The Energon Pub

Okay so here is my deal.. I just bought the TFCON powered convoy upgrade kit for Henkei/Classics Prime.. Now I find out that KAPOW, an Asian Toy distributor will be releasing that version of the Mold in slightly modified coloring on an unlimited production run to much of the Asian Market..It will include Chrome parts in place of Silver and fit a bit better (chrome colors wise) with the Henkei Prime produced by Takara Tomy..

this we all know or should know by now, I am assuming..(Not that I was really aware of that, but whatever)

So here we have a clear issue.. those that bought the Powered Convoy at the TFCON in Canada and those like me who bought it on the 2nd market, I.E. Ebay, will now have a version that will for all in tents and purposes be made in mass production..and cost far less..


yeah it's a bit different, but with how much of the collector community regards chromed parts, I just can't see my TFKON version retaining any value now that the D.I.A. version will be released in Japan, and also at an Unlimited run...

So is my TFCON now worthless??

Why should I hold onto the TFCON version, when the D.I.A. version is being released?

Better still who would want to buy the TFCON version, when you can get the unlimited run D.I.A. version now?

it's an age old problem with collecting I suppose.. jump on the purchase now, or risk the price going up..but what if you do that, and they release a slightly better, cheaper version, and now you spent a huge amount of money on something that you thought would not be there long, and come to find out, an unlimited production run was released in Japan.. and now your huge purchase, lays you low...

I now understand what you Botcon-ers were feeling when Japan released their Henkei classics. you go to the botcon, get an exclusive, then about 6 months later, Japan releases that fig.. under the all encompassing umbrella of (japan exclusive) only the internet and world shipping negates that caveat..

So please explain to me how My TFCON Powered Convoy Upgrade is worth anything... when the same mold with Chrome will be released in Mass production in Asian Markets and readily available for those who want to purchase it?

besides the potential for the D.I.A. Version's chrome to flake, what makes the TFCON version special? the Box? the limited run?

this whole purchase for me went from a great exciting thing to a complete depressing nightmare, all within 24 hours...


I feel sick to my stomach...

Usually exclusives retain their value, regardless of other versions released. For example, while most casual collectors probably chose to buy Gentai rather than BotCon thrust, the hardcore collectors still recognise and care about the difference. To put it another way, less people will want to buy it, but the people who do want to buy it will still pay as much as before.

Diem wrote:Usually exclusives retain their value, regardless of other versions released. For example, while most casual collectors probably chose to buy Gentai rather than BotCon thrust, the hardcore collectors still recognise and care about the difference. To put it another way, less people will want to buy it, but the people who do want to buy it will still pay as much as before.

I don't know, I mean I just can't see that being the case with the hard core collectors, and Now I kinda understand why there are still so many of these on ebay.. I would never have found any BOTCON stuff like this 2 years ago.. but now I think after the Whole Henkei release in Japan, most people who spent their wads on the BOTCON exclusives (with a few exceptions) were probably kinda miffed at the prospect of others getting a similar repaint... to me, it still sucks..

I could see if they released a version in japan that was all gold, or all silver, or even red and white.. but to release the same bot, with the only difference being Chrome parts?? And top it off Cheaper..

man does that sting!!

kapow is based in the UK and its TFCON

and i doubt D.I.A is an unlimited run

Only now at the moment of your undoing do you understand the power of the darksyde.

There are two issues here:

1. You're wrong about the 'unlimited' aspect as far as I understand, the second release DIA Commander will be a limited run, an import, and will likely be more expensive than the TFCon version. The thing about Henkei Thundercracker that no one was admitting to was the fact that he was MORE expensive than the BotCon version if you're talking about his retail price. The same thing is true of the re-release DIA Commander. The re-release would have cost you approximately the same thing by the time you got your hands on it. I expect somewhere like BBTS to list the re-release at about $225 if they get their hands on it.

2. The TFCon version is nicer. I like chrome, but go back and look at a Diaclone Powered Convoy. You see chrome there? Nope, you don't. The TFCon version is more appropriate. You'll have the better version.

Toys are a bad investment and if you liked the toy when you bought it then just be happy with what you have.

Electron wrote:kapow is based in the UK and its TFCON

and i doubt D.I.A is an unlimited run

well sorry about the Typo.. and Didn't know Kapow was based in the UK.. didn't stay on their site long.. got too upset to notice..


as for the unlimited thing.. I got that bit here:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... me-167539/

Counterpunch wrote:Only now at the moment of your undoing do you understand the power of the darksyde.

There are two issues here:

1. You're wrong about the 'unlimited' aspect as far as I understand, the second release DIA Commander will be a limited run, an import, and will likely be more expensive than the TFCon version. The thing about Henkei Thundercracker that no one was admitting to was the fact that he was MORE expensive than the BotCon version if you're talking about his retail price. The same thing is true of the re-release DIA Commander. The re-release would have cost you approximately the same thing by the time you got your hands on it. I expect somewhere like BBTS to list the re-release at about $225 if they get their hands on it.

