The Energon Pub

Decepticon Stryker wrote:

Kurona wrote:So how do the ebay/amazon sellers get them early?

My best guesses: stolen, they have connections, or it's Hasbro sneaking some stuff out to boost profits. Also I love your new profile picture.

"Sneaking stuff out early" doesn't boost Hasbro's profits at all. They sell to the retailers at a pretty much fixed price. Some retailers may negotiate the price (Walmart is infamous for this). The retailers then turn around and set the in store price for the consumer to pay for that product. The difference between the Hasbro price (wholesale) and the retail price at Walmart/Target/Toys 'R' US/etc. is the profit for the retailer. If certain venues are getting product far earlier than others, it's either an issue of distribution delays, broken street dates, OR acquisition of product through the black (or gray) market. Hasbro would upset their vendors if they preferentially released to certain ones before others, unless we're talking about store exclusives (timed or otherwise).

SillySpringer wrote:

RAR wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:
How the HECK did you get that so soon?

Chuck is rather talented at getting thing quickly - as shown in him so often being first with reviews.

...and yet he says he never gets stuff from people who stole it from the factory. That's just too amazing.

How is that amazing, this guy already has a bunch of em:



When you saw this pic, it meant they were finished and ready to ship, and are thus available somewhere.

SillySpringer wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Bumblebee21 wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well, I ordered Gnaw on eBay yesterday; hopefully, it'll be here sooner than later.

where and how much

In my home, and it was $16 and change for the figure plus like a $1 and change for shipping. I searched for Gnaw and it came up, but it's listed as Sharkticon.

How the HECK did you get that so soon?

He said ebay.

I guess it's less weird than a DELUXE SCALE STARSCREAM just appearing in retail without us even knowing it existed.

Sigma Magnus wrote:If I get Gnaw, he'll stay in shark-frog mode. Robot mode just looks...off.

Yeah, the character was never that stumpy, I also miss the gun.

SillySpringer wrote:

RAR wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:
How the HECK did you get that so soon?

Chuck is rather talented at getting thing quickly - as shown in him so often being first with reviews.

...and yet he says he never gets stuff from people who stole it from the factory. That's just too amazing.

I went to the Crossroads and made a deal with Mr. Stich. Also, I never pay THAT much more, there's no way I could ever make it back. Asian markets, like Hong Kong, get waves before us, as can be seen with me missing out on Bisk and Ratchet reviews. Other than that it's a little bit of what everyone else said, but mostly the deal with Mr. Stich.

I just read Megatron Origins and I am now even happier I got Sentinel prime. While waiting for Voyager Megatron, I can do with some forced perspective:

Gnaw is out there available somwhere, clearly:

william-james88 wrote:Gnaw is out there available somwhere, clearly:

I've heard of army-building, but that's just absurd.

Holy Gnaw! That would be the best Gnarmy ever.

william-james88 wrote:Gnaw is out there available somwhere, clearly:

Well he WAS..a wall of Sharkticons to attack the Quintessons after Grimlock lays down the law!!

Bumblebee21 wrote: Gnarmy

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Not a sir, and I'm afraid this tongue stays unbitten as long as the theory is plausible~

(I would actually love those two full combiners to happen - maybe not so keen on Abominus but I'd definitely make a beeline straight for Predaking. Just grown a wee bit cynical over the years)

Oh. Okay then. And I apologize. I really figured you were a dude... Hmmm. Not that it matters.
Is your username a play on Corona the beer?

Anyway, I don't see how HasTak could release "updates" of either of those characters and not have them be combiners at this point. Don't get me wrong, obviously it's possible.
But wow, a lot of people would be very letdown... Especially with Predaking.
I would hope that they'd figure out how to create both teams with re-tooling, and even if those are two of the very last combiners and it costs some $$$$,
first off, Predaing is a fan favorite and worth it.
Secondly, with all the re-using of the CW molds, even though these two rumored groups would require extensive re-tooling, new headsculpts, etc., imo, they almost owe it to us to do these characters right.

Just a note: at one of the recent Cons (I believe it was where they officially announced Liokaiser), Hasbro polled the room, and when they asked if fans would want the “beast” combiners, there was a resounding “Yes!” from the fans in attendance. Hasbro has taken note, so don’t be surprised to see at least Abominus and Predaking in the near-ish future, if not Piranhacon as well.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Not a sir, and I'm afraid this tongue stays unbitten as long as the theory is plausible~

(I would actually love those two full combiners to happen - maybe not so keen on Abominus but I'd definitely make a beeline straight for Predaking. Just grown a wee bit cynical over the years)

Oh. Okay then. And I apologize. I really figured you were a dude... Hmmm. Not that it matters.
Is your username a play on Corona the beer?

