The Energon Pub

primalxconvoy wrote:How can this guy get them before me? I live in Japan and preordered the set for a friend, but I'm still waiting for them. PVP lives in the UK, non?

PvP is an official partner to the brand, he is sent figures early to provide reviews. He confirmed as such last year I think with the SS86 deluxes.

Selects Super Megatron is still amazing. He is my new favorite transforming G1/G2-esque Megatron in my collection

That might be so, but the Dinobots are not a regular Hasbro product. He might be a partner to Hasbro US/UK, but how about Hasbro Asia? All three are separate entities.

primalxconvoy wrote:That might be so, but the Dinobots are not a regular Hasbro product. He might be a partner to Hasbro US/UK, but how about Hasbro Asia? All three are separate entities.

He also gets Takara figures too. He has become one of the universal firsts for every release.

That still seems fishy to me. I don't think he's a partner of Takara. Until Hasbro or Takara says otherwise, I suspect his acquisitions "fell off the back of a Convoy"...

primalxconvoy wrote:That still seems fishy to me. I don't think he's a partner of Takara. Until Hasbro or Takara says otherwise, I suspect his acquisitions "fell off the back of a Convoy"...

Again, he literally stated as such in a video review from last year. It is literally been put out there. He did to differentiate it from TonTon too, since TonTon was doing a similar thing, except he was actually getting stolen factory samples.

primalxconvoy wrote:That still seems fishy to me. I don't think he's a partner of Takara. Until Hasbro or Takara says otherwise, I suspect his acquisitions "fell off the back of a Convoy"...

The simple solution is often the right one, and that simple solution is he gets sent items early to hype them.

ZeroWolf wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:That still seems fishy to me. I don't think he's a partner of Takara. Until Hasbro or Takara says otherwise, I suspect his acquisitions "fell off the back of a Convoy"...

The simple solution is often the right one, and that simple solution is he gets sent items early to hype them.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:That still seems fishy to me. I don't think he's a partner of Takara. Until Hasbro or Takara says otherwise, I suspect his acquisitions "fell off the back of a Convoy"...

Again, he literally stated as such in a video review from last year. It is literally been put out there. He did to differentiate it from TonTon too, since TonTon was doing a similar thing, except he was actually getting stolen factory samples.

The simple solution to me is that he's getting them from an illegitimate source and just because some YouTuber stated he didn't and that "everything is legit" isn't proof. Until he can offer official proof and/or Hasbro/Takara say otherwise, I remain unconvinced this chap is able to get exclusive Japanese Transformers sent to him in the UK, before I can get them sent, down the road, to me, in Japan (I live really close to one of the major shipping and distribution areas in Japan, where Amazon Japan, Sony, etc have some of their distribution/return centres).

Idk this guy literally says every figure is "the best we have ever gotten" and is ridiculously enthusiastic about almost every review. Makes sense that he would get products earlier to convince other people to get them too

primalxconvoy wrote:The simple solution to me is that he's getting them from an illegitimate source and just because some YouTuber stated he didn't and that "everything is legit" isn't proof. Until he can offer official proof and/or Hasbro/Takara say otherwise, I remain unconvinced this chap is able to get exclusive Japanese Transformers sent to him in the UK, before I can get them sent, down the road, to me, in Japan (I live really close to one of the major shipping and distribution areas in Japan, where Amazon Japan, Sony, etc have some of their distribution/return centres).

Just because you are down the road does not mean you will get them first!! Holy crap!!

I attempted to look but could not find the specific mention just now, but last year, it was literally announced he had a partnership with HasTak for the figures. It was discussed heavily, because he finally put to bed the rumors he was stealing. That is why, since maybe last September, no one has made a crack (until you of course) that he was stealing or wondering how he gets the figures early. He shared it, backed up and all. He, like Thew, even has a partnership with that Zavvi store in the UK that gets early review samples too.

1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

2/ I've seen no evidence, nor statements by Hastak that this guy is legit. Usually, if something is donated to a Youtuber, then that Youtuber usually, via due diligence or YouTube rules, usually (has to?) declare it as such (as "sponsored content", etc). As such, until concrete proof is presented, and not just your/his statement about the matter, then I remain unconvinced they he is getting these toys legitimately.

3/ I believe his Zavvi reviews, just like other YouTubers (such as "Ashens") are declared as such. The viewer is in no way confused as to whether the reviewer gained the products from other sources (which is the whole point of such promotional videos). Zavvi, to my knowledge, also don't sell TFs before the country of origin gets them first, unlike this Dinobot set. Plus, I've never seen PVP declare that his other, miraculously "quickly delivered" TFs were provided to him via Takara, or any part of the Hasbro company, nor have I seen any declaration in his videos of them being "sponsored content", or even seen an "Official Hasbro/Takara Partner" image on his videos (which would be common sense for him to do, if it were true, as this would only promote and strengthen his channel more).