2. The TFCon version is nicer. I like chrome, but go back and look at a Diaclone Powered Convoy. You see chrome there? Nope, you don't. The TFCon version is more appropriate. You'll have the better version.

1. not to dispute what you are saying, and believe me, after knowing who you are for almost 2 years now.. I feel like what you say is pretty much on target.. but on my other post I got this, and checked it out, and yeah.. only cost 160 with conversion on the dollar..

coolpop wrote:Two days ago I went with the non-exclusive version of Powered Convoy armor set at Kapow (http://www.kapow-toys.com/product_info.php?products_id=1399&osCsid=d93518ab4338788c2d724d81d2cb47c3), after currency conversion it costed me US$160 shipped. I like this later version with the chrome parts, but you really got a nice deal with your TFCon exclusive version.

Cheers,
Coolpop

2. as for the unlimited thing, I got that from this report..
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... me-167539/



yeah I see what you are saying about the Diaclone version..so that's a point of solace I suppose..

$200 is a very good price for the Powered Commander armor Skywarp-2. I had to pay $160 for the prereg and another $120 Canadian for my spare set I bought at TFCon.

All things considered, you didn't need to pay for the hotel, travel expenses and extra monies in the dealer room. You really got a good deal. Especially since the armor was originally going for around $300 on eBay last month.

Also the TFCon version and the D.I.A. Commander arn't exactly similar. The TFCon version looks alot nicer

I know what those reports say dude, but trust me on this one man, this second run will not be large nor will it be cheap.

There is just not enough interest in this thing.

Counterpunch wrote:I know what those reports say dude, but trust me on this one man, this second run will not be large nor will it be cheap.

There is just not enough interest in this thing.

ok buddy.. I'll trust what you are saying..


I suppose the TFCON version does have one good thing going for it.. If I get the City commander version, it will not look out of place.. http://www.tfcon.ca/gallery/TFcon-2009- ... 366?full=1 the chrome on the powered commander version would just make the two look odd standing next to each other..what i don't understand is how the Henkei prime has just chrome on the bumper and grill..and then the gun and the rest have silver.. it seems so cheap the way they did that.. I mean the original Prime had chrome everywhere.. http://www.tfcon.ca/gallery/TFcon-2009- ... 358?full=1

you know I do prefer the henkei Prime because of the repaint, but I'm half tempted to buy the classics version and switch out the grill..LOL..

thanks for the reassurance.. I'm starting to feel a little better about the purchase..

When did you purchase the TF Con version? It's been known for at least a couple of weeks now that the other version was coming out. It's a whole new ballgame when the exclusive shoe is on the other foot eh?

Geekee1 wrote:When did you purchase the TF Con version? It's been known for at least a couple of weeks now that the other version was coming out. It's a whole new ballgame when the exclusive shoe is on the other foot eh?

yeah I didn't know about it.. i just came back to TF like 4 days ago... and I hadn't properly reviewed all the news articles.. as for the exclusive thing.. yeah, I'll admit it, I was Wrong.. with the amount of cash and money you guys pay out at BOTCON, and to have that release re released in another country, and available online at half the cost.. it does suck.. so I'm with you guys now.. didn't know how to put that shoe on and see it from that perspective till now..till it happened to me..

Yoo, where and how have you been man? Been awhile.

I've had that immediate shock on some of my purchases, but usually they fade when I actually get the product in hand. And in this case, you have an incredible product.

I'm mostly doing cls/unvs anymore and is putting a halt on most other TF stuff. On the occasion, I'll pick up something new or old, but my focus is just on this one line.

Prime Evil wrote:Yoo, where and how have you been man? Been awhile.

I've had that immediate shock on some of my purchases, but usually they fade when I actually get the product in hand. And in this case, you have an incredible product.

I'm mostly doing cls/unvs anymore and is putting a halt on most other TF stuff. On the occasion, I'll pick up something new or old, but my focus is just on this one line.

been pretty good, just working on my comic universe so we can get books to print soon..maybe next year.. anyhow, how have you been, I am sorry i've been away for awhile, just had so many changes go on in my life..

as for collecting.. I'm gonna stick with the basics.. I got the Leader class ROTF figures.. and now I'm pretty much gonna do Henkei and or classics/Universe as well.. so just that and the Masterpieces for me..

I already have my original Transformers reissues..and the Beast wars Reissues..

so yeah classics/universe/henkei

and Masterpiece for me..

You'll need Classics Prime from Hasbro for the one you have as it was made to colour match with that while the 2nd one was made to match the Henkei one. Even if the chrome one is unlimited not many will buy it as it's made for one of the rarest versions of the Classics Prime mold.

