The Energon Pub

[Burn]

that cost makes me question the future of my MP collecting

For me, it's pretty much a straight up no, simply because of the cost.

Factor in dollar conversion, plus the 10% GST we now get levied on our imports, plus freight ... it is literally my entire post-tax weekly pay.

And if this is the path they're going, well, unless I win the lottery that can set me up for life, I'm out.

[chuckdawg1999]

I just hope SOME of the extra money goes towards better QC. The last couple MPs were spotty.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I say they should scrap this thing and instead do an enhanced reissue of MPM-04 that includes a second gun and the hooks.

[kiwijinxter]

Here's an alternative that is any bit as good as Masterpieces, given Takara Tomy's crazy high price for the MP-44.... Unique Toys UT R-02 Challenger (aka Knight Optimus Prime)...

I wasn't sure whether to approve your first post or not given how it was more off-topic than on-topic. FYI, we try to limit discussion of non-licensed TF's to the 3P Forums.

Oops OK sorry, forgot about that in all the excitement that was generated by a $400+ Masterpiece...!

[Burn]

Here's an alternative that is any bit as good as Masterpieces, given Takara Tomy's crazy high price for the MP-44.... Unique Toys UT R-02 Challenger (aka Knight Optimus Prime)...

I wasn't sure whether to approve your first post or not given how it was more off-topic than on-topic. FYI, we try to limit discussion of non-licensed TF's to the 3P Forums.

Oops OK sorry, forgot about that in all the excitement that was generated by a $400+ Masterpiece...!

I don't know if "excitement" is quite the right word to be using for this news!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Holy smokeys....

Yep, glad i got my SG MP-10. Cause there is no way in hell I will get this figure ever.

[President-prime]

Sorry guys/girls. I just pre-ordered him. I might regret it later but as of right now, he’s going in the glass case centerpiece of my collection.

[Relic0037]

I might sound like a broken record, but the price pretty much makes him a bit too expensive for me to purchase right now. Maybe if there is a lower cost Hasbro version a couple years down the road with most of the accessories, I might consider it. The battle damaged options and mini figures of Carly & Sparkplug do interest me, but I could do without all the Starscream add-ons. Maybe they could do an MP 44-

[President-prime]

I actually like the Starscream add on. I was going to purchase the non transforming version of Optimus with starscream parts. That figure is nice.

[Emerje]

Hopefully they'll just release Prime on his own. Otherwise my Meggy is gonna be all lonesome.

Probably wont happen. MP-10 never got a non-trailer version despite other uses of his mold (Black Convoy, Gold Lagoon, and Shattered Glass) not coming with one. I would love for this to be some sort of deluxe edition and a more stripped down version coming later, but I don't see that happening.

Personally all I need with my Prime is a gun, ax, and Matrix, that's all. I doubt I'll even take any of the other stuff out of the box. Paying these kinds of prices when I'm only going to use 1/3 of the contents is going to be one of the most painful things I'll ever do as a Transformers collector.

Are you having a f*cking giggle Hasbro?

It would be very brave of Hasbro to charge this much with a domestic release, but as it stands, this is all Takara.

There will be a Hasbro release, but it's going to be exactly the same as that's their new MP MO. Beast Megatron in Japan is 35,000JPY ($309 USD, though you can get it much cheaper) while Hasbro's is $320, so doing the math Hasbro's release of Optimus would be around $450, same price as TFSource and BBTS are asking so you can guess where they're getting their stock from instead of Asia.

I'm disappointed that for the price he comes with Starscream wings and his head, but doesn't let me tear the figure apart and turn it into a crocodile.

Now that this price barrier has been broken I'm guessing Hasbro is going full speed ahead on that teased $500 HasLab Unicron now which is starting to sound like a bargain.

Emerje

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Hopefully they'll just release Prime on his own. Otherwise my Meggy is gonna be all lonesome.

Probably wont happen. MP-10 never got a non-trailer version despite other uses of his mold (Black Convoy, Gold Lagoon, and Shattered Glass) not coming with one. I would love for this to be some sort of deluxe edition and a more stripped down version coming later, but I don't see that happening.

Personally all I need with my Prime is a gun, ax, and Matrix, that's all. I doubt I'll even take any of the other stuff out of the box. Paying these kinds of prices when I'm only going to use 1/3 of the contents is going to be one of the most painful things I'll ever do as a Transformers collector.

Well then just go get MP-01. Out of scale and can't bend at the waist, but it has all that you asked for and no more. Or you could get MP-10 (and, I don't know, pawn or donate the trailer. Or keep office supplies in it) - better articulated and in scale. Either way you save yourself the pain of buying this junker.