4/ Publicly, here, perhaps so, but I've recently received PMs at various sites that also repeat my suspicions, so it would seem that even now, I'm not the only one.

If however, you know of any actual concrete proof (other than "because he said so"), then I'm happy to retract my suspicions.

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

2/ I've seen no evidence, nor statements by Hastak that this guy is legit. Usually, if something is donated to a Youtuber, then that Youtuber usually, via due diligence or YouTube rules, usually (has to?) declare it as such (as "sponsored content", etc). As such, until concrete proof is presented, and not just your/his statement about the matter, then I remain unconvinced they he is getting these toys legitimately.

3/ I believe his Zavvi reviews, just like other YouTubers (such as "Ashens") are declared as such. The viewer is in no way confused as to whether the reviewer gained the products from other sources (which is the whole point of such promotional videos). Zavvi, to my knowledge, also don't sell TFs before the country of origin gets them first, unlike this Dinobot set. Plus, I've never seen PVP declare that his other, miraculously "quickly delivered" TFs were provided to him via Takara, or any part of the Hasbro company, bit have I seen any declaration in his videos of them being "sponsored content", or even seen an "Official Hasbro/Takara Partner" image on his videos (which would be common sense for him to do, if it were true, as this would only promote and strengthen his channel more).

4/ Publicly, here, perhaps so, but I've recently received PMs at various sites that also repeat my suspicions, so it would seem that even now, I'm not the only one.

If however, you know of any actual concrete proof (other than "because he said so"), then I'm happy to retract my suspicions.

How would living in Japan help if he was sent early samples though? In fact either way he got them, it wouldn't affect when you recieved yours. You seem bent out of shape over him getting them earlier then you.

Also there is the third option to consider which answers why he doesn't put sponsored by, and that's if hastak pass him the figures but tell him not to advertise it, thus to make it seem like a legit review instead of just hawking product. Not saying that's what going on, but it could happen.

ZeroWolf wrote:How would living in Japan help if he was sent early samples though? In fact either way he got them, it wouldn't affect when you recieved yours. You seem bent out of shape over him getting them earlier then you.

Also there is the third option to consider which answers why he doesn't put sponsored by, and that's if hastak pass him the figures but tell him not to advertise it, thus to make it seem like a legit review instead of just hawking product. Not saying that's what going on, but it could happen.

1/The fact that he got them before me is what raised my suspicions. If he got them legitimately, then there's no problem.

2/ As for your theory about "secret promotions" :

-

"...Paid product placements are pieces of content that are created for a third party in exchange for compensation, or where that third party's brand, message, or product is integrated directly into the content.

Endorsements are pieces of content created for an advertiser or marketer that contain a message that people are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, or experiences of the content creator or endorser.

Sponsorships are  pieces of content that have been financed in whole or in part by a third party. Sponsorships generally promote the brand, message or product of the third party without integrating the brand, message, or product directly into the content....If your content has a paid product placement, endorsement, or other commercial relationship, you need to tell YouTube so that we can facilitate disclosures to users. Note that you may have more obligations depending on the laws in your jurisdiction. If you don’t follow those obligations, we may take action against your content or account....When your content does include paid promotion, some jurisdictions and brand partners require that you tell viewers about any commercial relationship that might have influenced or added to your content. It's your responsibility to check and comply with laws and regulations around paid promotion content that apply to you..."

(Full information and source: - Google - "Add paid product placements, sponsorships & endorsements" - https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/154235?hl=en )

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

Except Takara Tomy Mall products are not distributed via bricks and mortar shops. They are only available online, via their website. Thus, living in Japan, which is closer to the distribution centre in Japan, than a person in the UK, for a product that seems to only be available online, seems fishy to me when that UK-based person gets them before both myself, and seemingly anyone else in Japan. If he got them from Hasbro Asia (which might be possible), then how? I don't believe they were released in that market before Takara's release in Japan. If he's a partner with Hasbro Asia, then I'm happy to see proof.

That's why I am suspicious, because this isn't the same as getting regular toys before some other people, due to the poor distribution of physical retail shops.

