything else purchased aftermarket.

As far as them not giving us a way to get it, uh...they did. It comes with Soundblaster. It's not Takara's problem that you want all the figures you want and not the ones you don't. I would expect to pay a premium for a figure that isn't as widely available as most other figures. That's not "anti-consumer", that's betting people will shell out money for something if given appropriate value for it...in this case, the Ratbat kind of makes the Soundblaster. People definitely bought it.

Rip off was my word. I admit that, but essentially, that's what you're saying about the one's too expensive in your view to buy.

rip-offDictionary result for rip-off
/ˈrip ˌôf/Submit
nounINFORMAL
a fraud or swindle, especially something that is grossly overpriced.
"designer label clothes are just expensive rip-offs"
synonyms: fraud, swindle, fraudulent scheme, confidence trick, mare's nest; More
an inferior imitation of something.
"rip-offs of all the latest styles"

How does that differ from your position on MP-44 or Soundblaster or even a non-KO Ratbat?

[PadForce]

So you are willing to pay a load of money with noguarantee it is not a ko? Ok.

Yes, it is anti - consumer. They specifically made that choice to get extra money out of the consumers, and its not just a bit, its 10x (meets your definition of rip-off) I am more than happy going the ko route if they are not going to provide reasonable ways for people to access their products.

Not sure how that is disengenous either.. im being quite clear that if Takara think they can force me to give them £100 because i want something worth £10, ill give them £0.

As ive said before, im considering getting mp44, i dont think it is a rip off. Yes it is overpriced. Is it a swindle? No.

[sol magnus]

So you are willing to pay a load of money with noguarantee it is not a ko? Ok.

Yes, it is anti - consumer. They specifically made that choice to get extra money out of the consumers, and its not just a bit, its 10x (meets your definition of rip-off) I am more than happy going the ko route if they are not going to provide reasonable ways for people to access their products.

Not sure how that is disengenous either.. im being quite clear that if Takara think they can force me to give them £100 because i want something worth £10, ill give them £0.

As ive said before, im considering getting mp44, i dont think it is a rip off. Yes it is overpriced. Is it a swindle? No.

I didn't say I was willing to pay with "no guarantee", but caveat emptor means "buyer beware." I'd have to either do what I suggested with my buddy, or take a risk. That's life. I still don't own a Ratbat, so there's that.

It's not possible to be "anti-consumer" when you're selling to consumers. That's an oxymoron. It's actually the height of capitalism. I'd argue the same thing, but in reverse. Getting more money out of people is capitalism. Perhaps to excess, but hey...that's why we have the ability to choose.

You are basing what you want and not willing pay for as a position that is strictly emotional. That's what's disingenuous. You don't want to spend the money, so blame Takara for you buying a KO. I'm not judging you for the action, just the reasoning behind the action. If "it's just too expensive" is the reason, then so be it. If it's "Takara is making me do this" is the reason, then that is disingenuous. Takara isn't "forcing you" to buy any of these figures. I know you know better. You don't have to have any of these figures. None of us do, despite whatever collector's addictions we may suffer from.

dis·in·gen·u·ousDictionary result for disingenuous
/ˌdisənˈjenyo͞oəs/Submit
adjective
not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.

People take the word as an insult, I'm just using the word correctly in context.

[-Kanrabat-]

I agree that a straight KO copy is bad and not the way to go.
However, I'm for the gray area of heavily modified KO like those WeiJiang ones where they take a voyager, oversize it to MP scale, then mod and paint it so much that it's now WAY better than the original... and way more expensive ironically.

But this MP-44 can only be a fraudulent straight copy. There will be nothing to mod. It may even be cheaply build. There will be no point in buying a MP-44 KO. Because most of the appeal to the toy is not just to have a "toon accurate" Optimus, but to have the HIGH END LUXURY ITEM that is this MP. A Zircon ring will just be a zircon ring. Never a genuine pure diamond. So there is no point in buying a Zircon while pretending it's diamond.

So if one want to have a "toon Optimus" without having to pay the big bucks while still having a decent toy, there's those two new 3rd party offerings available right now that are perfectly fine and legal to get.

[Nemesis Maximo]

There's those two new 3rd party offerings available right now that are perfectly fine and legal to get.

[PadForce]

“Anti-consumer”... “abusing”... Takara are the victims of illegal copyright theft yet you’re blaming THEM?

Hooray for victim-blaming! “She deserved it, officer!”

Lol, so you are comparing buying toys to rape.

Slow clap.

[PadForce]

Accidentally deleted the opening quote bit from this!

It's not possible to be "anti-consumer" when you're selling to consumers. That's an oxymoron. It's actually the height of capitalism. I'd argue the same thing, but in reverse. Getting more money out of people is capitalism. Perhaps to excess, but hey...that's why we have the ability to choose.