MP-10 never got a trailerless release in the regular colors because as far as the cartoon goes the trailer was a fundamental part of Optimus! He almost never drove without it! Omitting a proper trailer was something MP-01 got a lot of flack for.

[starfish]

At this point, I would rather them not make it than to offer it to us at such an absurd cost.

This seems a bit selfish, basically boiling down to, “I won’t buy it therefore no-one else should be able to either.”

I mean, I can’t ever see myself owning a Dyson hairdryer, but I don’t begrudge those people who DO own one. Yeah, the pricing sucks, and it’s a shame that the cost is prohibitive or off-putting to the fandom at large, and the whole thing seems like a massive own-goal on Takara’s part.

But despite all that, I’m still going to order this (admittedly through gritted teeth), and - despite the cost - I’m glad to have the opportunity to own it.

Y’know... each to their own. Some fans like buying AFA-graded G1 toys for four figures that will never get taken out of the box. Others will pay hundreds to purchase original comic art. There will always be high-ticket items within fandom that somebody will pay big money for.

Personally, I would rather own MP-44 than a similarly-priced boxed Diaclone Swoop, but - hey - horses for courses. We all consume the Transformers franchise in our own different ways, and I’m not going to start denigrating or bad-mouthing anyone for their purchasing decisions. It’s all cool!

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I think certain attitudes and purchasing behavior reach the point of piddling in the sandbox and stepping on other people's ability to enjoy. I'm sure several people will want to see me crucified for saying this - I know they would have over on certain other forum sites - the collectorflation you mention (especially regarding AFA-graded toys) does that for less well-off fans who want to enjoy older toys. One of my lottery fantasies is buying up a bunch of AFA-graded Transformers, recording myself smashing the cases open maniacally, and re-selling the figures I don't keep for myself for peanuts or even donating them to thrift shops.

A bit more on topic: if Masterpiece prices continue to hit the level of this figure's, which is more likely if enough people buy it to make it profitable, then collectors who had previously been able to partake of the Masterpiece line will find themselves getting priced out. And that I think is something worth factoring into your decision.

[starfish]

I think certain attitudes and purchasing behavior reach the point of piddling in the sandbox and stepping on other people's ability to enjoy. I'm sure several people will want to see me crucified for saying this - I know they would have over on certain other forum sites - the collectorflation you mention (especially regarding AFA-graded toys) does that for less well-off fans who want to enjoy older toys. One of my lottery fantasies is buying up a bunch of AFA-graded Transformers, recording myself smashing the cases open maniacally, and re-selling the figures I don't keep for myself for peanuts or even donating them to thrift shops.

A bit more on topic: if Masterpiece prices continue to hit the level of this figure's, which is more likely if enough people buy it to make it profitable, then collectors who had previously been able to partake of the Masterpiece line will find themselves getting priced out. And that I think is something worth factoring into your decision.

A fair point, but as a large corporation, I’m sure that Takara take a lot of this into consideration when fixing their price-points. They must surely be aware that demand for this figure is going to be lower as a result of the pricing, and plan accordingly.

That said, though, you also have to consider that this is, well, Optimus Prime. It’s not like Dinobot where only hardcore Transformers fans are going to buy it. Prime is a cultural icon, so while sales will take a hit within the fandom, you’ll probably get higher demand from general high-end pop-culture collectors who might not otherwise dip into the normal Transformers ranges.

Whilst I would hate to see regular fans priced out of MP figures in the future, I do think this could be a bit of a one-off... and besides, it’s not as if fans don’t have any alternatives for a Prime toy.

[frogbat]

Think they need more decepticons... or maybe start redoing the seekers (I have the original mp3 and couldn't being myself to buy any of the repaints cos though it was great in its time, you know they can do better now.

Re this prime - I think the consensus is that though he's good, the price is ridiculous. Think they've gone accessory nuts - I have had to buy little boxes to store all the accessories from my mp figures. Personally, one of the greatest improvements modern figures have over their g1 counterparts (besides the obvious articulation etc) is the ability to store all accessories in both modes.

I managed to get a megs on high discount and still think I spent too much. If this ever goes on half price sales... then maybe I'd consider it.

One thing to keep in mind, I'm sure the powers that be at Takara evaluate lots of variables when they release these figures - at least it's not a rushed job like earlier figures and hope there's better QA than some recent figures.

Would love them to offer different price points for the same figure - basic, deluxe and ultimate - Prime Cab, Prime with accessories, Prime with accessories and trailer.

