The Energon Pub

[Bumblebee21]

I hope you guys are enjoying your combiners, because now I've gotten through two UW boxsets and they've both broken on me, I'm never buying official combiners again.

I am so sorry to hear your pain, that sucks. But I do want to warn you, going 3p is not the answer if you want to stay away from QC. 100% of all my 3p purchases have serious QC flaws. The quality has never been proven better on them. All they have is a higher parts count and that means more chance for problems.

Is there any chance you can get a refund or exchanges for your toys? At worst, contact Hasbro about your problems with the hasbro one and they could get you a new figure.

https://hasbro-new.custhelp.com/app/answers/list

they dont help with takara problems

[william-james88]

they dont help with takara problems

They were both UW? My bad, I thought one was Hasbro.

[Evil Eye]

Yeah, both were Takara. As for the 3P subject, I only own one 3P combiner (Maketoys Defensor) and it's one of the best made toys I own. I know 3P doesn't automatically equal better, but at least there's a chance it won't be made of complete garbage. I'm not excluding official TFs completely, mind you, just combiners.

[william-james88]

Yeah, both were Takara. As for the 3P subject, I only own one 3P combiner (Maketoys Defensor) and it's one of the best made toys I own. I know 3P doesn't automatically equal better, but at least there's a chance it won't be made of complete garbage. I'm not excluding official TFs completely, mind you, just combiners.

Where did you get your UW toys? Could you ask for replacements from the people that sold them to you? You could open a claim with paypal if you paid that way.

[Evil Eye]

Yeah, both were Takara. As for the 3P subject, I only own one 3P combiner (Maketoys Defensor) and it's one of the best made toys I own. I know 3P doesn't automatically equal better, but at least there's a chance it won't be made of complete garbage. I'm not excluding official TFs completely, mind you, just combiners.

Where did you get your UW toys? Could you ask for replacements from the people that sold them to you? You could open a claim with paypal if you paid that way.

I got 'em from TFS Express, a generally superb store. The first one was ages ago, and that's already been returned and refunded. Unfortunately Computron was a gift, bought well in advance and the return grace period has already expired. I might be able to get it returned, but for reasons I don't really want to discuss it could be...difficult.

[DestronMirage22]

Hey, did anyone ever notice that in the comic included with CW Swindle, they showed a rough sketch of what would eventually be the head used for Unite Warriors Starscream?

[Sabrblade]

Hey, did anyone ever notice that in the comic included with CW Swindle, they showed a rough sketch of what would eventually be the head used for Unite Warriors Starscream?

All of the the pack-in CW comics have that, yes. It bears a striking resemblance to the head design of Starscream from the WFC/FOC video games.

[InfiniteSD]

Hi everyone, kind of trying to introduce myself everywhere. Finally decided to register.

Been collecting transformers since I was 6. Shame my family gave all my first ones away when I joined the Army. Anyways, I have a question.

I've got two Combiners on the way which I bought off eBay. Both say they are new, one new with slight box damage( can't see anything from pictures so must be minor, but new just the same.

How do I tell if they are indeed new? I've already been unlucky enough to buy a reissue Prime which was sold as new, but used. I want to ensure these two are legit. The Combiners are Computron and Devastator.

[InfiniteSD]

Hi everyone, I've been trying to introduce myself as I go along. Finally decided to register so I could post some questions and using my phone doesn't seem to be working. I'll apologise in advance if I end up with a double post somewhere, as I get some strange errors using my phone and not sure if the posts go through.

Just bought two Combiner Sets off of Ebay. One is Devastator, the other is Computron. Both are the Hasbro versions which goes back to when I was 6 years old, and Hasbro was all there was for me.

My question is, how do I tell if they are indeed new? Do they have tape, shrink wrap, glued boxes? Devastator was sold as MISB New, and Computron was sold Brand New with minor box damage. Looking at the pictures I can't see any box damage so it should be fine for me. I'll assume as well that knock offs haven't been created for these sets yet, as that's another mine field I want to steer clear of.

Recently I tried to buy a G1 reissue Prime which was sold as new, but was used and it had some unusually wear to it so I am a bit weary of what is actually new these days.

Could you please let me know what to look for to ensure they are new/legit?

Thanks for the help.

[nycPrime]

Hi everyone, I've been trying to introduce myself as I go along. Finally decided to register so I could post some questions and using my phone doesn't seem to be working. I'll apologise in advance if I end up with a double post somewhere, as I get some strange errors using my phone and not sure if the posts go through.

Just bought two Combiner Sets off of Ebay. One is Devastator, the other is Computron. Both are the Hasbro versions which goes back to when I was 6 years old, and Hasbro was all there was for me.

My question is, how do I tell if they are indeed new? Do they have tape, shrink wrap, glued boxes? Devastator was sold as MISB New, and Computron was sold Brand New with minor box damage. Looking at the pictures I can't see any box damage so it should be fine for me. I'll assume as well that knock offs haven't been created for these sets yet, as that's another mine field I want to steer clear of.

Recently I tried to buy a G1 reissue Prime which was sold as new, but was used and it had some unusually wear to it so I am a bit weary of what is actually new these days.

Could you please let me know what to look for to ensure they are new/legit?

Thanks for the help.

If the seller's rating is high, I'd feel comfortable if it is advertised as MISB or MOSC. All new TFs will be sealed and tied down to the plastic tray inside. So for the 2 you bought, the box will have some tape on it and you'd have to cut it to open it.

[william-james88]

Yup, you can tell it is new if the TFs are still in plastic ties when you remove them from the packaging. And that all the plastic ties are present. Meaning that every figure should be tied down by a few plastic strings that go into a small hole in the plastic encasing them. If you see them loose in the box or the small holes near the toys dont have the plastic srings coming out of them then it would show taht the toy was once removed from the packaging and thus not new.