The Takara Tommy mail is not the same, but it kinda is.
It's not because the farmer is your neighbor that you'll automatically have first dibs at his carrots.
¯\_( ͡°ヮ ͡°)_/¯

-Kanrabat- wrote:The Takara Tommy mail is not the same, but it kinda is.
It's not because the farmer is your neighbor that you'll automatically have first dibs at his carrots.
¯\_( ͡°ヮ ͡°)_/¯

Exactly, it's making a mountain out of a mole hill

ZeroWolf wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:The Takara Tommy mail is not the same, but it kinda is.
It's not because the farmer is your neighbor that you'll automatically have first dibs at his carrots.
¯\_( ͡°ヮ ͡°)_/¯

Exactly, it's making a mountain out of a mole hill

Not at all. It's nothing like the quote above. In fact, it would be more accurate to state that the carrots were for sale only in the farmer's village, and they were suddenly sold to someone in another village before sale to the farmer's regulars. Thus, if these products are Japan exclusive, and are somehow ending up for sale outside Japan before their official release, then that is cause for concern.

My points/concerns stand.

D-Maximal wrote:
Selects Super Megatron is still amazing. He is my new favorite transforming G1/G2-esque Megatron in my collection

I totally agree!

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

Except Takara Tomy Mall products are not distributed via bricks and mortar shops. They are only available online, via their website. Thus, living in Japan, which is closer to the distribution centre in Japan, than a person in the UK, for a product that seems to only be available online, seems fishy to me when that UK-based person gets them before both myself, and seemingly anyone else in Japan. If he got them from Hasbro Asia (which might be possible), then how?

Because Hasbro gives them to him earlier. He's their partner in marketing while you're just a regular customer. Your location is irrelevant.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

Except Takara Tomy Mall products are not distributed via bricks and mortar shops. They are only available online, via their website. Thus, living in Japan, which is closer to the distribution centre in Japan, than a person in the UK, for a product that seems to only be available online, seems fishy to me when that UK-based person gets them before both myself, and seemingly anyone else in Japan. If he got them from Hasbro Asia (which might be possible), then how?

Because Hasbro gives them to him earlier. He's their partner in marketing while you're just a regular customer. Your location is irrelevant.

1/ Please provide evidence that these toys are a HASBRO product, as currently, they are a TAKARA TOMY EXCLUSIVE product, sold exclusively at the Takara Tomy Mall website, to only Japanese addresses and only to those using Japanese credit cards.

2/ Please provide evidence that Hasbro donated the toys to him.

3/ Please provide evidence that PVP disclosed that Hasbro donated the toys to him, as part of a sponsored post, as per Alphabet's/Google's/YouTubes terms and conditions (as shown above).

Until you're able to do this, my concerns/points stand.

So, anyone thinks Deep Cover will ship from Pulse on the 1st of April? I got Netflix Deep Cover so with Sideswipe, Tigertrack, and Selects Deep Cover I'm just a pink Lambo away from having the original Power Ranger color set I could always substitute Red Alert as the White Ranger

Nice! Has anyone come up with a good alternative name for the Netflix version of Deepcover? Some people were going to rename the sparkless seeker into that green twin brother character from TF Prime, whole someone (I think) wanted to head-cannon the sparkless barricade as a Junkion?

-Kanrabat- wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

The packaging comes from Longeil, Quebec but it's not packaged there.

william-james88 wrote:The packaging comes from Longeil, Quebec but it's not packaged there.

ONLY the packaging.
That's random.

primalxconvoy wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:1/ Living in Japan, close to the source of the toys gives me a higher chance of getting them than some chap in another country

This mean absolutely NOTHING. Every north/south American edition of Transformers are packaged in LONGEUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA. (Or the Hasbro headquarters are there or something.) Yet distribution to our local stores is complete crap and there's even toys that Quebec is not even allowed to have.

So there.

Except Takara Tomy Mall products are not distributed via bricks and mortar shops. They are only available online, via their website. Thus, living in Japan, which is closer to the distribution centre in Japan, than a person in the UK, for a product that seems to only be available online, seems fishy to me when that UK-based person gets them before both myself, and seemingly anyone else in Japan. If he got them from Hasbro Asia (which might be possible), then how?

Because Hasbro gives them to him earlier. He's their partner in marketing while you're just a regular customer. Your location is irrelevant.

1/ Please provide evidence that these toys are a HASBRO product, as currently, they are a TAKARA TOMY EXCLUSIVE product, sold exclusively at the Takara Tomy Mall website, to only Japanese addresses and only to those using Japanese credit cards.

2/ Please provide evidence that Hasbro donated the toys to him.

3/ Please provide evidence that PVP disclosed that Hasbro donated the toys to him, as part of a sponsored post, as per Alphabet's/Google's/YouTubes terms and conditions (as shown above).

Until you're able to do this, my concerns/points stand.

no.

I don't have to do **** for you. Your opinion is that he gets them illegitimately. Do you have any evidence to prove that? Or are you just salty because you don't get your hands on new stuff first even though you live in Japan.