The Energon Pub

[shortround]

I thought this might help out all the noobs who are joining the forums and just begining to collect again after seeing the movie or start up a collection for the first time. So go ahead and share how you pick what transformers to buy it just might save someone a huge headache or keep them from buying a truly lame and awful transformer.

[i_amtrunks]

I find that Ryan's Toy Galleries help a bundle.

I also search various sites for figure reviews if I am not 100% sure I will like a figure. Not that it matters much, I still end up buying at least 1 figure of each mold.

[Sportimus Prime]

I buy what I like. I also consider if I really want the figure since I don't want Transformers taking over my house.

[Deceptiwho?]

I find that Ryan's Toy Galleries help a bundle.

I also search various sites for figure reviews if I am not 100% sure I will like a figure. Not that it matters much, I still end up buying at least 1 figure of each mold.

Agreed! I also like to look for a good bot mode , that just seems to attract me to the toy

[tom brokaw]

whatever looks cool .

[Menasorwheels]

I find that Ryan's Toy Galleries help a bundle.

I also search various sites for figure reviews if I am not 100% sure I will like a figure. Not that it matters much, I still end up buying at least 1 figure of each mold.

Agreed! I also like to look for a good bot mode , that just seems to attract me to the toy

The movie Arcee gallery sold me on her. She turned out to be alot better than I expected.

[toxicity]

face. for me, its ALL about the face. if the robot face mode doesnt look nice, it wont cut it. (concept BB is an exception) And i also have a thing for piping, because i love sticking lights behind. Hence my love for cybertron sideways

[Susinko]

First I see if a figure speaks to me. For example, I can sympathize with Starscream and can feel the uncertainty that Thundercracker feels about the Decepticon cause. Similarly, if a character particularly annoys me in the show, I will be much less likely to get him.

I also pay attention to the face. There are types that I prefer over other types. For example, I love the humanoid faces and dislike those one-camera-eye faces.

I also will get ones that have alt modes that I particularly like. Or robot modes I really like. Ravage is a good example.

[Bonger]

I have a simple formula. If it is G1 relevant, I buy it, no matter what.

For non -G1 items, I mostly pick up items that either fit in the G1 continuity, like Armada Unicron. I also grab a Megs and Prime from every series along with anything that is an "exclusive" or limited in numbr in some way.

[LigerJohn]

I got really into transformers when I saw the movie toys on the shelves. I was only planning on getting just barricade and maybe brawl, but I picked up scorponok, bumblebee 74, jazz and wreckage. after seeing them.

After picking I got all the movie figures, I got hooked on Galaxy Force. Right now I am getting the designs I like most and any ones I can find at retail. My Holy Grail was Override. But when I had her in my hands, I was dissapointed, but I really love Cybertron defense Hot Shot, but I am getting the designs I like most first.

[Alex Kingdom]

I make my decisions based upon the following criteria:

Do I like the Character?
Do I like the fiction they are in?
Do I like the Robot mode?
Is it well detailed?
Is it well articulated?
Is it well Designed/engineered?
Do I like the Alt mode?
Is it worth the price they are charging for it?
Would it look good in my collection?

If the answer is no to any of the first three I wont buy it. Yes to the first three but no to the next 3, go to question 8. Yes to the first 6 bypass all further questions and pay for it immediately.

Yours AK

[twee]

I'll first look at pictures and determine which ones look cool to me. Then I'll head to some place like, say, Seibertron, and find out if that figure it worth getting. If it's a consensus waste of money, I don't bother. If it's mixed reactions, I buy it anyway.

Sometimes I'll also buy TFs because people recommend them to me. My very first movie TF was Wreckage, and that wasn't because of a lack of product; this was the time when the pegs were full of Barricades,Jazzes, Bonecrushers, etc etc. I wasn't really feeling him, but I bought him because of all you wonderful peoples' overwhelmingly positive opinions of him, and needless to say, I made a damned good choice.

Also, if something's on clearance, I might consider buying it, regardless of if I want it or not. I just bought Cybertron Primus, not because it was something I desperately wanted, but because it was only 15 bucks. Now that I opened it, it truly is a beautiful thing to behold, but if it wasn't 15 bucks, it wouldn't be displayed on my shelf right now, and I wouldn't feel any worse because of it.

[olokin]

A majpr consideration would be if the TF is a toy of major character. then the size, puny TFs just dont cut it for me. Then if the robot mode can stand a lot of posing, I would seriously consider buying it. Then the price... if I can afford it, then the TF will find a new home on my bookcase.