You are basing what you want and not willing pay for as a position that is strictly emotional. That's what's disingenuous. You don't want to spend the money, so blame Takara for you buying a KO. I'm not judging you for the action, just the reasoning behind the action. If "it's just too expensive" is the reason, then so be it. If it's "Takara is making me do this" is the reason, then that is disingenuous. Takara isn't "forcing you" to buy any of these figures. I know you know better. You don't have to have any of these figures. None of us do, despite whatever collector's addictions we may suffer from.[/quote]

I dont understand that you say it is not possible to be anti consumer.. basically you are implying it is not possible for companies to try to extort money out of people? A successful business typically sells good quality goods that people want at reasonable prices to happy customers.. takara is not doing that by bundling goods together so if you want the lesser good you have to pay for the whole.. its not consumer friendly. Anyway i clearly dont understand or agree with you on this so happy to let it lie.

It is not an emotional decision, it is rational one. Ratbat is rationally not worth £100 (as i assign £0 value to soundblaster) so i decided not to buy it. How is that emotional rather than rational? To be clear as well i am not blaming (in the sense of "oh you've wronged me i am going to do this this and this") them, i am saying they have not provided a product i want to buy at the price they are asking, so ive brought sonething else. Im not angry about it, just stating a factual series of events.

[ksquad80]

It’s theft, pure and simple. It’s like buying a knock-off DVD. The price that Takara is charging is immaterial. It doesn’t matter if MP Ratbat costs $1000 or $1, if it’s a KO it’s illegal, and by owning one, you’re a party to that.

Justify it to yourself all you want, but don’t expect everyone to agree with you.

And your Jaguar example doesn’t prove anything. You’re essentially saying “someone else got away with it, so I should be able to, also.” So by your argument, does that mean I’m allowed to burgle your house, just because other burglars have occasionally gone unpunished?

First, thanks for respecting my request to keep my topic on point and devolving into an argument that has been had ad nauseum on these boards. Arguments that never result in anyone actually changing their perspectives either, just harden stances.

Secondly, I'm not an avid collector. Brand loyalty to or is of no concern to me. I just want nice display pieces of the two most recognizable Transformers, Optimus and Megatron. In the case of the Infinite Transformations KO, it is actually superior to MP-36 as far as I'm concerned. They manufactured it with a good bit of die-cast, provided a backplate to clean up the mess Takara left, and packed extra accessories (including a canon with English soundbytes). All that for about a third of the price. It was an easy decision.

Lastly, I don't appreciate you calling me a thief. I paid for a product with real money, plain and simple.

[ZeroWolf]

Wouldn't some of this discussion be better served in the KO and 3rd Party thread? (such as asking for a KO of mp 44)

I would have thought that by now people would have made their peace with the price tag, either you're buying it or not.

[sol magnus]

Accidentally deleted the opening quote bit from this!

It's not possible to be "anti-consumer" when you're selling to consumers. That's an oxymoron. It's actually the height of capitalism. I'd argue the same thing, but in reverse. Getting more money out of people is capitalism. Perhaps to excess, but hey...that's why we have the ability to choose.

You are basing what you want and not willing pay for as a position that is strictly emotional. That's what's disingenuous. You don't want to spend the money, so blame Takara for you buying a KO. I'm not judging you for the action, just the reasoning behind the action. If "it's just too expensive" is the reason, then so be it. If it's "Takara is making me do this" is the reason, then that is disingenuous. Takara isn't "forcing you" to buy any of these figures. I know you know better. You don't have to have any of these figures. None of us do, despite whatever collector's addictions we may suffer from.

I dont understand that you say it is not possible to be anti consumer.. basically you are implying it is not possible for companies to try to extort money out of people? A successful business typically sells good quality goods that people want at reasonable prices to happy customers.. takara is not doing that by bundling goods together so if you want the lesser good you have to pay for the whole.. its not consumer friendly. Anyway i clearly dont understand or agree with you on this so happy to let it lie.

It is not an emotional decision, it is rational one. Ratbat is rationally not worth £100 (as i assign £0 value to soundblaster) so i decided not to buy it. How is that emotional rather than rational? To be clear as well i am not blaming (in the sense of "oh you've wronged me i am going to do this this and this") them, i am saying they have not provided a product i want to buy at the price they are asking, so ive brought sonething else. Im not angry about it, just stating a factual series of events.

How is a company extorting you to buy a non-essential product? How is this company extorting you? You don't have to buy it just because they sell it. Bottom line.