Take a look at Kyle Chow's post at the following and you can see the difference between the two:

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/237330-new-photos-fansproject-g3-trailer-hk-tf-com-7.html

will my TFCON upgrade set look good with the Henkei prime? that's the one I bought, so I hope they look good together..it's not chrome but the other colors should match, i think I read somewhere that they were gonna make both versions a mix of the Japanese Henkei and the American classics prime's colors.. so that they could be used either way..??

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-ima ... 8.jpg.html

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-ima ... 9.jpg.html

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-ima ... 0.jpg.html

The collector's solution: when there's a problem with something you buy ... throw even more money at the problem in order to solve it.

If it bugs you so much Classics Prime is pretty easy to find on Ebay, isn't it?. The armor will hide all the parts you hate on Classics Prime and leave the Prime you prefer to stand beside him in robot mode. After all, why take Classics Prime apart when the shoulders and waist are completely hidden? Conversly, if you love the shoulders and waist of Henkei Convoy, why hide them?

Since most of the chrome on Henkei Prime is on the back I think you'll be fine.

At least you didn't overpay by too much. It could have been far, far worse.

Yea buy a cheap Classics Prime off ebay best one that has scratched paint and give it the armour. and display the sexy Henkei one naked!

Gauntlet101010 wrote:The collector's solution: when there's a problem with something you buy ... throw even more money at the problem in order to solve it.

If it bugs you so much Classics Prime is pretty easy to find on Ebay, isn't it?. The armor will hide all the parts you hate on Classics Prime and leave the Prime you prefer to stand beside him in robot mode. After all, why take Classics Prime apart when the shoulders and waist are completely hidden? Conversly, if you love the shoulders and waist of Henkei Convoy, why hide them?

Since most of the chrome on Henkei Prime is on the back I think you'll be fine.

At least you didn't overpay by too much. It could have been far, far worse.

hmmm throw more money at a problem, that is supposed to fix said problem.. that sounds eerily similar to our current government..LOL

yeah I see what you are suggesting.. I was thinking that maybe I'll leave the Henkei Primein packaging, and then i can find a loose classics and Henkei (though I doubt anyone will be selling a loose Henkei Prime) and then do the conversion the way I think it needs to be done, and use that version for the Powered commander upgrade armor..

still a part of me wonders if I should purchase the D.I.A. version after all.. but I did notice that the markings on the trailer are more in line with the classics version of Prime, but when you see the images of the release for the Henkei version, the only difference thus far is the chromed parts..
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... ntid=20054

so I may be cool with the TFCON version afterall..


and there is another cool thing that I realized..

If I want to have a consistant and cool display with both Optimus and Ultra Magnus in the upgraded armor, then buying the chrome version will make the two look too different, but since I have the TFCON version, it will match the Ultra Magnus version and they will look like they fit better together.. like this image is how I want to pose them.. (if you click the image it gets bigger)
http://www.tfcon.ca/gallery/TFcon-2009- ... e/RIMG0366
http://www.tfcon.ca/gallery/TFcon-2009- ... e/RIMG0365

So I suppose it is actually better to have the TFCON version if you are wanting to have him posed next to the Ultra Magnus version..

Dead Metal wrote:Yea buy a cheap Classics Prime off eBay best one that has scratched paint and give it the armour. and display the sexy Henkei one naked!

yeah, or like I was saying, I could buy a Henkei loose and a classics loose on eBay, switch the classics grill and bumper out with the Henkei version, and then use that version for the armor.. all while keeping a Henkei version in package and mint.. a win win scenario, yes?

Seems like a lot of money to toss away just to have an unchromed Henkei Prime. Plus it's help together by a pin, not a screw. You could end up doing more damage than it's worth (Henkeis are expencive).

Plus, I don't think the plastic on Classics matches the legson Henkei http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 1449/1/98/ So you'd wind up having a mismatched Henkei Prime instead of a mismatched P Convoy Exclucive.

So it appears to be about $155 to have the Henkei version of PC bought and shipped to the US. That's approximately what the TFCon version cost when it came out.

I think the Henkei version is not quite as nice and it doesn't appear to have the energy case, but I might be wrong on that.

While this cost for the Henkei version is competitive for now, I don't expect it to stay low once these get distributed and the production run is over. (Unless the rumors of FansProject being pretty money hungry are true and they keep making more).

We'll just have to wait and see really.

Diem wrote:Usually exclusives retain their value, regardless of other versions released. For example, while most casual collectors probably chose to buy Gentai rather than BotCon thrust, the hardcore collectors still recognise and care about the difference. To put it another way, less people will want to buy it, but the people who do want to buy it will still pay as much as before.

Yeah, what he said! I don't think you need worry about value.

hmmm.. I think the main reason I will stick with the TFCOn version is that he matches the ultra magnus, in his colors.. I.E. No chrome.. and putting them together would look odd if one had chrome the other didn't..