[Powersa]

I'll first look at pictures and determine which ones look cool to me. Then I'll head to some place like, say, Seibertron, and find out if that figure it worth getting. If it's a consensus waste of money, I don't bother. If it's mixed reactions, I buy it anyway.

Sometimes I'll also buy TFs because people recommend them to me. My very first movie TF was Wreckage, and that wasn't because of a lack of product; this was the time when the pegs were full of Barricades,Jazzes, Bonecrushers, etc etc. I wasn't really feeling him, but I bought him because of all you wonderful peoples' overwhelmingly positive opinions of him, and needless to say, I made a damned good choice.

Also, if something's on clearance, I might consider buying it, regardless of if I want it or not. I just bought Cybertron Primus, not because it was something I desperately wanted, but because it was only 15 bucks. Now that I opened it, it truly is a beautiful thing to behold, but if it wasn't 15 bucks, it wouldn't be displayed on my shelf right now, and I wouldn't feel any worse because of it.

Good for you. I've seen Cybertron Primus been put on sale at half price not only in stores, but at HTS website before. Now it is priced at $49 in Wal-Mart and TRU near me.

[kirbenvost]

I usually buy only good homages of my favorite G1 characters, unless there's a figure I think is really cool in both modes. In Cybertron I wanted to do the whole completionist thing, but there were too many ugly toys and I couldn't afford it, so that's when I made my decision to be more picky. They've gotta look good in both modes to be worthy of my collection.

[blkbitcloud1]

I buy Prime and some times Megs all the time. Everything else goes by looks and alt. mode. Face dont mattter to me, as long as it cool looking!

blkbitcloud1

[Fred2012]

watch ruvens reviews, whatever i like, i buy!

[Bugbite]

Well first I see if I have money(check!). Then I check to see if there are any figures on the shelves(nope!). Oh well guess I'll have to check another day. But seriously, I will only buy a figure if it looks good in both forms, unless it's on sale and one of the forms looks good (usually bot mode).

[jacksonspade]

I always follow this forumula;

That Target exclusive Jazz costs money...I have money...henceforth I have the Target exclusive Jazz.

You can pretty much replace "Target exclusive Jazz" with "any cool lookin' Transformer that costs money"

[Silver Galvatron]

I find that Ryan's Toy Galleries help a bundle.

In addition, i tend to be picky on paint applications as well. I would actually stand at an aisle with my mini-flashlight to pickout my preference. As for voyager-leader classes, i also tend to pick out the best package condition to my liking as well. (Geek to da max )


Transformers rocks.

[megatroptimus]

It helps if...

-it's a Prime, a Meg or a Starscream
-it's huge with electronics
-it combines
-it's an Earth-based vehicle

[i_amtrunks]

I find that Ryan's Toy Galleries help a bundle.

In addition, i tend to be picky on paint applications as well. I would actually stand at an aisle with my mini-flashlight to pickout my preference. As for voyager-leader classes, i also tend to pick out the best package condition to my liking as well. (Geek to da max )


Transformers rocks.

I do the same, and I have seen others (all teenaged or older males) do the same as well. I never used to bother much as the paint apps were decent overall, but for the movie line I have found myself spending 5 or more minutes looking over the various figures to find the one with the least bad paint apps.

[Bumblebee-otch]

just like anything else i buy: i do research online (pics, reviews), save up some money, locate it, buy it!

[DoubleOScorpio]

I have a simple formula. If it is G1 relevant, I buy it, no matter what.

For non -G1 items, I mostly pick up items that either fit in the G1 continuity, like Armada Unicron.

I'm with Bonger on this one. I look for any fig that will expand my "Classic-verse". I'm a big fan of homages. Take movie Long-Arm for example. He reminds me of Hoist, but has a much better/more interesting paint scheme. I love that figure and IMO he fits perfectly along side Classics Prime, Bumbles, et al.

I can't wait for "All Spark Power" Stockade (the black sector 7 SUV). He'll be my Classics-verse Trailbreaker.

Right or wrong, I'm a G1 mark, all the way.

[Bonger]

I have a simple formula. If it is G1 relevant, I buy it, no matter what.

For non -G1 items, I mostly pick up items that either fit in the G1 continuity, like Armada Unicron.

I'm with Bonger on this one. I look for any fig that will expand my "Classic-verse". I'm a big fan of homages. Take movie Long-Arm for example. He reminds me of Hoist, but has a much better/more interesting paint scheme. I love that figure and IMO he fits perfectly along side Classics Prime, Bumbles, et al.

I can't wait for "All Spark Power" Stockade (the black sector 7 SUV). He'll be my Classics-verse Trailbreaker.

Right or wrong, I'm a G1 mark, all the way.

No wrong about that. Never read anything so right.