[Autobot Roadburn]

I paid for Dinobot and am going to buy T Rex Megatron, but I think this one is just a little out of my range. I might get him on sale like other people are saying or hope (and I know how unlikely this is) that when they inevitably release the toy color version maybe he'll have less accessories and be a bit cheaper. Might wait out for that anyway, I like when my Optimus figures have well applied chrome.

[President-prime]

You guys do understand that the new np have die cast parts. Not sure how much, but the cost may attribute to it. We’ll just have to wait and see. Also, having spike, spark plug and other mini figures are a plus. You never know, there might be a bunch of chrome on him.

[Hellscream9999]

You guys do understand that the new np have die cast parts. Not sure how much, but the cost may attribute to it. We’ll just have to wait and see. Also, having spike, spark plug and other mini figures are a plus. You never know, there might be a bunch of chrome on him.

dude, stop making excuses for them, there's no excuse for this price

[President-prime]

Excuses are not. I run a business. The kind of work that was put in the figure warrant “fair” pricing. If there are those who wants “masterpiece” figures, then then they should charge what they feel reflects their work. All businesses needs to make a profit. For Takara, they can charge what they think is fair to keep their core buyer. I can tell you now, this figure will be short packed or yet, there won’t be many out there. You can spout your disappointment, but please do not accuse fellow fans. Thanks

[Hellscream9999]

Excuses are not. I run a business. The kind of work that was put in the figure warrant “fair” pricing. If there are those who wants “masterpiece” figures, then then they should charge what they feel reflects their work. All businesses needs to make a profit. For Takara, they can charge what they think is fair to keep their core buyer. I can tell you now, this figure will be short packed or yet, there won’t be many out there. You can spout your disappointment, but please do not accuse fellow fans. Thanks

That's nonsense, 3p companies have done the die cast in large quantities, they've done the mountain of obscure accessories thing too, they even did the whole high price thing; I promise you, if this had been news about a $450 3p prime we'd be laughing at them for days in this thread. But because TT is making it, it's suddenly ok? No, don't think so
It'd also better have qc beyond perfection, so many people paid TT's price for an out-of-the-factory scratched megatron, and we've got stories for days about all the other new mp's breaking, notably dinobots neck, but they do nothing about it, at least with a lot of the big 3p companies, they'll go out of their way to fix it for you, but with TT, you're stuck, you paid almost $300 for a broken collectors item, hope it was worth it

[President-prime]

Here’s another idea. Maybe seibertron should add another section on website for more expensive items. Those who are interested can click on the link. Those who think their favorite toys should not be over a certain price range should not look at it. That way, out of sight, out of mind. Can’t complain what you don’t see. Just saying, just like you want to see quality toys, you need to be ok with whatever price the company set. Who said you need to buy it.

[william-james88]

Here’s another idea.

Here's a better idea, just be respectfull to one another. Debate is fine and healthy, there is no need to segregate, we are all in this hobby together.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Here's another idea: Ditch your cultish attitude that something being a collector's item means it should be shielded from complaint.

[Nemesis Maximo]

Here’s another idea. Maybe seibertron should add another section on website for more expensive items. Those who are interested can click on the link. Those who think their favorite toys should not be over a certain price range should not look at it. That way, out of sight, out of mind. Can’t complain what you don’t see. Just saying, just like you want to see quality toys, you need to be ok with whatever price the company set. Who said you need to buy it.

That just seems childish. Not trying to be mean here, but suggesting people not air their opinions is never the right answer.

You can’t deny that this is hella expensive. Let’s look at these facts:

1. MP-36 cost approx 250 USD from most major relevant retailers.
2. MP-41 cost about the same, was about the same size, came with a comparatively appropriate amount of accessories.
3. MP-43 is going to 330 USD, and does come with fewer accessories than MP-36, but will be larger than MP-36 which justifies the price increase to most.
MP-44 will cost 450 USD, will be around the same size as MP-36 if not shorter, even if it does come a trailer, and will have as many of not more accessories than MP-36.

It seems the precedent for price would be much more palatable at the MP-43 range of 330 USD.

I don’t claim for any of this to be true, but it is what the general audience perceives to be true, and as the saying goes, perception is reality.

[Cobotron]

Here's an idea: Everybody take a deep breath and mellow out.

The price of everything is on the rise. EVERYTHING. It's the way of the world. We're all going to have to deal with it.
Yes, this Optimus Price seems to be out of control, but we really don't know that much about it.

Complainers can complain, and happy folks can be happy.

Don't make it personal, and don't take it personal.
Everybody be civil.

Cool? Thanks!