[nycPrime]

Yup, you can tell it is new if the TFs are still in plastic ties when you remove them from the packaging. And that all the plastic ties are present. Meaning that every figure should be tied down by a few plastic strings that go into a small hole in the plastic encasing them. If you see them loose in the box or the small holes near the toys dont have the plastic srings coming out of them then it would show taht the toy was once removed from the packaging and thus not new.

Opening up new TFs is as painful as it sounds here lol. I HATE plastic ties.

[william-james88]

Opening up new TFs is as painful as it sounds here lol. I HATE plastic ties.

It especially hurts if you dont have a scissor handy and use your fingers

[InfiniteSD]

Thanks, most of the reviews skip the finger bleeding of the plastic ties so I wasn't sure. Why add one or two when ten will do.

Both sellers have feedback with similar numbers to my own. The Computron seller has 100%, but one of the positives states: not sealed and parts missing, but seller sorted it out. The auction was similar to mine as it was supposed to be New and sealed. Hope it was just a one off though as I only looked to see if they had any thing other than 100% positive when I bought it. Not sure why they would still get a positive for selling used as new especially with parts missing. Just wish more stores around me carried a better range so I didn't have to rely on Ebay as much.

Hopefully at least one should get here by Thursday to check it out. I'll try to keep my hopes up.

Thanks again for the help.

[RAR]

Opening up new TFs is as painful as it sounds here lol. I HATE plastic ties.

It especially hurts if you dont have a scissor handy and use your fingers

I use some small needle nose pliers myself - I grab the end and poke it back through the hole at just one end and no little bit of snipped plastic to fall on the floor then which would happen if you snip them. But if you do snip them I'd recommend wire snips.

[TF-fan kev777]

Yup, you can tell it is new if the TFs are still in plastic ties when you remove them from the packaging. And that all the plastic ties are present. Meaning that every figure should be tied down by a few plastic strings that go into a small hole in the plastic encasing them. If you see them loose in the box or the small holes near the toys dont have the plastic srings coming out of them then it would show taht the toy was once removed from the packaging and thus not new.

I have both Hasbro versions. The ties are true for Computron as everything was tied to a plastic insert. For Devastator, however, the insert was cardboard and the 6 bots were simply just sitting in there without being tied down (if I remember correctly). The weapons I believe were in their own plastic bag (not 100% sure) below the insert and the instructions were also in a bag below the insert.

For Devy, you'll want to see the tape intact on the side of the box as your best indication of them being new. The next thing I would look for is whether the tape in the bag for the weapons or the instructions was intact (hard to use them without the weapons or knowing how to transform them).

[nycPrime]

Opening up new TFs is as painful as it sounds here lol. I HATE plastic ties.

It especially hurts if you dont have a scissor handy and use your fingers

I use some small needle nose pliers myself - I grab the end and poke it back through the hole at just one end and no little bit of snipped plastic to fall on the floor then which would happen if you snip them. But if you do snip them I'd recommend wire snips.

I usually just hold the whole thing over a garbage can and cut the ties. I just hate how there are like 10 ties for a deluxe.

[InfiniteSD]

Well, Computron has arrived and loads of ties on each one. Box was taped shut, and the corner damage was extremely minimal.

Next worry, tight joints

[o.supreme]

I actually prefer tight joints as it makes the figures more sturdy when they stand up, but since (I assume because its in this thread) you got the Hasbro Computron, that shouldn't be a worry, mine was pretty loose and floppy unfortunately.

[william-james88]

Well, Computron has arrived and loads of ties on each one. Box was taped shut, and the corner damage was extremely minimal.

Next worry, tight joints

Congrats! Share the news of your purchase in the Transformers Toy Haul Thread!

[InfiniteSD]

I actually prefer tight joints as it makes the figures more sturdy when they stand up, but since (I assume because its in this thread) you got the Hasbro Computron, that shouldn't be a worry, mine was pretty loose and floppy unfortunately.

It may have come out wrong. I'm hoping it does have tight joints we'll see though.

[o.supreme]

oh ok gotacha . You are worried it might NOT be tight. Well, I hope it works for you. I got a really nice Platinum LioKaiser, while other people got loose ones so who knows...

[InfiniteSD]

Just ordered Victorion as well. So I have to see about sorting out Pyra Magna and here wrong knees, but I wanted the set regardless so I'll have to deal with it.

Scattershot has a huge split line of tan plastic showing through near the cockpit, so a possible paint match needed for that. Almost as if some flash was cut off and it took some paint with it.

Cyclones has a floppy chest which I need floor polish to fix

Fingers crossed for Devastator.

I don't remember previous lines having this many issues.

[Kurona]

Just ordered Victorion as well. So I have to see about sorting out Pyra Magna and here wrong knees, but I wanted the set regardless so I'll have to deal with it.

Scattershot has a huge split line of tan plastic showing through near the cockpit, so a possible paint match needed for that. Almost as if some flash was cut off and it took some paint with it.

Cyclones has a floppy chest which I need floor polish to fix

Fingers crossed for Devastator.

I don't remember previous lines having this many issues.

Honestly, you've actually kind of come across the few major ones just by happenstance. Aside from subjective views on the figures' quality - for instance, I'm not a big fan of the Breakdown mold - there's not many other flaws.

And if it helps... I've actually found that Pyra Magna's flaw ironically was a plus for me, because it ended up giving her a little extra height. Plus it's only in Robot Mode it's a problem; due to it affecting the knees it doesn't affect the Vehicle or Torso modes.

[RAR]

Yes the chest on my Cyclonus was so loose it would ever hold up in the proper place - some floor polish did help but it's still pretty loose - but at least it doesn't fall down now.