Please note that some quotes have been edited for clarity/reduced word count, etc and that issues/debate relating to SS/official Hasbro figures have been posted here. See below for more details.
Emerje wrote:But no, you didn't answer my question. I'm specifically talking about figures (POTENTIALLY) stolen from the factory that were different quality from what turned up in stores as you claimed.
I already did. I've stated that problems mentioned regarding such "pre-production" items (and for discussion, I'm referring to items that have appeared before any official production items, or samples, have surfaced, complete with their boxes) have not always appeared in the versions I get in Japan (floppy joints, correctly assembled shoulder joints, etc). Quite recently, the review of such an item (Studio Series Crosshairs) seemed to lack parts from the alt mode that were believed/confirmed to be in the official production version. As this was an issue, Seibertron itself omitted pictures of the alt mode from the review, in order to avoid confusing people, I believe?
Also, I mentioned that this is a POTENTIAL problem, and not one that applies to every released product. Although some might think I would be happy if people stopped buying official TFs due to reviews of potentially stolen TFs (as I've read some people have stated they will/might do at the various TF sites in the comments sections), as this might be a wake-up call to Hasbro to take stricter measures against them. However I would happier if people would rather wait for reviews of legitimate, officially released TFs before deciding to veto any future purchases (rather than any potential problems mentioned in a review of any figure that's not proven to be a final release) or just not bother with watching the videos at all.
... (Views regarding 3P figures and Youtubers that review potentially stolen TFs)
In the spirit of keeping posts as close to topic as possible, your quotes and my replies can be found at the most appropriate thread at Seibertron that I could find:
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third-party-and-knock-off-transformers-news-p2143763.php#p2143763If you have any evidence to the contrary regarding (what are still perfectly legal until proven otherwise) KO's or 3P products, I would be happy to receive them and add your findings to the link I've already supplied and to debate this aspect more at either the Allspark or Seibertron threads devoted to this subject (such as the one in my Sig)...