Buying toys is never a rational decision in the purest sense. You can rationalize the purchase, but that does not make it rational. It's emotional. If it wasn't it would be a weird looking toy in the shape of a bat with no other context. But because it's Ratbat, and you love Transformers (love is an emotion), and you love collecting (also emotional) you want one. You don't want to pay the money for a Soundblaster (emotional), so you'll go for a KO version of Ratbat (rational based on emotional decision).

[PadForce]

Wouldn't some of this discussion be better served in the KO and 3rd Party thread? (such as asking for a KO of mp 44)

I would have thought that by now people would have made their peace with the price tag, either you're buying it or not.

I was a "not" but the pics look so good i might swing to a yes closer to the time.. will have to see.

[Burn]

Wouldn't some of this discussion be better served in the KO and 3rd Party thread? (such as asking for a KO of mp 44)

Or at the very least, a thread of it's own.

Keep it on MP-44 please. If you want to debate the morals and ethics of 3P products, please do it in it's own appropriate thread.

[-Kanrabat-]

It may have already been said somewhere, but maybe Takara is testing the waters with this price tag. And if that Optimus get instantly sold out as soon as the preorders are out, we should expect more of this kind of pricing for future releases. Frivolous accessories like "Cosplayer Starscream" or not.

[ksquad80]

Wouldn't some of this discussion be better served in the KO and 3rd Party thread? (such as asking for a KO of mp 44)

I would have thought that by now people would have made their peace with the price tag, either you're buying it or not.

I was asking a question specific to an MP-44 KO, which quickly became buried in the off-topic bickering. I guess I shouldn't have expected any viable feedback having watched how most of these thread topics go. It's unfortunate that the large majority of conversation on these boards is A)people complaining about execution/selection of new figures or B)getting into spats and tossing jabs at one another.

Anyway, maybe I'll take your suggestion and post my question in a KO thread. Cheers

[Hellscream9999]

It may have already been said somewhere, but maybe Takara is testing the waters with this price tag. And if that Optimus get instantly sold out as soon as the preorders are out, we should expect more of this kind of pricing for future releases. Frivolous accessories like "Cosplayer Starscream" or not.

Man, I don't know if I would want this at even $200; MP-10 is just so much more visually interesting and doesn't fake much if anything; that said, now that I have siege prime, I'm not sure I even need mp-10, other than maybe the new nemesis shoe prime, he's gorgeous;

If you ask me, TT are starting a battle they can't win; now, sure they can make this $450, and maybe we'll buy it, and sure they can splurge out a $120 bb, but, as you can see from that thread, their pricing strategy is already beginning to destroy this franchise; you can say they can price it whatever they want to for the 1% that will buy it, but that won't sustain the line. It reminds me of how the last ghostbusters movie was made for the minority of a market and they drove away the masses that would have sustained the movie, this strategy just doesn't work for long

[-Kanrabat-]

If you ask me, TT are starting a battle they can't win; now, sure they can make this $450, and maybe we'll buy it, and sure they can splurge out a $120 bb, but, as you can see from that thread, their pricing strategy is already beginning to destroy this franchise; you can say they can price it whatever they want to for the 1% that will buy it, but that won't sustain the line.

I don't know. Some markets can and will buy things that are outrageously priced. Like those 3A statues or Dollfie Dream dolls. But those markets are clearly different and the average Transformers collector won't go out of their way to buy those 500$ special limited MP-10s. It will be a wait and see approach. Personally, I wouldn't mind paying 200$CAN for that Optimus if it came with only the gun and ax without the trailer and all those extra bits. But 600$CAN for all the extra things that will inevitably be box-warmers? Hell no. And that's coming from a guy who bought a freaking 1000$CAN doll.

Not to sound like an elitist but those who are unwilling to pay the current MP-10 price will never, ever buy the new MPs anyway. Heck, the same can be said for the current TF lines with the price increasing this way (but fortunately the quality is going up again). If one is unwilling to pay the entry level price of a hobby, he will never ever go to the premium stuff. It's only a matter of life priorities and tastes.

No one answered yet for this thing I asked before a few pages ago, but I sincerely wonder if that MP-44 will have special BAPE repaints that will sell for 1000$US or more?
And if yes, will some people willing to "catch them all"?

[Ironhidensh]

It may have already been said somewhere, but maybe Takara is testing the waters with this price tag. And if that Optimus get instantly sold out as soon as the preorders are out, we should expect more of this kind of pricing for future releases. Frivolous accessories like "Cosplayer Starscream" or not.

Pre orders are all soldout, but they are all unpaid. I'll be very interested to see how many people actually shell out the money come next fall. It won't be me, as I'm waiting for the KO and/or a super hot discount sale.

Still, I'm very curious to see how well this does, as like you say, its probably going to determine the fate of official masterpiece figures.