No worries yo

It's actually partly based on Corona Sparkplug, partly because it fit with the other thing I was naming myself after, and partly because... honestly, I don't know. I just really liked Corona Sparkplug. Better than the Optimus he came with

Kurona wrote:I just really liked Corona Sparkplug. Better than the Optimus he came with

So similar to MP Ratbat, you didn't like the extra accessory robot he came with

WOULDN'T IT BE CRAY if one of the Titan Masters was Corona OR Sparkplug?

Still miffed Spike isn't the one for Cerebros (although, it's my headcannon so he is)..

Thoughts on SDCC Fort Max vs regular? My Takara Legends option fell through

itscramtastic wrote:Thoughts on SDCC Fort Max vs regular? My Takara Legends option fell through

If you are budget minded, and/or mainly going to display him in base or vehicle mode, then definitely go with the regular version. The sword is great and all, but not worth the extra cost, plus no free shipping on the exclusive version. If you decide to go regular, either go with a 20% off code from HTS (you can get one currently for registering your email with them) or if that isn't available, go with TRU and sign up for their credit card for 10% off, plus another $10 back in rewards dollars if you are in their program. I was originally interested in the SDCC version, but the sword is the main difference and would end up costing about $50-60 extra once all the discounts were figured in.

itscramtastic wrote:Thoughts on SDCC Fort Max vs regular? My Takara Legends option fell through

Depends on if having a big honking sword is important.

The SDCC looks better to me but more dollar monies.

carytheone wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:Thoughts on SDCC Fort Max vs regular? My Takara Legends option fell through

If you are budget minded, and/or mainly going to display him in base or vehicle mode, then definitely go with the regular version. The sword is great and all, but not worth the extra cost, plus no free shipping on the exclusive version. If you decide to go regular, either go with a 20% off code from HTS (you can get one currently for registering your email with them) or if that isn't available, go with TRU and sign up for their credit card for 10% off, plus another $10 back in rewards dollars if you are in their program. I was originally interested in the SDCC version, but the sword is the main difference and would end up costing about $50-60 extra once all the discounts were figured in.

Depends on if having a big honking sword is important.

The SDCC looks better to me but more dollar monies.

Sword and Titan Master face are wins in my book for the SDCC. Price is the win for regular release, but I qualify for no discounts as I have all the things everywhere

And then the box. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Since I already had $180 invested one way, might as well stick with that and order up the SDCC

Just a word of warning, Cram. SDCC merchandise at Hasbro Toy Shop is not eligible for promos or discounts. Including shipping.

Cobotron wrote:Just a word of warning, Cram. SDCC merchandise at Hasbro Toy Shop is not eligible for promos or discounts. Including shipping.

Well, I just ordered it from HTS! $179.99 + $10.80 tax. No shipping charge for standard delivery!

Also keep in mind the sword's a little, uh.



Meh.

If you're splashing out this much you might wanna consider this.
http://toyhax.com/for-titans-ret/2152-l ... sword.html

Kurona wrote:Also keep in mind the sword's a little, uh.



Meh.

If you're splashing out this much you might wanna consider this.
http://toyhax.com/for-titans-ret/2152-l ... sword.html

It's already in my cart there Kurona!

itscramtastic wrote:

Kurona wrote:Also keep in mind the sword's a little, uh.



Meh.

If you're splashing out this much you might wanna consider this.
http://toyhax.com/for-titans-ret/2152-l ... sword.html

It's already in my cart there Kurona!

lol, well have fun
What other repros you getting, just out of curiosity? (I'm assuming you've got other stuff in the cart)

Kurona wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

Kurona wrote:Also keep in mind the sword's a little, uh.

Meh.

If you're splashing out this much you might wanna consider this.
http://toyhax.com/for-titans-ret/2152-l ... sword.html

It's already in my cart there Kurona!

lol, well have fun
What other repros you getting, just out of curiosity? (I'm assuming you've got other stuff in the cart)

I'm all about the Reprolabels

Currently sitting in there is the TR Wheelie, TR Chromedome, TR Highbrow, the Cyberglow reduction set for the other TR label sets I already had, the Master Sword, the full base Fort Max set, and Apollyon's set for giggles.

As well as CW Devastator's set..

Contemplating what I really want though. I still need to label up CW Ultra Magnus, and TR Blaster (which I don't even have yet..). I think that's all that was in my backlog.

carytheone wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:Thoughts on SDCC Fort Max vs regular? My Takara Legends option fell through

Depends on if having a big honking sword is important.

& paint apps