[ZeroWolf]

Yes kanra, I can see them doing repaints that are double the cost...but only if, come August this guy sells out completely. The first would likely be Nemesis prime

[-Kanrabat-]

Yes kanra, I can see them doing repaints that are double the cost...but only if, come August this guy sells out completely. The first would likely be Nemesis prime

Oh, they will, no doubt. And a Nemezis Prime will most likely be among the first, but he may not be as expensive because like for MP-10, he'll be a regular (albeit Japan exclusive) release and may most likely come without trailer and extras. Making his price ironically less expensive.

I'm asking more about the very premium and very limited BAPE and oddball repaints like 7-11 and Evangelions. Those also came without trailers and those sell for a hefty premium. So will MP-44 get at least the BAPE treatment? Will he come with the trailer and extra bits? And most importantly, what will be his price and how well will he sell? I'm morbidly curious.


For those who have no idea what the BAPE repaints sell for from Mandrake, the place with the most fair prices.
https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/lis ... pe&lang=en

EDIT: Dat 85000JPY Bape green MP-10 that is SOLD OUT.

[Hellscream9999]

It may have already been said somewhere, but maybe Takara is testing the waters with this price tag. And if that Optimus get instantly sold out as soon as the preorders are out, we should expect more of this kind of pricing for future releases. Frivolous accessories like "Cosplayer Starscream" or not.

Pre orders are all soldout, but they are all unpaid. I'll be very interested to see how many people actually shell out the money come next fall. It won't be me, as I'm waiting for the KO and/or a super hot discount sale.

Still, I'm very curious to see how well this does, as like you say, its probably going to determine the fate of official masterpiece figures.

Seems like this and bb2.0 is already setting the precedent for the new direction and price bump

[Hellscream9999]

Not to sound like an elitist but those who are unwilling to pay the current MP-10 price will never, ever buy the new MPs anyway. Heck, the same can be said for the current TF lines with the price increasing this way (but fortunately the quality is going up again). If one is unwilling to pay the entry level price of a hobby, he will never ever go to the premium stuff. It's only a matter of life priorities and tastes.

I'm assuming this wasn't aimed at me specifically, I've always wanted a mp10, I've just never been able to prioritize it against anything in the generations line, as I don't love G1 prime enough over, say, combiners, or the fun-splosion of tr, or this new line, or anything from t30 which was way more my area, plus, I also do the whole lego thing too; so that's why I haven't jumped on mp 10

[PadForce]

Accidentally deleted the opening quote bit from this!

It's not possible to be "anti-consumer" when you're selling to consumers. That's an oxymoron. It's actually the height of capitalism. I'd argue the same thing, but in reverse. Getting more money out of people is capitalism. Perhaps to excess, but hey...that's why we have the ability to choose.

You are basing what you want and not willing pay for as a position that is strictly emotional. That's what's disingenuous. You don't want to spend the money, so blame Takara for you buying a KO. I'm not judging you for the action, just the reasoning behind the action. If "it's just too expensive" is the reason, then so be it. If it's "Takara is making me do this" is the reason, then that is disingenuous. Takara isn't "forcing you" to buy any of these figures. I know you know better. You don't have to have any of these figures. None of us do, despite whatever collector's addictions we may suffer from.

I dont understand that you say it is not possible to be anti consumer.. basically you are implying it is not possible for companies to try to extort money out of people? A successful business typically sells good quality goods that people want at reasonable prices to happy customers.. takara is not doing that by bundling goods together so if you want the lesser good you have to pay for the whole.. its not consumer friendly. Anyway i clearly dont understand or agree with you on this so happy to let it lie.

It is not an emotional decision, it is rational one. Ratbat is rationally not worth £100 (as i assign £0 value to soundblaster) so i decided not to buy it. How is that emotional rather than rational? To be clear as well i am not blaming (in the sense of "oh you've wronged me i am going to do this this and this") them, i am saying they have not provided a product i want to buy at the price they are asking, so ive brought sonething else. Im not angry about it, just stating a factual series of events.

How is a company extorting you to buy a non-essential product? How is this company extorting you? You don't have to buy it just because they sell it. Bottom line.

Buying toys is never a rational decision in the purest sense. You can rationalize the purchase, but that does not make it rational. It's emotional. If it wasn't it would be a weird looking toy in the shape of a bat with no other context. But because it's Ratbat, and you love Transformers (love is an emotion), and you love collecting (also emotional) you want one. You don't want to pay the money for a Soundblaster (emotional), so you'll go for a KO version of Ratbat (rational based on emotional decision).

Im gwtting really tired of you putting words in my mouth.

1) i never said they extorted me. Confused how me not giving them my money is them extorting me?

2) how do you know i "love" collecting? I even said esrlier i dont buy that many.

Honestly you seem to be just coming up with your own perceptions of who i am and my motives are.. so im just going to ignore you.